Page 28 of Hiding out with a Royal Billionaire

Soon, they could put her back into her life where she belonged. And then what would he do? Would they be a thing? That kiss. He should have never asked for that kiss. But even now, thinking of her in the darkness of her bedroom, he would have done the same thing again tomorrow. They were careful. Maddeningly so. It was for the best, he told himself. He couldn’t bear to lose Skye, so they would have to take things slow, careful.

“And this is the kitchen.” Top of the line equipment, it was a nice space. “We have a chef. The fridge is stocked. This is your home.”

Brooks’ phone buzzed. A guy from central wanted him to check in. A request for communication was not a good sign, not from central. His next job wasn’t supposed to start for another two weeks at least.

“What is it?”

Surprised she noticed anything at all from him, he pocketed the phone. “Oh, that’s nothing. I’ve just got to make a phone call…”

She stepped away, her expression closed. “Okay.”

“No, Skye.”

“What?” Her eyebrows lifted.

“The head of our central team wants me to check in.”

The small smile that lit her face made him grin in response. So much that he couldn’t tell her that the request was probably bad news. He dipped his head. “I’ll take this out there.”

He left through the door, and immediately pulled his phone back out, pressing buttons and then he entered a separate room. A panel slid open, and he stepped into the security comm center. A screen lit on the opposite wall. And his director’s face filled it. “Brooks.”

“Yes, sir.”

“We have a situation in Turkey.”

“I’m in the middle of a situation here.”

“We have a team in place there. We need you in Turkey.” He then detailed Brooks on a human trafficker who controlled most of the trade in the middle east who was rumored to be involved in a despicable event. The more Brooks heard, the more he knew he was the only one could step in. He’d gone undercover with the guy’s cousin. He’d taken down this guy’s competitor. The reasons went on and on. And his sense of responsibility grew. But for the first time, at the assignment of a mission, he felt conflicted. He wanted to go. But he wanted to stay. And again for the first time he wasn’t sure which choice was correct. He had joined the team because he knew it was right. But now he had another right, another purpose, another reason for wanting to do good. And as he looked into the face of his director, he knew that he now had a decision to make. And he wanted to stay with Skye. Not just wanted to, he ached to be at her side.

But he said, “Certainly. I’ll arrive this evening.”

“I’ll send the checkpoint information.”

The screen went black. And Brooks stared, unseeing, at the darkness that remained. He wasn’t sure what to do with his new understanding. He’d been waiting to find something more important than his missions. He’d come to believe he’d never find such a thing, that even if he were to marry, he’d still find a higher purpose in the missions. But Skye had changed things. And talking to his director just then made him realize how much. But he wasn’t sure what to do about it.

For now, he needed to prepare for a mission, get in the helicopter and head to Turkey. He left the comms room, practicing words to say to Skye. This whole ‘share this side of his life’ was extremely uncomfortable for him. The mission was secret. It was easier to pretend like it didn’t exist. But Skye would need to know something, especially now that she was partly in the know.

He sighed and pushed open the door. What he saw made him bristle. Chase had joined Skye and the two of them were engaged in a bile causing display of juvenile ruckus. Her hands gripped his and she stood to throw her weight onto the top to win an arm wrestle.

Brooks’ fists clenched. He gritted his teeth. He tried to find something to say, to lighten the moment. But he wanted only to pick up Chase by his shirt and slam him against the wall. This was not the job. The job was to keep Skye safe, not entertain her, not play with her, not enjoy her laying across his hands.

She laughed, and Chase held onto her hand, showing her something on her palm.

Brooks grunted. And the job was absolutely not to flirt with her. Brooks moved almost involuntarily into the room. “Skye.”

She lifted her gaze and pulled her hand back from Chase’s grip.

Brooks’ eyes narrowed. “Something’s up.”

She stood immediately, alarm on her face. “What is it? Has something happened?” She moved to his side.

Chase’s face went blank.

Brooks led her from the room. As soon as they were out in the hallway, she gripped his arm. “Tell me. What is it?”

“I have to leave.”

“What? When?”

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