Page 93 of Explosive Vengeance

“How about the Dysfunctionals,” Amber said, her voice dry.

“That fits,” Megan agreed, “but it also sucks.”

Amber scowled and pushed her sister’s arm off her. “Hey, it’s a million times better thanRenegades.”

“Bitchilantes,” Chloe blurted with a flash of triumph.

Three pairs of eyes fastened on her in silence.

“The Bitchilantes,” she repeated with a nod, glancing around at them eagerly. Oh, come on, it was perfect. “Vigilantes, but bitches.”

Megan busted out a laugh and shook her head as the others grinned. “Well, it fits. And it has a definite ring to it.”

Hell yeah, it did. “Yeah? Are you all cool with it?”

“Sure. Bitchilantes it is,” Amber agreed as Kiyomi nodded.

A brisk knock on the door made Chloe sigh even as a smile spread across her face. “That’ll be Dr. Killjoy, coming to crash the party.” She was looking forward to it. And to being alone with him as soon as possible. She had things she needed to say to him in private.

The door opened to reveal Heath, and her pulse skipped. “Hate to end this deep and no doubt meaningful discussion early, but the patient needs to sleep.”

“Told ya,” Chloe said.

“We’ll let you rest up, then we can visit more later on if you’re feeling up to it.” Megan led the others out of the room and shut the door.

Chloe didn’t plan on leaving this room until morning. She wanted to maximize all her remaining time with Heath. Alone.

She took the opportunity to admire the view as he crossed to the bed, trying to memorize everything about him and block the stab of pain in her chest that his imminent departure caused. “Got your flights figured out?”

“Yeah.” He slid under the covers and laid on his side facing her, propped his head on his hand and curved his free one around her waist. “Rycroft’s going to fly me to Frankfurt in the private jet, then I’ll hop a flight to Damascus.”

“What time do you leave?”

“Oh-four-hundred.”

Her heart sank. Their time together was coming to an end way too soon, each second slipping away far too fast. She wrestled with her thoughts, the chaotic tumble of emotions. They hadn’t known each other long. Would she look stupid and desperate if she told him she wanted to keep this going? If she told him… “Heath—”

“I don’t wanna go.” He slid his hand up her side to cup her cheek, his eyes intense. “I want to stay right here with you, but I have to finish my contract and be there for my guys.”

She leaned into his touch, relief and gratitude swelling inside her. “I understand. And you wouldn’t be my sexy Boy Scout if you dodged your responsibilities. But I… You really mean a lot to me.” It was hard for her to say, made her feel horribly vulnerable and exposed.

“You mean a lot to me too.” Heath searched her eyes. “Enough that I want a firm commitment from you before I leave.”

A burst of hope popped in her chest. She was all ears. “What kind of commitment?”

“I’m falling so hard for you. I want to be in on the rest of this mission you’re undertaking. Since I can’t do that yet, I want to know that you’ll wait until I can.”

The thought was both terrifying and exhilarating, but she was falling hard too. “You’re asking me to wait for you?”

“Yes. And in the meantime, we’ll talk as much as we can.” His fingers curved around her nape. “I don’t want to lose you, firecracker.”

Her heart swooned and rolled over. That was the most romantic thing anyone had ever said to her. Having an incredible man like Heath want a future with her was unreal. “I don’t want to lose you either.”

He smiled, taking her breath away. “You won’t.” He touched his forehead to hers. “Now say you’ll wait for me.”

She didn’t even have to think about it, just nodded. “I’ll wait.” He owned her heart already.

Then his mouth was on hers, a slow, tender vow.

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