Page 76 of Turn the Tide
Nope, he was the bigger fool.
“You’re not ruined. And even if you are a disaster, I’ll take you any way I can have you. So long as I can keep you.”
She swallowed past the lump forming in her throat, trying to figure out how to say what was deep in her heart.
“I never wanted anything bad to happen to you, but it wasn’t until this”—she ran her hand over his wounded eye—“that I thought we might have a chance. I’m sorry you were hurt, but I’m glad you put the pieces of yourself back together.” She trembled, hating the vulnerability of being so exposed, and needing to say what she should’ve two years ago. “I want to be with you because I’m in love with you, Logan.”
He drew her into the warm cradle of his body. “You have to give them the thumb drive. Is it here, or did you hide it?”
She pulled away. Couldn’t they even enjoy the afterglow of finally being together for a few minutes? She’d just told him she loved him, and he didn’t say it back.
Instead, he went straight to the thumb drive.
“They’ll never stop until they get it.” He clutched her shoulders, forcing her gaze to his. “The battle you’re fighting with the CIA is an impossible cause.”
She touched the St. Jude’s medallion she’d given him. “Yes, it is animpossible cause. That’s why I hid it someplace they’ll never find it. I have to try to do the right thing, or how can I live with myself?”
“Live with me, and fuck the rest. I love you.” The dark velvet rumble of his words made her breath hitch. “This will get us both killed.” He tightened his hold on her as his voice grew forceful. His fingers bit into her arms. “You’re in over your—”
The front door rattled under the force of a heavy blow.
Logan rolled and was off the mattress, fists up, standing as a bulwark between her and whoever was in the hall before she registered what was happening.
Ashley yanked the sheet, covering herself, scrambling to rise. Blood screamed in her ears, her heart stuttering in her throat.
Another loud, powerfulthwack.
The door burst open, kicked in off its hinges.
