That made him a liability to his team.
But who was he without HAMR Brotherhood? He wanted to rid the world of vermin like W and Phoebe’s dad, wanted to ensure Angie and her friends lived in peace where Clercville could be a sanctuary for others as it had been for him.
While he was making a life wish list, he also wanted Hallene with every fiber of his being. He’d never said the L word to a woman, never intended to, but his brain kept pushing that four-letter word forward.
Nothing about their lives meshed. She clearly lived in the UK and his team was stationed here in the US.
What was he going to do? Marry her? She’d get the short end of that arrangement, just as the MI6 guy pointed out, damn him.
Sam gave her a half-smile, keeping his screwed-up thoughts to himself.
She cranked the engine then backed away and took off fast, dragging his heart behind her.
He’d carried one of his second sets of ID when he left Angie’s inn. No way he’d have brought his real ID on an op. After a quick discussion with the rental agent, he drove out in a pewter-colored Ford Expedition with less than a thousand miles on it.
He always took the insurance in his line of work but hoped he could return the car without a scratch. That would mean he and Hallene hadn’t faced another firefight or had their car blown to pieces.
At the shopping center, he slowly made two passes down the same aisle where there were plenty of spaces then parked all by himself.
Where was she?
He’d looked everywhere for that motorcycle.
From between a van and truck parked next to each other a parking aisle over, Hallene drove the motorcycle through an opening with barely enough room for the handlebars.
His jacked-up pulse began to slow.
She pulled up next to the passenger side of his vehicle. Parked the bike and used a dirty towel to wipe down everywhere they had touched, including the key before putting it back in.
Smart woman.
Someone would boost that bike in no time.
Tossing the rag in the back of the SUV, she settled into the passenger seat, explaining, “Found the towel in the parking lot and was just coming back to squeeze into that spot to watch for you.”
He leaned over. “That deserves a kiss.”
“You think everything deserves a kiss.” But she met him over the console and licked his lips before sliding her tongue between his.
Aggressive female. So damn hot. He could kiss her for hours, just spend a lazy day holding her and smooching. He loved being inside her, loved her response to his touch, and had a scary feeling he’d never get enough of her.
She shifted back to her seat. “Nothing new from my techie. Feed me.”
“Yes, ma’am.” As soon as they found a restaurant, Sam faced a new hurdle. He could no longer hope he was right about Angie and Clercville’s safety.
Would Hallene trust him enough to tell him the truth?
He’d made it clear that he wouldn’t leave her, but he wanted her to wipe away any chance of someone going after Angie and her cove should he and Hallene not survive their next move.
The only way Hallene would die is if someone took Sam out first.
