Page 49 of Twister

“Fuck. Seriously?A relationship. That’shuge…fantastic.”

“If she works it out, we can move forward.”

“At least she’s receptive to what you had to say,” Dagger said bitterly, feeling the frustration and anger rise in him at Quinn’s continued rejection of everything he suggested. “So, did she kick you out or are you giving her some space?”

“Giving her some space.” He looked Dagger in the eye. “I’ve learned some things about myself that aren’t exactly great…like how I’ve given everything in my life to service. You were right, Dagger. I have the right to live a life of my own choosing. Iwant her to be part of that, but if she chooses not to be, I’m not going back to that man who wasn’t courageous enough to take a chance with his heart.”

“Look at you growing and expanding.” Twister gave him a wry look and an irritable sigh. “I know that’s not easy, but she’d be a fool to turn you down.” Twister was an amazing operator and one of the most capable medics Dagger had ever met. Not only was he glad he was on their team, but he was blessed to have such a man as his friend and gratified to know that he was opening up his life to new possibilities, even if they kicked him in the ass…and heart. “I know you’re all about overcoming challenges, and the best part about that is the way you challenge others.”

“I feel most alive when I do what others think is impossible.” He glanced at Sadie again, and his heart was in his eyes. Dagger knew all about that yearning and that pain. “I will always go to the edge and see if I can beat the odds.”

“Hoo-yah,” Dagger said, softly offering his fist for Twister to bump. Dagger leaned back. “You’re free to go,” he said. Twister immediately went to Sadie, pulled her to her feet, and clasped her to him. She wound her arms around his neck with a fierce look on her face. Dagger’s gut clenched. Oh, yeah, there was something almost tangible between them. He didn’t think that Twister would ever choose a woman who would disappoint him, and Sadie was much too smart and much too involved with his teammates to turn him down. Were those wedding bells he heard in the distance?

What he wouldn’t give to have Quinn lean on him, find comfort in his touch and his presence, give her heart time to heal instead of being crushed by blame, resentment, and bitterness. But no matter how much he wanted her to change, he couldn’t make her decide to come out of the shell she’d built around her. He was quite aware that a romantic relationship between themwasn’t going to happen, and that hurt like hell, but pining away for her for his whole life wasn’t any way to live, no matter how much his heart was compromised. It was clear she despised him, but he was going to support her any way he could no matter how much it hurt him personally.

True to a SEAL’s nature, he wasn’t going to give up on her. Ever. He would always let her know that he was a phone call away, one word from her, and he would be there for whatever she needed, no matter the time of night or day. He was only limited by his job, but even deployed, he’d find a way to support them.

It kicked him hard in the gut to remember that those boys were part of his DNA, his flesh and blood. They had been a gift to Quinn and Brian, but now they were his legacy, and he would make sure that they knew who Brian had been, never forget what their father had stood for, and that he had given his life in service to others. Commitment, courage, and sacrifice defined Brian. As grief poured through him, tightening his chest and making his eyes sting for the loss of such a man in their lives and in his, he turned away. It was time to do something about Seven Demands. They weren’t going to get away with wounding one of his brothers, murdering a diver, and blowing up an airport of people, especially the women and children.

“Are you okay?”They asked at the same time, and Sadie could barely breathe remembering how awful it was to see him go down, then the horrible redness of his blood on her hands. All she could think was that he was here to protect her, and if he had died…she could barely breathe again…she would literally and figuratively have his blood on her hands.

“If something had happened to you…” she whispered, her voice breaking.

“I know, babe.”

“We’re heading out,” Tex ordered. “As soon as we get back to the compound, meet in the briefing room.”

They sat together in the van, and she ached to hold him, but there was no time. As they unloaded in front of the barracks, Tex gave Twister a hard, relieved look.

“You’ve got five minutes with her, then get your ass into the briefing.”

“Copy that, sir,” Twister said, and she was grateful for the kind of CO he was lucky to have leading them.

He took her arm and guided her toward one of the computer rooms. Opening the door, he made sure it was empty before pulling her inside. “I’ve only got five minutes,” he said.

“That was so scary, but I understand it’s part of who you are. I respect what you do so much. That drove it home to me.”

He shuddered as if she’d touched a raw nerve, but he yielded to her and acknowledged the respect she paid to his profession, his gaze dark and tormented.

“To be completely honest, I would take any bullet for you. I’d rather die than see any harm come to you.” His face contorting in an agony of emotion, he closed his eyes tightly and pulled her against him, holding on to her as if she were the one solid thing in his life.

Closing her own eyes against scalding tears, Sadie cupped the back of his head as he claimed another piece of her heart. He was raw and hurting, and he hadn’t withdrawn behind a wall or his professional warrior attitude. He let her see his pain and fear.

She held him until the pressure eased in her chest, then turned her face against his. Her face damp with tears, she pressed a soft kiss against his cheek, more tears wedged in her throat. This fight against her feelings was giving up the ghost asshe opened up her own floodgates and let everything pour out. She was hooked on this man for better or worse, but she fought against saying anything in the heat of the moment. She didn’t want to be frantic when she made her final decision. She owed herself and him that time, the time he’d given her to be sure about everything.

Swallowing hard, she took a deep, quavering breath, her touch infinitely gentle as she combed her fingers through his hair again and again.

Twister’s chest expanded raggedly, and he smoothed his hand over the arms around his neck. “Fuck, Sadie,” he said, his voice choked with the rawest kind of emotion, “I don’t know what I would have done if I had lost you.”

Her chest so full she couldn’t answer, Sadie pressed another kiss against his face, wanting to draw him inside her tenderness and caring. His need fed her soul, and the fact that he was giving her everything meant the world to him. Twister let his breath go on a shaky rush, locking his arms around her in a rough hug as he pressed his face against the curve of her neck. Sensing the frenzy of feeling simmering in him, Sadie tightened her arms around him.

“I’ve got to go, babe,” he said. “I don’t want to abuse Tex’s generosity.”

She nodded. “Of course not.”

He turned to leave, and she grabbed his shoulder. “When you get back, come to my room no matter what time it is.” With a catch in her voice, she whispered, “Stay safe…all of you.”

The door closed behind him, but she stayed in the empty room to gather her composure. She hadn’t been sure if they were going out on a mission, but the look in Tex’s eyes told her that there was going to be hell to pay, and it wasn’t going to be his team.

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