Chapter 19
NINETEEN
BANKS
The first thing I feel when I wake up is her.
Anniston’s curled against my side, her head on my chest, one leg thrown over mine like she claimed me in her sleep.
Early morning light filters through the window, soft and golden, catching in her messy blonde hair.
She’s still naked, warm and soft, and the sight of her like this—peaceful, trusting, mine—does something dangerous to my chest.
I lie there for a long minute, just watching her breathe. Last night keeps playing through my mind on a loop. The way she looked riding me on the couch. The soft sounds she made when I was deep inside her. I love her. I know I do.
My encrypted phone vibrates on the nightstand. Anniston stirs but doesn’t wake. I reach over carefully and answer it.
“Crewe,” I say quietly, keeping my voice low.
“We’ve got a location,” he says without preamble.
His tone is tight. “Big meeting tonight. Langford and the rest of the D.C. crew. Private warehouse on the riverfront, outskirts of Halo City. About twenty minutes from where you are. We got the tip from one of Vance’s sources. This could be our shot to end it.”
I sit up slowly, careful not to disturb Anniston. “We’re going.”
Crewe is quiet for a beat. “You sure? You and Anniston both? This isn’t going to be clean.”
“She stays with me,” I reply. “I’m not leaving her behind. Not after everything.”
He sighs but doesn’t argue. “Watch your back, brother. Vance’s team will be on standby. This meeting is high stakes. They’re tying up loose ends.”
I hang up and set the phone down. Anniston’s awake now, blinking up at me with those bright green eyes. She reaches out and traces a finger down my chest.
“Everything okay?” she asks softly.
“Crewe called. There’s a meeting tonight. Langford and the major players. Not far from here.” I brush her hair back from her face. “We’re going. But you stay right beside me the whole time. If it gets bad, you run. Promise me.”
She sits up, the sheet pooling around her waist. “I promise. But I’m not running without you.”
I pull her into my lap and kiss her trying to say everything I can’t put into words.
About how I can’t live without her. That she needs to save herself.
She melts against me, hands sliding up my chest, and for a few perfect minutes the mission fades.
There’s only her mouth, her skin, the way she sighs when I touch her.
We get dressed slowly. I make coffee while she braids her hair. We eat a quick breakfast of oatmeal and fruit, both of us quiet, tension building between us. I check my weapons twice. She watches me with steady eyes, no fear, just determination. That trust in her gaze makes my chest tighten.
The rest of the day passes by in a lazy blur. Her reading. Me going over everything again and again. What is my father up to?
The afternoon fades to night and before we leave, I pull her close, pressing my forehead to hers.
“Whatever happens tonight,” I say quietly, “I need you to know something. If things get violent you leave me and run.”
She shakes her head. “I’m not leaving without you.”
“Dammit Anni, yes… you run. I can’t lose you. I’m so fucking in love with you it hurts.”
She smiles, soft and sure, and kisses me gently. “I love you too. Let’s finish this so we can start a life together.”
I kiss the top of her head. “Okay. Just promise me you’ll run.”
“I promise.”
We climb into the truck. The drive to the warehouse is quiet but charged. My hand stays on her thigh the whole way. Every mile brings us closer to the end of this nightmare. Closer to answers about my father. Closer to whatever comes after.
As we near the riverfront, I spot the convoy of black SUVs pulling into the private warehouse up ahead. My jaw tightens. This is it.
I park the truck in the shadows a short distance away. We slip out and move on foot toward the building, staying low. I lead Anniston along the side until we reach a cold metal wall near a service door. I press my back against it, pistol ready, and pull her close behind me.