Chapter 30
Leo, aka Saint, aka Sam
The sun has yet to rise, but my skin crawls as if it’s the morning of a mission. Willow sleeps naked, cuddled into my side. I should enjoy the moment, but I can’t. Energy courses through my veins with the fury of springtime rapids.
Saint. He didn’t stumble upon my code name. He heard it. But from whom? Where?
I slip out of bed, careful not to wake my slumbering bride.
Exercise. I need a good run to clear my thoughts and work through my fears.
Dressed, I pause to take in her sleeping form. She’ll need a new home. One that’s not so high in the sky but is secure. Is there time to train her? Fuck. I should’ve been working with her since day one. But how would she have received that? Yes, you married me, and now I’m going to teach you self-defense and leave you.
I’m so lost in self-flagellation on my way through the house I almost miss the creak.
In the shadow, I slow.
Listen.
“Anyone there?”
Nick’s staff might get an early start.
“You’ve a good ear.”
“Nick.” Where is he?
“Appears neither of us could sleep.”
My vision adjusts, and I make out Nick in the foyer, deep in the shadows. The only light source is the fading moon. Like me, he’s dressed for a run.
“Time change.” A logical lie.
“It’s a bugger.”
He stretches an arm out, gesturing to the door. “Shall we?”
“Going to join me?”
“Is that a problem?”
“Not at all. If you can keep up.”
He doesn’t smile. No, he glowers. Something’s up.
We step out the door. Dampness blankets the chilly air. Somewhere, past the tree line, the sun teases with glimpses of gold. I don’t need to see the light to know she’s there with her promise of a new day.
“You lead,” Nick says.
I take off to the path that winds through the woods.
If he’s planning to shoot me, he wouldn’t ask me to run.
Nick’s a good shot, but it takes training to run and shoot.
Whatever this is…it’s mind games. That’s what it is. He suspects me. No doubt.
Dew coats my running shoes, dampening my socks and my legs up to my calves.
I push forward. He wants mind games, we’ll play.
Adrenaline pumps. My body awakens. Senses heighten.
The cool air stings my eyes.
My fingers burn.
Sweat drips from my brow.
Willow. A vision of her in bed flashes.
Secure. Safe.
Her arms around me, her giving body.
Eyelids fluttering closed.
There’s nothing like watching her orgasm.
God, she’s gorgeous .
The narrow trail in the grass breaks open before the woods.
I’m a fool to be out here.
I should be in bed with Willow.
The trail head opens near an old pine.
A weight crashes into me, slamming me into rough bark.
I push back.
Nick’s arm presses me into the tree.
My left hook misses, grazing his ribs.
A sliver of light reflects.
A sharp pain sears my neck.
I still.
“What the fuck?” I growl.
Be tough. Don’t act guilty.
“Who are you working for?”
He knows. Come clean or deny?
“Did you bring me out here to kill me?”
The blade presses harder against my throat. But he’s not pressing the edge into me. He’s fishing.
“Didn’t have a plan. But here we are.”
“What the fuck is going on?” One last grasp for innocence.
“Drop the act.”
I force my muscles to relax. Bark digs into my spine.
A haze of blue lightens the horizon.
The scent of damp earth fills my nostrils. Damp earth and sweat.
“I trusted you.” It’s an accusation.
“I haven’t done anything–” The knife’s edge cuts into my skin.
“No lies.”
I meet Nick’s gaze head on and speak the truth. “I am your friend.”
“Is it about money?”
That’s what he would expect. I pointedly glare. “No.”
“How’d they get to you?”
“I want the same thing you do.”
“Yeah?” The blade flattens against my neck once again. “What’s that?”
“Stability.”
“Who are you working for?”
“You.” The sharp blade deepens the slice. Warmth trickles down my neck.
If I don’t take control, he’ll kill me. And what will he do to Willow?
I grab his wrist, shove, and trip him with my leg.
The move catches him off guard.
He stumbles.
Free of his hold, I circle him, arms wide, on my toes, on the ready.
He wants a fight. Let’s fight.
He grins. It’s an evil grin. My blood mars his knife.
“What are you?” he asks, watching me while he cleans the blade on the bark.
The action does a piss poor job of clearing my blood.
“Come on. It’s out in the open now. You work for me. Who else?”
Fuck. This is it.
“Others who also want stability.”
“You sure about that?”
“Nick, I am your friend. I’d die protecting you.” Speak the truth when possible.
He leans against the tree. “Funny thing. I believe you.”
I’ve no idea if that’s sarcasm or honesty.
“Who?” he asks.
“Can’t say.”
“Out here you can.” He gestures to the forest. “Only me and the gods to hear you.”
“What about Willow?”
He narrows his eyes. Twirls the knife like a baton. “That’s what you’re worried about, eh? Your arrangement?”
Depending on his answer, I might need to kill him. If that’s the case, I’ll need to do it out here. Away from his security. We’ll need to leave before anyone misses him.
“Tell you what. Friend.” He snarls that last word. This won’t go well. “How about I promise your lady love’s safety?”
How could I trust you? It’s on the tip of my tongue, but if I pursue that angle, we’re at a stalemate.
“You trusted me with Lina. I’ll trust you with Willow.” An eye for an eye. It’s a language he comprehends.
He chuckles. “An arrangement, my ass.”
My fingers stretch. On the ready.
He raises the knife.
I hold my hands up in a defensive posture. “I don’t want to fight you. Work with us. The goals are the same. In essence.”
“Go on.”
“It’s an unofficial group.” It’s the truth. “Doesn’t appear on paper.”
“One of those CIA jobs, eh? Designed to fly outside of Intelligence Committee awareness?”
No need to confirm or deny.
“Bloody Americans.” He spits and kicks at the spot on the ground. “Goal?”
“Intel.” That’s obvious. “But, Nick, the sands are shifting. There’re cracks in the alliance. Activities aren’t adding up. Those ships. That’s strengthening Russia. That’s not what you want either.”
Putin killed his parents. Nick skirts international law, but we share enemies.
“There’s no leaving the alliance. You know that.”
“Wouldn’t want you to leave. Work with us.”
“What would I get?”
“A partner.” He scowls. “When you want them,” I add.
That’s what every asset is– an opportune partner. Information is shared when it’s mutually beneficial.
He scratches his ear. “I’m thinking that’s a no,” he says, pointing the end of his blade in my direction. “You can’t expect I’ll keep a traitor around.”
Fuck. I don’t want to kill Nick.
“How’d you find out?” Who else knows?
“Let’s say it’s best you go dark.”
Light breaks through the mist across the field.
My knees bend slightly, preparing.
“Get out of here.”
I straighten, breath held. What did he say?
“Go. I’m gonna finish my run. When I’m back, be on your way. Understood?”
“Nick?”
He sheaths his knife. And waits. Solemn and astute.
“Thanks for being my best man. You were the best I could’ve asked for in this world.”
He answers with a jerk of his head and silently mouths the phrase in this world .
“I’m going to leave a number. You ever need anything. If things spiral with the alliance…it’s the number for you to call. You change your mind…the goals are the same. Stability.”
He opens his mouth, thoughtful. His jaw shifts back and forth. “Get out of here. Stay low.”
I hold a fist out. It’s a weak goodbye gesture.
“Watch your back.” I mean it. And he senses it. At least, that’s my hope.