Roman and I stared at each other, waiting for the other to break.
“Fine,” Roman relented. “You’ll go alone, but you’re takingmy gun. I need to know you have a little more protection than basic self-defense.”
That sounded reasonable. “Okay.”
“But we won’t be far behind you,” Roman added. “You get twenty minutes to exchange the dagger for Pearl and make sure she’s safe. Not a second more. After twenty minutes, I will be there to take care of Adrian.”
I considered his terms. I didn’t like the idea of carrying a loaded gun but agreed that it would provide a blanket of security against Adrian. And twenty minutes seemed like enough time to give Adrian what he wanted and get the hell out of there.
That is if nothing goes wrong.
“Fine,” I said. “Twenty minutes.”
“Very well.” Roman stood from his desk, adjusted his suit, and faced Mack to his right. “Get the men ready. We’ll take Romano, Gunner, and Leo, but Hawk and Rocco stay behind with the rest of the outdoor crew.”
He turned to me and Drew. “Katherine goes in first and we stay just out of sight until the twenty minutes are up. We have about five hours before sundown. We’ll start prepping an hour before then. So, rest up. You’ll need your energy.”
After deciding on a plan, the next few minutes were a blur as Mack led Drew and me to a guest bedroom down the hall from Roman’s office.
Once inside, I barely had the chance to look around the room before Drew pulled me to his chest and wrapped me in his arms.
“Your father scares the shit out of me,” Drew pressed a kiss to the top of my head, “but I’m so proud of you for standing up to him like that.”
I relaxed into his embrace and soaked up the comfort only he provided. I couldn’t believe he was actually here, in Vegas, meeting my father.
I missed him more than I cared to admit. After leaving like I did, I thought I’d pushed him away for good.
But now, being surrounded by him, in his arms, that was all that mattered.
“I hate that you have to face Adrian on your own,” Drew pulled me tighter against him, “but I get it. I understand this is something you have to do. I don’t like it, but I respect your decision.”
“Thank you for understanding.” I pulled back to look into his eyes. “I’m scared as hell to see him again, but I have to do this. For Pearl. She’s done so much for me, and if facing Adrian on my own is the only way to make sure she lives, then I’ll do it.”
Drew nodded. “And I’ll be nearby with Roman, ready to take him down the second I know you and Pearl are safe.”
Still holding me in his arms, Drew kissed me.
The kiss was slow and steady, as if we each didn’t want it to end. I poured every ounce of what I felt into that kiss: desperation, need, love.
I tried to convey everything I couldn’t say with words.
When his tongue stroked my bottom lip, I opened for him. I threaded my fingers through his hair at the back of his head, and he moaned.
“God, darlin’, I missed you so much,” he whispered against my lips before diving in again.
When he finally pulled back, I sighed. “I still can’t believe you’re here.”
Drew stroked the side of my face. “I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”
Filled with so much emotion, I couldn’t stop the next words that slipped out of my mouth.
“Just in case something goes wrong, I want you to know I?—”
Drew pressed a quick kiss to my lips. “Don’t”
I blinked up at him. “What?”
“Don’t say it,” Drew pleaded. “Not now. Not like it’s the last time.”
