Page 95 of Secret Mission

Justice beams. He hangs on, his right hand clutching the oh-shit handle, motioning with the other. "Come on, boss. Near-death experiences make me hungry."

"Every damned thing makes you hungry."

Beast throws open the center console with one hand, while he drives with the other, and scoops out a handful of energy bars. He slings one to Justice and the rest to us in the back.

"These have nothing to do with tamales." Justice looks back at us for help. "Come on. Don't leave a guy hanging. We outnumber him."

I rip open a bar for Allison. “Not the best, but it will hold us?—”

“I had my heart set on some of those churros, but I’ll take…” She peers down at the rapper, squinting to read the small print. “A whey, oat, and spirulina bar any day over a bullet.”

Justice makes a gagging sound, but we all notice he opens the wrapper and takes a gigantic bite too.

That’s right. He knows better than to turn down calories.

I chuckle as I shove a whole bar in my mouth at once.

Shit, it feels good to be with my boys. And my girl.

My damned girl.

A warm lively sensation fills my chest. Fuck.

Are those butterflies?

Women talk about that. I thought it was a myth.

No, it’s more like helicopters. Thudding. Swooping.

Every back and forth between them unravels some of the aching tightness inside my body and makes those energized sensations grow.

Allison’s safe. She’s going to be mine. As sure as the sun rises.

I don’t care if she protests. I’ll win her. One way or another. And when I lock onto something I want, I bring every resource, every ounce of energy I have.

Kissing her temple makes her lean into me more.

Mine.

Closing my eyes, I accept that she’s safe. Surrounded by bad motherfuckers. We’re in one of our team trucks. It’s loaded for bear.

Shit, I forgot I was eating, I got so down the rabbit hole. After chewing the dry-as-fuck bar, I take a deep breath. The full kind that makes your cells relax.

“You good?” Her soft voice has the weight of a velvet wrecking ball.

“Yeah, really good.”

This feeling increases tenfold when Allison slides her hand beneath mine, linking our fingers together.

For a beat, I’m struck so hard with emotion, my throat gets tight like someone’s got me in a headlock.

"I swear to God," Beast cuts into my awakening, "Justice, if you mention tamales one more time, you're walking."

Mr. Comeback has no problem with going at it with the boss. "You know you want some. They're life-changing. Ask Scout. He cried the first time?—"

"Fine!" Beast yanks the wheel, narrowly missing a fruit cart. "I'll send someone for your damn tamales once we get to the farm. Now shut up and let me drive!"

Our team lead is laughing under his breath. The rest of us are chuckling too. Despite everything, I let my smile broaden. Happy to the tips of my water-logged boots.