Long Road Home(42)

This was a dead-end argument. “I should have been there to protect you the last three years. That’s not something I’m likely to ever forget. You’ve gone it alone for as long as you’re ever going to. From now on, no one and nothing is going to hurt you without going through me first.”

She made a sound of distress, but he put a finger over her lips before she could voice her objections.

He glanced toward the cockpit then back at Jules. “Let’s not waste our time arguing,” he murmured, leaning in to press his lips to hers.

She melted into his kiss like heated honey. Her small hands crept up his chest and around his neck. He loved the feel of her so close. Finally in his arms where she belonged.

He pulled her closer, resting his chin on top of her head. He loved her. Had loved her for so long. He couldn’t remember not loving her.

Fear crawled a slow trail down his spine. What if he couldn’t keep her safe? Now that they were approaching Washington, she was in more danger than ever. He couldn’t simply hand her over to his superiors, and he wouldn’t allow the terrorist bastards to take her out.

For the first time, he gave serious thought to skipping the country altogether. Take Jules to some remote island and not look back. But that didn’t sit well with him either. He wasn’t a traitor.

He shook his head, determined not to let doubt creep into his mind. He and Tony would figure something out. They had to.

Jules snuggled deeper into the hollow of his neck, and he kissed her silky hair.

“Did I hurt you last night?” They hadn’t had any time to sort through what had happened between them. He’d been worried sick he would go too fast or frighten her, given her past rape.

She stilled against him, then she pulled away.

“No. You were wonderful.”

He nudged her chin upward with the tip of his finger. “I love you, baby. Remember that. From now on, it’s us. Not you. Not anymore.”

For a long time she simply stared at him. Silent. Her gaze stroking over his face. Then she raised her hand to feather her fingers along his cheekbone.

“I love you too,” she said in a solemn voice.

Triumph blazed a trail through his chest. He pulled her against his side, cupping her head to his shoulder. She loved him. He’d find a way for them to be together. One that didn’t entail him turning her over to the government.

Chapter Nineteen

They landed on a small private airstrip in Virginia that afternoon. Jules collected her duffle bag and followed Manny off the plane toward a waiting SUV. She needed to talk to Northstar. Needed to find out what the hell was going on and why he was taking potshots at her and Manny. When Manny wasn’t looking, she dug the phone out of the bag and shoved it into her pocket.

“Can you stop at a gas station so I can use the bathroom?” she asked as she slid in beside Manny.

It wasn’t a lie. She was about to pop, but she’d use the opportunity to talk to Northstar out of Manny’s earshot.

“I’d prefer to wait until we reach the apartment Tony has for us, but if you can’t wait, I’ll stop at the first one I see,” he said.

“Thanks. It’s about to become an emergency situation.”

He chuckled and reached across the console, twining his fingers with hers.

Such a small gesture, yet it spoke volumes.

From now on, it’s us. Not you. Not anymore.

God, how she wished it could be true. She wanted it to be true.

She looked up as they slowed and pulled into the parking lot of a gas station. She smiled gratefully at Manny.

“I’ll be right back.”

He nodded and turned his attention out his window.

She climbed out of the SUV and hurried inside. Manny wouldn’t wait long, so she had to make it quick. As soon as she was inside the bathroom, she locked the door and pulled the phone out of her pocket.

With shaking hands, she punched in the number she hadn’t called in over a year. Shuttled through endless connections, making a trace impossible, the call took several seconds to complete.

She took a deep breath and put the phone to her ear. She didn’t have to wait long. On the third ring, the bastard’s voice filtered through the receiver.

“You don’t follow directions very well. I told you to check your e-mail. Nothing about phone communications.”

She ignored his reprimand. “What’s your game, you bastard? Why are you trying to kill me?”

An uncharacteristic pause swelled on his end. “If I wanted you dead, you would be in the morgue. Quit wasting my time and finish your assignment.”

“If you hurt him, I will hunt your ass down,” she said in chilling tones. “Lay off the snipers, Northstar. I don’t know what your latest sick game is. I’ve said I would do the assignment, but I can’t do it if I’m dead.”

Another long pause on his end. If she didn’t know better, she’d swear he was genuinely caught off-guard.

“Do the job, Magalie, or your boyfriend is going home in a body bag.”

He hung up before she could respond. She swore viciously and shoved her phone back into her pocket. What the hell was going on? Was he trying to imply he wasn’t behind the shootings? And if he wasn’t, who was?

The pulse in her temple thudded painfully, a vile ache spreading to the back of her neck.

She relieved herself then hurried out of the bathroom. When she slid into the SUV, Manny looked questioningly at her.