Page 71 of Broken Trust
Kennedy reached over and zipped the duffel shut. “If you really want to go, fine. You’ve earned that right. But don’t run just because it’s safer than waiting.”
Elin blinked, stunned by the word. “Safer?”
“Yes. If you stay and he breaks your heart again, you’ll hate yourself for hoping you can make it work. But if you leave before giving him the chance to show up, you’ll hate yourself for doubting him.”
Sophie moved toward the window, looking out where the chopper lights blinked through the mist. “You both have big roles to play, Elin. In a few minutes, you’re getting on that chopper with Liam. He’s probably already scheming ways to fix your relationship.”
She gave a soft, humorless laugh. “He’s not exactly the flowers-and-apologies type.”
Sophie turned from the window, her smile a little sad. “No. But he’s the action type.”
A barely healed crack opened up. The fissure that had been a deep gorge before was smaller now, but it still cut enough to ache. But what her new friends said rang true—Mason didn’t make promises lightly. He wasbuilton promises.
And he’d promised to keep her safe.
He’d never given her the words she needed to hear—that she was important, that helovedher. But he brought her drinks and food when she worked too late. He insisted she rest.
And his eyes burned with unspoken emotion when he pushed deep inside her.
She straightened. “I need to find some of the control these men have. I’m going into a high-risk op. I can’t be weak out there.”
Kennedy shook her head. “You’re the brain of this operation. Mason can guard your six, but the mission only works if you trust yourself.”
Trust herself. That, she could do.
The raw edge of panic dulled to something quieter—resolve, maybe.
Con’s voice crackled over the intercom. “Charlie, on me. Birds are spinnin’.”
Her gaze dropped to the duffel. She left it zipped. There would be time to unpack her life later—one way or another.
Elin took off for the door with Sophie and Kennedy right behind her.
“You got this, Elin. You’re stronger than you think.”
Kennedy’s faith in her settled like armor, straightening her spine until she felt as solid as any of them. She might not fit the mold of a wife or girlfriend, but today, she was one of the team.
With every step Elin took toward the chopper, she drew in one deep breath after another until her pulse matched the rhythm of the rotors.
Outside, the world thrummed with controlled chaos. She let the current of motion carry her forward into the heart of it all. When she rounded the corner, she glimpsed Chase and Alyssa near the entrance, hands linked. Alyssa laughed softly atsomething he said, her other hand resting protectively over her still-flat abdomen.
The sight twisted Elin’s chest, but this time the twinge came with understanding rather than envy.
This was what she wanted—a life that wasn’t defined by jobs or danger but instead by connection…and maybe even love.
Maybe she could have that too.
But first, there was work to do.
Then she looked up and saw him. Liam waited halfway across the yard, tall and strong and proud as hell. The man who owned her heart, to death and beyond.
The wind created by the chopper whipped at her hair, tugging strands from the elastic band. For a heartbeat, the world around her dimmed.
His gaze met hers.
Everything inside her stilled.
He didn’t speak, didn’t move, but the air between them vibrated.
