Page 102 of The Art of You

I blinked back tears and pulled away, nearly colliding with Roman, who was patiently waiting behind me to leave.

Once it was just the two of us, Hudson deadbolted the door and pulled me against him, quickly relaying what Alfie had told him and my brothers.

I took a few quiet moments to process it all.Daylight op?That meant an on-foot approach without cover.

“We’ll be fine,” he said, reading my mind as I turned away from him and faced the window.

My stomach twisted, and I banded my forearm across it, trying to work through all thewhat-ifsthat could happen on an op that’d be taking place soon.

“Rose’s husband is using us to take out his enemy, but it doesn’t sit well with me that we’re operating before we know the full story,” he continued, likely recognizing I was uncomfortable and concerned about the op. “But one step at a time. We’ll figure out why he hates us, and what his plans are after, and stop him.”

I faced him, rubbing my hands up and down my arms, suddenly freezing cold.

“But since there are still so many unknowns, you need to stay here with security rather than joining us on comms.”

That got me moving, and I quickly erased the space between us. “Oh, hell no. I’m coming. I’ve proved myself to be a valuable resource and asset. I’ll stay a safe distance away, but I will be there to support you.”

He laid the whole broody-scowly look he did so well on me. “We back to this again? When it comes to your safety, I will veto any decisions that put you in harm’s way.”

My hand skated along the ridges of his muscular armbefore I slowly walked my fingers up and over to his chest. “Oh yeah? How’d that work out for you when trying to stop me from getting on the plane?” I used my sexy “radio” voice, as I liked to call it, knowing it always made him glitch and give in to me. “What if while you’re on the mission, Green comes after me here? What if that’s what he wants? For you all to be distracted so he can get to me?”

His nostrils flared, and I lifted my gaze, trying not to focus on the bruises still marring his skin.

“Wouldn’t you rather have me within arm’s reach so you can get to me if need be? Within a mile of the op?”

He continued to stare at me. Processing. The simmer of rage percolating behind those blues as he marinated in thewhat-ifshimself.

“I can’t handle someone coming into this hotel and killing innocent people just to get to me.” It was a very real possibility, and one I knew we both wouldn’t be able to live with.

He lifted his chin, eyes on the ceiling while stretching his neck so his Adam’s apple was visible as he swallowed.

“Put me on comms with this teammate of Alfie’s you mentioned. And if you can spare them, post our two operators with me. But either way, I’m going.” I removed my hand from his chest and turned, prepared to go change into something more mission appropriate.

He seized hold of my wrist and spun me around, gathering me in his embrace in one fast motion. “You’re a stubborn pain in my ass.”

“And you love me, don’t even pretend you?—”

He cut off my words, crashing his mouth down over mine. He was using his special power over me now. Turningmeinto putty in his hands when that was supposed to be my job.

Freeing my wrist when he felt my arms go limp, he palmed my ass with both hands and squeezed, drawing me tightagainst his erection. This conversation had taken quite the turn.

“Tell me what I want to hear,” he rasped between kisses.

“That I’ll behave?” I murmured. “Not on your life, mister.”

“No, the other thing.”

Before I could answer, he caught me off guard, lifting me into the air, and my legs wrapped around his body like they’d been made to fit there.

Holding me, he walked forward until I was up against the wall. I kept my ankles linked at his back, and he held my ass with one hand and rested his other against the wall over my shoulder.

“I need to hear the words before I go out.” His plea had me pulling back, nearly slipping free from his hold as I began to panic, but he wouldn’t let me go.

“Don’t act like you may not come back.” With our lips broken apart, and my eyes on his, I whispered, “Don’t you dare ask me for those words as if they may be the only time you’ll hear them.”

He allowed my feet to find the ground, but he kept my back to the wall, leaning forward to maintain our connection. “There are no guarantees in life.”

Well, I had a lot to say about that. Like, screw that entire sentence and then some. “No, this is one thing I need you to guarantee.”

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