Page 92 of Storm Warning

“Got it. Tread carefully around the Marshals. You won’t do Riley any good behind bars.”

“That’s why we need you and Deke,” Riley said. “We’ll do our best to steer clear of the Marshals. Ultimately, whether we encounter Brown depends on him.”

“Understood.” Stella paused. “I have to go. The craziness in the bullpen is multiplying. Call me later, Riley.” She ended the call, then rounded on Andre. “Did you mean it?”

He blinked. “Mean what?”

“You said you felt the same way about me as Nate felt about Stella. Did you mean it?”

A ball of ice formed in his stomach. He had hoped Riley would miss that slip. He should have known that wouldn’t happen. She missed nothing. Her mind was razor sharp, as were her computer skills. Time to man up. “I meant every word, Riley.”

She stared. “Andre, you’ve seen and talked to Nate Armstrong. He adores Stella and loves her fiercely.”

“I know.”

“What does that mean?”

“You know what it means, baby.”

Riley drew in a deep breath. “Andre, please. Don’t make me beg.”

“Never.” Andre cupped her nape and drew her against his body. “I love you with everything in me, Riley Sloan. I love you so much I can’t imagine a life without you in it.”

“Andre.” Her voice broke. “Are you sure?”

“I’ve been sure since our first mission together. I have no doubts.” His grip around her neck tightened a little. “I need to know I’m not in this alone.”

Tears trickled down her cheeks. “You’re not. I love you, too. So much that I can’t breathe without you.”

“Thank God.” Relief surged through Andre. “Just so you know, if you didn’t feel the same way, I would have wooed and courted you until I persuaded you to my way of thinking.”

She smiled. “Your way of thinking?”

“Sure. I would have spoiled you until I convinced you I was worth the risk to your heart.” Andre pressed a hard, possessive kiss to her mouth. “I will guard your heart and treat you like the precious treasure you are to me. You can trust me with you.”

“You can trust me with your heart, Andre. I adore you. The best day of my life was the day I met you. Every day since has only gotten better.”

“Good. I hope you remember that on the days when I screw up.”

“Do you screw up often?” she teased.

“Of course. I’m a guy.”

Riley laughed. “You’re safe with me.”

“And you’re safe with me. I don’t know what I did to deserve you, Riley, but I will always cherish you.”

The French door opened, and Elias stepped out. “Sorry to interrupt a moment. The boss wants to talk to all of us.”

Andre frowned. “Does he want to wait until the rest of our team is here?”

“Nope. Maddox has a meeting in a few minutes. He said we could share his news with the others.”

What had gone wrong now? “We’d better not keep him waiting. The boss isn’t patient.”

“He never calls during a mission,” Riley said.

“We’re not in a hot zone.” Elias stepped back.