Page 67 of The Spy Who Ghosted Me

“Me either.” He stroked my hair, letting his hand fall down the length of my back.

I wanted to ask him if we would ever see each other after tomorrow, but I knew he would only reply that he couldn’t promise me anything, that his life was not his own. I had to wonder if it ever would be. Would we somehow get a happy ending?

Cash

“I CAN’T BELIEVE THIS IS it.” Sabrina did her best to hold back her tears as she helped me pack my bags before we left for the wedding rehearsal. She folded my socks and underwear neatly and carefully placed them into my suitcase while I packed up the more “vital” gear.

I would leave as soon as Lexi and Izan had made their escape. Per Agent Todd, Lexi had convinced the pastor to perform the legally binding ceremony tonight, telling him she wanted it to be an intimate thing with only her close friends and family. The pastor believed he was doing something beautiful and would still officiate on Saturday so no one would be the wiser. Earlier in the day, in what seemed like a pointless endeavor, I’d helped Mercer and Rhett set up the arch in the grand hall at the lodge, in front of the wall of windows that afforded a view of the lake.

Lexi had no idea what she was getting herself into. I didn’t have the heart to tell Sabrina, but it wouldn’t surprise me if, once Lexi and Izan made it to Bali, he planned for them to disappear. No way in hell would he be coming back to the States—something had him spooked. Which meant he wouldn’t leave the diamonds behind. So where were they? Agent Randall had searched Izan’s car and bags last night, only to come up empty handed.

Sabrina had been beside herself since Agent Todd had given us the news. She’d trembled in my arms all last night—possibly our last night together. Nothing in my life had prepared me to feel so hollow. Even now, I felt like I couldn’t catch my breath. It was as if loving her was like breathing, and the thought of leaving her stole the air from my chest. Sabrina had given me the gift of meaning in my life—I just hadn’t realized it until now, as I’d been too much of a coward to admit my feelings.

I wanted to tell Sabrina that this wasn’t the end, but I couldn’t make her a promise I wasn’t sure I could keep.

“Hey.” I placed my favorite pistol in a case made to conceal the contents so it would pass through airport security. “Come here.”

Sabrina set the socks on the bed and tiptoed over to me in her gorgeous cream silk gown that showed off every curve she owned.

I took her in my arms and held her tight, wishing I could calm her fears about us and the future.

“How will I know you and my sister are safe?”

“I’ll try to get word to you, but it will be difficult. SPI monitors my communications.”

“Will they be monitoring mine?” She was a smart woman.

“Yes, they’ll want to ensure that I wasn’t compromised.”

She stilled against me. “It’s kind of creepy.”

“I know, but I’m just an asset to them, not a person.”

“You’re my person.” She clung tighter.

I breathed in the scent of her sweet-smelling hair, feeling lost as to what to do or say. I went with the truth. “Tell me how to say goodbye to you,” I pleaded, unsure if I could do it. She wasn’t just my person; she was the only person I gave a damn about.

“I don’t know.” She buried her head in my chest. “I’ve never had to say goodbye to someone I’m in love with.”

That made two of us.

I held her beautiful face against my heart and kissed her head. “I love you, Sabrina.” It was the best I could do.

“I love you, Cash, or whoever you are,” she giggled.

I smiled, wishing this moment could last, but I had a job to do. “Sabrina, for your safety, you must never divulge anything about SPI, Izan, the diamonds, or any of it. Do you understand?”

She nodded against me.

“Stick with the story that my company needed me urgently in Hong Kong. You must behave as if I’ve ghosted you again.” Her family was going to despise me, but it was the price that had to be paid.

“I’ll get my Paramore playlist and black clothes ready.” She sniffled.

“I like that band.”

“You know who they are?” She sounded surprised.

“Yes. I once tailed a suspect to one of their concerts.”

---