Page 35 of Raven's Claw
“You’ve got obvious bullet and knife scars.”
She let her head fall back on Kash’s shoulder.“No one’s perfect, Chase.”
“I guess as a spy, you can’t wear a vest.”
“I’m not…” She breathed out as he tugged against her skin, resting most of her weight against Kash.“I…”
“Damn.It’s bleeding like a freaking faucet.”Chase’s voice sounded oddly distant.“Kash, hold her.Foster, I need you to set us down for a few minutes so I can deal with this without the turbulence.”
“Jordan.”Kash cupped her jaw — turned her head toward him.“Eyes on me, sweetheart.”
Had he really just said that?Reminded her that less than twelve hours ago she’d been snugged beneath him, watching him as he made love to her as if he was just as lost as she was.That maybe, he’d fallen, too.
She blinked, eyelids heavy.Everything duller.Darker.Like they’d flown into a tunnel.And she swore it took twice as long to pry her eyes open.Stare up at him, again.
“Chase.Brother, she looks like she’s gonna pass out.”
“Working on it.”Something clattered in the background, Chase’s hands tugging on her shirt.Slicing a line up her arm.“I’ve got saline and some plasma…”
Jordan closed her eyes, fading for a bit before blinking them open.An eerie quiet filled the space, only a hint of light glowing from a crack near the floor across the room.Definitely not the helicopter.Arms tightened around her shoulders, a steady thump beating beneath her head.
“Easy, sweetheart.Everything’s okay.You just passed out.”Kash pressed a soft kiss to her forehead when she tilted it toward him.“But you might want to limit moving for a bit longer.Your side’s gonna be sore for a while.”
“I’ll take your word on that.”She relaxed against him.“Where are we?”
“A client suite in Bodie’s office.And before you lose your shit, it’s probably the most secure building in town.We made sure no one followed us, and we’ve got overwatch and patrols.Chase wanted you to have a night to help restore some of your blood volume.”
Kash sighed, eased her onto her back then pushed onto one elbow.He brushed back her hair, staring at her as if he hadn’t thought he’d see her again.
She reached up — drew her thumb along his jaw.“Kash…”
“You scared me.Not the chase or the bullets or bleeding all over the chopper.You’re insanely skilled, and I knew Chase would keep you breathing.”He paused, swallowed.“When I realized I wasn’t going to catch you on that bike…”
Her chest tightened, tears stinging her eyes.“I’m sorry.”She placed her finger over his mouth when he looked as if he was going to interrupt.“For getting you and your team involved in this.For not coming clean.But more than anything, I’m sorry I ran.”
She closed her eyes, cringing when a few tears slipped out.“It’s not that I didn’t trust you, I just… I’ve never had anyone care.Not without wanting something in return and I… God, I just didn’t want him to hurt?—”
He kissed her.Soft.Gentle.And it broke the last of her defenses.Had her gliding her fingers through his hair, holding on.Some form of anchor when she swore she’d shatter.
Kash stayed close when he could have eased back.Or shuffled off the bed.Maybe joined his friends now that he knew she wasn’t going to outright die on him.“I know.And I’ll admit, a part of me loves you for it.But the other part — the one that aged five years seeing that red taillight fade — it needs to know that you won’t run, again.”
“Are you sure that’s in your best interest?Crazy or not, that escape was the easy part.Now that he knows what he’s up against —whohe’s up against — it’s only gonna get worse.”
Kash tilted his head, looked as if he was considering what she’d said.“What I know is that I got a glimpse of the future without you in it, and that hurt more than anything your agency can throw at us.”
She drew her thumb along his jaw.“I won’t run.As much as it kills me to say that, to put you in danger, I’m not strong enough to leave you, again.”
He gave her a hint of a smile.“What about Ember?Is she strong enough?”
She froze, waiting for that familiar disconnect to wash over her.The one Rook had beaten into her.The core, he’d said, of what it took to be the best.
To be unstoppable.
She smiled and let go of any doubts.“There was a time I would have said yes.When I would have buried everything, taken off and never looked back.But the thing is…” She urged him closer.“Somewhere along the way, she fell in love with you, too.”
She closed the distance — claimed his mouth.Opening for his tongue when he deepened the kiss.She wasn’t sure how long they laid there before he finally eased back — allowed her to suck in a lungful of air.
He smiled against her skin, nuzzling her nose as he stared at her.“You’re just so damn beautiful, I…”
