Cale’s body all but vibrated with rage. “What I need is for you—”
“Russell, Owens...you two make sure that Ms. Chevalier is checked out and returned home.” Two more men in black moved toward Genevieve at Lancaster’s order.
Genevieve inched closer to Cassidy. “What’s going on? Who are these men, Cassidy?”
“It’s okay.” Cassidy gave her a hug. “They’re the good guys.” Mostly. “They’ll keep you safe.”
After a moment, Genevieve nodded and slowly walked away with the men.
Lancaster still stood in front of Cassidy. “I’ve got my orders. Mercer wants me to bring her in.” He was staring at Cassidy, but his words were for Cale.
“She stays with me. I’m the one who—”
“You’re the one who used her so that he could play hero and take down the Executioner.” Lancaster’s voice was flat. “Mercer knows exactly who you are.”
No, he had that wrong. Cale hadn’t used her. She was the one who’d put him in jeopardy.
“You don’t seriously think he just...let you go, do you, Ms. Sherridan?” Lancaster shook his dark head. “Mercer was very clear on what Cale was to do on the extraction...and he didn’t follow orders.”
“So now you’re taking over?” Cale gritted out.
“Yes, I am.”
But Cassidy didn’t want to go with him. She...she trusted Cale. She wanted to be with him.
So she twined her fingers with his. “Where I go, he goes.”
Lancaster’s dark brows climbed.
“So unless you have orders to physically pry me away from him—” doubtful, though she wouldn’t put that past Mercer “—then you can escort us both out of here. You aren’t taking me away from Cale.”
A muscle jerked in Lancaster’s jaw. “Figured you’d be as stubborn as Mercer.”
Her breath caught. He knew. But then, Lancaster had worked with her longer than most agents had.
A faint smile lifted Lancaster’s lips. There were secrets in his eyes. Plenty of them.
Cassidy knew she would have to deal very, very carefully with Agent Lancaster.
* * *
MOST FOLKS WOULD have never noticed the small clinic. It wasn’t in the heart of Rio, wasn’t close to the Carnival celebration. It was near the jungle, barely clinging to the edge of civilization. The doctor there knew how to keep quiet—and he also knew how to hurriedly patch an ex-soldier’s wounds.
No anesthesia was given. Cale didn’t want anything to dull his senses. The bullet was pulled from him; the stitches sank into his skin. Cassidy stayed by his side every moment, her worried gaze on him.
Blood streaked her clothes. Blood and dirt. She had to be exhausted after all that she’d been through, but the woman remained on her feet, stubbornly holding his hand like it was a lifeline for her.
Or for him.
This...this was the spoiled debutante that he’d scoffed at before?
Hell, no. This woman was completely different. She was strong, and brave, and...
He wanted her so badly that he ached. The newest bullet wound he had didn’t matter. The bruises and aches in his body were all but forgotten.
Cassidy—and the growing need that he felt for her—consumed him.
He couldn’t take his eyes off her face. So lovely. So perfect. When the Executioner had put his knife to her throat, when Cale had thought that Cassidy might die...