Page 61 of The Last True Hero

Which was the same impression he'd had.

"I'd better go before someone sees me." His voice softened. "Both Mia and Jake wanted me to let you know how much they love you."

A shaky breath escaped her. "I love them too. Make sure they know that. And that they're fools to even attempt this."

"You don't know how lucky you are to have people like that who are there for you."

Sage smiled sadly. "I do know. It doesn't mean I'm not going to kick their asses for doing something so stupid."

In that moment she sounded so much like Mia that he saw the resemblance. "Be prepared for anything. It might take us a day or two, but we might need you ready to move at a second's warning."

"Got it. I'll get word to Thea somehow. Thank you... for looking after Mia. She needs someone like you."

His heart fell in his chest, but he managed a smile. "It's not like that."

"Isn't it?" Sage arched a brow. "I saw the pair of you at the arena. I've never seen my sister look so... trusting... with a man. She's never let anyone in. Guarded like a bank, that's my Mia, but I know there's a heart of gold under there." Sage paused. "Just as long as you know that too?"

"I know it."

Sage patted his knuckles. "You'd better go. They do rounds every hour or so."

Adam looked around. Light beams soared into the velvety sky nearby, as though someone was having fun with the flare lights. "Look out for yourself. We'll spring you both as soon as we get a chance."

* * *

McClain materializedout of the shadows. Instantly Mia straightened.

"How is she?" she demanded. "Is she okay? Is she hurt?"

"Bruises," he replied, his gaze still raking the streets. "Not much else. She's scared, but she was more concerned with you being here. She's afraid Vex will get her hands on you. Promises to kick your ass once she gets out of there. Both you and Jake."

That alone gave her reassurance where nothing else would have. A choked cry caught in her throat and she launched herself at McClain, burying her face in his shirt. Strong arms caught her tight, until she could feel the thump of his heart against her chest and smell his soap. Closing her eyes, she breathed in the scent of him. Sage was safe. She hadn't let herself think too much about what exactly might be happening to her baby sister in the past few days. "Thank you for everything."

"We're not finished yet." McClain cleared his throat. His hand soothed her braided hair, the calluses catching. "You all good?"

It was becoming far too easy to find refuge in these arms. "Yeah. You give the world's best hugs, do you know that?"

Their fingers laced as they stepped apart. Just a simple thing really, but her chest tightened. McClain looked down, as though he didn't know what to do about the gesture. "Yeah. Eden gave me plenty of practice."

His sister. Mia squeezed his fingers at the way his voice softened. There were wounds there, and she could empathize. "We'd better—"

Footsteps suddenly echoed on the concrete outside the stronghold. Mia's eyes widened, and McClain tilted his head to listen, his entire body going still.

"Move," he rasped, shoving at her. "It's a couple of reivers."

Mia raked the area, but there was nowhere to go. Any move they made would only draw attention. She grabbed his wrist, and dragged him back into the shadows.

"Mia! We need—"

Grabbing a handful of his hair, she dragged his face down to hers and met his mouth with hers.

McClain stiffened against her, and Mia kissed him for all she was worth. Adrenaline slammed through her veins and her hearing pricked up as she listened to those footsteps come closer.Come on, damn you. She could feel the moment McClain realized what she was doing. All of the reluctance slid out of him, and he opened his mouth, capturing hers with a renewed intensity. One step toward her, then he hauled her against the wall of his chest.

Suddenly it wasn't just pretense. Mia's tongue darted against his own, teasing, coaxing him in. And where she led, McClain followed.

She could feel all of that delicious tension lock the muscles in his arms, as she rubbed them.

Her back hit the wall, the ridged tin digging into her butt and shoulders. She tore her mouth free, enough to whisper in his ear, "Haul me up."