Page 30 of Island Holiday

The call ended and they were left staring at each other over the device. She had no idea what to say. Or do.

“We need to go.”

Chapter 10

Connor kept trying tobehave like a normal person, but the anxiety wouldn’t subside. Nothing seemed to prove to his brain that she was safe. He kept hearing the bullet hit the glass, the sudden rush of wind. They were in the posh charter plane, at altitude for the brief flight, and still the worst-case scenario played through his mind.

Over and over. Unforgiving.

What if they’d succeeded? He rubbed a hand over his sternum. Losing her wasn’t an option.

He had to get his head back in the game before someone else tried to take her out.

“Connor?”

She’d parked herself in the seat next to his and he double checked that she was buckled in. “You almost undid your belt in the car.”

Her eyes widened, but her mouth softened into a gentle smile. “I thought about it, yes. But you handled it.” She held out a bottle of water. “Hydrate.”

He set the water aside and took her hands in his. “Do not take any more risks,” he demanded. “I know I’m being an ass, but really.”

She reached up, bringing his mouth down to hers for a kiss. Nothing light or easy, but intense from the start. He feasted on her lips, craving more, letting it spin out of control. This was too much, too fast and he didn’t give a damn.

“Need you to be safe,” he whispered when he finally had the strength to sit back.

“I am. Thanks to you.”

“Need to keep it that way.” He rubbed her hands between his palms. “Why are they targeting you?”

She shrugged. “I’ve pissed off someone. I’m threatening the scheme. When we land, I’ll look for whatever bread crumbs I left behind and fix it.”

“You think it’ll be that easy?”

Her gaze dropped to their hands, her long eyelashes hiding her gorgeous eyes. “Probably not. But I’m not much help to you in the search for the missing women.”

He snorted. “We each have our strengths.” And they were even stronger in tandem. Did she realize that yet?

“Do you take the company plane often?” she queried.

“Only one other time before these trips with you.” His skin felt too tight. He drummed his fingers on his knee, uneasy. He really should’ve told her everything before sleeping with her.

“Do they have more than one plane?”

“We.” He was stern to make the point clear. “It’s a company asset, after all, and you’re part of the company.”

“Right.”

“Gamble and Swann have connections. A clientele that gives them extra reach and resources.”

“I take it you can’t discuss the case that introduced you to this particular resource?”

Did she know more about him than he realized? This was his opportunity. He may as well clear the air. They still had to see this through together, but she should be informed before they landed in bed again.

He tried to smile. Wasn’t sure he managed it. “Yes and no.”

A smile teased one corner of her mouth before she turned away, watching the expanse of blue outside the window. She wouldn’t push—which was a gift in a way. He realized it was more than some kind of informed consent. He needed her to know his past, to accept him despite it. Because he could already see her in his future. It would take time for her to really trust him, but he could see them together. Always.

If he came clean now.

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