Page 52 of Centurion

She lifted a single eyebrow. “Do you remember who you’re talking to?”

Oh, he knew, and that scared the shit out of him. She walked into danger instead of away from it like a normal person. But that was one of the reasons he’d fallen for her. She was an unapologetic badass. He just wished she could be that and not an assassin.Not. Your. Call. Asshole.He nodded. “Yes. I remember.” He glanced at where he’d deposited the weapons she was wearing around the house. “But I’m still going to worry.”

She winked at him and gathered her weapons before walking out of the kitchen. The silky material of the dressing gown billowed around her legs as she walked. Damn. The woman was every dream, fantasy, and hope he’d ever had rolled into a hot-as-hell assassin. How had he gotten so damn lucky?

CHAPTER 21

Gabby followed the directions on her GPS. She'd been to the private landing strip three or four times before. Her brothers had flown in and, because of weather, were diverted there. That was a fun trip back to the city. She smiled. Deacon and Ronan were her tormentors, but she loved them to the ends of the earth. It was okay forthemto pick on her because it came from a place of fun and love, but if anyone else ever tried, the twins made things very difficult for whoever was stupid enough to disrespect her.

She’d seen the twins try to protect Charley, too. Usually, Charley sucker-punched one or both of them and ran straight into whatever fight was brewing. That girl was hell on wheels—and she still was.

She drove past a van parked off the road about three miles before the turn to the airport. Four men were visible as they stared in the direction of the landing strip. A finger of trepidation went up her spine. They could be aircraft enthusiasts, but with the minimum amount of traffic at the private strip, that chance was slim to none, and none was leading the race. Gabby drove with one eye in the rearview mirror. Whenshe turned down the access road, she leaned over and opened the glove box.

Removing a loaded Mac-10 and its suppressor, she drove with her knees as she screwed the suppressor into the barrel, chambered a round, and glanced at the rearview mirror again. It would be a mistake to try to take the plane, and it looked like whoever was waiting knew that. There were civilians there to refuel and government officials to certify customs forms and do random inspections. It wasn’t an unattended field but a proper, paved tarmac. It was also registered with the government.

Gabby pulled up to the gate, rolled her window down enough to flash her Guardian credentials, and then drove through, parking at the only parking area on the tarmac. She checked the weapon strapped to her ankle once again. Then she unsnapped the lock of her belt buckle, giving her instant access to the garrot encased in the slim leather. The heels of her boots were easy to twist and detach as long as she was able to move the stay at the hard leather sole, but she wasn’t taking any chances. She lifted one foot and then the other, sliding the stay into the open position. Her katana was strapped between her shoulder blades. Reaching into the glove box, she retrieved a bangle bracelet made of brass. The charm fit around her fist, giving her brass knuckles with a twist of her wrist. She pulled up her hair and reached into the glove box one more time, withdrawing a pair of designer sticks she cross-weaved through her hair, keeping the bun up. They were balanced, and she could throw them with an accuracy that had taken years to develop.

She glanced up just as the Guardian airplane hit the end of the runway. The tires smoked, and the engines roared in reverse. With one final glance at the rearview mirror, she stepped outside the car and waited for the plane to come to a stop.

She waited until the government officials did their job and then watched as Tango Team disembarked. The first out wouldbe the team leader, Ranger. She lifted away from the side of her car where she’d been leaning, the position giving her a peripheral view of the access road.

Ranger walked up to her. “Authenticate warrior.”

Centurion responded, “Athena.”

Ranger stuck out his hand. “I’m Ranger. This is Giovanni, that’s Crash, that’s Dock, and the one way back there watching our six is Radar.”

She glanced over her shoulder before acknowledging what he said. “Nice to meet you, but I don’t have time for any more pleasantries. You have something for me?”

Giovanni reached down her shirt and pulled out a plastic tube with a gray top. The same size as what she’d seen on the film of the events during the masquerade ball. “We didn’t want to take any chances of someone deciding they needed to search the plane and find it.”

Gabby took the tube and nodded. “I think the plane was anticipated.” She made a motion to the access road. “A van is parked about three miles from here. Four men, from what I saw. I recommend you fuel up and get out. Archangel wants you back in France.”

“We heard. And we were followed to the airstrip. Your party probably was tracking our radar identification.” Ranger narrowed his eyes. “We can take a ride with you while they refuel.”

Gabby cocked her head at the team leader and stared at him for a moment. “I can handle the situation.” She turned on her heel and walked back to her car.

Ranger watchedthe woman pull a U-turn and drive away. “Do you think she’ll be okay?”

Giovanni chuckled. “Bossman, I think that woman could have killed all of us before Radar had a chance to pull his weapon and defend us.”

Dock nodded. “She was scary. Have you ever seen eyes that cold?” He shivered. “Why can’t all women be like you, G? Big ol’ softies.”

Giovanni slapped Dock in the gut as she turned. “Because some are more dangerous. Like her.”

Dock grunted and rubbed his stomach. He looked at Ranger. “Somehow, I find that hard to believe.”

Ranger chuckled. “Not in this case.” He nodded to the roadway where Centurion disappeared. “I’m pretty sure she is a Shadow.”

Dock did a double take. “No shit? Dude, no one would ever think she’s a Shadow.”

“And that’s an advantage I’m sure she uses.” Ranger turned and whistled, circling his hand over his head. His team followed his instructions and rallied back at the aircraft. They had a flight to catch, and the Shadow who’d just left was more than capable of doing her job—he hoped.

Gabby hither earpiece as soon as she got into the car. “Centurion to CCS. I have the item.” She slipped it into the glove box and activated the locking system. It was a gun vault, and if the bastards took her down, they’d have hell to pay to get that box open. She drove with her knees and pulled on a pair of perfectly constructed gloves that gave her grip and didn’t impede her hands’ movements.

“Copy,” Con responded.

“I also have a van parked about two miles ahead.” She narrowed her eyes. That van was now parked in the middle of the road. “Four men. It’s blocking the road.”

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