Page 46 of Enemy Within

Jack watched Sergey in the rearview mirror, sharing glances with Ethan. By the time they dropped off the ridge and Ethan wound his way through the track and back to the road to Ust’Ilga, Sergey had tugged Sasha, still sleeping, sideways, and was holding him in his arms. He buried his face in Sasha’s neck and closed his eyes.

Ethan turned to Jack and arched his eyebrows.

“Sergey and I talked. He figured some things out.”

Ethan slid one hand into Jack’s, squeezing tight. “I’m glad. You two okay?”

Jack inhaled slowly. “I think so. It was a rough day, though.” He squeezed back. “When we were running from Milos, I fell through the ice into the river. Sergey pulled me out. Brought me to the prison and kept me alive. Shared body heat with me.”

Ethan’s hand clamped down on Jack’s, hard.

“I don’t remember much after I fell in. He says I almost died.”

Silence. Ethan breathed in and out, measured, deep breaths. He didn’t let go of Jack’s hand or loosen his grip.

“He had his realization then.”

Slowly, Ethan nodded. He swallowed, and then lifted their hands, bringing Jack’s to his lips. He pressed a kiss to the back of Jack’s hand, letting his lips linger. “I’m glad he was there. He saved your life.” He kissed Jack’s hand again, and then his fingers, one after another. “I’m sorry I wasn’t with you.”

“It’s not your fault.” Jack slipped his hand free and cupped Ethan’s cheek. “Nothing that happened is your fault.”

“I shouldn’t have left you at the river—”

“No.” Jack shook his head. “No, don’t do that. You couldn’t predict what would happen. Milos. The RPG. It’s not your fault when life hurls curveballs at us.” He smiled, stroking his thumb over Ethan’s scruff. “I should actually thank you.”

Ethan frowned. “For what?”

“You gave me a crash course in weapons and tactics back in DC. How to shoot. How to react. How to keep my head when things go sideways.” He smiled. “Without that—without you—I’d be a goner. You’ve made me stronger.”

Finally, Ethan smiled. He glanced at Jack. Kissed his wrist, and then turned to his palm, dropping a kiss to the center. “I don’t like you getting hurt. Being in harm’s way.”

“I know—”

“But…” Ethan glanced at Jack again. “‘Badass Jack’ is kind of hot.”

He laughed, throwing his head back. “Kind of hot? Only kind of?”

Smoldering eyes raked over Jack, from his head to his crotch, and then back. “They’re sleeping. I’ll pull over right now.”

He almost told Ethan to do it, a tightness in his blood pleading for exactly that. Him and Ethan, together again, finally. Body to body. Sweat-slick skin, moving together.

But he wanted more than a fumble in the trees and more than what he was capable of at the moment. Part of him wanted, but the rest of him was fading fast. Exhaustion had sunk its claws into him.

“I won’t be any good. I might fall asleep on you.”

Ethan barked out a laugh. “So inspiring.” He grinned, and then held out his hand. “Sleep against me. You can lean on my shoulder while I drive.”

Jack slid across the bench seat, collapsing against Ethan’s side. He rested his head on Ethan’s shoulder and smiled when he felt Ethan’s lips press on the top of his head, against his hair.

“Love you,” he said, lacing their fingers together when Ethan rested one hand over his belly.

“I love you, Jack.”

His eyes slipped closed, and he fell asleep, safe in Ethan’s arms as the jeep hummed over the road, bringing them down and out of Siberia and back to their mission.

Tensions Inside White House Skyrocket as the World Prepares for War

Sources within the White House report a tense, divided, and combative atmosphere as the world struggles to contain an explosive situation in Canada’s northern territories. Russian General Moroshkin, the self-appointed leader of Russia following his coup against President Sergey Puchkov, continues to hold the territory he seized in Canada’s Yukon and Nunavut territories. The U.S. has mobilized in support of Canada, pitting significant ground troops and air support against Moroshkin’s invasion.