Page 21

D espite being up all night with Hunter, there’s no way I’m able to sleep after she leaves.

Without her, the room seems smaller, desolate.

I stare at the tangled sheets, remembering all the things we did to each other—the way her long reddish hair tangled around my fist, the way her delicious vanilla scent surrounded and filled my senses, the way she whimpered and moaned when she finally let go and surrendered to me.

It wasn’t enough. I want more. Need more.

How the hell could she have just walked out? The better question is how can she pretend that what happened was nothing? Can she really move forward and carry on like normal? Carry on without me?

The idea of her giving up on us so easily pisses me off. Doesn’t she realize sometimes you have to fight for the best things in life? I know she isn’t a quitter, so why is she running?

Well, like it or not, I’m going to fight for us, Hunter.

With an angry growl, I storm into the bathroom and take a quick shower. I’ll grab a coffee and head over to the airport early. We’re going to talk this out. I refuse to let her run away from me. Not after last night.

Not after she stole a piece of my heart.

My plan gets derailed when I step into the main living area and see Addie already up. She looks a little frazzled and I walk over.

“What’re you doing up so early?” I ask.

“Couldn’t sleep.”

I feel like there’s more to the story, but I don’t push her. Addie will talk when, and if, she’s ready. “I think we both could use some coffee.”

“Yes, please.”

I wander over to the kitchen and put the Nespresso machine to use. Once I have two steaming, frothy glasses of caffeine ready, I walk back over and sit down on the couch beside her.

“Thank you,” she murmurs, taking the drink. “So…you and Hunter.”

I take a sip of the hot espresso and shift on the couch. There’s no point in denying it. Addie is a master when it comes to reading people, and besides that, I don’t want to hide it. I want everyone to know how good Hunter and I are together.

“I really like her,” I admit. “I wasn’t expecting it, but she knocked me on my ass in the best possible way.”

She turns to face me, blue eyes widening. “So, it was more than just a one-night stand? You’re really falling for her?”

I nod. “Problem is she ran. The minute I mentioned pursuing something back home, she freaked out. I think she’s been hurt and now she’s trying to protect herself.”

“Can’t blame her. Getting hurt sucks.”

“So does watching the best thing that ever happened to me walk away.”

“Wow.” She studies me over the rim of her glass mug.

“She isn’t like anyone I’ve ever met, Addie. You know me better than anyone. I can always walk away. I can’t this time. I won’t.”

“The Charmer has fallen. Hard. I never thought I’d see the day.”

“She’s special. It’s more than just physical attraction, though there’s plenty of that.” I smirk.

“Yeah, you two weren’t exactly quiet last night.”

I chuckle. “Sorry not sorry. Best fucking night of my life.”

A thoughtful look crosses her face. “Why? What made it different?”

Her question throws me, but I take a moment to think it over.

“Everything,” I finally say. “No other woman, hell, no other night can even begin to compare with what happened. When I’m with Hunter, nothing else matters.

She lights me up in a way I’ve never experienced before.

I just know I always want to be with her. ”

“Sounds like you’re falling in love.” She shudders.

“Hey. What’s so bad about that?”

“Nothing. It’s just not for everyone.”

“What’s not for everyone?” a deep voice asks.

I look up and see Deck strolling forward, stifling a yawn, Brighton and Ryder on his heels. Since when does everyone get up at the crack of dawn around here?

“Can I tell them?” Addie asks. “Pretty please?”

I roll my eyes. “Go ahead,” I relent.

Addie clasps her hands together, grinning widely. “Our Knox is falling in love!”

“What?” Brighton’s green eyes nearly pop out of her head.

“Good luck with that,” Deck grunts.

Ryder, still half asleep, pauses scratching his chest. “You’re serious?”

“Is that so hard to believe?” I ask.

“Well, yeah,” Ryder says. “You’re not supposed to fall in love. Your job is to beguile, bewitch and bewilder.”

“Not Hunter,” I state. “She’s not just a mark. She’s more than that.”

“Exactly how much more?” Deck asks, keeping his tone neutral.

“Once we get back to the States, I want us to start seeing each other. Exclusively.”

“Is she on board?” Ryder asks, fighting to hide his smile.

“Not exactly. But she will be once I convince her why we’re so good together.”

“Oh, Christ. Sounds like drama,” Deck grumbles. The former fighter hates the combination of women and drama with a passion. “Good luck. I need some coffee.”

Brighton shakes her head then confidently predicts, “One day, Lincoln Decker, a woman is going to sweep into your world with all her drama and you’re going to love it.”

He scoffs. “Fat chance.”

Now that my crew knows I’m head over heels for Hunter, I feel better. They’re my closest friends, my found family. And if everything goes my way, they’re going to be spending a lot more time with her.

I’m contemplating all the best arguments to present to her about how good we are together when my phone buzzes. Setting my glass mug on the coffee table, I pull my phone out of my pocket and glance down. “Unknown” shows on the screen and I frown, sliding the message open.

The picture I see of Hunter will haunt me for the rest of my life.

My heart locks within my chest and I let out a vicious curse. Everyone’s attention snaps in my direction, but I’m too focused on Hunter, wrists zip tied to a chair, blood smeared on her face.

“What is it?” Addie asks, voice full of concern.

My phone buzzes again. This time it’s a text message and I quickly scan it.

“Torres has Hunter,” I tell them between gritted teeth.

Everything seems to tilt, like someone just ripped the ground from beneath my feet, and a potent wrath consumes me.

My crew gathers closer, and I turn the phone around, not able to look at the disturbing image a second longer. My stomach twists, and the assholes who took her? Who dared touch her? I want to smash their heads together.

“We’ll get her back,” Addie assures me.

“He wants to exchange Hunter for the emerald. And we only have an hour before his offer expires. Fuck ,” I hiss, raking a hand through my hair.

Torres and his men are as good as dead. Once we get Hunter back, we’re going to have to get out of this country fast. Because I’m leaving a string of dead bodies in my wake.

My murderous energy must be palpable, because Ryder slaps my shoulder and gives it a reassuring squeeze. “We’ll get your girl back, Knox. Count on it.”

“I don’t care what we have to do, I’m not leaving here without Hunter.”

Everyone nods in agreement then Addie stands up. “Ryder, go get the emerald. We leave in five minutes.”

“We leave now,” I say, but Addie shakes her head, reaching for her phone.

“Not without backup.”

“Who?” I ask.

“I’m calling my brother and his team.”

I know Ryland and the rest of Ex Nihilo are all former military badasses, impeccably trained to handle situations just like this. Plus, Hunter is their pilot and close friend. They’d want to know she’s in trouble.

“But they’re in the States,” I argue. “We don’t have time to wait for them.”

“No, they’re not,” she tells me, pulling out her phone. “At least, not all of them.”

I don’t have time to ask for details, and I trust Addie implicitly. With a sharp nod, I storm down to my room and grab my gun and holster. After pulling on a light jacket to conceal it, I glance down at my watch. Time to go. Every minute spent fucking around here is a minute wasted.

I won’t let Hunter down. I’m more than just a guy who’s smooth with words and has a pretty face. I’ve also got a brain and I know how to fight—especially for what’s mine. And whether she knows it yet or not, Hunter “Pyro” McGrath is all mine.

Back in the living room, my team is geared up with their weapons of choice—everything from guns to knives to laptops. We head out the door and climb into the SUV. Brighton gets behind the wheel and I slide into the passenger seat beside her while Addie, Deck and Ryder sit in the back seat.

Brighton hits the gas, turning us toward Torres’ estate, and Addie leans forward to fill us in on her call. “Ryland and his teammate Saint are with their wives in Cádiz. Mia, Saint’s wife, had to sign for some property she inherited from her father.”

“Is she the one who had the bad billionaire daddy?” Brighton asks.

“Yeah, her father was an asshole, but was also seriously loaded. Anyway, Ryland said they’re on their way, but it might take a couple of hours.”

“Do we really think Torres will let us walk away after handing over the emerald?” Deck asks dryly. “Because I’ll tell you right now, the answer is no.”

“We don’t have a choice,” I snap. If that’s what it takes to save Hunter’s life, then that’s what we’re damn well doing.

I won’t risk her safety by playing games.

Too many things could go wrong. I know reinforcements are coming and they’ll be armed to the teeth, but what if they’re too late?

What if Torres reneges on his deal? He could try to kill us and Hunter.

I’m sure he’s pissed as hell we snuck in and managed to steal his shit not once, but twice.

I’ve executed a lot of heists, but this feels completely different.

My trademark confidence and aplomb are nowhere to be found.

Instead, my gut is curling with dread and I’m terrified of failing Hunter.

Yes, she’s tough, and I keep trying to convince myself she’s going to be fine.

Keep telling myself she can take care of herself.

Keep reminding myself she’s a former Navy fighter pilot who graduated at the top of her Top Gun class.

But I also know the skills needed to defeat a snake like Torres aren’t taught in a class. Men like him play dirty, and I have no doubt he’ll stoop to any level to get his greedy hands on that emerald again. I lift my hand, see it’s shaking, and squeeze it into a tight fist.

Fuck. I care about Hunter more than I even realized. Her sharp intellect, commanding aura and effortless beauty are everything I could ever want in a partner. One thought hits me hard and my heart squeezes.

I’m not falling in love with her. I’m already fucking there. Crazy, head-over-heels, want-to-grow-old-and-wrinkly-with-her in love.

Brighton must notice my trembling hand because she reaches over, laying her hand on top of mine and squeezing. “Hang in there, okay? Now isn’t the time to fall apart.”

“I know. And I won’t.”

Because if I do, Hunter is as good as dead.