Page 77 of Undercover Shadow
“I thought I’d lost you.” His voice cracked. “When that beacon activated, when I realized where you really were—I thought I’d lost you before I could tell you how much I love you.”
The words hung between us, honest and vulnerable.
“I love you too.” My voice broke. “I’ve loved you for so long.”
His forehead dropped against mine. “How can you forgive me? For pushing you away? For making you feel like you couldn’t trust me?”
I pulled him closer. “Just love me. That’s all the apology I need.”
“I do. God, I love you so much.”
“Then show me.”
He carried me to the bed even though I could walk, but I understood—he needed this, needed to care for me after hours of being unable to protect me. The sheets were cool against myheated skin, and he stood beside the bed, looking at me like I was precious, like I might shatter if he wasn’t careful.
I reached for him. “Please, Tag. Be with me.”
“You’re sure?” His voice was rough. “After everything?—”
I pulled him down, and the kiss we shared started out soft, then deepened.
“I need you,” I whispered against his mouth as he settled beside me. “I need to feel alive.”
Understanding crossed his face. This wasn’t just about desire—though I ached for his touch—but about proving to ourselves that the worst was over.
When he entered me, it was slow and reverent, and his eyes never left mine. Every movement was gentle, conscious of my injuries but also of what we’d both nearly lost.
“I love you,” he said.
“I love you.”
We moved together unhurriedly, savoring each touch and kiss and breath. This was a promise being made in the language of bodies, a vow that we’d chosen each other despite everything that had tried to tear us apart.
When release came, it washed over us—profound and gentle and perfect. He pulled me against him after, holding me close as exhaustion tugged at my consciousness.
“Sleep,” he murmured against my hair. “I’ll be here when you wake.”
His heartbeat was steady beneath my ear as darkness pulled me under—not the terrifying dark of the tower, but the peaceful dark of safety and home and love.
Tomorrow would bring debriefs, decisions, and consequences for the choices we’d all made. MacLeod would face justice while his wife and daughter faced shame. The world would keep spinning, never knowing how close it had come to stopping.
But tonight, in Tag’s arms, with his breath warm against my hair and his heart beating steady beneath my palm, I was exactly where I belonged.
18
TAG
The castle was silent except for Leila’s breathing beside me. I’d been awake for an hour, watching her sleep, cataloging each bruise like evidence of my failures. The purple marks on her throat formed a necklace of violence. Her wrists bore matching bracelets where the zip ties had cut deep. The medics had cleaned and bandaged the worst of it, but nothing could erase what had been done to her.
My mobile vibrated on the nightstand—Douglas with the inevitable summons.Typhon and Viper have arrived. Library. 0900.
I checked the time—zero eight thirty. When I shifted to check the message more carefully, she spoke without opening her eyes.
“How long have you been watching me?”
“An hour. Maybe two.”
“Creepy, MacTaggert.” But her hand found mine beneath the covers. “When is the inquisition?”
