Page 60 of It's Always Been You

“Oh yes, please. Let’s,” Caitlin fired back.

“Cat—”

“First of all, you do not make decisions for me, especially if it’s what I want to do for work.”

“Babe—”

“Second, I do like that you’re protective. But every time someone even hints at having me do something, smoke comes out of your ears. I’m not made out of crystal. I’ve run from assassins for three years.”

“Exactly!” Travis thundered, the bulging veins in his neck indicating his rapidly deteriorating patience. “For three years I’ve failed to protect you. It kills me every time I think that you were out there trying to survive.”

“Trav—”

“So cut me some slack. I have three years I want to make up for.”

“We’ve been through this over and over. It’s not your fault. It’s not mine. We may never know what really happened.”

Travis looked like he wanted to lash out, but his lips pressed into a thin line, and Caitlin knew he was restraining himself from blaming Jase again; otherwise this would be a step backward.

She reached out and cupped his jaw. “We’ve come a long way in three short weeks, don’t you think?”

“Yes, we have.” His reply was curt. He wasn’t backing down. “Don’t try to sweet talk me out of this, Caitlin. Not where your safety is concerned. I don’t want you”—her eyes narrowed at him at his choice of words so he changed tactics—“I’d prefer if you sever all ties with the CIA. Return all equipment they gave you. Was it only the laptop?”

“Several flash drives and a backup drive,” Caitlin shrugged. “I really want to satisfy my curiosity.”

Travis hauled her into his arms and hugged her tight. “You know what they say about curiosity don’t you?”

“Shut up,” Caitlin whispered against his chest, then sighed in contentment. There’s no place she felt safer than in his arms.

Ben Porter wasin his car driving back to Langley. He took out his secure phone and dialed a number.

His contact answered immediately.

“You didn’t tell him about the threat from my sister,” Komarov said without preamble.

“They don’t need to know at this point,” Porter replied.

“You are playing with their lives, Admiral. Blake has suffered enough by having his wife taken from him. I’m only regretting that I didn’t leave John Cooper alive to have him torture that bastard.”

Porter laughed without mirth. “You’re talking like you didn’t have a hand in all this mess. You sent your men after Ms. Kincaid. They hurt her.”

“They weren’t going to kill her. I just wanted my money.”

“You were willing to hand her to your sister.”

“I reconsidered after I got the whole tragic story.”

“You’ve suddenly become a romantic?” Porter scoffed. “Your men better not hear you spouting such drivel or you’re going down next.”

“Is that a threat?”

“No. It’s advice. So, do you know the whereabouts of your sister?”

“Olga has disappeared.”

Porter cursed. This could be challenging.

“Keep them alive, Porter.”

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