Page 21 of No Words
“Stand by for coordinates. Backup team on alert.”
“Understood.” I switch back to Molly’s channel, but the moment has passed. The security scare killed the mood, reminding us both why we’re here. I need to focus on keeping her alive, not indulging desires that could distract us both.
When I reenter the cabin, she’s waiting in the living room, composed but flushed. Her eyes meet mine with a mixture of embarrassment and defiance. Her fingers glisten slightly in the low light, and the sight sends a fresh surge of heat through me.
“We need to talk about security,” I say, all business now, though my body screams for completion. “Borsellini’s men will be back, with reinforcements.”
She nods, following my lead in pretending nothing happened. But the tension between us has shifted, becoming something electric. The scent of arousal lingers in the air, subtle but unmistakable to someone trained to notice details.
“Show me,” I say quietly, abandoning the pretense. She knows exactly what I mean.
After a moment’s hesitation, she extends her hand, fingers still damp from her interrupted pleasure. I take her wrist gently, bringing her fingers to my lips. The taste of her explodes across my tongue as I take two fingers into my mouth, watching her pupils dilate at the intimate gesture.
“Next time,” I promise, releasing her hand, “it will be my tongue instead of my fingers.”
Her breath catches audibly, and for a moment I consider taking her right here, right now. But the rational part of my brain, the part that keeps us both alive, reasserts control.
I bring up the security feeds on the main monitor, forcing myself back into professional mode. “I’ve expanded our perimeter. Anyone who comes within half a mile, we’ll know.” I point to the sensors on the map. “But we need evacuation plans. My contact is sending coordinates for a secondary safe house.”
Her eyes grow larger. “Contact? Who are we working with?”
“Former colleagues who understand what we’re facing.”
“More U.S. Marshals?”
I smile without humor. “Not exactly. Let’s just say Killian’s network runs underground.”
“The man you mentioned before.” She connects the dots quickly. “The one who warned you about corruption in the system.”
“Yes.” I don’t elaborate. The less she knows about Killian Blackthorn, the better, for now.
“So what’s our next move?” she asks.
I pull up a digital map. “Tonight, I’ll teach you defensive positions throughout the cabin. Tomorrow, we may need to move.” I look at her directly. “That means you need to be ready for anything.”
A double meaning. Her eyes darken as she holds my gaze, the golden flecks no longer visible.
“I’m ready.”
“We’ll see.” I gesture to the security monitors. “For now, I need you to memorize these camera angles, learn to spot anomalies. Your eyes might catch something the system misses.”
As I guide her through the security plans, standing close behind her, I’m aware of her scent, the heat of her body. The radio incident changes something between us, leaves me feeling charged.
The perimeter alarm explodes through the silence. I shove Molly behind me, weapon drawn before the sound fades. Pure instinct. On the monitor, a deer wanders through the eastern sensor field.
“False alarm,” I say, holstering my gun. But my heartbeat takes longer to settle.
Molly releases a shaky breath, still pressed against my back. “Is it always going to be like this? Jumping at shadows?”
I turn to face her, still too close. “Your fear will keep you alive, but I’ll keep you safe.”
Her eyes search mine. “Promise?”
Instead of answering, I cup her face with one hand, letting my thumb trace her lower lip. “From now on, when you need distraction from the fear, you come to me. Not with your own fingers. Understood?”
Color floods her cheeks, but she doesn’t look away. “Yes.”
“Good girl,” I murmur, the praise coming naturally. “Now, back to these camera angles.”
