Chapter 19
Chapter Nineteen
S askia stumbled to Cam. He yanked her close and she clung to him.
His heat and strength were reassuring, but they had no weapons. Tears pricked her eyes. Blood was running down his arm.
Mikhailov’s remaining guards fanned out in front of them.
“I want them both dead,” Mikhailov roared. “Leave them here to rot, for the birds and the bears to pick at them.”
Suddenly, everything came into sharp relief for Saskia—the sunshine, the scent of the trees, the warble of a bird. God, she didn’t want to die. “Cam.”
He pulled her against his chest.
“I…I want you to know that I love you.”
His gaze dropped to hers.
“That’s it,” she said. “No qualifiers. No particular bits that I love best. I just love you. Every part of you.”
His arms convulsed. His gaze flew away from her to the trees. The bird was still singing.
Then he pulled her even tighter. “It’s going to be all right.”
She had no idea how this was going to be all right.
Her fingers clenched in Cam’s jacket. Still, as she listened to the heavy beat of his heart, she was at least glad that they were together.
The guards lifted their guns and aimed at them.
Saskia choked back a cry. She saw Mikhailov watching, his eyes gleaming.
Shots rang out.
She squeezed her eyes closed. Shouts echoed through the clearing.
There was no searing pain. Nothing.
Suddenly, Cam shoved her. They hit the dirt, his big body covering hers, shielding her.
She turned her head and spotted black-clad figures racing out of the trees.
A big, muscular body charged in, slamming into one guard. He lifted his bearded head and Saskia gasped. Wolf.
Her brother’s second in command slammed several hard, unforgiving punches into the guard’s face.
Another man came out of nowhere. A little leaner, but moving fast. A garrote wire flashed over a guard’s head and the man pulled back. The guard clawed at his neck, choking, legs pummeling the ground.
The man’s attacker never let go. His dark-blue eyes were focused and intense.
Vander.
Off to the side, she caught a glimpse of Saxon taking down the third guard, with kicks and punches.
And then she saw a tall, powerful figure advance on Mikhailov.
The Russian stumbled back, spluttering. He picked up speed, trying to get to the trees.
Killian kept walking, his face set in harsh lines.
Her brother grabbed two knives off his belt and threw them in quick succession.
Mikhailov slammed into a tree, pinned by the knives, through both of his shoulders.
Saskia shifted restlessly.
“Stay down,” Cam whispered in her ear.
Killian strode up to Mikhailov. “You made some unforgivable mistakes, Mikhailov.” Killian’s voice was sharp and cutting, like a blade.
“Who are you?” the Russian man spluttered.
“They call me Steel.”
Mikhailov blanched. “ No . You’re a myth. A ghost.”
“I’m flesh and blood.” Killian leaned closer. “Violence against women is inexcusable.”
At her brother’s tone, Mikhailov flinched.
“Abducting my sister was the act that signed your death warrant.”
All the color drained from Mikhailov’s face. His mouth opened and closed. “Sister?”
“My sister,” Killian confirmed.
“Sweetheart, your brother is a scary motherfucker,” Cam murmured.
“Um, I know.” Not that she’d ever seen him quite this frightening.
“You won’t hurt anyone else’s sisters.” Killian drew out another knife.
Mikhailov braced.
“And you won’t have a quick or easy death,” Killian drawled silkily.
“I promised you to the feds. I believe the FBI and the CIA are fighting over you. They want all your secrets. And the secrets of your associates. You’ll be locked away in a top-secret prison.
” Killian leaned close. “But watch your back, Mikhailov. I have contacts everywhere, and people who detest rapists.”
Mikhailov made a choked, terrified sound.
Killian turned, his black eyes burning. “Wolf?”
“I’ve got him.” Pulling a set of handcuffs off his belt, Wolf strode to Mikhailov.
Cam’s weight shifted off Saskia and he pulled her up.
When Killian took a step closer, Cam banded an arm around her waist, keeping her pinned against his chest.
Like a bird of prey, Killian’s gaze narrowed.
This was the feared black ops agent. The dangerous man. Killian “Steel” Hawke. Saskia swallowed. He rarely showed her this side, but she’d always known it was in him.
She wondered how much of his true self her brother kept hidden from the world. Would he ever let down his guard enough to find a woman he’d show all of himself to?
She realized that Killian and Camden had more in common than she’d guessed.
Killian cocked his head. “You going to let me hug my sister, Morgan?”
Cam’s arms tightened.
She patted his forearm. “It’s okay, Cam.” She turned and kissed his jaw.
Ignoring the sound Killian made, she walked over and hugged her brother.
“Hi,” she murmured.
His arms closed around her. In that moment, he was just her brother—not the former agent, killer, or head of Sentinel Security. Just Killian.
“You’re all right?” he asked.
“I’m fine. Thanks for the rescue.” She pulled back, smiling.
“It was a joint effort.”
“Hey, Saskia.” Wolf appeared. He pulled her in for a long hug, and she held on tight.
“Thanks for coming, Nick.”
“Anytime, gorgeous.”
Suddenly, she was yanked backed into Cam’s arms. He and Killian faced off again.
“She’s coming back to New York with me,” Killian said.
“No, she’s not,” Cam growled.
Nearby, she saw Vander and Saxon look at each other. The only sign of Vander’s reaction was a slight quirk of his eyebrow. Saxon was openly grinning.
“She needs to go home,” Killian said.
God save her from overprotective men she loved. “I want to stay with Cam,” she said softly.
God, realization hit her. They were alive . Beautifully and vibrantly alive.
The danger was gone.
They’d been through hell, and came out the other side. Cam hadn’t said the words, but she knew her scarred protector loved her.
Saskia turned, threw her arms around Cam’s neck and kissed him.
He was still for a millisecond, then he hauled her up, and kissed her back.
* * *
Cam drank her in.
They’d made it. The danger to her was finally gone.
He squeezed her hip and pulled back.
He glanced at the four men watching them. Saxon was smiling. Vander’s lips curved faintly. Wolf was scowling, brawny arms crossed over his chest. And Killian was blank-faced, which didn’t hide the fact that Cam was pretty sure the man wanted to kill him.
Saskia leaned into his side. “How did you guys find us?”
“We traced Cam’s call to a nearby ranch,” Vander said.
“We figured Morgan had gotten you out,” Killian said.
“Wolf and I were already incoming from the East Coast. Vander and Saxon flew in from the West Coast. Once we got here, I put up one of Hex’s drones.
We found you just a little after Mikhailov did.
” Killian skewered the moaning man with a sharp look.
The handcuffed Mikhailov was bleeding badly from the knife wounds, and in pain. Cam couldn’t bring himself to care. After everything the asshole had done to Saskia, had planned to do to her…
Cam met the man’s gaze. He let Mikhailov see the full force of what he felt.
Mikhailov’s gaze dropped to the ground.
“I want him dead,” Cam growled.
Saskia’s hold on him tightened. She pressed her palm flat over his gut.
“We’re going to hand him over to the feds. They’ll question him, and he’ll go to prison.” Killian’s voice lowered. “And he’ll have to watch his back for the rest of his miserable life.”
Damn, the guy was scary.
“We finally met someone scarier than you, Norcross,” Saxon said, echoing Cam’s thoughts.
Vander grunted.
“So, he just gets to live out a cushy life in prison?” Saskia snapped, her eyes sparking.
“Where he’s going is hardly cushy,” Killian said, dryly.
Cam was sure Mikhailov was destined for some harsh, secret prison. He couldn’t see Hawke being happy unless the guy paid the full price for his actions.
“After everything he’s done.” Saskia threw her hands in the air. “All the women he’s hurt, violated, and probably murdered?” She wrenched free of Cam and darted toward Mikhailov.
“Saskia—” Cam lunged for her.
But she was wound up and determined. She kicked Mikhailov in the gut.
The man groaned. She kicked him between the legs. And kicked him again.
The sound he made had even Cam wincing.
“Okay, sweetheart.” Cam picked her up. She struggled, legs kicking.
“He deserves so much worse than this,” she growled.
“I know, but I’m more worried about you right now,” Cam said.
She clamped her legs around his waist. He slid his hands under her ass, holding her. The fury drained out of her, and he pressed his forehead against hers.
“Take me home, Cam,” she whispered.
“I will.”
He saw Killian watching them, and then after a moment, the man nodded.
Not exactly a ringing endorsement, but Cam didn’t give a shit.
“Our SUVs are not far from here,” Vander said. “We came in on foot.”
Cam set Saskia down.
“I’ll drive one back,” Wolf said, his voice a deep rumble.
“I’ll come with you.” Saxon joined the man.
It wasn’t long before the joint Norcross-Sentinel team had the dead bodies, zip-tied guards and Mikhailov loaded in Vander’s vehicle.
Saxon temporarily patched the bullet graze on Cam’s arm to stop the bleeding. He might need some stitches, but it would do for now. Cam helped Saskia into the back of a black Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Nearby, Killian held a hand up. A small drone—like nothing Cam had ever seen before—flew down and the man grabbed it out of the air. Cam had seen a lot of high-tech military stuff before, but nothing like the small, sleek device.
“One of Hex’s toys,” Saskia said. “Sentinel does a lot of cybersecurity. They have good gadgets.”
“You all right?” he asked.
She leaned her head on his shoulder, so trusting. Getting comfort from him.
The cold knot in his gut was gone. It had untangled and thawed out. He couldn’t help but think Kris would be happy for them.
Man, she’s way too good for you, Morgan. Hold on to her. Make her happy.
They turned onto the road.
“Where are we exactly?” There were stunning mountains in the distance, but the dense trees and ranches didn’t help narrow it down.
“Just outside of Red Lodge,” Killian said. “The ranch belongs to a Russian-American businessman. He owed Mikhailov some favors.”
Vander’s vehicle with the prisoners was in front of them. Wolf was driving their SUV, with Killian in the passenger seat.
“We’ll get you on the jet, and we’ll be home in a few hours.” Then, once they were alone, Cam wanted to tell her again that he’d fallen in love with her.
She smiled, and tucked her hair behind her ear.
He dropped a quick kiss to her lips.
“Quit kissing my sister.”
Cam looked up. Killian was staring straight ahead.
“Nope.” Cam kissed her again, and Saskia giggled.
“Guy’s got balls,” Wolf muttered.
Fifteen minutes passed, then Cam sensed the two men in front tense. He looked up.
“We have company,” Wolf murmured.
Cam looked back over his shoulder. Three black Mercedes SUVs were speeding up behind them.
“Fuck,” Killian spat.
The lead vehicle overtook them and swerved in front of Vander’s. Another pulled alongside them, and the other blocked them in from behind.
Cam gripped Saskia.
“What now?” she groaned.
“Hawke, I need a gun,” Cam said.
Wolf slammed on the brakes. Their little convoy came to a halt on the empty road.
“You won’t need a gun, Morgan.” Killian shoved open his door and stepped out of the vehicle. He stalked around and headed toward the central Mercedes.
“What the fuck is going on?” Cam asked.
Ahead, he saw Vander and Saxon step out of the SUV, Glocks in hand and held by their sides.
“Feds,” Wolf said.
The back door of the central Mercedes opened, and a woman got out.
She wore a black turtleneck and slim, black pants. Russet-red hair was pulled up in a bun, with bangs brushing over a beautiful face. She had sharp cheekbones, a sculpted nose, and sunglasses covering her eyes. She wasn’t smiling.
Killian strode toward her. The woman strode to meet him.
Saskia leaned forward. “Who is that?”
“The bane of Steel’s existence, and the object of all his desires,” Wolf muttered.
Saskia snorted. “I didn’t know you enjoyed historical romance shows, Wolf.”
The big man blinked and looked back at her blankly. “What?”
“That phrase—”
“Hex said it,” Wolf growled.
“Oh, well.” Saskia’s gaze moved back to her brother facing off with the redhead.
Some sharp words were clearly being traded.
“She’s FBI?” Saskia asked.
“No.”
“CIA?”
“Not exactly,” Wolf said.
Killian leaned in. Unconcerned, the woman crossed her arms and lifted her chin.
“He’s toast,” Cam murmured.
“Yep,” Wolf agreed.
A moment later, agents spilled out of the Mercedes. Mikhailov and his goons were transferred to the government SUVs.
Then the redhead smiled, swiveled, and sauntered back to her vehicle.
Cam was in love with Saskia, but only a dead man wouldn’t appreciate that view.
Killian got back in the vehicle, anger throbbing off him.
“You were going to hand Mikhailov over anyway.” Wolf said.
“Just drive,” Killian snapped.
Cam smiled and kissed the top of Saskia’s head. She was watching her brother and grinning.