Page 94 of Savage Ruin
His face tightens. “The situation is tense right now. Raider and I switched places. He went to help him so I could fly back here tonight. Zane and I return tomorrow.”
I squeeze Sterling’s arm. “We can handle this,” I say, waving my arm around the party. “If you guys need to leave, go. I’m sure Thiago would agree.”
An arm slips around my waist. “I do agree. Leave. Let us know if there’s anything you need from us.”
Zane and Sterling eye each other, then nod in relief. “Thank you. We’ll regroup on the foundation after this mission.”
“I’ll wire the money tomorrow for the time your team spent helping us,” Thiago assures Zane.
Zane rubs his hands together. “That’s going to be one hell of a payday.”
Thiago winces. “Well deserved. Without your team, we wouldn’t have gotten to this point. I appreciate it.”
Sterling winces. “I completely forgot about the bank information. Did you find the customer info, or do you need me to carve out some time to investigate it?”
I smile and pat his arm. “We figured it out.” It’s safe to say it belonged to Kathleen, but I don’t tell him. No need for him to feel bad.
Zane reaches over and gives me a hug. “Take care of yourself. Don’t let them run over you.”
I scoff. “If you need anything, above or below the line, reach out to CJ Tech.” Essentially, I told him CJ Tech will provide him with any legal or illegal hacking him or his team needs.
Thiago tightens his arm around my waist but says nothing.
“I’ve missed Cruz, and now I’ll miss them,” I murmur. “Good friends are hard to find. And keep.” I’ve called one person “friend” since college—Marcos. Until now. My little circle is growing.
“Mr. Santos, there’s a package here for a Henley Night?” A lady wearing an SEI security uniform stands behind Thiago with a small box. “It’s been scanned and cleared.”
I eye it with trepidation. “The good news is it’s too small to be a head.”
He signals to Allison. “We’re going to the top deck for a second.”
Allison raises two fingers, and a pair of her men follow us up. She stops us on the way and removes our earpieces.
Thiago sets the box down on the table in front of the sofa. He carefully lifts the lid. Pink tissue paper is wrapped around the “gift.” Peeling it slowly back, he stares down into the box.
I lean over and peer down. It’s a frame with a picture in it. He must have taken it with a telephoto lens because it’s clear as day and remarkably detailed. Kathleen is standing on the deck with the gun pointed at my head. Sweat is beading on my forehead, and I’m staring straight at her. My chin is lifted, and my jaw locked.
“What’s the note say?” I ask, my voice hoarse and tight.
Breathtaking. I’ve never been more proud of you. Facing death with courage. When Kathleen set her sights on you in Austin, I knew I needed to eliminate her. I was willing to follow the plan and wait, but when the bitch took my sweet David this morning, she became my enemy. A life for a life. You’re welcome, little brain. I’ll come for you soon.
“I guess he’s made other plans tonight,” I jest, but my laugh is hollow. I scrutinize Thiago, who hasn’t said a word since he saw the picture.
I shove the table back and move in front of him. Cupping his head, I pull it up to meet my eyes. “Are you okay?”
His arms wrap around me like bands of steel. “I hate it. This image. Not being there to protect you,” he rasps, his obsidian eyes wild with fury and a hint of fear. “It was too fucking close. And the bastard stopped to take a picture? What the fuck?”
I trail my fingers down the side of his face. “Thiago, my fierce protector. It was close, but I’m here with you. Grayson and Mateo are here. That’s what matters.” I bend down and seal his lips with mine.
He’s stiff at first, his anger front and center, but after a second, the floodgates open and passion comes pouring out. He takes over the kiss, devouring me, until I can’t feel or taste anything but him. After several minutes, he pulls back with a shudder.
The sound of an alarm going off in his jacket makes me raise an eyebrow.
“It’s time for the announcement,” he says gruffly, but his mouth twitches.
“Let’s go celebrate,” I tell him, my voice even huskier than usual.
Several minutes later, we join the party. Grayson and Mateo look relieved.
