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She moved her thumb over the scruff near his mouth. “No, but I can stump him. Who knows where I’ll be stationed next?”

Dallas leaned forward and grabbed her hand. “Listen to me, all right? Don’t fucking trust them. I know they’re government, but you’re just a pawn to them. They’re just using you. Do what you need to do to get out of the country, and if you can’t reach me”—he fished through the junk in the dash’s inlay—“call Dare or Cole.”

He turned over a tattered business card that had probably been in the truck for months and jotted down two numbers. “Whatever you do, don’t let them get a hold of this. Either memorize the numbers and destroy this or keep it somewhere they won’t find it.”

She accepted the card and slipped it into her bra. “Okay.”

“I mean it. No matter what happens, my brothers will help you.”

Tears stung her eyes. “You make it sound like you’re going to die.” She flicked away a tear.

Dallas cupped her cheek. “I haven’t died yet, have I?”

A smile tugged at her lips. She lowered her head, shaking it at the same time.

“Okay. Phone me when you get settled and if I don’t answer, call my brothers immediately. Got it?”

She nodded and surged forward, wrapping her arms around his neck. Dallas tucked his face into her shoulder and his hands closed around her waist. “Won’t be a year this time.”

She chortled. How had she ever made do with seeing him only once a year? The last few days had felt like months. Now, walking away was painful. She pressed her lips to his jaw then moved to his mouth. His lips took hers and his hand held the back of her neck.

He licked between her teeth, sending a flash of desire through her loins. She gripped his shirt and kissed him back, swiping her tongue over the smooth ridges of his teeth. He tasted hot and faintly like mint. A flavor she’d commit to memory if it killed her.

Slowly, he pulled away then pecked her one more time. “Go. Before I drive us both the fuck out of here.”

The tears hovering at her lashes broke through. She reached in the back for her bag, lifted her hand in a wave, and hopped out.

Rounding the vehicle, she made a beeline for Charlene. The sensitive skin around her eyes burned with more tears, but she kept them on lockdown. Rather than fall to her cheeks, they filled her vision like a blurry screen.

Her boots slapped on the gravel. She sucked in several deep breaths and forced the emotion down. It’s only temporary. By the time she reached Charlene, the sun’s blasted heat had made her skin damp and her mouth dry.

“We’ve been waiting. Where’s your friend?” Charlene looked past her shoulder to the truck.

Gemma hooked her thumbs into the straps of her bag. “It’s just me.”

“I got him what you asked.”

“Thank you. I appreciate it. He has other arrangements now.”

Charlene’s sharp brown eyes narrowed, then she shrugged. “Fine.” Her gaze swept over Gemma. “What happened to you?”

She lifted a hand to her hair. She’d only glanced in the mirror when she and Dallas stopped and hadn’t had the chance to tend to the minor cuts and scrapes, not to mention the debris still tangled in her strands. “Car wreck. I’m okay.”

“Good.” Opening the back door of the running SUV, Charlene jerked her head. “Hop in.”

Gemma lifted her fingers and waved at the truck. She watched as it rolled away then picked up speed. Her stomach muscles seized with every extra inch of distance Dallas put between them.

“C’mon,” Charlene snapped. “We don’t have much time.”

Gemma swung her bag in first then scooted to the far side. Charlene climbed in next and shut the door behind her. The SUV’s vents pumped out air conditioning. Gemma sat perched on the edge of the seat.

“You look ready to bolt,” Charlene said, as she pulled out her phone and set it on her lap.

Gemma forced her shoulders to relax. She couldn’t let Charlene believe anything had changed. “Sorry. It’s been a hellish few days.”

“Well, we’ll get you settled in a hotel and you can rest before we need you at work.”

“When do I start?”

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