Page 74 of Deadly Hope
The blast wave slammed through the atrium. Her ears popped. Glass and steel rained down as the building shuddered. Axel’s body curved over hers, shielding her from debris. The heat washed over them in waves.
Secondary explosions followed—ammunition cooking off, she thought distantly. The helicopter must have been rigged. But by whom? And had Driscoll been aboard when?—
“Olivia.” Axel’s voice pulled her back. His face was inches from hers, eyes intense. “You with me?”
She managed to nod. Her throat felt raw from smoke and dust.
Through the settling debris, she saw Kenji punch something into his phone before tucking it away. His eyes met hers, and a silent understanding passed between them. Whatever data Voss had collected, whatever secrets Driscoll had tried to protect—they weren’t lost.
“Griff, bring the van around,” Ronan ordered. “We need to move before this place is swarming.”
This wasn’t over. It was just beginning.
43
Less than twelve hours later,the winter sun blazed through DreamBurger’s windows so bright it made Axel’s eyes water. Or maybe that was just exhaustion. Around him, the team sprawled across three tables, most of them demolishing their food like they hadn’t eaten in days. Which wasn’t far from the truth.
Maya, back from her girl’s week, had her head on Ronan’s shoulder, their hands linked on the table between their barely-touched burgers. She whispered something that made him smile, and he pressed a kiss to her hair.
Across from them, Kenji and Zara traded quiet comments about the op while Deke methodically worked his way through a double burger with extra bacon. The rest of the team scattered between tables, postures loose with relief but faces drawn with fatigue.
All except Olivia.
She sat alone at the far table, closest to the window, her food untouched. The sun caught in her hair, turning it to fire, but her shoulders curved inward like she was trying to disappear.The three empty chairs around her might as well have been a force field.
Axel’s stomach clenched. He should move to her table. Say something. Do something. But what do you say to someone who just?—
Axel had just picked up his burger when both Zara and Kenji’s phones buzzed. The synchronized alert cut through the quiet like a warning bell.
“News is out,” Zara said, scanning her screen. “They’re calling it a helicopter malfunction. Mechanical failure during a routine flight.”
“Classic CIA cleanup.” Kenji’s voice was neutral. “They’re weaving in hints about corporate fraud investigations, making it look like he was flying out to deal with mounting evidence against him.”
“Will it stick?” Christian asked around a mouthful of fries.
Maya lifted her head from Ronan’s shoulder. “The evidence trail’s solid. Margaret Voss made sure of that.”
“Plus who’s going to argue?” Ronan added. “The only people who know different are in this room or ...” He let the sentence trail off.
Or dead. The unspoken word hung in the air.
Axel’s gaze drifted back to Olivia. She hadn’t reacted to the news, hadn’t even turned from the window. But he saw the slight tremor in her hand as she reached for her water glass.
The bruising along her wrist had darkened to purple, visible beneath her sleeve when she moved. He remembered her fierce expression as she faced down Driscoll, tear-streaked but resolute, even with a gun pointed at her heart.
Now she looked small. Fragile. Like a strong wind might shatter her. But Axel knew better. He’d seen what lived behind those green eyes.
The kitchen doors swung open, and Lauren Daggett waddled out, one hand supporting her very pregnant belly. Even exhausted and worried about Olivia, Axel couldn’t help but smile. He’d heard the legend about how the hard-working small business owner who’d once served burgers to pilots and passengers passing through the small airport now owned seventeen DreamBurger locations across three states. And won Austin Daggett’s heart the first time he saw her.
“Austin just called,” she announced, beaming. “They wrapped early. Team’s headed home tonight instead of tomorrow.”
The news sent a ripple of energy through the group. Lauren’s happiness was infectious, her whole being radiating joy as she moved between the tables, checking drinks and stealing fries from Christian’s plate.
“Stop eating my food, boss lady,” Christian protested, but he was grinning.
“I’m eating for two.” Lauren patted her stomach. “Besides, I own the place.”
“Two more months?” Maya asked.
