SUNDAY. NEXGEN OFFICES, Erbil, Kurdistan.Header  here.

Erin couldn’t breathe. Everything hurt.

“Riley?” She rolled and pain shot up her spine.

That wasn’t good.

“Erin? Erin!” He shouted her name, grasping for her.

“I’m right here.” She grabbed his hand and squeezed.

The other SUV shielded them, but for how long? Would the sniper reposition and fire again?

“Erin?” Riley rolled toward her.

She stared down at his body, bracing herself for the worst, but there was no blood.

He wasn’t bleeding.

She’d heard the shot, felt the air displaced by the bullet. God, she’d just known he was dead. She pushed up to her knees, her bones screaming in agony, and cupped his face.

“You’re okay,” she shouted. Whatever had knocked him off his feet, it hadn’t signed his death warrant.

Movement from the parking lot caught her eye. Two white men in plain clothes carrying guns was by no means a normal sight. She doubted they were with Ruddy Brothers Security.

Erin snatched Riley’s sidearm from his holster and lifted the weapon. Enough people were hurt already. Whoever these bastards were, they weren’t going to kill her or Riley.

She aimed and squeezed off a shot.

They weren’t taking Riley from her.

She might not know what these fuckheads wanted or what she’d done to deserve this, but they would not take Riley from her.

The man closest to them went down.

No body armor.

Good to know.

The other man ducked behind a car.

Bullets pinged off the SUV closest to the road. Shattered glass rained down on them.

“Get them in the SUV,” Grant ordered from the other side of the vehicle.

That sounded like a good plan.

“Come on.” She grabbed Riley’s hand. There wasn’t any blood. She had to believe that he was okay.

“The box!” He lurched to his knees, pointing at the white file box they’d brought out with them.

A bullet had ripped into it on one side, creating paper snow bits. She stared at it in horror, the realization of how close they’d been to death glaring back at her.

“I’ve got it.” Nolan vaulted over the hood of the vehicle shielding them and scooped up the box.

She hauled Riley to his feet and snatched the keys off the sidewalk. He wavered, no doubt the blast to his ear drum screwing up his equilibrium. They staggered to the SUV they’d arrived in and she shoved him toward the back seat.

“Get in,” she shouted while keeping her eyes on the parking lot.

There was still one shooter out there they hadn’t put out of commission.

Erin climbed into the driver’s seat and jammed the key in the ignition.

The passenger door opened.

A man who wasn’t Nolan stared back at her, his gun pointed at her.

A cold wave of dread swept her.

Out of the corner of her eye she saw Nolan charge the passenger door. He dropped his shoulder and rammed the guy, making an uncomfortable human-vehicle-sandwich. The attacker dropped his weapon onto the floorboard. Nolan yanked the door open, grabbed the man by the hair, and delivered a boot to his gut.

“Go, go, go.” Nolan climbed in and shoved the nearly demolished box into the back seat.

Erin shifted into reverse and punched it. The SUV roared backward, and she yanked on the wheel, narrowly missing the other cars.

“Right,” Riley bellowed.

She shifted and pressed the accelerator, shooting out onto the street. This was probably not the time to volunteer the tiny fact that she hadn’t driven for several years.

“Left,” Riley called out.

“Motorcycle on your seven,” Nolan said.

She glanced in her mirrors, catching sight of the bike, and behind it, another vehicle.

The rest of the Aegis team piled into the other SUV, but they wouldn’t be fast enough. Their tail had speed and maneuverability on their side.

“Left! Left,” Riley said.

“I hear you,” she snapped and cranked the wheel, sending them shooting through an intersection.

“Fuck!” Nolan scrambled to hold onto the door. “Where’d you learn how to drive?”

“Miami.”

“We’re dead,” Nolan wailed.

“Right,” Riley called out.

Erin cringed.

“I mean left!” he said.

“Shit!” She over-corrected, and the SUV wobbled.

The motorcycle drew up next to them, a gun aimed at her.

Erin gritted her teeth and swerved, hitting both bike and man with the side panel of the vehicle. The man went flying while the bike spun, going sideways. The back wheels of the SUV hit the bike and a loud pop sent her stomach plummeting to the ground. The truck lurched, and they rolled to a stop.

Their getaway vehicle was down for the count.

“Incoming,” Nolan said, as though she didn’t recall the other vehicle following them.

She shoved her door open and leaned out, Riley’s handgun settling into her palm. The weight of it was foreign. She’d always carried a lighter model, something that served close-quarter fighting better.

The truck’s engine roared.

She aimed at the windshield and fired twice. Once to crack the glass, and a second time to shatter it. The driver ducked and served, missing their SUV by a few feet.

The back door opened, and Riley stepped out, yanking his gun from her hand and stepping in front of her.

The driver got off a shot, hitting the back door of the SUV.

“We’ve got to go,” Nolan called out.

“The box!” Erin couldn’t leave it.

“I’ve got it. Get Riley!”

She wrapped her arms around Riley’s arm and pulled him toward the front of the vehicle. He followed her, almost tripping over her feet. Nolan met them at the curb.

“Where the hell are the others?” Riley pitched his voice too loud.

“Don’t know. Run. Move. Keep going.” Nolan shoved at them.

Where were the police? The dozens of security? What had happened to the rest of the team?

Erin snatched the box from Nolan and followed Riley through an alley while Nolan brought up the rear. Each step sent a jolt of pain through her body. Whatever happened when they hit the pavement, it wasn’t good.

“Grant? Vaughn? Brenden? Anyone?” Nolan called out.

“Where are they?” Erin asked.

“No clue.”

“Where are we going?” she asked.

“Ask Riley.”

“He can’t hear me.”

Riley slowed their pace at the end of the alley. He peered out onto a street that hadn’t seen the same kind of action they’d barely escaped.

“Anyone hear me?” Nolan asked again.

“Come on.” Riley slid his gun into his holster and grabbed Erin’s hand.

They walked out onto the sidewalk, glancing over their shoulder every few strides.

If the rest of Lepta Team wasn’t answering their comms, what were they doing? What had Erin gotten them involved with?

This was her fault. This whole mess. It was her doing, and now more innocent people could die. Hell, they might have, if a stray bullet hit a pedestrian or someone inside a building. This wasn’t a war zone. It shouldn’t be like this, and yet something she knew was worth all this destruction.

“Be calm,” Riley said.

“What about the others?” She glanced at Riley.

He frowned at her.

Right, because he probably couldn’t hear her yet. The bullet must have hit the box, right by his head, and knocked them both over. All that paper and cardboard might have saved his life and deadened some of the blast. Maybe his hearing would come back.

“We need to find the cops. Where are they?” Most days Erin felt like she couldn’t take ten steps without seeing some sort of military presence. Now, when they needed it, they weren’t anywhere near.

“In here.” Riley pulled Erin into a little shop, Nolan following close on their heels.

A truck rolled down the street, going slower than most of the other traffic.

“Grant? Grant, I can hear you,” Nolan said.

“Where are they?” Erin turned toward the other man, her heart beating in her throat.

“Just a few blocks over at a checkpoint.” He pointed in the direction they’d been headed.

“Can they make it to us?” Riley asked.

“No, they’re being held.” Nolan pressed his fingers to his ear. “But they’re sending someone to pick us up.”

That was the best thing she’d heard yet.

Erin wrapped her arms around Riley and said a silent prayer glad they were both alive. Bruises would heal. They’d walked out of this alive so far and that was what mattered.

“GOD DAMN IT.” MARK hurled his phone out the window.

They couldn’t get to her now.

If it weren’t for that damn box or those men or the SUV or any number of things that were going wrong—this would be over with. Now, Erin Lopez and the rest were in custody. He wouldn’t be able to get to them unless they were charged, and he doubted that. NexGen wanted her out of the way, somewhere she couldn’t stir the pot, which meant she was bound for America.

“Sir?”

“What?” Mark whirled toward the man.

“No one has seen or heard from Thomas, so I checked with our local law enforcement contact, and it appears he was arrested at Erin Lopez’s home.”

Mark closed his eyes.

Another fucking thing going wrong.

Should he cut his losses?

He could cut his ties with America, wash his hands of the Middle East and go somewhere else. Couldn’t he? Not if the video got leaked. The list of places he could go to hide out for the rest of his miserable life would be short if the American government wanted to extradite him. And they’d have to. After the kinds of jobs Mark’s off-the-books team had done, the US would hang him out to dry to save face.

At this rate, Erin would be escorted to the airport and kept under watch until she could return to the states. Mark’s window of opportunity to nip this in the bud while on foreign soil was over with.

He had to take this home.

“Round up the team. Tell them we’re headed to the States. I want to send guys to her family, her friends, anyone she’s ever known. I want a list. We’re going to make this bitch come to us.” Mark snarled and paced out of the room.

He still had one card to play, but he couldn’t leave it all up to chance. With luck, he could pull this off, but he had to be prepared for things to end badly. Which meant he needed an escape plan for one and a place to go.

SUNDAY. BAKHTIARI POLICE Station, Erbil, Kurdistan.

Riley watched the paramedic press on Erin’s ribs once more. Her face creased, and she bit down on her lip and squeezed her eyes shut. He hated seeing her like this and wished there was something he could do to alleviate the pain. They were supposed to bring her home safe, not get her killed.

Fuck, they’d had a close call.

If they’d done one thing different, they could have both died and her blood would have been on his hands.

That first shot could have taken off his head. The second one could have hit something vital.

He should have been more careful. The whole damn time he’d been focused on the wrong thing. He’d stopped thinking of her as an asset at some point and forgotten that this was a job. Plain and simple. They weren’t friends. They weren’t even fuck buddies. What the hell had he been thinking, letting his dick get in the way of the job?

Erin’s eyes opened, and she stared at him. He’d screwed up and gotten too close to her. The lines between professionalism and something else were blurred. Right now, it felt like there were fishhooks in him, reeling him toward Erin. It took everything in him to remain standing where he was and not bolt from the room.

People died doing this job. The guys liked to brush off their near-death scrapes, but the truth was, there was no guarantee they were coming home. If he lost an asset because he stopped thinking like a team player and let lust get in the way, he’d never forgive himself. Didn’t he already shoulder enough blame?

Erin’s face creased in pain. He felt that flinch like a knee to his gut.

He’d let himself slide too far into this thing.

He liked her too much.

Which meant this had to stop. He needed distance.

So why wasn’t he walking out of here?

“You’re doing great.” Riley kept his arms crossed over his chest. He didn’t let himself touch her. He couldn’t. If he did, then he might forget what the hell he was doing here.

“You told me everything would be fine. This is not fine. I’m going to have to take a point away.” Her voice was strained, and she sucked in several shallow breaths.

“I guess it depends on your definition of the word.” He mustered a smile while his insides twisted tighter. This was his fault. He hadn’t been careful enough. He could have done more. He should have anticipated the threat.

“You are not funny.” She braced her hands on the table and glanced at the medic.

The man stripped off his gloves and spoke to Erin in an easy tone. Riley couldn’t tell the difference between Arabic and Kurdish, so he stayed quiet while Erin and the guy chatted. He could leave, slip out while she was occupied, but he hadn’t. It only went to prove he was too messed up and turned around to watch out for her.

Case in point, Riley wanted to reach for her, to hold her hand and tell her it would all work out just fine. Everything inside him told him he should do just that. But he couldn’t promise her safety, and it wasn’t his place to offer physical comfort.

He didn’t want to explain to another mother how he’d failed. He didn’t want to be the one to tell Erin’s family how he’d fucked up and their daughter wasn’t coming home. Whatever this was they were doing, it had to stop. From here until they got to the States, he’d keep her safe. But that was it.

The medic’s tone changed, and Erin shook her head.

“What’s he saying?” Riley asked.

“Broken rib. He wants me to go to the hospital, but we both know that’s a bad idea.” She sighed and changed languages, directing her attention at the medic.

Broken rib. At least she wasn’t dead. It didn’t mean there was no reason to be concerned.

When they got on a plane and headed home, they’d be in the air for hours. If something happened while they were over the ocean they wouldn’t be able to help her. But the longer she remained in Kurdistan, the more determined the attackers became. Maybe that was the answer, get her out of the country and then get medical care.

Riley glanced over his shoulder and into the rest of the station. Grant and Melody had their heads together with a couple officers, everyone nodding in unison as a middleman translated. Funny, it was Riley Grant was pissed at. Not Melody.

The local law enforcement had been quick and efficient in transporting them to the station and taking statements. The language barrier wasn’t all that bad. Most of the younger officers spoke enough English, and there were at least half a dozen officers who were on a first name basis with Grant and the others.

Clearly, he and Erin had missed a lot they needed to get caught up on.

Erin slid to her feet and offered her right hand to the medic before the man packed up his things.

“Well? You going to live?” Riley asked.

“Shut up.” She took a step toward him and leaned her cheek on his chest.

Riley fought the urge to wrap his arms around her. His insides shook, sending an uncomfortable sense of panic through him.

He could have lost her. And that mattered.

Close calls made a man realize the important things. What was worth holding onto. Things he wished he’d taken a chance on.

Riley closed his eyes.

It was the stress talking. That was it. For her sake, they needed distance

He liked Erin. He’d liked her the moment he saw the picture of her with that crooked smile. But it didn’t mean they were anything special to each other.

“Melody wanted to update us when you were done. You up for that?” He curled his hands into fists to keep from smoothing her unruly curls, and instead, took a step back.

“Yeah. I’m ready for some damn answers.” Erin frowned up at him and pressed a hand to her ribs.

It was better this way.

“Hurt?” he asked.

“Only when I breathe.”

“Oh, then you should be fine.”

“Jackass.” One side of her mouth hitched up, and she chuckled.

“Where?” He glanced over his shoulder and tried his best to smother the voice telling him to hold onto her.

“I can’t with you right now.” Her smile slowly turned into a frown, complete with furrowed brow and an intense stare. “What’s the matter? You’ve been weird ever since we got here.”

Riley glanced at the door and wished Grant or Melody would pop in.

“Riley, talk to me.” Erin grasped his hand and tugged.

“You almost died because I was too busy thinking about the wrong things.” Namely her. The time he wanted to spend with her. What he wanted to do. He’d fucked up, and it’d very nearly cost them their lives.

“We’re fine,” she said.

“We can’t risk close calls like that.” He pulled his hand from hers. “I think it’s best if I focus on my job.”

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

“I mean...this has been fun, but this is interfering with my job.”

“You couldn’t anticipate a sniper.”

“I shouldn’t have let you distract me. From the beginning I’ve let you use me to forget, and that’s not helping either of us.”

Erin took a step back and held up her hands. “From what I remember you were an active participant. I didn’t make you do anything you didn’t already want to do. Don’t you dare put this on me.”

“You’re right, I did. And that was wrong.” Even if it had felt good. And right.

“Fuck you and the high horse you rode in on. Get out of here.”

“I’ll see if Melody is available. She can get you come clothes so you can clean up before we leave.” Riley turned and strode to the door. He could feel Erin’s gaze like daggers in his back.

This was the right thing to do.

He stuck his head out the door and glanced around for the other guys on his team, but they were nowhere to be seen. Grant was intent in his conversation with the cops, but Melody glanced his way. He thumbed over his shoulder and Melody nodded.

From here on out it would probably be a better idea if Melody stuck close to Erin. Riley hadn’t screwed up, but his priorities weren’t aligned with his team.

Melody strode toward the door, her smile cooling by degrees. By the time she reached Riley she was practically scowling.

“What did you do?” Melody stopped outside the door, pitching her voice at a whisper.

“Nothing.”

“Then why do you look guilty?” Her gaze searched his face.

Riley glanced away.

What he’d told Erin was for her own good. She didn’t need him in her life. She’d been very clear about what she wanted. And he’d allowed himself to get distracted. At worst she’d have a sleepless night or two before she was home and someone else’s responsibility. In the long run, he didn’t matter to her, so it was for the best that he kept his attention on the job.

“Move.” Melody stepped through the door, her smile amped up to a ten. “Erin, I’m glad to see you’re doing okay. What did the paramedics say?”

Riley hovered in the door. He should go. There was never a reason for him to be here, but he couldn’t make his feet walk away.

Erin stared at the ground, ignoring him. He’d bruised her pride, and for that he was sorry. But this was all for her own good.

“Fractured or broken rib, it’s hard to tell.” Erin leaned a hip against the table and crossed her arms over her chest.

“I’m so sorry that happened.”

“I’m alive, right?” Erin glanced at Riley. She said the words with venom.

“And we’re going to keep you that way, right Riley?” Melody followed Erin’s gaze, meeting Riley’s eyes for a moment. He was in for it. “Did they recommend you go to the hospital, or are you okay to travel?”

“I’m fine to travel.” Erin smiled.

“Good. Good.”

That wasn’t what Erin had told him. Was she saying whatever it took to get out of here? Or had she skipped something when he asked?

Riley turned and leaned against the door. If he couldn’t make himself leave, he didn’t have to watch.

“What happened with Thomas?” Erin asked.

“Oh, dear.” Melody blew out a breath. “When Grant and the others went by your house to get the list of items they found Thomas there, going through your home office files. He’s in custody, but he hasn’t said anything.”

Riley was willing to bet Melody would have words over how this whole thing went down. She’d been intentionally left out of plans and used. But that wasn’t Riley’s problem. He’d been following orders. Sort of.

“Do we think he works for Allied?” Erin asked.

“We don’t know. He hasn’t officially worked for them in years, but...” Melody shrugged.

“That doesn’t mean he isn’t working for an off-the-books branch of the company.” Riley turned toward the ladies. There was still more going on than they realized.

“We don’t know that.” Melody held up her hands. She turned her attention to Erin. “Our concern right now is you.”

“I hate the idea that we’re leaving this mess behind us.” Erin stared at the floor, her smile gone.

Riley swallowed his words. He wanted to soothe her, ease the sting, but he couldn’t. Not without losing the professional distance he needed so badly.

“I held some things back from what we packed up at your house if you’d like to change?” Melody clasped her hands in front of her.

“That would be great.” Erin blew out a breath and lifted her chin. “What about the box? Do we get to take that with us?”

“Let me check on that. One moment?” Melody turned and stared at Riley as she strode out of the room. He wasn’t on just one shit list.

Riley stared at the floor, listening to the tap tap tap of her heels fading under the general noise of the bullpen out there.

“I don’t know what the fuck your problem is, but you do not get to take it out on me, understand?” Erin closed the distance between them until he had no choice but to look at her. She glared at him, all that passion and fury trained his way. “I’m fucked up. I know it. I own it. You? You need to get a handle on your shit.”

She jabbed him in the chest with her finger.

Riley glanced away.

Erin didn’t know him. Not really. She had no clue who he was or what his problems were. And they were none of her business.

She leaned in close and whispered, “At least I’m not scared of what I want.”

Did she mean him?

The initial burst of warmth withered away so fast it was hardly a memory. He disappointed people. He failed those he loved. He didn’t want to do that to Erin. She deserved better than him and what little he had to offer.

“Who the hell said anything about being afraid?” He wrapped his hand around her wrist and pushed it away.

“You just did.”

A chill so deep he shivered settled in Riley’s bones from the look she gave him.

He swallowed and took a step back.

She didn’t know him. Not really.