Page 52 of Hero's Heart

“Woman, you are going to get us both killed. But what a way to go.” He wrapped an arm around her and led them into the internet café, shaking his head. “Boomer. Can’t believe you said that,toddler.”

She loved that even as he dropped back into serious protector mode there was still a hint of a smile pulling at his mouth. She loved how a smile changed his whole expression from rugged and gruff to…

Rugged and irresistible.

God, she was in trouble.

She didn’t say anything else as Callum got them a computer and jumped into a server. She expected Lincoln’s face to pop up again, but instead, a few minutes later, Callum was closing down the computer.

“Is everything okay?”

He nodded, voice dropping to barely above a whisper. “Lincoln sent info by encoded message this time. He gave us a location and a code for a locker at the train station. There will be a bag there.”

“Where is the station?”

“Not far from here,” he replied, already standing and gesturing for her to follow him. “Let’s go.”

They hurried out of the café and retraced their steps through town, weaving through the bustling streets filled with locals going about their daily lives. The sights and sounds actually invigorated Sloane; it felt good to be alive amid all this chaos.

The train station was just as busy. Once again, they circled, doing their best to make sure no one was watching the locker or looking for them.

“How’s the hinky-ometer?”

“Brat.” A smile once again pulled at his mouth. “I think we’re secure.”

They approached the locker. He quickly punched in the code and swung it open. Inside sat a small satchel—dark and worn. He grabbed it, then led her away quickly.

“Don’t you want to take a look at what’s inside? Aren’t you curious?”

“Once we get back to the safe house. Plus, I already know what’s inside, even without looking: weapon, cash, and a burner phone. We won’t have to go to an internet café in order to talk to Lincoln anymore.”

They made their way back to the safe house with no problem. When they removed the contents of the drop bag Lincoln had provided, sure enough, it contained exactly what Callum had said it would. Plus a small bag of gummy bears.

“It’s well-known around Oak Creek that I like these.” Callum rolled his eyes, but she could tell he appreciated the personal touch. He broke into the bag then offered her one.

She took it but was more enamored with the fact that he liked these silly candies than she was with the sweet itself.

“Okay, let’s get dinner ready,” he said after finishing the pack. “I want to make you something better than spaghetti.”

“Is that what we were shopping for today?”

“Yep. I’m not the best cook, but let’s try for a lot more tasty than bland. Lemon herb chicken and sautéed vegetables.”

“My mouth is already watering.”

Callum moved efficiently around the kitchen as he prepped dinner. The rich scents of herbs and garlic filled the small space as he cooked.

Sloane perched on the counter nearby, watching him work with a soft smile tugging at her lips. She snuck pieces of vegetables from the cutting board, giggling at his playful protests.

“Hey! I need those,” he laughed, feigning exasperation as he swatted at her hand playfully.

With every shared laugh and casual touch—like when he brushed against her as he passed to get to the refrigerator—Sloane knew she was making the right choice by asking Callum to be her first.

All she had to do was convince him of the same.

Should she try to seduce him? Honestly, she had no idea how to do that. It wasn’t like she had any lingerie or fancy moves she could use. She didn’t even have any makeup or hair products to make herself look less like a kidnap victim on the run for her life.

But somehow she had to get the nerve up to dosomethingif she wanted this to happen.

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