Page 123 of Every Last Breath

“You look awful, like you’ve been through the grinder.”

“Me? Have you looked in the mirror?” He curled an arm around her and cradled her head against his chest.

She roped her arms around him, clutching his shirt, and a shudder ran through her. “Thank God you’re okay. I can’t lose you again.”

“You won’t.” He kissed the top of her head. “Never again.”

She peered up at him, her eyes misting, and nodded. “Is that Val’s blood on you?”

“For a thoughtless, ruthless minute, I wanted to kill him. As though taking his life would’ve made me feel better, like more of a man after they kidnapped you. Then I came to my senses, because I knew you’d be ashamed of me and that you needed them alive. I tried not to kill him, but…”

She caressed his jaw, running her fingers over his two-day stubble. “You are my personal hero. And I could never be ashamed of you. Never.”

He rested his forehead on hers, wondering how he had made it without her and this unconditional comfort. “Are you sure you don’t want to upgrade me to superhero?”

“Don’t push it.” She chuckled and hugged him close. “Thank you for not dying on me.” The hug tightened, rooting him in gratitude before her arms loosened, and she looked up at him. “I need you. I love you, Cole. No matter how we’ve changed or what our second chance looks like. I want it. I want you.”

“You’ve got me.” He brushed his thumb along her cheek.

“I think we’ve earned our shot at happiness.”

“Yeah, we have.” He glanced at his bruised knuckles. “Is Aleksander alive?”

“We have him in custody. I’ll get answers out of him. We just can’t let him know his son is dead.”

* * *

Gray Box Headquarters, Northern Virginia

8:35 p.m. EDT

Maddox stood in the hall outside interrogation room one beside Cole.

A few more hours and this mission with Novak would be behind her, and she could enjoy the prospect of having a real life. A full life for the first time, with everything she wanted but had been too afraid to dream of.

Sanborn shook Cole’s hand. “Thank you for the detailed debrief and for your assistance.”

Cole pressed a hand to his throat. “Have you been able to find out who the seller was behind the auction?”

“Amanda, Willow, and Daniel are going to turn their focus to that in the morning. Willow discovered the Le Monde newspaper used in the proof of product video could’ve been purchased from any number of shops here in DC or New York. There’s no way to isolate where the video was filmed. At least we have Aleksander Novak and the bioweapon. A huge win for us. One we wouldn’t have gotten without you,” Sanborn said. “You turned out to be an invaluable asset. I’d love for you to consider joining us.”

Anytime Sanborn spotted talent, he went into recruitment mode. No way would he pass up a chance to add Cole to his prized collection.

“I can guarantee fulfilling work far beyond what you’re doing in the private sector, where I suspect you’re underutilized and have to put up with a fair degree of bullcrap. As a bonus, you’d get to see a heck of a lot more of Maddox than you will otherwise. Picture an adrenaline-filled deployment somewhere sandy together.”

Cole smiled at Maddox, raking his long hair back, and her heart fluttered. He was so kick-ass cool, she wanted to kiss him.

“Thank you for the tempting offer. But you can’t afford me, and I’m not taking a pay cut.”

She hiked an eyebrow. “What kind of paycheck do you bring home?”

“The sweet six-figure kind.”

Her breath caught. “How sweet?”

“Probably three times what you’re making.”

“Sorry, sir,” she said to Sanborn. “But he can’t quit.”