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“And me?” Elena asked.

“You’ll stay hidden in Xpujil,” Brock said. “We’ll have to figure out a decoy so they think you’re the one delivering the intel, but we’ll keep you tucked away safe.”

Elena nodded slowly. It made sense. And being in Xpujil meant she’d be close if something went wrong, if the team needed her knowledge of the temple layout.

“The day after the infiltration, you meet with Toro as planned,” Eden continued. “Keep him distracted while Cal’s virus does its work.”

“Assuming Marguerite’s already safe by then.”

“She will be,” Nate said with certainty.

They spent the rest of dinner going over details, contingency plans, communication protocols. By the time they finished, Elena’s head was spinning with information.

“Get some rest tonight,” Nate said as they stood to leave. “Tomorrow’s going to be a long day.”

Back at the suite, they got ready for bed in comfortable silence. When they climbed into bed, it felt natural—like they’d been doing this for years instead of days.

Brock pulled her close, her back against his chest, his arm around her waist.

“You okay?” he asked .

“Nervous about tomorrow. But okay.” She laced her fingers with his. “You?”

He pressed a kiss to her shoulder. “We’re going to get through this.”

She closed her eyes, breathing in the scent of him, feeling the steady beat of his heart against her back. Tomorrow would bring the team, the final planning, the beginning of the end.

But tonight, she had this. Had him. Had the promise of a future that felt possible for the first time in a long time.

And that would have to be enough.

Chapter Ten

Elena woke to sunlight streaming through the terrace doors and the sound of Brock’s steady breathing beside her. For a moment, she let herself simply exist in that space between sleep and waking—warm, safe, wrapped in his arms.

Then reality hit. Today, Atticus would arrive with the full team. Today, they’d finalize the plan.

Tonight, they’d execute the rescue.

She turned her head to find Brock already awake, watching her.

“Morning,” he said softly. “Sleep okay?”

“Better than I have in years.” She shifted closer. “What time is it?”

“Almost eight. We should get up soon.” But he made no move to release her. “Atticus lands at fourteen hundred hours. That gives us six hours.”

“Six hours to be honeymooners.”

“Exactly.” His hand traced lazy patterns on her hip. “Nate suggested we all go into town this morning. There’s a little shopping district about ten minutes from here. Very touristy, very honeymoon appropriate. Helps maintain our cover.”

“Shopping?” Elena raised an eyebrow.

“I know it’s not your favorite thing, but it looks normal. Two couples on vacation, buying souvenirs and trinkets.” His expression turned more serious. “Plus it gets us out of the resort for a while. We can put boots on the ground and see if Ramos has men stationed outside the resort.”

Elena nodded. It made sense tactically, even if the thought of wandering through tourist shops felt surreal given what was coming.

“Okay. When do we leave?”