There was no awkwardness when I woke. I wouldn't shy from his touch or worried about the inevitable downfall. Because when my eyes opened, I knew he would be there.

Except he wasn’t.

I sat up on the dirty couch alone and looked around the room in confusion. Where was Tallis? The sunlight filtered through a cracked window, illuminating the hazy air filled with dust.

“Hey, I didn’t want to wake you, but I got word from Maverick,” Tallis said. His lips were firmly set in a grim line as he handed me water. I gulped it down and adjusted the linen sheet around me while peering up at him. His hair was messy in a sexy way, his neck covered in the remnants of my passionate kisses.

“I’m trying to figure this out, but he sent a one-way signal. I don’t think he wants us to reply and compromise our location,” Tallis said while looking over at me. I patted my messy hair and licked my chapped lips which were bruised and sensitive.

I pulled the Tablet from his hands and read the message.

Dasos Lab. Third Floor. Get Ashleigh out. Lackley created X.

I gasped at the last part. Lackley is responsible for X? For our parent's death? For the collapse of the Empire?

“I’ve spent the morning trying to reach out to Scavengers we have alliances with. Things are going to get messy, fast,” Tallis said while pacing the floor. For a brief moment, I wondered what our morning would be like if we were back in the Scavenger camp. Would he make me breakfast? Would we cuddle in bed together?

“There’s no way we’re going to get them out of there,” I mumbled while finding my pants and slinking them on.

“Maverick doesn’t want us to get them out. He wants us to rescue Agrio,” Tallis said. I froze at the nickname then scowled, the bliss from our night faded into annoyance as I looked at him.

“I’m not risking my life for that Walker.” My tone was short and clipped. I started looking for the rest of my clothes, which were scattered along the uneven floor covered in dust and dirt.

“Why not?” Tallis asked. His blue eyes followed my movements as I searched the safe house.

“Because…” I began while trying to come up with a reasonable explanation for why I had no desire to help her. “…Because she’s not family. Why do I have to help her?”

“She’s important to your brothers,” Tallis replied in a matter-of-fact tone. He crossed his arms over his chest and shuffled his feet.

“Why is she so important to you?” I asked with a frown. I didn’t like the way he picked apart my motives. I didn’t like that he could see me for the person I was. “Aren’t you supposed to agree with me? Aren’t you supposed to say it’s dangerous and I should stay here?”

“If you want someone that keeps you locked up in an ivory tower, that's not me.” He walked towards me while brushing his hands across a dusty wooden piece of furniture that was warped and scuffed. Once in front of me, he planted a tender kiss on the corner of my mouth. “I’m the one that's going to challenge you.” He kissed me again, this time on the lips, and I responded eagerly as I wrapped my arms around him.

Another message came in on his Tablet with a ping and we broke apart. I grabbed it, reading the new message.

Air Vent.

“He wants us to go through the air vents?” I asked incredulously. Maverick just couldn’t make it easy.

“I’m not going,” Tallis replied with a frown.

“What? So you want me to risk my life while you sit here relaxing? Yea right!” I exclaimed while continuing my search for my shoes. Tallis was crazy if he thought I was doing this alone.

“No, I want you to save Ashleigh and come back to me so we can figure this out. I’ll take care of everything. You’ll be safe, Agapimenos.”

“Why are you doing this to me? Why are you so adamant about this? Is there something going on between you and Ashleigh?” I asked before stomping my foot.

The smile that broke out on Tallis’ face was ornery and pleased. He stalked towards me and placed a hand on my lower back pulling me close. I felt his attraction to me, hard as steel. “Does this feel like there's anything going on between me and Ashleigh?”

I gulped. This was nothing like our sweet night, this was harsh. Demanding. “No,” I replied. “I just don’t get why you want me to do this.”

“I’m not like your brothers, Jules. I see you as the strong capable woman you are,” Tallis whispered before placing his lips on the sensitive skin below my ear. I sucked in a deep breath as he kissed me. “Will I be worried? Fuck yes. I’ll probably go crazy waiting. But I want a future with the best version of yourself, and she’s waiting for me at the end of this mission.”

Another ping made him pull away. Once again, I checked the tablet for a final message from Maverick.

Please. I’ll do anything.

Anything? Maverick must be desperate. There was a time when I would have enjoyed this and taken pleasure in the power of his desperation, but it was only sadness that filled me now. I didn’t want to bargain or take. I wanted a future. A family.

Tallis began shifting through blueprints and news clippings on his Tablet, already preparing for my trip even though I hadn’t agreed to go.

I walked towards a cracked window and peered at the wasteland outside. Tall buildings with broken windows and crumbled hope towered empty in the distance. “I’m not a good person, Tallis,” I said with a slow exhale.

“So?”

I whirled around to face him. “So you seem to have a lot of faith in me, and I just wanted to make sure you know what you’re getting into.”

Tallis let out a quick laugh. “I’m a murderer, Jules. You’re in good company,” he said with a shrug and I rolled my eyes.

“You were saving your people,” I argued.

“…and you weren’t the same person you are now,” Tallis snapped back.

He started packing my tote bag with the Tablet and pulled the hairband from his hair before walking towards me. He stood behind me as his nimble fingers gathered my hair up and off my sweaty neck into a bun.

“But what if I’m caught? What if I can’t make it?”

Tallis’ hands froze on my shoulders. I felt him flex his muscles and tense up at my question. The hot air felt icy between us from his intensity. A low growl echoed in his chest before he leaned close and spoke in a steadfast voice that left no room for doubt.

“Then I’ll tear down the entire Empire to get you.”

I didn’t agree to go, not really. Tallis walked me to the Transport. My arm wrapped around his like he was escorting me to a dance. He opened the door of the Transport with a smile and eased me inside. After punching in the coordinates, he leaned in to kiss my cheek. His lips marked me. It was a sentimental goodbye in the simplest of gestures.

At that moment I promised myself that, one day, I’d wake in his arms and we’d enjoy a morning together. A lifetime together. I’d be worthy of his adoration, even if it killed me.

“I’ve reached out to a connection I have on the inside,” Tallis said. “I’ll message you once plans are solidified. I’ll also keep you updated on what Maverick says. He just sent a message that he’s willing to lift your sentence. You won’t have to work in the gardens anymore.” Tallis grinned as if this was good news, however, I froze in fear. Tallis knew. He knew my darkest sins.

“How long have you known?” I asked.

“Known what?”

“Known about my crime. My punishment.”

Tallis sighed and kissed my cheek again. “Since we took Gordon to the Clinic. Maverick told me. But I’ve never been one to put much stock in a person’s past, Jules. I love the person you are right here in this moment.”

My heart warmed at his words and I realized that Tallis had been honest with his intentions from the start. He liked me. Despite it all, he loved me.

“Even if he lifts my sentence, I’m not moving to your Scavenger camp, Tallis,” I said with a coy smile. I decided last night that I was moving in with him, but I liked to keep him guessing. “I want my life back.” I leaned forward and kissed him on the lips. “Well.…scratch that. There are a few new developments I’d like to add.”

“Like what?” Tallis asked.

“Like this pushy Scavenger Chief that wants me to run off and save the day when we could be doing something else.” I kissed his neck and bit his smoky skin.

He laughed and pulled me to him, holding me for a moment. His tight grip made me wonder if he was doubting himself. If he was going to change his mind and beg me to stay. I wondered if he would lock me in the safety of his arms and never let go. But he never did. He reluctantly let go with a half-smile and soft eyes. As he exited the Transport, my heart raced with fear and excitement.

“Come home to me, Agapimenos.”

When the door shut, I relaxed in my seat and eased my breathing. I looked out the window to him as I was carried off. He stood tall, his stormy gaze crashing into my resolve and fortifying it with his faith in me. My fingers sifted through the cushions, and once they connected with the cool metal of Cyler’s flask, I twisted off the cap and took two large gulps before slouching.

“Well, Walker,” I spoke to myself, my tired words filling the Transport. “Guess this means I'm coming for you, whether I fucking like it or not."