Gigi scrambled off the bed. “Oh my god, he agreed? He’s going to give up Todd?” Doubt pinched her chest. It couldn’t be that easy.
Then again, the Radcliffes had a lot to lose. Eighty-five million dollars for starters, but more than that, their reputation and freedom if the authorities got involved.
Would the cartel even accept the deal, though? They wanted Todd. That’s what all this was about. But they also seemed to be driven by revenge. Maybe getting Todd was just the beginning. If they stupidly believed Todd still loved her and she him, they might think hurting her would make him suffer more.
She stared at August’s rigid form. He still hadn’t put on a shirt. She had nothing to complain about. The dude was ripped in all the right places. Add in the splashes of ink and scars on his back and chest and the sight of him made her insides liquefy.
“That’s what he said. We’ll see if he follows through—or if they try anything.”
Gigi drew back her head. “What do you mean?”
“Well, I don’t think they’ll bring the cartel to the island to ambush us. They probably just want all this to go away. But we’ll be ready for anything they might pull.”
She glanced at the clock on the nightstand: 10:00 a.m. “I’ll shower.” It’d take an hour and a half to drive to Anacortes and then another hour to get to San Juan Island by boat.
She moved toward the bathroom, but August snaked his hand around her waist. “Everything’s going to be okay.” His expression was hard, promising. He was either trying to convince her or himself.
Forcing a smile, she brushed her fingers over his pec. “I know. I don’t doubt it for a minute.”
He grunted and slid his palm down to cup her ass. “Good. Now go get showered before I get a different idea.”
She laughed and scurried into the bathroom. “As if you don’t always have that idea,” she said, closing the door.
“Only with you.” His voice dropped, low and seductive.
All the playfulness left her as desire curled deep inside her belly. Only with you. Well, that was funny because her physical reaction to August was also unique. But she couldn’t—wouldn’t—go there now. Wouldn’t allow herself to wonder if he was trying to tell her something. If he too was perplexed by their chemistry, stunned by the response their bodies had to each other.
She yanked on the shower handle and water pelted from the showerhead. Then she stripped out of her robe and stepped under the hot spray. Fifteen minutes later, she was showered and dressed in jeans and a long-sleeved cornflower-blue T-shirt. The V-neck showed a bit of cleavage, and the rest of the material flattered her waist. After brushing her hair and applying makeup, she exited the bathroom. August was in the living room, his hair slightly damp and slicked back. A black T-shirt hugged his broad chest and biceps, and his jeans accentuated his thick, muscular thighs.
“Whaddya got there?” she asked, as she sank into the love seat.
Items filled the coffee table, and a black duffel bag sat on the floor. There were three guns. She knew that two were handguns and one was a heavier weapon, but that was as far as her knowledge went. There were also gadgets that she wouldn’t be able to identify if her life depended on it on the table. If she hadn’t known what was happening, she’d assume he was heading to war.
And it was a little hot.
August picked up a handgun and checked the chamber then loaded a full magazine. “Just some gear I might need. I called the guys and they’re going to pick me up in an hour.”
Gigi bristled. “Pick you up in an hour?”
He flicked his gaze to her then picked up the larger weapon and checked the magazine. “Yeah,” he answered, stone-cold.
Anger fizzled beneath her skin like vinegar mixed with baking soda. “And what about me?”
“Rami, Toth, and Ghost are coming with me. Taschen’s staying here.”
“The hell he is,” she snapped, standing.
“Babe.” He caught her elbow. The muzzle of the gun was pointed at the floor, cradled beneath his elbow. Damn him, why did he have to look so good holding that thing while royally pissing her off?
“Babe nothing. I can’t believe you’d just leave me here.” She gestured to the space she’d been holed up in for almost two days. “As if I can’t help.” Okay, she didn’t exactly have the brawn the guys did, but she had brains and knew Todd pretty damn well. At least well enough to know when he was full of shit and what to ask him to get information.
August’s thumb circled the bone of her elbow. “It’s not that you wouldn’t be helpful. It’s that you’ll be safer here. I don’t know what we’re going to walk into, and I’m not taking you into that situation—I’d be fucking crazy to take the risk.”
“And you don’t think there’s risk to leaving me here with only one other person? What if the cartel’s been waiting for this moment? What if the Radcliffes tip them off and they bomb the whole freaking building? Then what?”
August’s jaw flexed. His eyes, green pools of unwavering determination, never left her face. “Then Taschen will get you out.”
“You trust him with my life?” she asked incredulously.
“No,” he spat. “I trust him with mine.”
She shook her head. “I don’t understand.”
“There’s no one else I give a shit about. And I won’t endanger one pretty hair on your head if I can help it.”
His words made her stagger on the spot. She opened her mouth. And floundered. “I—”
“So believe me when I tell you that if I trust Taschen to keep you safe, I know, without a fucking doubt, he’ll do it.”
She pressed her tongue to the roof of her mouth. She wanted to be angry, to lash out. Dammit, she might even slug him if she wouldn’t break her fist against the wall of his chest. But his earnest, caring eyes made the anger evaporate from her veins like water from a rock in the desert.
“I don’t want to leave you,” he said. The statement came out rough and on a tremor of honesty.
She wasn’t just upset he wasn’t taking her. She couldn’t stand the thought of not being near him. Of him being hours away on a mission that could be dangerous.
Her nerve endings frayed. She wouldn’t be able to handle something happening to August. Didn’t want to be alone. If he didn’t return to her, never held her again, or . . .
God, she couldn’t. Moving into his space, she dropped her forehead to his sternum.
The clank of metal hitting the coffee table told her he’d set the weapon down. One hand cupped the back of her head, and the other rested on the small of her back. “I wouldn’t leave you if this weren’t this safest option.”
“You’ll be hours away,” she said, her voice breaking.
“It’ll go by fast.”
She tipped back her head. “I know Todd better than any of you. I can—”
“I don’t want that sonofabitch to even look at you. If I have my way, he’ll be passed off to the cartel before I make it back here.”
“I should be there.”
He sighed and sent his gaze toward the ceiling. “You’re going to make me handcuff you, aren’t you?”
She pushed out of his hold and swatted his forearm. “If you even try, I’ll shove the handcuffs right up your ass.”
He guffawed and pulled her back into his embrace. “You’re busting my fucking balls, you know that? But I’m not taking you. I’m sorry. It’s too dangerous.”
She huffed. There was no way she was winning this one. “Fine. I hope you come home hungry because I’m going to have nothing to do but cook.”
“Why don’t you order more food? Get whatever you want.”
She tilted her head and narrowed her eyes. “You’re bribing me.”
“Not bribing.” His hand flexed on her spine. “Just trying to make up for leaving you behind.”
She rose onto her tiptoes and kissed his chin. “If you make it back in one piece, I’ll forgive you.”
His low, rough chuckle made warmth spread through her. “Honey, nothing’s going to keep me from coming home. Least of all a fucking senator and your doofus ex-boyfriend.”
“Good. Now where do I order the food?”
He motioned to the laptop and brought up the grocery order form.
The next few hours would reveal whether they’d make it out of this mess or not. In the meantime, she’d cook and bake until her heart was content.
A pang of fear settled in her abdomen. Whatever happened today, she couldn’t lose August.
She’d survive everything but that.
* * *
Ding-dong
With his handgun drawn, August approached the front door. Minutes ago, Toth had texted. He, Rami, and Ghost were downstairs. August was just waiting for Taschen.
Glancing through the peephole, August saw him standing in the hallway. He snapped open the lock and stood back. “What took you so long?”
“Sorry, had a few things to do.” Taschen entered the unit and August shut and locked the door.
Now the hard part. Saying goodbye to Gigi.
Leaving his friend in the kitchen, August went to the bedroom, where Gigi sat poring over recipes online. She looked up from her spot against the headboard. “He’s here?”
August nodded and sat on the edge of the bed. She moved his laptop from her legs and folded her arms around his neck. “I wish you didn’t have to go.” Her slight chest shuddered as she spoke.
Locking his arms around her waist, he pulled her tight against him. “I know. I won’t be long though. Should be home by dinnertime if things go smoothly.”
“And if they don’t?” She pulled back a few inches, and her hazel eyes searched his face. This close, he could examine the colors in her irises and the way her thick, black lashes bordered the vibrant hues. Her slightly upturned nose was a bit red at the tip. He’d guess she’d shed a tear or two.
Goddammit, the idea he’d made her cry ate at him from the inside out. He kissed her pouty lips. “Everything will be fine. Besides, I’ve got the most badass team with me.”
“What about the cartel? How will you give them Todd?”
“Once I have him, I’ll call Val Alvarez. I figure he won’t give a damn until Todd’s in arm’s reach. After that, hopefully it’ll be an easy trade-off.”
She dropped her head to his shoulder. “Please, be careful.”
He brushed his lips over her temple. He couldn’t remember the last time anyone had said that to him. It’d been years. Before, he’d never clung to the words. But now?
Fuck, now things were different. Now he had someone he didn’t want to let down. Now the only thing worse than him dying was leaving Gigi behind. Not being there to protect her. The idea made worms of worry gnaw at his insides. He wouldn’t do that to her. But he would end this shit. He’d give her back her life if it cost him everything he had.
Catching her neck, he dipped his head and took her mouth in his. Her body relaxed as he slid his tongue between her teeth, tasting her. Her sweet, minty flavor wasn’t just intoxicating. It was familiar. It was for him. It was . . . home.
Breaking the kiss, he touched his forehead to hers. “I’ll be back tonight, okay? Make dessert because we’re going to have something to celebrate.”
She flashed a smile. “There’ll be plenty for you to eat when you get back. I’m going to make so much food you’ll puke.”
He laughed. “Sounds romantic.” Kissing her on the top of her head because he couldn’t fucking help it, he stood.
She gave him a little wave, and he made his way back to the kitchen. Taschen sat at the island.
“Anything I should know?” his buddy asked.
“Yeah, she’s got a grocery order coming. I checked before you got here and it’ll arrive in a couple hours.”
Taschen saluted him. “Just so you know, I’m fucking thrilled to be sitting this one out.” Sarcasm muddied his words.
August placed his knuckles on the island in front of Taschen. “Look. She doesn’t want to be here either,” he said, his voice low. “And if you make her feel bad because you have to stay here with her, I’m going to knock your fucking head off.”
“All right. Easy, man. Sheesh.” Taschen lifted his palm as if to ward him off.
But Jesus Christ his blood boiled. Taschen was often the clown of the group and aimed to garner laughs, but sometimes he was stupider than usual and didn’t think before he spoke.
“Is she gonna cook?” Interest sparked in Taschen’s eyes. “I haven’t eaten all day.”
August fought the urge to smack his friend on the back of the head. “I hope she feeds you fucking cat food.” He waltzed to the door. “I mean it. Don’t be an ass.”
Taschen folded his arms across his chest, a smirk lighting his eyes. “Never seen you lovesick before. I’m gonna enjoy this.”
“Fuck you,” August mumbled as he swung his bag over his shoulder. “Just do your job and keep her safe.”
Without so much as a wave for the moron, August stepped into the hallway and locked the door behind him. Though Taschen was annoying, August had to concede that he didn’t really lack brain cells. Most days.
Considering the cartel shouldn’t have any clue where Gigi was—and if somehow they found out, the apartment in a high-rise building downtown wasn’t an ideal target—there was no logical reason for the boulder of anxiety pressing on his esophagus.
No logical reason his blood pressure spiked with every foot of distance he put between Gigi and him.
Maybe Taschen was right and he was lovesick. That’d explain the heart palpitations and gut-wrenching worry. Because Gigi was as safe as the Mona Lisa.
Six, seven hours tops and he’d be back in the apartment eating whatever delicious meal she’d made and telling her that Todd had been handed over to the cartel and they could breathe easy.
He stepped into the elevator and punched the button for the ground floor. Christ knew he’d get devilish satisfaction when he saw Todd’s face fall at the sight of him.
August cracked his knuckles as the cart whooshed to the bottom. The door chimed and slid open. He made his way through the lobby, his booted feet clomping over the marble floor. He stepped outside and warm fall air hit his face.
Toth signaled from the front passenger seat. August opened the rear door and climbed into the oversized Tahoe, taking one of the middle seats.
“’Sup,” Rami said from the driver’s seat.
“Took ya long enough,” Ghost said, from the bucket seat next to him.
“Sorry, had to wait for fuckface.”
Toth roared and Rami snorted. Ghost’s stoic expression didn’t change.
“Cheer up, buttercup,” August said, winking at Ghost. “We get to spend the day together.”
“Just what I always fucking wanted. A sausage fest.”
“Don’t lie, dude. I can see right through you.”
Toth groaned. “Oh, man. C’mon guys. I don’t want bloodshed in the Tahoe.”
“Can we hurry already?” Ghost grumbled.
“On it.” Rami pulled away from the curb and merged with traffic. In minutes they were on I-5. In just over an hour, they’d be in Anacortes.
August couldn’t fucking wait.