Page 88 of Ghost

She bit her lip.They’d spent so much time together already, but if she stayed day in and day out, he might tire of her quickly.She wanted to be with him, though.For however long it lasted.“Okay.I’d like that.”

His mouth slid into a sideways grin.“I don’t know where this is going, Mila.All I know is I don’t want you to leave yet.”

Her belly flipped at the sound of that final word:yet.

She forced a smile.“Same.”

He chuckled.“My place it is.”Turning back to the wheel, he shifted into park and then backed out of Dana’s driveway.

Mila fought not to obsess over Ghost’s words.She wouldn’t get sugarcoated stories or false promises from him.He’d always be real and raw because that’s who he was, which was oddly comforting.

They drove down the quiet road leading to the interstate.The passing streetlamps caused a strobe-light effect in the vehicle.She almost missed the snowcapped pine trees and flurries in the Montana sky.

Who was she kidding?As screwed up as their first few days together had been, she’d always cherish their time at his cabin.Where just the two of them had existed.

Clearing her throat, she shoved all longing from her mind.“So what happened with Hunter?”

“He wasn’t hard to find.Fucking coward hid in his bunker.”

She raised her eyebrows.“How’d you get to him?”

Ghost had one hand wrapped around the wheel.His arm was relaxed and his jean-clad legs were stretched out.He looked so large, so impossibly dominant, that she wanted to climb onto his lap.

“Zain had a grenade.”

Her jaw dropped.“Huh?”

He jerked his attention to her face and smirked, then looked back at the road.“Yeah.Worked as planned.”

“Did you talk to Hunter?”She had so many questions.Among them, why did Zain carry grenades?

The assassin in her lit with intrigue.Her kills had been silent.Sneaky.Had never involved something as bold as a grenade.

“Not much to say.I made it clear he’d made the wrong move coming after me—and you.He didn’t even pretend he hadn’t done it.”

His jaw twitched.“Shot him in the head.There’s no chance in hell he survived that one.”

She reached for his free hand.“I’m glad it’s all over with.”

He laced his fingers with hers, and they rested their elbows on the console.“Me too, baby.Did you talk to Irinia?”He hit the blinker and took the next exit.

“Yes.”She combed her fingers through her hair, grateful she’d showered at Dana’s.“I suspect she’s pissed.I’m not sure if she’ll try to talk to me again, maybe try to persuade me to come back.But that door’s closed.”

He lifted their joined hands and pressed his lips to her knuckles.“Good.I’m proud of you.If you need help keeping her away, just let me know.”

She rested her head on his shoulder.“Thank you.”

A few minutes later his townhouse came into view.Memories washed over her.Had it really been less than a week since she staked out this place?She knew every nook and cranny of his house, even the code for his alarm.

She’d plotted and planned.Not once had she doubted she’d succeed.

And never in her wildest dreams would she have thought she’d fall for the target.

***

Ghost scrubbed hisskin with a bar of soap.Steam billowed around him, clouding the glassed-in shower.Mila had showered at Dana’s, so she hadn’t joined him.Which was a damn shame.

Killing Hunter had eased a burden he hadn’t realized he’d been carrying.Freedom—although that didn’t make sense.He’d always prided himself on the fact that he answered to no man.He also couldn’t deny he’d lain low because of his past...all of it.