Page 32 of Being Bold (Tactical Operations & Protection (TOP) Security #1)

For some reason, she seemed sad at his outburst. Her eyes glossed with tears she immediately blinked back.

Before he could ask what was wrong, Duke’s voice sliced through their bubble. “Okay, love birds. Time for the next leg of the journey.” He cut all power to the helicopter and hopped out.

Ignoring his team member’s cheeky-ass comment, Bo exited, then turned to help Selene.

She groaned when she stepped onto the tarmac. “My legs are already sore.”

His gaze fell to her jean-clad thighs, and he couldn’t help thinking he’d love to massage them for her, soothe her tired muscles until he could mix it with another kind of release.

Shoving those thoughts away, he took her hand, ostensibly to hurry her along, but truthfully because he wanted the connection. Touching her soothed something in his soul.

Seeing the team had already boarded the Learjet, he broke into a jog, pulling a groan out of Selene as he forced her to keep up. “Sorry, beautiful, but you can rest soon.”

The flight to Montreal would take three to four hours, depending on Duke and the weather. She could nap while he spoke to Victor because he still needed to apologize for blowing out of the briefing yesterday.

When they reached the jet, Selene paused at the boarding stairs with a whine. Panting, she said, “Oh God. Not more stairs.”

Swooping her into his arms, Bo started to climb the steps. Her wide-eyed expression told him he’d surprised her, but then she broke out into a laugh. It made him smile as he carried her to the top. Once they were inside the plane, he set her down.

She leaned in and kissed his cheek. With a smile, she murmured, “Thank you.”

The word didn’t bring him an adverse reaction, and the lack of guilt made him return her smile. “You’re welcome.”

Her breath stuttered, and her gaze fell to his mouth. Damn, he wanted to kiss her, but not when they had an audience. Victor, Herc, and Romeo could see them from their seats. The plane only had room for eight passengers, albeit in cushy tan leather chairs with dark-wood tray tables.

Bo steered Selene to the back row since the guys took the front three places. It could hold three people across a set of bench seats. After they hit cruising altitude, she’d be able to lie down if she wanted. Telling her this, he settled opposite her in a rear-facing seat.

Her eyes shifted away, alerting him that Duke had poked his head around the cockpit partition. “Wheels up in five.”

Selene blinked, taking in her surroundings. “I’ve never been on a private plane before. It’s . . . smaller than I was expecting.” She nibbled her lip in a nervous gesture.

Leaning forward, he squeezed her hand. “As much of a pain in the ass as he is, Duke’s the best pilot I’ve ever flown with. You’ve got nothing to worry about.”

She nodded, then startled as the passenger door closed. He gave her hand another reassuring squeeze, and she shook her head at herself.

“This is ridiculous. I fly all the time. Or I used to.” Sadness flickered in her eyes, and she shifted, pulling her hand free. She closed her lids, asking, “Wake me when we get there?”

He grunted a yes but couldn’t help watching her, wondering what she’d been thinking when the sadness clouded her gaze. Was she missing her life before all this? Or was she—like him—sad for the op to end if it meant never seeing each other again?

Mulling it over, he stared out the window while Duke got the plane off the ground. Thirty minutes into the flight, her breathing evened out, her head slumping over. Careful not to wake her, he shifted her body into a reclined position so she wouldn’t end up with a neck ache.

Staring down at her, a part of him wanted to pull her head into his lap and run his fingers through her dark hair. How much more time together did they have? Depending on how things went tomorrow, tonight might be it.

He frowned, worry cramping his stomach. It wasn’t enough. He wanted . . . more.

“Bo!” Hearing Victor call his name, Bo shook himself. This was an op, and he needed to focus on that. Not on whatever might or might not be happening with Selene.

Shoving to his feet, he moved to the front passenger area. Victor gestured to the seat across the tray table from him. When Bo took it, Herc and Romeo moved into the back, rear-facing seats.

Glad he wouldn’t have an audience, Bo cleared his throat. “I was out of line yesterday. I’m sorry.”

The scratch of stubble filled the space between them as Victor scrubbed at his chin. “That was unlike you, frogman.” Bo met Victor’s eyes. They studied him, working on an assessment. “Want to tell me what’s going on between you and Selene?”

He fought a wince that would only make things worse. “I don’t . . .” Bo rubbed the back of his neck. He was sweating. Great. “I can’t stand the thought of her getting hurt.”

Victor’s hazel gaze narrowed. “You going to be able to handle her being bait tomorrow?”

Bo’s hands clenched into fists. “I’m going to be there no matter what.” Reckless as it was, the statement was a promise as much as a threat. He wasn’t standing down even if Victor took him off the op. Not when Selene would be vulnerable. To make that point clear, he didn’t drop his leader’s gaze.

“I’d expect nothing less, Bo.” Victor leaned back in his seat, breaking the tension between them.

His stare shifted out the window before he said, “If you get a chance at happiness, take it. We both know how short life can be. It’s better to take what good you can while you can.

Or else”—his mouth thinned, the corners of his eyes pinching—“you’ll end up living with regrets. ”

He knew jack squat about Victor’s personal history, but the man sounded like he spoke from experience. Bo only grunted in response, ready to exit this uncomfortable conversation. He didn’t talk about his personal life to any of his team, least of all his leader.

Even if Victor might have a point, it still didn’t change the fact that Bo didn’t deserve Selene. He had no doubt she would make him happy, but in the long run? He didn’t think she’d be happy saddled with him .

I sure as hell wouldn’t be.

Feeling morose, he slumped in his chair and glowered out the window. If he were going to make it through the next twenty-four hours, he couldn’t think about that because what happened after Selene was safe . . . wouldn’t include him.

Victor broke into his thoughts. “Now, tell me what happened inside the stairwell.”

Bo knew why he was asking. There were no cameras inside it. Even though TOP had been able to hear him, they hadn’t seen what went down with Felix or Yumi afterward.

Happy to move the conversation to something that didn’t give him the cold sweats, he laid it out as concisely as possible.