The Payback (Team Zulu 2)

“What? How?”

“Vaughn will lead the on-site missions. I’ll run intel from the apartment, where I have my tech gear and reliable internet. I can support the team better from here.”

“So you’re staying?” My heart beat in double time.

“I am.”

Both relief and excitement surged within me.

There was no point in trying to hide the enormous smile that lit my face. I launched myself at Brandon, throwing my arms around his neck while straddling him.

“Whoa.” He caught me and wrapped me in his warm embrace. “Breathing is important, but I’m willing to sacrifice it for this,” he said in a strained voice. I loosened my hold, but only a little. “So, you’re happy?” he asked.

“I am.” I nuzzled the spot below his ear and breathed him in. “So happy.” I pulled back and rested my forehead against his.

“Just remember that the next time I piss you off and you want to throttle me.”

I scrunched my nose. “That’s going to happen a lot, isn’t it?”

“Undoubtedly. I promise to always make up for it, though.” From his smirk, I gathered he wasn’t talking about flowers and groveling.

“Are you happy?” I asked.

“I am.” He gave me a squeeze. “It’s been a wild ride from the moment I met you, but I wouldn’t change a thing. Well, except the part where you had to fight a Russian ogre to the death. But the highlight reel from this room is spectacular. Although I think there’s a section of carpet near the window we haven’t made love on yet. We should get to it before we leave.”

“I’m sure we can manage that.” I wiggled in Brandon’s lap, feeling him harden against me. “And we can work our way through the apartments when we get home.”

Brandon’s hands gripped my hips. “God, I love the way your brain works.” He pressed a firm kiss to my lips.

I laughed. “We should probably warn Lettie it’s still not safe to come home.”

“Good thinking. Speaking of your scary BFF, she called first thing this morning. I messaged and let her know you’re safe.”

“Thank you.” Lettie must’ve freaked out when she woke and saw the news. My shrewd friend would suspect we were involved in last night’s takedown.

I chewed on my lip. “Do you think we can stay here one more night? I’m not ready to leave our bubble.” We’d have to face reality soon enough, but I didn’t want to share Brandon yet.

“We can stay as long as you want.” He tucked my hair behind one ear, and his hand lingered at the nape of my neck. “There’s not a thing in this world I’d deny you.”

I smiled and pressed my palms to his jaw. “Good. Then kiss me until I’m breathless.”

And he did.

Sage

Irolledoverandstretched my limbs, opening one eye to glimpse daylight streaming through a small gap in the curtains.

The groan that escaped me could’ve come from a geriatric grizzly bear. Everything hurt. Muscle aches, mostly, and a pain in my stomach where Maxim had aimed his meaty fist. I didn’t want to look at the bruise, but I’d taken enough hits during training to know this one would be ugly. Luckily, he’d missed my ribs, and the Tylenol Brandon had forced me to take before falling into bed last night probably helped.

“Hey,” Brandon said as he turned from his computer to face me. “You’re finally awake.”

“What time is it?” I cleared my throat when my voice came out raspy. It was still dry from inhaling the explosion dust.

“Almost midday.” He smiled and came to sit on the edge of the bed. “I knew you were exhausted when the smell of coffee and bacon didn’t rouse you.”

“I missed breakfast?”

Brandon smirked at my whiny tone. “I’ll order you something else.” He took my hand and laced his fingers through mine.