Page 37 of Wild Card (The Trident Trilogy 3)

Mack’s team stayed in Sarajevo for a week but didn’t see any more action. Every day, Mack would hang out with the team, and every night, Nejra would visit his room. She would stay with him most of the night—talking, snuggling, sleeping, and making love. He looked so forward to her visits that he almost felt physically sick when Chase told him they were leaving the next morning.

“What? We haven’t even done anything here,” Mack said. “Can they not get a read on the HVTs?”

“That’s not the problem,” Chase said, shaking his head. “The higher-ups have decided on another approach. I’m not sure why. You know how it is: a bunch of hurry-up-and-wait.”

“So we’re wheels up in the morning?” Mack said, trying to keep the anger he was feeling out of his voice.

“Yeah,” Chase said, locking eyes with him. “You might want to wrap up any loose ends here tonight.”

Mack stared back at him. “I don’t have any loose ends here.”

Chase patted his shoulder as he walked away. “Your room’s right below mine, brother. Wheels up at seven hundred.”

Mack walked directly to Nejra’s room and knocked lightly on the door. Her room was right next to the CIA liaison’s room. When she opened the door, he took her hand and pulled her down the hall to his room. He didn’t want George to hear them.

“We’re leaving tomorrow,” he said as he closed the door. “I don’t think we’ll be back.”

She nodded, looking at him directly in the eyes. “I knew this time was coming. I don’t want you to leave, but I’m prepared. There is no need for you to feel an ounce of guilt.”

He hugged her. “I don’t feel guilty, but I’m going to miss you. I enjoyed our time together.”

“Yes,” she said, snuggling into his chest. “You were the perfect first partner.”

He pushed her back a little to look at her. “Nejra, I enjoyed the sex—no doubt—but I liked getting to know you. You’re smart, sweet, funny. I’m going to miss talking to you.”

“Do you suppose we will ever see each other again?”

“I don’t know,” he said, smiling down at her. “Will you reconsider coming to the U.S.?”

She shook her head. “Not right now. Maybe one day.”

“Okay,” he said, walking over to the nightstand. “This is my address. We’re not supposed to share this with anyone for security reasons. I can’t give you my phone number because of the tracker system in my phone, but I need you to be able to reach me. Will you please write to me and let me know you’re safe?”

“I will write to you—”

“And if you ever want to leave here and come to the U.S., I’ll figure out a way to make it work. Please promise me you’ll write me.”

“I promise,” she said as she tilted her head up to him. “Will you make love to me one more time?”

He nodded as he leaned down to kiss her. “I wish I could make love to you forever. You’re beautiful, Nejra, in every single way possible.”

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