Chapter 24

MATT EDGED AWAY from the DARK employees spilling out onto the sidewalk and headed home. He was searching his phone for the ride-hailing app when he spotted Sarika’s chauffeur heading toward him. The black limo stood at the curb.

“Hey, Stefan, what’s up?”

The older man bobbed his head in a small bow. “Her Highness thought you might appreciate a ride home. At your service, sir.” He doffed his chauffeur cap and held it chest high. Tears glittered in his pale blue eyes. “For myself, I thank you for what you did for my princess and my country.”

Matt’s gut tightened and his jaw clenched. Just doing my duty wouldn’t cut it. “Stefan, your princess is my friend. Although I failed to keep her safe, everything turned out okay in the end. Taking down that son of a bitch Cardona and the other traitors was a damned great pleasure. Lead me to that limo.” He clasped the old man’s hand.

Stefan’s grin fanned wrinkles across his entire face. He hustled ahead and opened the door.

The first thing Matt saw as he climbed inside was a strappy red shoe tapping on the plush carpet. The high heel was attached to a sexy foot and a dynamite female leg in a short black skirt. The rest of her lay in shadows. Nadia. His chest tightened as if a fist had squeezed the bruises from the inside.

As he slid into the seat beside her, he inhaled the scent of lilacs.

Her slender throat moved as she swallowed, and her soft gaze lowered to her hands.

He caught his reflection in the security window. No wonder she’d looked away from his dead-eyed glare, harsher than the G-man mask she’d accused him of wearing. But tension had him in its grip. He couldn’t relax until he knew what she wanted.

He seemed to have come out of the hospital with a limited vocabulary because the same question he’d asked Stefan popped from his mouth. “What’s up?”

She lifted her chin and faced him. Tangled emotions guttered behind her eyes. “How’s your arm?”

He’d shrug, but the movement would dial up the pain in his arm. “I’ll live.”

Why was she in Sarika’s limo? To say goodbye? Didn’t she already do that? He didn’t need a second thrashing and couldn’t bear chitchat, not with this woman who made him feel more than, hell, just more. He reached for the door handle, but Stefan was pulling away from the curb. “Nadia—”

“Let me, please.” She pressed an index finger to his lips and yanked it away so fast, he might’ve imagined she’d touched him. “You took a bullet for me on Tuesday. You saved my life. For that, I’m deeply grateful.”

“I think we’re even. You were braver than me, taking such a huge risk. Staked out like a damn sacrifice.” Thank God he’d gotten to her in time. He’d have lost and the world would’ve lost this talented and loyal woman who defended her traitor father no matter what and who would’ve laid down her life for her friend. His pulse revved into a higher gear.

The luxury car cocooned them in its plush upholstery and sound baffles, so he hardly knew they were moving. They could be anywhere. The world shrank to only the two of them.

Without thinking, he reached for her.

She held up a hand and scooted a few inches away on the seat. Steely resolve hardened her gaze. “I have more I need to say.”

She wasn’t finished? Now was when she’d tell him she never wanted to see him again, that a couple of days together was great, but sayonara. He shouldn’t have gotten in the car. How much longer before they reached his condo building? Maybe he’d get out at the next red light. He bent his head and rubbed his nape.

“Years ago,” she said, “I jumped to conclusions about you. I was wrong then, and I was wrong this time.”

His head came up, and he watched her search for words. He’d never known Nadia to be at a loss.

“Matt, while we were on the run, I came to realize you hadn’t used me and that you did have feelings for me. Afterward, when I heard my voice on that recording, my blood froze.” She shook her head. A small smile plucked at one side of her mouth. “I know, the saying is about blood boiling, but the shock turned me cold. I didn’t stop to think why you’d recorded my call or why you were playing it for Harris. I just blew.” She twisted her fingers together in her lap.

He’d fucking deceived her, kept information from her, spied on her, and she was apologizing? The fist clamping his chest eased. Maybe he’d have a chance to make things right, a chance with her. Damn, did he ever want to pull her into his arms. “I did spy on you. You don’t have to—”

“Will you please stop interrupting me while I’m groveling!” Brow crimped, she tossed back her hair. When he threw up his hands, she continued. “Without, um, pressure, I’d have eventually come to my senses, but by then it would’ve been too late for me to do anything about… us. Sari made me ask myself the tough questions, and now I know why she’s such a tough trade negotiator. Probably DARK didn’t trust me and ordered you to spy on me. I get that now.”

“I was following orders, and I confess I did more than record that call. Doing what I had to do ripped me apart.”

“I know. I understand. Now.” She touched a finger to his hand where it had a death grip on his knee and then placed her hand on his. Her palm was cool and comforting. “You recorded my conversation with Dad because it was your duty. You played it for Harris because it proved my innocence.”

He turned over his hand and curled his fingers around hers. If it was possible, he’d never let go. “So he would back off. I couldn’t stand the thought of him interrogating you again. He didn’t hear the rest, about your mom being pregnant.” Director Nolan had listened to the entire conversation, but he’d get to the result of that.

“I appreciate it, but now it doesn’t matter. I’ll explain later. About your work and DARK, I understand how important all that is to you. When we were together, I watched you and paid attention to what you weren’t saying. A habit or a quirk of my profession, I suppose. Since losing your parents, you’ve been looking for someplace to belong, someone to belong to, and DARK has become that. The mission is important to you, as are your colleagues.” She tilted her head and waited.

Stratton, Byrne, the Confessor, Thorne and the others were there for him as he was for them, on ops, in missions, but they were only a substitute, and now he knew what he really wanted. “You’ve brought it up before, but it took a while to sink in. I never thought of it that way, but wanting to belong feels right.”

Before he could broach what he wanted now, beyond work, she went on. “I saw you slinking around yesterday in that gray hoodie, but I didn’t recognize you. How did you know to rescue me?”

Grinning, he rubbed his nape. She didn’t need to hear about his race from one side of the District to the other. Or about the cop who stopped him. “I happened to be standing to the right of the dais. I didn’t spot Cardona, but I saw the pistol.”

“The shaved head was a good disguise. I didn’t know him, and he was right in front of me. When he dropped the camcorder, I recognized his eyes, his narrow features. He… that gun.” A shudder quaked her shoulders. “I froze, but then I heard your voice.”

Cardona was raising the gun to shoot her. It had all happened in a flash, but it seemed like slo-mo. “I was afraid to fire with you standing there. So I yelled as I ran to you.” That was when the bastard shot him. “I sweated it, hoping you remembered the last time. That second or two lasted an eon.”

“I remembered, and I dropped.” Her smile was soft, plumping her delicious lips. “I remember everything, every moment from our stolen time together.”

He took that as an invitation. He cupped her head and tugged her closer. She tilted against him and closed her eyes. When he dabbed both corners of her mouth with his tongue, she opened to him. His lips found hers, and they kissed with heat and hunger. Their tongues tangled, and she laid her hands on his shoulders and scooted closer so their hips touched. The open-mouthed kiss made his breath catch. He kissed her deeply, plunging his tongue into her sweet mouth, in imitation of what he longed to do with her again. In two seconds, his dick went from interested to full-on desperation. He started to lift her onto his lap when a shaft of pain tore into his upper arm. He gasped for breath.

“Damn, damn, damn, your arm.” Nadia held her hands away from him as if she’d been the fucking idiot who’d tried to lift her.

He grimaced. “I’m okay. If I had two good arms, we might’ve given old Stefan a shock when we arrived at my building.”

“Only you could make a joke about your injury.”

He slapped a hand on his chest. “Aargh, you wound me.”

She rolled her eyes. “You rest. I have more to share. I know about my parentage. Sari told me.”

“Sarika?” The knives stabbing his arm had subsided, so he settled again, riveted as she told him about an affair between her mother and her birth father the duke, both now gone. “Dad — he’s still my dad — fell in love with Mom pretty much at first sight. He was so willing to marry a woman carrying another man’s baby because he was sterile. It was his only chance for a family. I’d always wondered why I never had brothers and sisters.”

“They loved each other?”

She nodded. “Mom loved him right back. When she was about to marry him, she called the queen and told her she wanted nothing more from the duke, that he was never to contact her — or me. Until then, he’d supported her financially. Sari said her mother always admired Mom for that. Now that the duke is dead, the family thought I should know.”

“An amazing story.” He straightened. “So Sarika is your cousin. Even more amazing. You look so much alike, so maybe not.”

She lifted a lock of her hair. “I’m thinking of keeping this lighter color. Prettier than my dishwater blonde.”

“I like it for Sarika, but it’s not you. Your color’s not dishwater, but dark honey.” He smoothed his free hand over her hair, and she tilted her head into his touch, like a puppy being petted.

“Really? You like my real color?” A laugh punctuated her skepticism. “Very diplomatic, sir.”

“Nobody’d ever mistake me for a diplomat, but I prefer the dark honey.” He pulled her close and brushed her mouth with a kiss. “So you have relatives. Sarika’s parents, the king and queen of Modena, are your aunt and uncle. That must’ve blown your mind.”

“Once it sank in. And there’s more. My mother’s parents disowned her back then. But now that they’ve learned it was the duke who got her pregnant, they want to meet their granddaughter. I think association with the royal family might have something to do with their interest.” She grinned. “Apparently I have an older half-sister and brother and a few nieces and nephews.”

“I’m happy for you.” He was, of course he was, but her good news had struck a nerve like a hammer blow. He used to dwell on the loss of his parents — dark, savage brooding spells that he’d had to overcome or they would’ve owned him. If anybody deserved this happiness, it was Nadia. He banished his bout of petty envy. Needing to touch her again, he captured her hand and held on. “You have family now, more than you could’ve imagined. “Does your dad know?”

“Yes, and he thinks it’s great.” Her joyous smile turned downward. “He’s being moved to the Federal Medical Center in Devens, Massachusetts, where they can treat him for the prostate cancer. You wouldn’t know anything about that, would you?” She cocked her head and pursed her lips.

“Director Nolan pulled some strings, a sort of apology. The men who jumped your dad are being charged with aggravated assault and attempted murder. They’re in a more secure section of the prison.” He doubted whether DARK or any other agency would get from them who’d paid them. If they squealed, they’d be next for the hit squad.

“Good. They deserve whatever punishment they get. It’ll be easier to visit Dad in the new place instead of out in the Pennsylvania boonies. They’re moving him in a couple of days, and I’ll go see him. The insurance company is coming through for me on the loss of equipment, and King Bernard wants me to continue the documentary. I’ll finally do my interview with Sari. My usual crew are healed and will join me.”

“Sure you don’t need an inexperienced production assistant? Something I can do one handed?”

“For the interview, no. I’m told you’re supposed to rest. You’ll need to heal for the trip to Modena next month. The king wants to pin medals on us.”

He gaped at her. “Us? You’re joking.”

“Nope. Without us, the rebels would’ve killed Sari and created more chaos. You’re the one who told me I saved her from the bomb by moving her to the bay window. The whole sequence after that led us to Janna finding Cardona’s passport photo and me recognizing him as the man who met Alina.” She frowned. “I wonder how she became involved with him and the rebels.”

He huffed. “Ambition, maybe love. During questioning, she revealed he promised she’d play a big role once he took over the government.”

“Must’ve been Gabriel Harris who grilled her.”

He made sure his expression was blank before he spoke. “I wasn’t there.”

“I see. Top secret.” She wagged her shoulders. “Will DARK let you come to Modena with me? And what about repercussions from not following orders?”

“To answer the first, I’m due a bunch of vacation time, so maybe. As for the other, only a reprimand, mostly because everything turned out okay.”

“Just okay?” Her throat worked as she swallowed. She cast a glance down at their joined hands and then watched him intently for a moment. “Didn’t we find something in each other, something we both need? Belonging. And love?”

The iron-tight knot that had tied itself in his chest ever since he entered the car frayed apart and dissolved. Deep inside, an expansive feeling bloomed. His heart clanged cymbals and his soul soared. He squeezed her hand. It was all he could manage until he could speak.

“Nadia, I think I’ve been in love with you for five years, but I couldn’t let myself think it. You’re smart and caring and loyal and beautiful, and somehow you’ve found the places inside I never let anybody touch before. I kept telling myself I would never give up control of my life for anybody, but you helped me understand that belonging to — and with — somebody I love doesn’t mean losing control. Except in bed.”

She laughed, and he released her hand. He swept his thumb across her lower lip before he kissed her. She looped her arms around his neck and hung on for the ride.

When he ended the kiss, she started to speak, but he touched two fingers to her mouth. “Honey, it’s complicated. We’re complicated. My vision’s improving every day, and I’ll be back to field duty when the arm’s better. You travel as much as I do, and you’re out of the country more than in.”

She kissed his fingers and smiled. “We’ll find a way. If we want it enough, we’ll make it work.”

“We’ll make it work.”

Through the tinted side window, he recognized the statue at the entrance to the small park. Only a few blocks until they reached his building. “You coming with me to my place?”

“I am. I packed my suitcase.”

“I’m wounded, you know.”

“In the line of duty. My wounded warrior.”

He held his injured arm and moaned. “Hurts like hell. I need TLC.”

Her sultry smile made him want to rip off her clothes. “I know just what to do.”