Page 146 of Carnal Urges
I recognize the sign instantly. It’s a tactical signal members of the military use to communicate silently with each other.
She’s making the sign for enemy.
When my gaze flashes up to meet hers, she tugs on her left earlobe.
I put it together: an enemy is listening.
Then I remember Grayson telling me that the deputy director was impressed with her, and it all clicks.
That bloody cunt tried to make my woman turn on me.
But he doesn’t know my lion like I do. He doesn’t know how much she hates to be told what to do. How strong or fearless she is. How impossible it is to make her bend to your will.
She only bends willingly. Even then, she’s still holding a sword.
Adrenaline floods my veins. My clever, clever girl. I want to laugh out loud, but that urge is cancelled by the rage I feel when I think of what I’m going to do to that son of a bitch.
Only, I have to be careful. I have to assume he’s got ears everywhere. Maybe eyes, too. Kieran did a full security sweep before we moved in, but I don’t know if he’s been doing them every day, as he should. Over the past few days, I haven’t exactly been on top of my game.
The only thing I could think of was Sloane.
Playing along, I say solemnly, “If that’s what you really want.”
When she exhales a slow, relieved breath, I know she can tell I understood her. She says, “It is.”
“All right. I’ll make the arrangements.”
I stand, lean down and kiss her cheek, then whisper gruffly into her ear, “I adore you.”
I leave the room without looking back. I go into my office, lock the door, and remove a small radio-frequency detector from a bottom drawer in my desk. I take my time sweeping the room for bugs. When I’m satisfied the space is clear, I take my cell phone from my pocket and dial a number I’ve memorized.
When the line is answered, I say, “Hello, Kazimir. This is Declan. I have a proposition for you.”
THIRTY-NINE
SLOANE
Almost a day passes before I see Declan again.
In the meantime, I sleep. I shower. I dress. I eat the food Kieran delivers. We don’t speak to each other, I simply open the door to his knock and watch as he sets the tray on the coffee table. He leaves without meeting my eyes.
I have no idea what’s happening, except that Declan is taking care of whatever needs to be taken care of. I know the message I was trying to transmit was received loud and clear.
If it wasn’t, he never would’ve agreed to let me go so quickly. There would have been a fight, long and loud.
Because he’s as stubborn as I am, the beautiful bastard.
On the morning of the second day, he appears in the doorway to the bedroom after a light knock. Dressed in his customary black Armani suit, he looks somber and so handsome it hurts.
“The flight to New York leaves in ninety minutes. We need to leave here within fifteen.”
“I’m ready. I packed a bag. I hope it’s all right that I’m taking some of the clothes you bought me. I left all the jewelry.”
His eyes flash. They flash again when I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear and the diamond tennis bracelet he gave me sparkles on my wrist. I smile and pull the sleeve of my sweater down to hide it.
“It’s fine,” he says, his voice tranquil. “Shall we go?”
“Let’s.”
