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Sawyer led Hollis into the apartment. It was nice. Really nice. Vander had clearly spared no expense for his safehouse.
The first thing that caught the eye was the expansive view of the Bay and the Bay Bridge as it snaked across the water to Oakland. The view was showcased perfectly by the floor to ceiling windows.
“Oh, wow.” Hollis walked past the long kitchen island and cream leather sofa. She stood at the windows, staring out over the water. The sun was setting in the opposite direction, but the growing shadows over the bay were still breathtaking.
“You must be tired,” he said.
She turned and smiled, her red hair tangled around her face. “A little. It was a crazy night last night. Go to bed in Maui, escape killer assassins, and end up in San Franciso.”
He wrapped his arms around her. “You did great. You didn’t panic, didn’t lose it.”
She leaned into him. “There were a few moments where I wanted to, but knowing you were there, and Park, helped me keep my cool.”
Sawyer pressed his mouth to hers and kissed her.
He felt so damn much for this woman. It somehow both scared the shit out of him, and made him happy.
“Why don’t you take a shower?” he suggested. “Vander said we’ll find some fresh clothes in the closet. I’ll put some dinner together.”
She nodded. “A shower sounds amazing.”
“Leave your shoes at the door.” He checked his SIG and set it on the kitchen island, along with his cellphone.
Her lips quirked. “You’re always in protection mode.”
He met her gaze. “When it comes to you, I am.”
She toed off her shoes near the front door, then headed for the bedroom.
In the kitchen, Sawyer opened the fridge and pulled out some food. The apartment was done with touches of warm, sleek wood and cream-colored tiles. Modern light fixtures and bold artwork brightened the place up, and kept it from being plain.
Park was one floor up in a second apartment. Vander had dropped them off, assuring them that the building had good security.
“The floor below you is getting renovated, so there’s no one close by,” Vander said. “All the stairwells, the hallways, and the lobby have CCTV.”
“Thanks, Vander,” Sawyer said. “For everything. I owe you.”
“I’ve always got your back, Sawyer. And your woman’s.”
Sawyer stared blindly at the food on the island, listening to the shower run down the hall.
His woman.
Yeah, that felt right. He started making some sandwiches. He realized that he wanted Hollis to be his. Forever.
Hell, he’d never thought he’d let someone that close. Put someone in the position where losing her could tear him apart. Thoughts of Tabish ran through him.
But could he give her up?
Hell, no.
There were obstacles, for sure. And risks. But Hollis was worth it. She was worth everything. They could make it work. A part of him had felt right with her, from the first moment he’d met her.
She wandered back into the kitchen wearing gray sweatpants and a T-shirt. Even in the casual clothes, she still managed to look beautiful.
“Ham and cheese sandwiches.” He set a plate on the island. “And a glass of wine.” He poured the white wine he’d found in the fridge into a glass.
She slipped onto one of the stools at the island. “One glass of wine and I’ll be out,” she warned.