Page 59 of The Spy Who Ghosted Me

“Let’s see,” she said, annoyed. “For starters, he’s been searching for you on the dark web. Do you know how incredibly difficult it is for me to scrub information from that vile place?”

“Did he find anything?” I didn’t care how difficult it was for her. It was her job.

“Are you questioning my skills?”

“Just answer the question.”

“No, darling, but you’re done there. Izan is too suspicious of you now. I’m sending in—”

“The hell you are,” I refused to let her finish her sentence. “I’m not leaving here until we find the diamonds and take Izan down.”

“That’s not your call, love. You’ve obviously let your personal feelings make you careless. As soon as I tell the director what’s happened, you won’t have a choice. Pack your bags.”

I swallowed hard, staring at Sabrina shivering in the cool night, begging me with her eyes not to leave her. “Don’t tell Hugh,” I pleaded like I never had before, not even as a child afraid of his father’s belt.

“Are you asking me to cover for you?” She laughed maniacally. “Have you lost the plot? Why should I stick my neck out for you?”

“You shouldn’t but ... but ...” Fear like no other filled me. My only chance to change Ivy’s mind was to tell her the no-holds-barred truth, and even then, it was a long shot. But the thought of leaving Sabrina now when I’d placed her in more danger than ever sickened me. I could never live with myself if something happened to her, and I was willing to do anything, even if that meant admitting the truth to myself and Sabrina.

“But what, darling?” Ivy mocked me, reveling in my pain and demanding I tell her the truth, even though she’d probably already guessed.

“Please, give me time to fix this,” I breathed out, all my defenses down. “I can’t leave Sabrina until she’s safe. I love her.”

Sabrina’s hands flew to her mouth as she gazed dumbfoundedly at me.

“Well, well, this might change things,” Ivy delighted in my admission. “I do fancy a good love story, even if I know there won’t be a happy ending. Remember, you can’t keep the girl, mate.”

“I know, but I can keep her safe if you give me the time. From what you’ve told me, Izan doesn’t know who I am or who I work for. He probably thinks I have ties to organized crime or the terrorists who want his head. This might work to our advantage—make him play his hand to move or secure the diamonds.” I still wasn’t sure where he was keeping them. Tomorrow we would know more.

“Mmm,” Ivy considered.

Meanwhile, Sabrina tiptoed to my side and wrapped her arms around my waist, our emotions heavy in the air.

I clung to Sabrina. “Ivy, please.”

“Fine, love. But you owe me, and I will deny any involvement in this. It’s your arse on the line, not mine.”

I had no doubt Ivy would make me pay, but protecting Sabrina was worth any cost. “I will take full responsibility.” Damn emotions.

“Agents Todd and Randall just checked into the resort; do not have any contact with them. Let’s try not to blow their cover, shall we?” Ivy scolded. “I’ll keep you posted on what our team on Emerald Isle finds out. And ... be sure to start thinking with your head and not your—”

“Got it,” I snapped, cutting her off. “And, Ivy, thank you.”

“Just find me those damn diamonds. Love you, darling.” She hung up.

I shoved my phone in my pocket and enveloped Sabrina in my arms, not knowing what else I could do. I’d blown the biggest cover of my life, and I wasn’t referring to my role as an agent.

Sabrina trembled against me, not saying a word.

I was grateful for her silence because I had zero clue what to say to her. I’d just handed her a heart I didn’t even know I had before she’d come into my life, knowing full well I could break hers again.

That silence followed us into the rest of the evening and into the night. Sabrina didn’t even question staying the night in my cabin. She took the couch, and I took the floor, but there was no sleeping as our emotions played palpably between us. Sabrina tossed and turned, sighing, while I stared up at the ceiling, wondering what the hell I had done.

After what seemed like hours, Sabrina whispered, “Will you hold me?”

She didn’t have to ask me twice. I jumped off the sleeping bag and took her invitation. Sabrina lifted the blanket she was under, and I lay next to her. As soon as we situated ourselves to both fit on the couch, she immediately snuggled against me in her flannel-clad body. Our breaths slowed and synced as her warm fingers danced across my bare chest.

“Cash, did you mean what you said on the dock? Do you love me?” she squeaked out, as if afraid of my answer.

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