Zary lay naked in Gunner’s arms in front of the fireplace, the only sound, coming from the crackling wood and the waves hitting the shore of the beach.

Twenty-four hours ago, they’d left Montecito and drove to his house in Cambria. Razor may have done the same with Ava, but Gunner didn’t know for sure or care.

At some point, there’d be a hotwash of the deal that had been finalized with United Russia, as well as the part of the op that had resulted in Petrov’s death. Gunner didn’t care about that either.

Within minutes of arriving at his beach house, he and his Rocket Girl had torn off their clothes and made love the first of many times. Their need for condoms crossed his mind, but he let it go. If Zary got pregnant, it would simply mean they’d be one step closer to building the family both of them wanted.

Neither had spoken much during the two-hour drive other than to profess their love again and again.

Like he’d left Paps behind after he’d killed Lena, Zary told him she was letting Raketa go. She’d always be his Rocket Girl, but she’d never again use the name under which she’d been a Russian assassin.

She was still as badass as ever and would be welcome to join the K19 team if that was what she wanted. But if she wanted to settle into retirement, Gunner would join her.

He closed his eyes, remembering how her steely facade had faded in his arms, last night, as he carried her away from Petrov’s corpse. Everyone else could buy the image of the cold, hard killer that she projected to the world. Only Gunner knew that underneath she was as vulnerable and sensitive as he was.

He felt the chill on her flesh, took her in his arms, and carried her upstairs to the bed that was no longer his. For the rest of their lives, every bed they slept in would be theirs—no matter where it was housed.

Gunner’s phone vibrated several times before he picked it up.

“This better be about a nuclear holocaust,” Gunner told the caller. “Nothing else could warrant your intrusion.”

Shiv laughed. “This will be quick. I wanted to give you an update on Svetlana.”

Gunner walked out of the bedroom and closed the door so he didn’t wake the woman sound asleep in their bed.

“Right,” answered Gunner, knowing that the subject of her mother’s well-being would be on par with World War III for Zary. “How is she?”

“She latched on to Pimm and wouldn’t let go until Topor showed up. They’re keeping her overnight for observation, but you and Raketa can come get her in the morning. Fair warning that you may have to let Topor accompany her.”

“How did his interrogation go?”

“It was brief, but informative. He’s willing to cooperate with whatever we need.”

“Will he name names?”

“Yes, that’s part of his deal.”

“How’s Alegria?”

“Critical, but stable. Mantis hasn’t left her side.”

“Why?” There was no need for security any longer as far as Gunner knew.

Shiver laughed a second time. “Are you really saying you don’t know?”

“For Christ’s sake. Know what?”

Shiver was still laughing. “Mantis and Alegria.”

“Are you saying they’re together?”

“On and off for years,” Shiv told him.

It was one more thing Gunner hadn’t been aware of, just like he hadn’t known anything about Shiv and Kuznetsov. A few days ago, his not knowing would’ve bothered him. Now he didn’t care if he ever got a briefing again, about anything.

“Anything else vital I need to know? And by that I mean, something that pertains only to Zary and me?”

“Not a thing,” answered Shiv. “But, Zary?”

The man’s chuckling was starting to piss Gunner off.

“Later, asshole,” he said, disconnecting the call.

From inside the bedroom, he heard the sweet voice of his woman, calling his name.

“Coming, sweetheart,” he answered, climbing back into bed.

“Who was that?”

“Shiver. We’ll be able to bring your mother home tomorrow.”

“Oh. Um…where?”

“Wherever we are, Zary, she’ll be with us.”

She smiled. “I’d like to take her to your island.”

“Our island, baby.”