“Where is Ember?” I look around the room.
Pausing, Warner tilts his head towards the bathroom. “In there.”
“She didn’t say much at the debrief.”
“I gave her the chance to stay behind before we left London.” Hesitation curls around his words. “It didn’t go over well.”
“No shit?” I snort. “You know she wouldn’t miss this for the world.”
“I know. Just thinking about last time, that’s all.”
Unease trickles through me. “This isn’t going to be like the last raid.”
Warner nods silently.
“Relax, man. I’ll get her.”
“Thanks, Ax.”
I smile at Rayna, still monitoring our suspicious cargo from afar, then approach the bathroom. Ember gives a faint response when I knock. Stepping inside, I click the door shut behind me to block out the sounds of preparation.
“You ready, dimples?”
God, she looks fucking formidable in her bulletproof vest and navy cargos. I’d spread her open on that sink top and plunge into her right now if we weren’t on a time crunch. Plus, I’d have to sever our support staff’s ears if they heard her gorgeous whimpers.
“Rayna’s surveillance has picked up false plates on a cargo lorry. Could be something. We’re leaving in five to move in.”
She meets my eyes in the bathroom mirror. “Can you tighten my straps?”
“If you promise I can be the one to rip that vest off you when this raid is over.”
Her mouth quirks, almost satisfying me. “If we survive.”
“We’ve got this, babe. In a few hours’ time, you’ll be reunited with your brother. Luis will be dead. We can go home and celebrate… sans clothing.”
“You sound confident.”
“That’s because I am.”
Grasping the vest’s thick Velcro, I work on adjusting the tightness. We’re all decked out in full assault gear and will be packing significant firepower when we advance on the dock. For all we know, Luis has a small army hiding there.
“How are you feeling?” I ask more seriously.
“I feel good.”
“No symptoms? Headache? Nothing we should be worried about?”
Ember shakes her head. “I’m okay, Ax.”
“Better not be lying to me.”
“Jesus, I’m not lying. I learned my lesson before.”
“Good. Luis won’t risk losing you for a second time; he’ll be prepared to throw his entire arsenal back at us.”
“Let him try,” she growls out.
“That’s the spirit.”
