Defenseless (Salvation, #5)(36)

That’s fine. I don’t feel I need to inform him of mine either.

“Why don’t you guys stay at least tonight?” Catherine asks. “As much as I love California, we never see our friends.”

“See, Kitty misses me.” Mark wraps his arm around her shoulder and she groans.

“Not you.”

“Admit it,” he taunts playfully.

“Nope.”

“Fine. I know the truth.”

“I feel bad for Charlie. Being stuck with you on a plane for an extended period of time would be enough to make me contemplate jumping.”

Mark’s eyes dart to mine as a grin spreads across his face. “I think Charlie likes having me as a travel partner.”

I hate that I have these moments of weakness when I warm to him. But then, he effectively takes care of that by reminding me how much I should hate him. “I’ve had better flights, buddy. You were . . . decent.”

His grin falls slightly as he studies me. “I’ll be sure to change that word for you this go.”

Jackson lets out a loud guffaw. “You’re totally f*cked, dude.”

I decide to keep my mouth closed. If I provoke Mark, it’ll only backfire. There won’t be another round, though. This time, I’ll lock the damn door.

We say our good-byes and head back toward the airport. I will say that flying this way is a hundred times better than commercial. I can see why Jackson keeps a private plane for himself and his staff. Plus, there are times they need to get out quickly and can’t wait for a flight—especially with their luck lately.

Throughout the car ride, I try to figure out the tie between Mazir and Cole Security Forces. I spent an absurd amount of time studying him, his family, his links to terrorist organizations—which is vast. How does Jackson and his team fit? I can’t make the connection. Yet, I know there is one.

“What are you thinking about, beautiful?” Mark asks. It’s the first time he’s ever called me that.

“I’m contemplating who, other than me, wants to destroy you and your friends, and why.”

He takes my hand in his and places it into his lap. “Let me worry about that.”

“Isn’t this why you called me in the first place?”

“Nah.” He smiles. “I just wanted to see you again. It had been too long since I had someone to spar with.”

“I don’t doubt that, but you and I know that’s not the only reason.”

Mark mindlessly rubs the top of my hand. “I’ll figure it out. I have some ideas.” He glances over with an emotion in his eyes that I can’t place. It’s not suspicion, but he’s not as clear as he was before. It’s as if he’s erected a wall inside himself, closing me off to whatever he’s thinking. I’m not sure what to make of it.

Before I can dissect it too much, we arrive at our plane. We board easily, thanks to the ease of flying private, and take our seats. The silence between us feels heavy. It’s not like earlier when it was comfortable. This feels ominous.

My gut tells me there’s something brewing. But he takes my hand again, and it helps anchor me. His touch reminds me of what has transpired between us—also, how quickly it seems to have disappeared.

Could Jackson have said something? I know they’re keeping something from me, which pisses me off and raises my red flag. Jackson, on the other hand, doesn’t know me. He knows I’m an operative. I’m a professional liar. I can con, talk, and bullshit my way out of almost anything. There’s reason to distrust me, if I’m perfectly honest, but Mark has never exhibited a lack of trust. I hate what I’m about to do, but I can’t forget my end game.

Once we’re in the air, I decide it’s a good time to start talking.

“Mark,” I murmur. “What happened on your walk?”

He rolls his head my way. “Nothing happened.”

“You’re lying.”

He sighs and rests his head back against the seat. “No, I’m not.”

“Okay, then what was said?”

He opens his eyes but keeps his gaze at the ceiling. “We talked about some of Jackson’s concerns about getting hitched again. He was married before, lost his wife, it’s been a lot of shit for him the last few years.”

That makes sense, and Catherine confided that he’s been especially stressed. Still, there’s this nagging part of me that insists that’s not the whole story.

“So, nothing about the nature of the company?”

“I agreed to become partner.” He finally meets my gaze.

“Oh?”

“He’s been up my ass about it for awhile. I told him once we get everything under control, I’ll come on as part owner. Why are you asking?”

I lift the arm bar between us so I can get closer. I need all of his attention, and all of his mind focused—elsewhere.

He’s about to find out just how manipulative I am.

Mark watches me with narrowed eyes, but he doesn’t stop me. I slide closer and release his hand. He glides it around behind me and presses against my back. I’m forced to put my hands on his chest to keep myself from falling. He doesn’t let me stop there, though. He leans down and pulls my leg so I’m straddling him.

He’s making this too easy for me.