“You okay?” I whispered softly, wrapping my hands around his neck. He was easily a foot taller than me, so it was a bit of a stretch. I leaned into his touch as one hand caressed my cheek.
“Mm, it’s almost midnight. About time to get going. We wanna get there just before dawn.”
“Element of surprise. And Silas will be there? The DiAngelos? You’re sure?”
He nodded. “We’ve combed over the intel more times than I can count. Every ‘t’ crossed, every ‘i’ dotted. We’re sure.”
I glanced over at the clock on the wall. It was just past 11:30 p.m. I chewed on my bottom lip, lost in nervous thought, until his thumb pulled it from between my teeth.
“Don’t worry, gorgeous. We’ll be home soon enough.”
I sighed and leaned into him, my face pressed into the leather of his jacket. We stood there, arms around each other for aminute, before I broke the embrace with a smile.
“I would happily stand here in this hallway forever with you, but then I’m afraid I would pee myself. I didn’t come out here just for hugs.”
Mac’s laugh was one of my favorite sounds. Deep and warm, and incredibly rare. I treasured it like gold. I kissed him again before all but running to the bathroom. Once inside, I pulled out my phone and tried to figure out how in the hell I was supposed to contact anyone. I had stomped off from my meeting with Braxton, and now I wasn’t sure what would happen if I texted “Uncle Tommy.” I still didn’t want to talk to the asshole, so I sent a tentative text: “Aunt Lucy?” It was a Hail Mary, so I was surprised when I got a quick response.
“Hi, sweetie!”
“Is Uncle Tommy there?” I frowned at the phone, fully willing to dunk the thing in the water tank behind the toilet if I got any other answer besides no.
“Sorry, dear. He’s gone to town to get his head together.”
I had no choice but to trust that this person was, in fact, not Uncle Tommy masquerading as Aunt Lucy. I was so ready to be over with this shit. All the damn lies and pretending. I sent off a flurry of texts, hoping like hell Aunt Lucy would understand what I was saying without actually saying anything, in case the club members or, worse, one of the boys got ahold of my phone. After a few minutes, I was starting to think she wasn’t going to respond. Then her reply came through: “Sounds like fun! Let me know how it goes. Love you!”
A knock on the door almost made me fall off the toilet.
“Nicky?” Maria’s voice was tentative. “You okay in there?”
“Maybe she fell in.”
I could hear the smirk in Holly’s voice, and I smiled. I rubbed under my eyes furiously,reddening the area and blinking furiously. A quick glance in the mirror confirmed I looked like I’d been crying. I opened the door and made my voice hoarse. “Sorry guys, I just needed a minute.”
Maria immediately embraced me, and I suddenly felt like a piece of crap. Holly awkwardly patted me on the back.
Maria didn’t let go of me, saying, “I thought I was supposed to be the crier!”
I hugged her tight and stepped back. “I’m fine. Really.”
Holly cleared her throat. “I know none of us want to do it. But it’s time to send off our valiant knights.” Maria and I gave her an odd look, and Holly shrugged, “I was trying to lighten the mood by being funny. Ha ha.”
I snorted, and Maria pursed her lips to keep from laughing, her eyes twinkling. I followed the two of them outside to where the guys were waiting by a black cargo van with tinted windows. They all had body armor on, and were armed to the teeth. I about tripped over my feet when I noticed what was on each of their chests—no fucking way could it be that easy.
“Are those body cams?” I asked as we got closer, and Dalton turned to me, an eyebrow raised.
“Yes?”
I grinned, unable to hold back the thrill that gave me, and everyone gave me an odd look. Dalton glanced at his brother, who was fiddling with the straps of his kevlar.
“Are you just really, really happy that we’re recording this epic Silas takedown for posterity? Or do you just like cameras? ‘Cos if it’s the latter, I got plenty of ideas for later.” He winked at me, and Mac gave him an admonishing look.
Luckily, I was saved from needing to explain my excitement by a squeal from Maria as Diego picked her up and spun her around. Setting her back down, they stood with their heads pressed together, and spoke to each otherin whispered Spanish.
Holly was fussing over Jackson’s gun and vest, checking the straps and little minor details that, as a cop, I knew could mean a man’s survival or death. I was surprised she knew them too, but she moved over everything with a quiet efficiency. When she stood, I heard her say to him, “Don’t be a dumbass. Get in, get out, and get your ass home in one piece.”
He smirked at her, and gave a mock salute. “Yes, ma’am.” She swatted the back of his head, and he looked at her like she hung the moon and stars.
Dalton had gotten into the back of the van, and was doing a last-minute equipment check. Mac stood to the side, watching over everyone. I walked over to him, and pressed a kiss to his cheek. He looked down at me with a soft smile, and I couldn’t help but say, “I would beg you to stay, but I don’t think it’ll work. So, I’ll just settle for knowing you got this all together.”
