Page 67 of The Knight

“Indeed, Miss Freya. You look magnificent.” Pen gave a slight nod.

“Thank you.” Freya’s voice was quiet under the glare of so much attention.

But fuck, she deserved every bit.

Abe smiled and helped Freya into the matching shrug draped over her arm. Then he offered his elbow. “Shall we?”

The simple gesture felt inevitable—like puzzle pieces clicking into place. The intensity of it terrified and thrilled him in equal measure. He guided her out the front door and down the steps to where two cars waited, engines purring, drivers standing at attention.

“A Bentley and a Jaguar now? What’s next, a tank for grocery runs?” Abe arched a brow at Fox.

“Don’t tempt me.” Fox flipped him the bird with a playful grin before sliding into the Bentley. “See you at the Dorchester.”

Abe held the Jaguar’s door open for Freya, then slid in beside her. The leather upholstery whispered luxury, the interior perfumed with hints of polish. The car practically screamed money. But Freya wasn’t admiring the opulent interior.

Her gaze was fixed on him, those incredible eyes luminescent in the evening light, holding nothing back. In this moment, she was present. No pretense, just them.

“You okay?” She reached across the space between them, her fingers finding his.

He intertwined their hands. “Very.”

“Me too.” She smiled as she adjusted her stole with her free hand, never breaking their connection.

He brushed his thumb over her knuckles. He’d tried to keep his distance, to stay focused on the mission—but despite his best efforts, he had fallen hard. And right now, with her by his side, he didn’t care.

It felt too good to pull back.

36

Freya sank backinto the leather seat, watching England’s green trees flash by as their driver whisked them to the Dorchester.

Hope and fear mingled inside her. Wearing Abbie’s dress, she felt like a different woman. A whole woman, with hard science and actual emotions coexisting inside her.

There could be a middle ground.

Abbie was right. Maybe this could work. Perhaps she could have these two sides: the rational part that thrived on science and the emotional part that loved the man sitting beside her.

Love.A word she had never used in her adult life.

But with Abe, she believed it could be possible. There was no other way to describe the all-consuming way she felt about this brawny, caring man.

Despite her nervousness about what would happen at the Dorchester, she felt confident it would be okay. With Abe at her side, anything seemed achievable. Together, they were unstoppable, stronger as a unit than each on their own.

A sharp trilling interrupted the hum of the car engine.

The driver glanced over his shoulder. “Call for you, sir.”

As he spoke, a partition rose, separating them, a screen embedded in the back of the divider. As soon as it locked in place, the screen flickered to life.

On the other side sat a man in a dark t-shirt that clung to his muscular arms. His keen eyes held no trace of humor.

“Abe.”

“Eli.” Abe turned to Freya. “Eli Bychkov. Leo’s brother and one of our operatives.” He shifted his gaze back to the screen. “Eli, meet Dr. Freya Jonsdottir.”

“Freya.” Eli’s expression was grave. “Abe, take this privately.”

“No time. We’re heading to the Dorchester.” Abe’s brow furrowed, his tone clipped.

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