Page 55 of Rhys

“Guys, that’s really sweet, but can you please stop talking so I can concentrate on what I’m doing?”

Seeing that she wasn’t going to change her mind, Rhys gave her a look that said it all. He loved her. Fully and truly, he loved her.

And if this really was it for them, then at least they’d die together.

12

Rhys watchedthe number on the bomb get lower and lower. Lucky for them, Greyson always carried a small set of tools with him on each op which included a small pair of wire cutters.

Vanessa, the damn stubborn woman, stood silently beside him. His gut churned knowing she was so close to that fucking bomb, but he also knew arguing with her was futile.

She’d made up her mind to stay by his side. Just as he would have done with her.

So here they were, standing together while his teammate and friend did everything he could to save them.

Greyson made the first snip. And then another. Over the next several seconds, he carefully and precisely cut more of the multi-colored wires. And with each one, Rhys found himself more and more terrified for the woman he loved.

For him, it was an easy choice. If this didn’t work out, he’d be going out of this world with one of his closest friends, and the knowledge that Vanessa loved him back. But the thought of something happening to her…of her not being able to go on and live a full and happy life…

That scared him more than the thought of this being his final moments.

“Okay. Three more to go,” Greyson mumbled. “White, blue, and green. And in that order.”

Rhys and Vanessa watched closely as Greyson cut the white wire. Next was the green, and finally…the red.”

Rhys looked at the timer, his relief overpowering when he saw that the clock had stopped.

Two minutes, fifty-two seconds.

“Holy shit, Grey!” Rhys slapped his friend on the shoulder. “You did it! You stopped it!”

Both Greyson and Vanessa blew out huge sighs of relief. She jumped up and hugged his teammate first, and then pulled herself out of Greyson’s arms and came to him.

“It’s over.” She threw herself into his arms. “We really did it! We took down Austin, avoided a nuclear war, and with him behind bars, Rose will get the justice she deserves.”

“Yeah, baby.” Rhys hugged her back. “It’s over.”

“Don’t forget North Korea.” Greyson joined in their celebration. “With what we found in those files on Austin’s computer and this, there are a lot of people who are going to be in a world of hurt.”

“Good.” Rhys glanced back down at the bomb. “They deserve whatever hell they find themselves in.”

“I don’t know about you guys, but all this excitement has given me an appetite.” Vanessa looked to him and Greyson. “Anyone up for some pizza?”

“I could go for a few slices.” Greyson nodded. “As long as there’s beer to wash it down.”

Vanessa laughed. “You got it. I’ll even buy the first round.”

“Sounds like a plan to me.” Rhys pulled her close and kissed her temple. “Come on. We should probably let the others know Charlie Team has diverted yet another crisis.”

“I think Greyson should do the honors. After all, he’s the one who saved the—”

Something beeped from inside the van. All three turned and looked, their faces morphing into pure shock when the timer on the bomb started up again. And this time, the numbers were moving exponentially faster.

Oh, God!

“What the hell?” Rhys’s wide eyes flew to Greyson, who looked just as horrified as he felt.

“Another fail safe.” The big man swallowed hard. “There must have been another fucking fail safe!”

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