Page 48 of The Veteran

He hesitated. “They might have it under surveillance.”

“Then we’ll take precautions.” Now that I’d settled on the idea, it felt like the right thing to do.

“I don’t like it.” He sounded frustrated. “I want you safe.”

“I know.” I stepped into his embrace and gazed up at him. “But I’ll have you with me, and I know I’m safe with you.”

He ducked his head to kiss me. “Always.”

19

KADE

I both loved and hated Sage’s faith in me. As I drew her close and deepened the kiss, I knew that I’d do everything it took to protect her, but I was still only one man, and I wasn’t invincible.

The elevator pinged and the doors glided open. I pulled away, forcing myself to ignore her flushed cheeks and dilated pupils in favor of scanning the corridor for threats. Near the end of the hall, two men stood outside an apartment. I recognized the taller of the pair as Sean. I stepped out of the elevator and kept one hand on Sage’s waist and the other on my gun as we walked the length of the corridor. The safe house was the last apartment on the right, and I nodded to the guards as we approached.

“Everything is secure,” Sean reported. “Zeke came by to check for spyware and nobody other than us has been here. The apartments above and below are both empty. A deaf old lady lives in the apartment to the right. We knocked on the door earlier and she could barely hear a word we said. She’s not a threat.”

“Thanks.” Sean passed me a key and I slotted it into the lock. “What time are you on duty until?”

“Ten, and then another two will replace us. Lyle is inside. He’ll patrol the interior so you can rest.”

“Great.” I’d rather have Sage to myself, but I knew Lyle would keep quiet, and I really did need to get a decent sleep so it would be good to have him there. “Talk later.”

I pushed the apartment door open, and peered around it, cataloging furniture that could have come straight from a showroom. A tall, broad-shouldered blond man stood by the window on the opposite wall, at attention.

He dipped his head in greeting. “Sir.”

“Lyle,” I replied. “Thanks for coming in.”

“No problem, sir. Just so you know, there’s a fire exit through this window. There are two other windows, one in a bedroom and the other in the bathroom, but neither can be easily accessed and both are locked. I’ll keep an eye on this one and check the others intermittently.”

“Sounds good. Continue.”

We took a left turn out of the living room into the hall. The two bedrooms that came off it were tastefully decorated and smelled faintly of vanilla. I wondered briefly if the apartment had come fully furnished or if someone from the team had enjoyed spending the company’s money on nice trappings. I didn’t care enough to ask though. I grabbed the pillow from one room and took it into the other.

“We’re sharing,” I announced. “I don’t want any more nasty nighttime surprises.”

Sage smiled. “I’d like to sleep with you regardless of the danger.”

My heart pitter-pattered dangerously. “I’d like to do more than sleep.”

The corners of her eyes crinkled. “Let’s find something to eat first.”

I sighed. “If we have to.”

We returned to the living area. In the kitchen, we found ingredients for burgers and worked together to make a massive cheeseburger for me and a halloumi burger for Sage. After we’d eaten, she asked if I’d mind if she did a meditation. I sat on the sofa and she lay with her head on my lap and her eyes closed. She breathed deeply and evenly.

I watched the rise and fall of her chest, then finally allowed myself to indulge in a shameless visual exploration of her face. She was so beautiful I couldn’t look at her without something pinching in the vicinity of my chest. Her dark eyelashes contrasted sharply with the milky color of her skin. Her lips were slightly parted and I yearned to run my thumb over the plush shape of them. Her chin was fine but strong, and her nose was small and slightly upturned. The corners of her mouth turned upward into a slight smile, stealing my breath. I glanced at Lyle to see if he’d noticed how captivated I was by her, but he was studiously looking the other way.

We stayed like that until my thighs started to go numb. I considered whether to shift her, but she seemed so peaceful. I frowned, noticing that her breaths had fallen into a soft, natural rhythm. I stifled a laugh. She was asleep.

Gathering her against my chest, I stood and carried her to the bedroom. She stirred and murmured something, but I shushed her and placed her gently on the bed. She rolled onto her side and curled up, letting out a contented murmur. The sight tugged at my gut. I stripped off my clothes and got in behind her. As she snuggled into my embrace, I couldn’t help thinking about how much I’d like this to be permanent. Not the situation, but going to sleep with Sage in my arms. I wanted to do this every night. To be able to hold her and shower her with all the love and affection she deserved but had never had.

I brushed her hair off her forehead and kissed her temple. For the first time, I allowed myself to dream of a life with her in it, and it was beautiful.

SAGE