Chapter 12
Sabrina looked out the window of the helicopter as it descended toward a clearing in the dense Canadian wilderness. The cabin—Reed had called it a safe house—was nestled among thick trees, hidden from prying eyes and at least twenty miles from the nearest town.
When they landed, she discovered they weren't actually at their destination yet.
"Security measure," Reed explained as they began walking. "No direct connection between the transportation and the location."
Throughout the half-mile hike along rough terrain, Sabrina was acutely aware of Walker's presence beside her.
His hand occasionally touched the small of her back, guiding her, steadying her.
Each brief contact sent warmth through her body, a reminder of the connection they were rebuilding amid chaos.
Sabrina wasn't sure what she'd expected from a safe house, but the luxury of the cabin's interior surprised her. Modern furniture filled the space, alongside a state-of-the-art kitchen and what appeared to be a comprehensive security system.
"Star Enterprises executive retreat," Reed explained, noticing her raised eyebrows. "Legitimate business cover for a very secure facility."
While Walker conducted a security sweep, Reed showed Sabrina and Henry to their rooms. The cabin had four bedrooms, a large central living area, and a separate office space filled with communications equipment.
It was more corporate retreat than hideout—but then again, she'd learned that the Star family never did anything halfway.
After changing into the clean clothes Reed's team had provided—simple jeans and a sweater that felt luxurious after days on the run—Sabrina rejoined the men in the main room.
They had already converted the large dining table into a makeshift command center.
"When do we start?" she asked, taking a seat.
"Now," Reed replied. "Let's see what we're working with."
For the next several hours, Sabrina threw herself into analyzing the evidence. Her corporate experience proved valuable as she identified financial patterns that might have otherwise been overlooked.
Throughout their work, she found herself gravitating toward Walker—their shoulders brushing as they leaned over documents, their hands occasionally touching as they passed files back and forth.
Each casual contact sent electricity through her, a current of awareness that seemed to intensify as the hours passed.
She caught Reed's knowing glances more than once, but she didn't care. After fourteen years of separation and wondering what might have been, she wasn't going to pretend this connection with Walker didn't exist—even if the timing was far from ideal.
By evening, Sabrina felt both exhausted and exhilarated. They had made real progress, uncovering a clear pattern in Kraslov's activities. He had been systematically building his network for over a decade, placing trusted operatives in key positions across multiple agencies and corporations.
"He's created a shadow intelligence apparatus," Reed explained, pointing to a chart they'd assembled. "Using government resources for personal profit."
"And eliminating anyone who got too close to the truth," Walker added grimly.
"Like our fathers," Sabrina said softly. She thought of the loss to both of their families.
Henry, who had been analyzing communication patterns, looked up from his laptop. "I think I've identified his core team. Six operatives, all with deep cover positions."
"Including Thomas," Sabrina confirmed, unable to keep the bitterness from her voice. His betrayal still stung, perhaps more than it should. She'd trusted him with her life for months.
Reed finally called an end to their session. "Tomorrow we start building the prosecution case. But for tonight, I think we all need rest. It's been a long forty-eight hours."
No one argued. The adrenaline that had sustained Sabrina was fading, leaving bone-deep exhaustion in its wake.
She made her way to the kitchen, pouring herself a glass of water and staring out the window into the darkness.
The isolation of their location struck her anew—miles from anywhere, surrounded by wilderness.
She sensed Walker's presence before she heard him.
"You should sleep," he said quietly, moving beside her.
Sabrina turned, finding him closer than she'd expected. The proximity sent her pulse racing. "So should you."
"I will. Soon."
She studied his face, taking in the lines of exhaustion, the stubble on his jaw, the tension he still carried in his shoulders.
"No, you won't. You'll check the perimeter again, make sure all the security systems are working, and then you'll sit up half the night because you don't trust anyone else to keep watch. "
Surprise flickered in his eyes. "That obvious, huh?"
A small smile touched her lips. "I remember how you were at the lake. Always the last one to fall asleep, always the first one up. Always watching over everyone else."
"Some habits die hard," he admitted.
Sabrina set down her glass, reaching out to place her hand on his arm. The solid warmth of him under her fingers felt right, necessary. "You can't protect everyone all the time, Walker. Even SEALs need sleep."
Something vulnerable crossed his expression as he covered her hand with his own. "I couldn't save Ray," he said quietly. "I couldn't save my father. I couldn't save yours."
His confession broke her heart. All this time, he'd been carrying this burden of guilt. "This isn't about redemption, Walker. You don't need to be forgiven for anything."
"Don't I?" Bitterness crept into his voice. "If I'd been there—"
"Then you might be dead too," she interrupted firmly. "And we wouldn't be here now, about to bring Kraslov to justice."
She watched understanding dawn in his eyes, as if he'd never considered that perspective before. Acting on instinct, Sabrina moved her hand from his arm to his face, her touch feather-light against his jaw. "Get some rest. For me. Just a few hours."
The hardened soldier softened under her touch. Walker nodded, his hand coming up to capture hers against his cheek. "Okay. A few hours."
Sabrina smiled, feeling something shift between them—a bridge spanning fourteen years of separation. "Goodnight, Walker," she said softly, withdrawing her hand and moving past him toward the hallway.
She'd only taken two steps when his hand caught her arm gently, turning her back to face him. For a heartbeat, they stood suspended in the quiet kitchen, eyes locked, bodies just inches apart.
"Sabrina," he began, his voice uncertain.
She waited, her heart pounding, hoping he would say or do what she'd been thinking about since seeing him again in her home.
Words seemed to fail him. Instead, Walker leaned forward and pressed his lips to hers.
The kiss was gentle at first—tentative, questioning—but Sabrina responded immediately, wrapping her arms around his neck.
Walker pulled her closer, one hand at the small of her back, the other tangling in her hair as the kiss deepened.
When they finally broke apart, Walker rested his forehead against hers. "I've wanted to do that since I saw you standing in your office."
A smile formed on her lips. "What took you so long?"
"I was trying to be professional."
She laughed softly. "And now?"
"Now I don't care," he admitted, capturing her mouth again in a kiss that left no doubt about his feelings.
Sabrina lost herself in the moment, in his embrace, in the sense of rightness that flooded through her. For just this brief time, there was only the two of them, rediscovering what they'd once had and discovering something new—something deeper.
A throat clearing from the doorway broke them apart.
Reed stood there, amusement and concern warring in his expression.
"Not to interrupt," he said dryly, "but we have a situation."
Sabrina felt Walker immediately shift to alert mode, though his hand remained protectively at her waist.
"What kind of situation?" he asked.
"Kraslov is making moves. Our sources say he's preparing to leave the country—tomorrow."
Alarm shot through her. "We're not ready," she protested.
"We don't have a choice," Reed replied. "If he gets to certain countries, extradition becomes impossible."
Walker's expression changed. "We need to move now. Cut him off before he can get out."
Reed nodded. "My team is mobilizing, we have some government resources of our own. We leave in thirty minutes."
As Reed retreated to make final preparations, Walker turned back to her, regret clear in his expression. "So much for getting some rest."
Sabrina smiled, though worry had replaced the warmth she'd felt moments before. "Be careful out there."
"I'm coming back," he promised, his hand cupping her cheek. "We're just getting started here."
She covered his hand with her own, memorizing the feel of his palm against her skin. "I'll hold you to that."
Walker kissed her once more, swift but thorough, before stepping back. "Stay with Henry. Don't leave the safe house, no matter what."
"Not planning on it," she assured him, trying to keep her tone light despite the fear curling in her stomach. "Go get the bad guy, SEAL."
He grinned, a flash of the boy he'd once been breaking through the hardened soldier. "Yes, ma'am."
As Walker headed off to gear up with Reed, Sabrina wrapped her arms around herself, already feeling his absence.
Despite the danger ahead, despite the uncertainty, something fundamental had changed between them.
She had found him again—or perhaps they had found each other—and she wasn't about to let him go a second time.