Page 54 of Claimed (Powertools: The Shields 5)

“True.” Tavish blinked. “I think I do. I hope…”

Karolena beamed at him. “You do.”

“I can’t wait to see what Kon thinks of you all and your relationships. Not to mention Aven.” Levin’s smile turned wolfish. “I have a feeling they’re going to get along great.”

Tavish should have kept his mouth shut, but he wasn’t good at that. “Would you care if they did?”

“Not at all.” Levin folded his hands over his washboard abs. The man was cocky, but probably rightfully so. “No one’s going to steal him from me.”

Tavish wished he had that sort of unshakeable confidence.

Some of his irritation dissipated as he considered how freaked out the guy was going to be and the impact of even a single familiar face. Besides, it’s not like they were turning around to drop Karolena off at this point, so he might as well make the most of it.

Distractions melted away as they strategized and prepped for their strike. The more surgical they could be, the quicker they could get in and out, the better their odds of success would be. Plus, then they could spend the entire flight home celebrating with Karolena.

It felt like an hour but had really been twelve when they touched down as smoothly as they had taken off. Midnight engulfed the plane as Aven shut down as many lights as possible and drove to the refueling station. She’d waste no time in getting the plane ready for takeoff again, then would wait at the top of the runway, prepared to go at a moment’s notice.

With or without them.

Familiar adrenaline surged through Tavish’s veins. He bumped fists with Legend, then turned to Karolena. True to her word, her ass was planted in her seat with her belt on as the rest of the agents engaged in a flurry of last-minute preparations.

Tavish checked his weapons for the millionth time, then stole one quick but thorough kiss from Karolena before Legend did the same. “We’ll see you soon.”

“You’d better.” She seemed to have utter faith in them, but when she turned to Levin, her lower lip wobbled. “Are you sure there’s no other way?”

“Positive.” He ruffled her hair. “Take care of my guy,sestra.”

“I will.” She put her hand over her heart, a lot passing between them with that simple gesture. “Be safe.”

“I won’t. But it has to be done.” Levin stepped away then, putting space between them. “No matter what happens now, I don’t regret the choices I’ve made. And if I go down trying to undo a system that I helped perpetuate, even if I didn’t know any better, then at least it’s in pursuit of something valuable instead of just more money or the illusion of power.”

Kennedy flipped open a laptop. With a few keystrokes, she put a stream of the Shields’ command center on a screen that descended from the ceiling in front of the bulkhead. Jordan stood with James by his side. Ruby manned the computers in the background. “Everyone’s comms working?”

Tavish tapped his ear then nodded. Between their mics and body cams, the team would be able to watch as the mission went down. If something happened to him or Legend, Karolena would see it live. He prayed it didn’t come to that.

Jordan gave the order. “Roll out.”

Tavish sent Karolena one last piercing look, nodded, then jogged down the plane’s stairs and across the tarmac to the black sedan waiting near the hangar.

Levin said he usually had a driver but had convinced Vladimir he didn’t need one since he didn’t know exactly when he’d be back and didn’t care to wait for a ride. He popped the trunk but rather than loading baggage into it, he waved to Legend and Tavish.

“Is he going to fit in there?” Levin seemed skeptical.

“That’s what she said.” Tavish couldn’t help himself. Even in the most tense of situations, they could use a little levity.

Legend snorted as he folded himself into a bundle of muscle and retribution. “Drive fast so I don’t get stuck like this.”

“Not fast enough to draw any undue attention,” Tavish reminded Levin.

“Not my first time doing shady shit.” Levin slammed the lid of the trunk, locking them inside.

He probably deserved that, but he was on edge knowing Karolena was in enemy territory, no matter their precautions.

“Focus on your job,” Jordan reminded Tavish through his comms.

Though it was too dark for their boss to see on the bodycam, Tavish nodded.

It probably wasn’t more than ten minutes, but it felt as long as the entire flight before Levin’s car slowed. Over the comms he heard the guard manning the gate welcome Levin home. If the guy noticed Karolena wasn’t with Levin, he certainly didn’t question his superior about it. The poor bastard did prepare to scan the car for bugs or bombs, neither of which would do.

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