Page 27 of The Pursuit
I studied the area maps intently, analysing potential routes and block points for the raid teams. Laying out the tactical plan helped me regain my focus. This was just another op, nothing more. I refused to let emotions cloud my judgment and potentially jeopardise Trisha’s safety further.
Finally, it was time to deploy. Trisha was being outfitted with the tracking chip bio-monitors while Ayaan did the last weapons checks. Motioning her over, I pulled her aside for a rare moment of privacy.
“This is it,” I said gruffly, struggling to keep my tone impersonal. “You know what you have to do?”
“Of course.” Her eyes shone with determination, though a hint of vulnerability peeked through. “But if anything goes sideways in there...”
“It won’t,” I insisted, perhaps too harshly. I had to believe that. I couldn’t let doubt creep in now. “Just get us a fix on Ron’s location through Max. Ayaan and I will handle the rest.”
I held Trisha’s gaze, my throat constricting with everything left unspoken between us. This was it—potentially our final moment together before she walked into the lion’s den once more.
“Trisha...” My voice cracked with the weight of all I couldn’t say.
Before I could form any other words, she reached up and pulled my face down to hers in a searing kiss. Our lips met with an urgency born of desperation and longing. I froze for only a split second before melting against her, pouring every ounce of emotion I’d been holding back into the embrace.
My arms wound around her slender frame, holding her flush against me as our mouths moved in frantic synchrony. One of my hands slid up the curve of her spine to cup the back of her head, angling her to deepen the kiss further. Our tongues danced and duelled with rising intensity.
In that endless moment, the roar of the command centre here at Phoenix Headquarters faded away. There was only the scorching heat of Trisha’s body against mine, the rapid faltering of our mingled breaths, and the velvet crush of her lips. I drank her in like a man dying of thirst, losing myself in the profound intimacy of our connection.
Finally, the need for air forced us apart, our foreheads pressed together as we panted harshly. Trisha’s dark eyes were glazed with desire, her cheeks flushed. Sliding one hand up to cradle her face tenderly, I brushed my thumb over her feverish skin, tracing the curve of her cheekbones as if committing them to memory.
“Come back to me,” I rasped, the words tasting of desperation and promise.
A ghost of a smile curved her lips as she leaned in to plantone last, achingly soft kiss over my mouth. “I will.”
Then, she slipped from my arms and disappeared around the corner to rejoin the others before we could be discovered. I sagged back against the wall, chest heaving, body still thrumming with the aftershocks of that heated exchange. “Get it together, man,” I chided myself sternly. Now wasn’t the time for any other thoughts. Trisha’s life was on the line, depending on me to have my head in the game.
Pushing aside the lingering taste of her lips, I headed for the command centre. My movements were steady, my mind clear and focused. It was time to lock away the man who loved her and revert back to the operative she could rely on without question. No matter what awaited her within Max’s lair, I would stop at nothing to ensure Trisha emerged from it unscathed. Even if it cost me everything, I would bring her home.
TRISHA
Next Day - Kuala Lumpur
My heart pounded violently as I slipped through the dilapidated doorway of Max’s compound. I was walking straight into the viper’s den, alone and unarmed, except for the tracking chip embedded beneath my skin. One wrong move, and it could blow this whole operation sky high.
But we were out of options to find Ron. Using me as bait to draw out Max and then trail him to his brother was our last gambit. Krish had been vehemently against it at first until Ayaan talked him around. I knew Krish was terrified of me being captured again. But I was determined to see this through, no matter the risk.
Creeping down the dim hallway, my senses were on high alert for any sign of movement. Finally, I reached what appeared to be Max’s makeshift office area. Taking a steadying breath, I stepped into the open doorway, pistol raised.
“Don’t move,” I barked as Max turned, startled, from where he stood at his desk. “Hands where I can see them.”
His eyes widened in shock before narrowing menacingly. “Well, well. It seems the little spy has a death wish.”
“The only one dying today is you,” I spat. “After the stunt you pulled sending Daniel and Marco to kill me in Singapore, you’re lucky I didn’t put a bullet in you right here.”
“Is that so?” Max’s tone dripped with disdain. “If you hadthe guts to do it, you would’ve done it already instead of talking to me.”
He was right—I had no intention of actually pulling the trigger. Not yet anyway. I had to stretch this out, make him think I’d come here to take revenge, and then get overpowered by his men on purpose, until Max took me right to Ron.
“You’re not worth getting blood on my shoes,” I sneered. “I’ve been ordered to arrest you alive. Although, I’ll enjoy watching the light leave your eyes.”
Right on cue, two of Max’s henchmen burst into the room, drawn by the commotion. They rushed me from behind, grappling for the gun. The pistol went skittering across the floor as they wrestled me down, slamming my face into the dirty concrete. White-hot pain flared in my cheek as one of the bullies pressed my head against the ground with brutal force. I allowed myself to be overpowered, putting up just enough of a fight to seem convincing.
“Enough!” Max’s sharp command made them back off slightly, allowing me to draw in a ragged breath.
With a nod from their boss, one of the men hauled me up by my hair, the strands ripping from my scalp. I cried out at the sudden agony. My legs threatened to give way, but the grip on my hair kept me upright.
“Well, now,” Max’s smug voice slid over me like oil. “Looks like the spy in you is too overconfident of her abilities, hmm?”
