Page 126 of Blackwood

“Tell him she’s a madame. Runs a private elite operation and needs high-quality girls to train. That there’s no budget cap. Whatever the fuck you need to say to get that bastard into the States.”

Piotr swallows hard. “Understood.”

♥♥♥

The van ride back is deadly quiet. Not unusual. Missions always leave a kind of stillness in the air, like everyone’s trying to breathe without disturbing whatever just got left behind.

When we finally pull up near Lex’s bike. Tex throws the van in park and turns around.

“You want us to stay? Take you back to Rosethorne?”

Lex cuts in before I can even open my mouth. “I can take her.”

I glance at the matte black bike.

“You don’t like bikes?” he says, cocking his head.

I lift a brow. “Didn’t say that.”

He turns back to Tex, cocky as hell. “I’ll take her.”

“Didn’t ask you. I asked her.”

I look between them, fighting the curve tugging at my lips. “I’m good. Go on, I’ll see you guys later.”

Tex nods but he’s still giving Lex the side-eye. We walk toward the bike, my heels scraping against the rough, chalky gravel. The second the van disappears onto the road, tires humming into the distance, Lex grabs me.

His strong arms wrap around my waist, lifting me clean off the ground. His hands slide under my ass, holding me in place as his mouth crashes into mine. All tongue and teeth. He claims my mouth like no one ever has before.My breath catches, heart thudding in my ears. I push my hands against his shoulders, dragging my lips away. Barely.

“Lex?” I pant. “What are you doing?”

His voice is low, wrecked, like smoke wrapped in thunder. “What I’ve wanted to do since the second you licked my neck back at The Pit, baby. You’re fucking amazing do you realize that?”

“Put me down.”

“Never,” he smirks, then kisses me again, harder this time.

I laugh against his mouth, “Lex. Seriously. Put me down.”

“Make me.”

“Lex,” I say, more stern. “Down. Now.”

He finally sets me down. His arms stay locked around my waist like letting go would be some kind of loss. My hands are still on his shoulders. He clearly has no intention of letting me move them.

“You can’t just do that,” I say, trying to keep my voice steady.

“Do what?” he says, all faux innocence.

I glare at him. “I don’t know. Pick me up. Kiss me. Hijack my missions. Completely disregard protocol.”

He pulls me closer, one corner of his mouth twitching. “I’m sorry, baby. It’ll never happen again.”

“Yeah, right,” I roll my eyes. “Like it won’t happen again.”

He leans in, grinning. “It will, but you’ll forgive me.” Then kisses my forehead.

“Cade warned me about you, you know.”