Page 76 of Waging War
“Why?”
“Because he’s getting nervous.” Ben’s hand glides through his thick black hair. “Sasha made an arrest that backfired, big time. Now he’s scrambling to find the mole, and I’m worried that time is officially up.”
That lonesome song of his curls across the void, singing to my beaten heart.
What if I cross through the darkness that insists on keeping us apart and meet him not as an enemy, but as an equal?
He flinches when I make the trek toward him and raise my hand to his face.
I look at the fearsome face of a man who’s sacrificed so much for the ones he loves. He’s been used, beaten, and dragged around by the vilest man I’ve ever known, yet still, he stands.
Strong, powerful, and unrelenting.
A gust of wind rushes between our bodies, and with it goes the last of my resolve. Despite what I’ve been forcing myself to believe, I don’t want to fight this man.
My fingers trail down the side of his neck. “It hurt when you left me, Ben.”
He swallows beneath my touch, and the action sends a strike of white-hot lightning between my thighs.
My nails dig into the skin beneath my fingertips, and I squeeze as if to choke him.
A guttural sound rumbles from his chest. “I know.”
“But here I am, desiring you even though I know I shouldn’t be.”
His breath fans out in a white puff. Unable to help himself, he slides one large hand up my thigh and over my ass.
“I know.” His voice is almost pained, but the headiness riding behind that pain swiftly warms my core.
Leaving his neck, my fingertips glide down his chest and abdomen toward the top of his jeans.
When he doesn’t resist, I flick the top button loose. “Take me to Bruce’s compound, Ben. We’ll slay Diablo together, and then we won’t have to fight this any longer.”
A gasp parts my lips when he snatches my hand. He guides it to his mouth and presses a kiss to my palm as his face brightens with awareness. “I’ll admit, your little seduction routine suits you, but it’s a wasted effort.”
I pull my hand away. “Careful, you’ll bruise my ego.”
“Is that not what this is? You show up to Lucky’s the same night I do, teasing and taunting me, and then expect me to entertain such a ridiculous idea?”
“What’sridiculousis that Bruce is becoming more volatile by the day, yet you still insist on playing it safe.”
He shifts to cross his arms. “Alright, fine. Let’s pretend for a minute that I might actually take you to Bruce’s compound. What’s your plan?”
I glare at him, debating not telling him at all. “We’re going to burn it to the ground.”
He’s stunned silent for a moment.
“And murdering all those men… Is that something you plan to live with for the rest of your life?”
“The point is that Ihavea plan, and whether you’re involved or not makes no difference. Dad, Cooper, and the rest of the Wolves are with me.”
It’s a stretch to claim that Dad is backing me at this point, but now that I have Jack and the other guys with us, he’ll have no other choice.
A muscle jumps under his eye. “Good. I’m glad you patched things over with your crew. I’m sure you’ll make Cooper a very happy man.”
“Don’t pretend like that upsets you. You’ve made your feelings aboutthispretty clear,” I say, gesturing between where we stand.
“Nothing is clear to me when it comes to your crazy ass.” He chuffs. “Besides, your plan will fail. The chief needs evidence of Bruce’s dealings, and capturing him—if that’s what you thought to do—will be impossible.”
