Merciless (Option Zero 1)

“Maybe if I turned into a wabbit, I could.”

Shouting with laughter, Ash kissed her smiling mouth. She was sassy, sweet, and so damn appealing.

OZ headquarters had been closed for three days. A second snowstorm had come

a day after the first one and added another half foot of the white stuff. All OZ personnel and operatives were still either working from home or taking time off. The snowstorm might have come at an inconvenient time, but it had also offered an unexpected and delightful consequence. Even though Ash had worked in his office, and he and Jules had reviewed the upcoming op ad nauseam, he’d still taken time for himself. Time to get to know Jules.

He’d learned she hated blueberries, but loved blueberry-flavored everything. She was an avid runner, could almost outshoot him, and could swim like a fish. She also had a quirky sense of humor. He’d laughed more over the last three days than he had in years. She made him happy, and if that wasn’t one of the most shocking things he’d thought in a long time, he didn’t know what was.

Without a doubt, or even an ounce of fear, he knew he’d fallen in love with her.

* * *

Jules released a sigh of sheer contentment as she sank into Ash’s arms. If she could wrap up a period of time and hold on to it forever, she would choose these last few days. They had been as close to perfection as she had ever known. Every morning, she’d woken in Ash’s arms, and every night she had gone to bed with his arms wrapped around her.

Getting to know Ash—the real Ash—had been sheer magic. The problems that lay before her had been put on the back burner. She had forced herself to let her worries go and live in the moment.

“What was that sigh about?”

She shrugged. “I really enjoyed these last few days being alone with you.”

The team would be back tomorrow, and the next day they would be flying to Slovakia for the auction. As much as she anticipated the mission that would put an end to Carl Lang’s evil, she couldn’t help but feel regret that these idyllic days were almost over.

“We’ll just have to make sure we find time to be alone again after the auction.”

Warmth rushed through her blood. This was the closest he had come to telling her that these days together weren’t an anomaly. That he wanted something more.

But there was a huge hurdle he didn’t know about. One she had to cross before anything permanent could happen. The lies she’d told, though necessary at the time, stood between them like an invisible wall, blocking the way. Until she gave him the truth, nothing remotely resembling a future for them was possible.

The text she’d read last night was burned into her brain. Turner had apparently sent it a few days ago, and Jules had been lax in checking for messages. When she’d read it, fury had clashed with an overwhelming nausea. She had wanted nothing more than to call the woman and tell her exactly how vile she was. Instead, she had gone to the bathroom and thrown up. Then she had returned to her room and answered the text. Even though her hands had been shaking, she had managed a one-word answer. One that Turner would be happy to see. She’d then hidden the phone again and calmly returned to Ash as if nothing untoward had happened.

Jules didn’t yet know how or when, but Nora Turner would regret every ounce of pain and misery she had caused Ash. That, she swore.

Chapter Thirty-Four

Omar Schrader’s Estate

Slovakia

With the glitz and glamour that would rival any Hollywood event, Omar’s gala was in full swing. Women wore gowns in a variety of colors that glittered beneath the giant chandeliers, making them look like brilliant, sparkling flowers. The tuxedoed men were a stark contrast to their vibrant beauty.

Once again, Ash’s eyes veered over to his companion. Jules was a vision in sequins of silver blue and in his opinion outshone them all. Her gown’s neckline was modest and gave only a small hint of cleavage, but the back of the dress had him catching his breath each time she turned from him. Creamy, golden skin with just a slight sprinkling of cinnamon-colored freckles glowed under the blazing lights. Several men had sent her searing glances. Ash had gladly sent a different kind of searing glance right back at each of them. He was playing the role of a cold-blooded arms dealer. Humphrey did not take kindly to people trying to poach his property.

For the first time ever, he and Humphrey were of the same mind. Asher Drake didn’t like the leering glances either.

Ice princess Elsa Olsen was back in full force, but Ash saw Jules as she was last night in his arms. The warm-blooded passionate woman had nothing in common with the coldly composed person beside him, except for one thing: They were both incredibly beautiful.

“Have I told you how lovely you look tonight?”

“Of course you have, darling. Several times.”

Elsa’s answer was cool, as if she was slightly bored with life in general.

“Not having a good time?”

“As much fun as anyone has at these events.” Her eyes lit up as she turned to him. “I am looking forward to the event later tonight.”

His smile was as cold as hers. “You’re a bloodthirsty wench, aren’t you?”