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“Ah,” he chortled. “I’m more valuable to you alive. I know how the game is played, Maddox. Did you forget who my father is?”

“You mean the one who put a hit on you?”

He laughed. “Dear Daddy won’t know what hit him. I will destroy his entire world.”

I shrugged and continued to inch closer. “I couldn’t care less. I’m not the one who’ll end up spending the rest of my life behind prison bars for acts of treason.”

He laughed, his hold on Charmaine suddenly loosening. “Treason? I’m no longer wanted within the Navy. Don’t you remember? You helped get me kicked out.”

“You blew up an entire village full of people because of your carelessness.”

“Who said I was being careless?”

When he tossed out the admittance, I shook my head. “Then it’s only fair you spend the rest of your miserable life remembering the screams of the children.”

“You were always such a martyr, Maddox. What did they call you? Maddox the Enforcer. On one hand, you felt guilty for what happened during the last mission. But you weren’t to blame. Neither was Kage. Guess what?”

The motherfucker had been the one working with the insurgents. He’d sold out his own country even then.

“You fucking asshole,” Kage snarled. “You provided the tip for the failed mission. You led us into a trap.”

Misha snorted. “I was paid well for doing very little. The team did the rest.”

The bastard had been a hired mercenary even then.

“I did the right thing having you court-martialed.” Too little, too late.

“The two of you enjoyed killing more than the rest of the SEALs. I knew how gung-ho you were. I used that to my advantage.”

He’d allowed the most notorious war criminal we’d encountered to escape. Because of his treachery, decent men had lost their lives, others suffering injuries that would haunt them for the rest of their lives. In the process, he’d destroyed a friendship.

“Tit for tat.” I heard a single cracking sound off to my left. One wrong move and my sweet Charmaine would have a bullet lodged in her brain.

There was no need to know, nor did I care why he’d betrayed both his father and Alfaro. It simply didn’t mean shit to me. Only one thing did and I wouldn’t leave until I got what I wanted.

He shoved the barrel of his weapon against her temple as if reminding me he was in charge.

That was utter bullshit.

“I wish I could stay and enjoy the party, but we have a plane to catch. Thank you for the hospitality.” He lowered the weapon long enough to pull the jump drive from his pocket. “I have what I came for.”

Charmaine was as stubborn as they came, a woman determined not to allow anyone to take from her under any circumstances.

As I’d expected, she took the opportunity to jam her elbow into his chest, drive her foot into his crotch and push off.

As she lunged toward me, I jumped in front.

No one was ever going to touch her again.

With my weapon concentrated on Misha’s head, I laughed. “Say goodnight.”

“Maddox,” Kage hissed. We’d agreed with the Feds that if the plan worked, the Raptor would remain alive.

Too bad I wasn’t the kind of man to follow rules.

Any rules.

Pop! Pop!

Exhaling, I waited, enjoying the moment Raptor’s body slumped to the ground. When I turned my head to the right, Charmaine crowded my space.

Too bad I hadn’t been the one to pull the trigger.

Out of the shadows came the one man I’d regretted being unable to kill during my time in the Navy. While he hadn’t broken me and I’d returned to duty after enduring such tremendous torture, the fact the bastard remained alive had kept me from obtaining closure.

I pointed my weapon at Alfaro’s head, taking several deep breaths. Yes, I’d made contact with the man, tossing out a lure of my own. There’d been no way of knowing whether he’d chomped down on the bait.

Alfaro was the master of disappearing. After my escape and subsequent rescue, the SEALs had descended on the property where he’d caged Charmaine and me. He’d remained in hiding for years, preventing my act of revenge. He’d disappear again.

Not my problem.

Alfaro wasn’t alone, several of his soldiers trailing behind him like lapdogs.

He held out his arms, purposely walking toward me.

“What in the hell is going on?” Charmaine gritted out as she flanked my side. “You kept secrets from me.”

“A necessary evil. I offered Alfaro a deal. He could have the Raptor since the man betrayed him. In return, he is to supply the actual formula the Raptor used.” That was the one thing that hadn’t been on the drive.

Alfaro tipped his head, studying her. “Charmaine Douglas. You are such a beautiful woman. You rattled my cage, something few people had ever done successfully. I respect that very much. I’d considered making you my wife. Did you know that?”

“I would have preferred being eaten by alligators,” she chirped with a smile on her face. “No offense, but you’re not man enough for me.” She crowded my space and Alfaro flicked his eyes toward me.

“You were the one who saved her.”

I nodded. “I was.”

“Yet you avoided the perfect opportunity to have your revenge, Lieutenant Grant. Yes, I did remember you. Quite a formidable opponent, I might add. Do you know how many men have ever managed to escape my world?”

I kept my arms outstretched, prepared to shoot him between the eyes if necessary. “Why don’t you tell me.”

“One. That’s you. For that I hold deep respect. I’m curious. Why not finish the job? Why not kill me when you had the chance?” After tossing me another jump drive, he extended his arms once again.

I shoved the drive into my pocket.

“I was on a mission and killing you wasn’t on the agenda.”

Kage was getting antsy, shifting from foot to foot.

“Well, you have your chance right now, Lieutenant. You know you want to kill me, so do it.”

Sighing, I felt the squeeze of Charmaine’s hand. I wasn’t certain if she was encouraging me or cautioning me.

“You’re exactly like I am, Lieutenant. A true killer. So pull the trigger.”

I’d always had a sixth sense. Some would call it a decent instinct.

Maybe I’d been lucky all my life. Had I regretted things I’d done, wishing situations could have been different?

At least a half dozen times. Maybe I would look back on this day knowing I’d have more peace if I’d killed Alfaro with my bare hands. Or maybe I’d feel guilty.

Nah.

However, I remained a man of honor. Rules or no rules, I had respect for the system and for my country. Maybe I’d crossed the line with allowing Alfaro to kill the Raptor. I’d weighed the odds. In truth, the world would be better off with Raptor gone.

But Alfaro? That was something else.

“I’m not going to kill you, Alfaro.” I purposely lowered my weapon.

“And why is that?”

“Because you’re going to turn yourself in.” I nodded toward the perimeter as at least a dozen federal agents appeared from the shadows.

Alfaro twisted his head from side to side, finally looking me directly in the eyes. “Well done. But you and I know this isn’t finished.”

While I should be surprised, when Charmaine took long strides toward him, I let her go.

“You’re a fucking piece of human trash. Trust me, you will suffer for what you’ve done.”

The brutal punch she issued made me proud. Hissing, she turned to face me, wearing a smile on her face.

The moment Agent Wilshire walked closer, I nodded in response. At least I knew he was one of the good guys.

I was finished with this mission or any mission for that matter. As she walked toward me, I realized it was time for a new chapter in my life. A new life. Rebuilding old friendships.

And enjoying more of the woman I refused to allow out of my life.

“You have been keeping secrets,” she mused and wrapped her arms around my waist.

Shrugging, I slipped my hand over her shoulder, gripping the back of her neck. “I didn’t think you’d approve.”

“Maybe not. However, maybe you’re the one who needs taming.”

Being able to laugh felt damn good. “I guess we’ll see about that.”

“Now you can get rid of me for good.” She arched her back as she lifted her head.

I lowered mine. “Haven’t you figured out that you’re not going anywhere?”

“Ever? Not even to the grocery store?”

“Not even. You are all mine.”

“Get a room,” Kage muttered from behind me.

Her eyes sparkled.

“I love you, Charmaine. It might not be enough, but I needed you to know that.”

The tension eased from her face, tears forming in her eyes. “This is more than enough.” She reared back, pressing the tip of her finger against my chest. “As long as we’re partners.”

With a smile on my face, I crushed my mouth over hers. Partners. Yeah, I could handle that.

As long as it meant for life.