Page 82

Mirage

Two days later

After a five-hour workout, Mirage turned up the hot water until the mirrors were steamed, then reclined in Grace’s Jacuzzi bathtub.

He sighed in bliss as the jets beat on his worn muscles, sinking farther under so they could reach the tension in his neck.

He and Grace would be wheels-up with the Blacks at oh six hundred. They knew where they were going, but they were going in blind.

It was possible the Green Ravens could be even more enhanced than them and, worse, not allies like the Omega and Lion.

Mirage closed his eyes and focused on counting his breaths instead of obsessing over the details of the mission.

The slosh of water and his legs being pushed open brought him to full awareness.

He moaned with gratitude as Grace settled his naked body between his thighs and leaned back against his chest.

“Hey,” Mirage whispered in his ear. “How was target practice?”

Grace scoffed.

“Three miles isn’t much of a challenge anymore, huh?”

Grace shook his head.

“Did you have time to do some Tai Chi?”

Grace nodded.

“Good.”

Mirage grabbed the thick sponge and Grace’s favorite vanilla shea bodywash and began bathing his chest.

The sound of Grace’s contented hums never ceased to make him smile.

He rubbed his cheek against the side of Grace’s neck, kissing him softly between rubs.

Graced tilted his head to the side and encouraged Mirage to keep going.

They were silent for a long time. Mirage’s skin was wrinkled as a prune, but he didn’t want to get out. Not until Grace’s stomach rumbled loud enough to be heard on the bottom floor.

“Let’s go eat?” he suggested.

Grace opened his eyes, glanced over his shoulder, and gave Mirage an expectant look.

“Yep, we can go to Terrapas.”

Mirage urged Grace to move his heavy body off him so he could get up. Instead of getting out of the tub, Grace turned over and nestled closer, nudging his bristly jaw against his like a needy feline.

Mirage smirked. “You’re a real sap to be one of the world’s greatest killers.”

Grace looked him in his eyes with all seriousness, and Mirage’s smile began to fade.

“Say it,” he whispered.

Grace caressed Mirage’s cheek. “I love you, Matthew.”

If he were capable of crying, the waterworks would be all the way turned on.

When Mirage opened his mouth to speak, his voice trembled. He held Grace so tight he could feel his erratic heartbeat banging in his chest like a Japanese drum.

He cupped Grace’s chin and said with all of his heart.

“I love you too, Grayson.”

Grace’s sensitive hum was melodious, tender, and rich. It was the first time Mirage had spoken Grace’s real name. He’d found it when he was pulling all the Ravens’ records.

Mirage stayed enveloped in the magic of the moment until Grace’s stomach roared like a fucking bear.

Mirage pecked him on his lips.

“Come on, sexy…let’s get ready.”

Ready for fine dining meant donning their nicer field attire, light hoods, and only a couple of concealed weapons.