Page 98 of Stealth Mission

Shaking her head, she laughs darkly. “Give me that stubborn look all you like. You’re not exactly in a position to throw me out.”

Fucking hell.

“Marianna,” I growl. “I need you to back down.”

“I’m terrible at that, in case you didn’t notice.” Her feet carry her toward me until she’s gripping the gray metal bars and leaning her forehead against the cell’s gate.

A thicket of lashes surround her beautiful eyes. But it’s what’s deep inside her, behind those windows that rocks me every damned time I look at her.

Fire.

Passion.

Something fresh and raw—so innocent it makes my marrow burn with need.

Swallowing roughly, I give myself a hard mental smack.

Who am I?

No one.No fucking one.

Without a damned thing to my name.

I can’t want her.

I don’t even live in the same fucking country.

But right now, I loathe seeing her worried when she’s already had a shit week.

The tiny crease in her brow. The tension in her pretty lips. Her words of trust that delivered a velvet blow to my ancient heart.

It’s her that speaks first when I should be saying I’m sorry.

“I hate that he locked you up.”

“You don’t need to be involved in this. I need to know that you won’t worry.”

“Too late, I’m already both involved and worried. By the way, I know an attorney, I can call him.”

I shake my head, unable to stop the tight smile that tugs at my mouth. “You keep the tow truck on dial and know an attorney, I’m beginning to wonder about you, beautiful.”

There’s a flicker in her whiskey brown-irises just before her pupils dilate.

That reaction echoes through me.

Goddammit. I need to get the hell out of here.

I’ve got to run away from Karma. The team is counting on me, and here I am getting tangled up in silky hair, sweet eyes, and long, lithe legs.

“I need you to go,” I repeat with my voice husky.

She narrows her eyes on me through the bars. “Forget it, sailor.”

“Fuck,little-miss-trouble.”

A quick flash of pleasure brightens her expression. “I’ll take that as a compliment from a man like you.”

I close my eyes and curse the universe.

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