Page 34 of Enemy of My Enemy

Except…

A tiny rush of air escaped his quivering lips. There was one place he could go, maybe. One impossible place, and maybe, possibly, he could get someone to help. Or at least witness what had happened

He shook his head and reached for the older man. “I need to get to Moscow. Please.” His chest rattled as he choked out his words, and he coughed, cringing as pain tore through him.

“Are youBratva?” The man steadied Sasha but didn’t help him.

Bratva.The Brotherhood. The Mafia. He shook his head. “No. Not at all.” His skin was free of tattoos, the marks of the Brotherhood.

The man’s eyes narrowed, but he took off his fur coat and draped it around Sasha’s shivering shoulders as he helped him to stand. Sasha leaned on him as he stumbled back to his car. He let the man lay him down on the back seat. Another blanket was on the floorboards, and the man draped it over Sasha, bunching the extra around his head until he was cocooned.

When the driver slid back into the front seat, he turned the heater up to full blast, and with one last lingering look at Sasha, put the car into gear and started down the highway.

Sasha stared out the window at the stars until his eyelids dropped and unconsciousness pulled him under.

* * *

Chapter 9

White House Residence

Jack had waitedup for Ethan as he said he would, reading through the endless stack of reports and briefs that cluttered the tables and desks in his study. Ethan leaned against the doorjamb, watching his lover at work.

Jack had his reading glasses on and was dressed down in jeans and Ethan’s favorite Secret Service sweatshirt from his academy days. It was too big for him, swallowing Jack whole, and Jack had shoved the sleeves up his arms, bunching the fabric. Across the back and over the left side of the chest, REICHENBACH was still boldly stenciled in blue on the gray fabric, even after twelve years. A few silver strands scattered through Jack’s dark blond hair shone in the low light.

He was gorgeous. Ethan’s heart ached. God, he loved this man. Why Jack? Why this man? Why now, when Jack was president? Who knew, but God, did he love him.

“Hey.”

Jack looked up over his readers and broke into a smile when he saw Ethan. The binder from NATO he was reading closed with a snap. “And I’m done,” Jack said, standing. “Welcome home.”

Home. The White House. His home with Jack. It still blew his mind. “Glad to be back. How was your day?”

“Busy. Elizabeth accepted. She’s up for the VP nomination. And congressional leadership accepted her accept. They’ll start the confirmation hearings as soon as they’re back from recess.” Jack set down his glasses and padded around the desk. “How’d it go?”

“Well, I don’t think General Bell will make his next star.”

Jack sighed. “You showed him the error of his ways?”

A slow grin. “It’s like you know me or something.”

“Just a bit.” Jack winked and pressed a kiss to the corner of Ethan’s mouth.

“I briefed Cooper. He agreed, too. He’s getting ready for their mission and he’s wheels up in four hours.”

Jack looped his arms around Ethan’s neck. “Mmm, your ability to get things done is so sexy.”

Ethan barked out a surprised chuckle. His hands fell to Jack’s waist. Jack jumped, wrapping his legs around Ethan’s hips. Shocked, Ethan’s laughter turned into a soft gasp as his hands cupped Jack’s ass.

Jack grinned and leaned in, sucking on Ethan’s earlobe. “Take me to bed, lover.” He pulled back just enough to meet Ethan’s gaze.

Ethan kissed him as he carried him down the hallway to their bedroom.

* * *

Chapter 10

Moscow