“I trust you. If you really think this is going to work…” she said, a shakiness to her tone that terrified him to the bone.
“Just think about all the training we’ve been doing? If things happen for a reason, this was it. This is the moment.” All drama. Not his style, so he tried not to lay it on too thick.
Crossing the kitchen, he drew her in his arms and sent both of their adrenaline surging as he gulped a deep, ravenous kiss, filled with enough to keep him going for however long it took to make sure she was safe. Just one more. And if he found another moment to kiss her again, he’d tell himself that same promise. Just one more.
Breathless, Trace blinked and smiled as she gasped and cleared her throat. “Okay,” she said, a light laugh on her breath. “I’m ready.”
He flashed a wink, chewing on his tongue as he took her hand, leading her to the front door.
Go time.
He eased open the door, no more than a crack, and waited.
Seconds, maybe three or four, tops, and Janessa radioed a quick command, then dashed over to the door.
He nodded and stepped back, and Janessa slipped inside, confusion contorting her brow as she saw them dressed in black, hoods up, ready to run.
Without pause, he said, “One of the guards is compromised, maybe more. I can’t say how I know, but I do.”
“What? No. I know everyone here,” she said quickly, calculating and denying the possibility. Trust was tough to earn, but remarkably easy to break.
“Who chose the team?” he asked urgently.
“Most are mine, but a few…” Her eyes widened and she flushed with knowledge. “Three of them were sent over by the boss. You don’t think—“
“Please, Janessa. If it was just me, I’d say bring it on, but with Trace here…”
Tears puddled in Trace’s ocean blue eyes, dark and broody as she processed. “But my parents. I can’t leave them.”
He cradled her cheeks and wiped away a tear. Damn, she was incredible. “This was their idea. They’re trusting me to get you to safety. I can’t let them down, and I can’t let anything happen to you. I’ll get them out as soon as I can, but you’re my priority.”
Janessa watched the interaction, her expression tightening as she scanned her actions for mistakes. “I’ll keep them safe. This is what I do,” she said, awkwardly patting Trace on the shoulder, patting again as Trace sniffled.
“Thank you,” Trace said, nodding like a bobblehead and moments away from erupting into complete loss of emotional control.
“Janessa, I need radio silence. You can’t let anyone know the plan until she’s gone.”
Janessa nodded sharply.
“There’s a ravine behind the house. It leads to the creek and then down to the main highway. When I say the word, can you shut off the lights? Keep the back of the house clear. Got it?”
“Yes. Absolutely,” she said, scheming along with him.
He looked down at his watch and over to the back door.
Janessa nodded sharply and dashed out to the breaker.
Trace slipped her hand in his and they crossed the living room, holding tight. At the sliding glass door to the back patio, he paused, taking Trace in one more time. “You sure about this?”
“Safety is highly overrated,” she said, shrugging playfully.
“Fuck, you’re going to be changing your mind real damn fast,” he said, taking a deep breath.
As scheduled, the lights shut off. The house was instantly saturated with inky darkness.
He swung open the door, hand linked firmly with Trace’s.
They ran. Full out.
