Page 65 of The Blonde Who Came in from the Cold
“Of course it’s not a good idea.” King’s voice was softer than she was used to. “It’syouridea.” There was just enough moonlight that she could see the white of his teeth and know that he was teasing, so she snatched the black nylon rope out of his hands and threw it into a perfect knot.
“I didn’t hear you coming up with any better ones.”
“You’re right.” He nodded sagely. “You didn’t.”
“And the place is empty,” Alex said, almost wistful. “For now.”
“It is.”
“And the faster we get this done, the sooner we can leave each other’s company,” Alex pointed out, but King stayed silent for a long time. Then he gave a slow, soft nod.
“Of course.”
“Never lay eyes on each other again.”
The town down the coast did fireworks every Tuesday, so Alex shouldn’t have been surprised when she heard a low, subtleboomin the distance.
“That’s true.” He was breathing a little harder than he should have been. This was their window. They needed to take advantage of the distraction and the sky full of color and the noise.
This was their window.
And still...
“Sterling...”
Alex held out the crossbow, saying, “Do you want to do the honors or should I?”
For a moment, she was sure he hadn’t heard her because his eyes never left hers, like the answer was already there, floating back and forth between them.
Then, overhead—boom. Light filled the sky, like every star in the heavens had picked that moment to start falling.
King shook his head. “You do it. You’re a better shot.”Did he really think that? Did he really...“Sterling,” he prompted, and Alex shook off the thought. She aimed the bow and fired, watched as the rope unfurled, whipping through the night.
A moment later, he was tying off their end and checking the tension, saying, “I’ll go first.”
“But—”
“I’m heavier,” King snapped, then recoiled, like he wanted to pull the words back. “If it can hold me, it can hold you. This part... I’m not going to argue with you about this part.”
And, suddenly, Alex couldn’t remember how to argue—how to speak—because he was looking down at her like he would have given anything to shoot that crossbow the other direction, to slide her right back to the boat and out of harm’s way.
“Whenever you’re ready.”
Alex had forgotten about their comms units. And Merritt. And even their mission. She’d almost forgotten her own name when he looked at her and said, “I’ll see you on the other side.”
And then he was flying, disappearing into the night.
Two minutes later, Alex followed.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Present Day
The Island
King
King didn’t like it. Not the angle or the equipment or the woman who was lying beside him, almost vibrating with glee—and a small amount of skepticism.
