Silence.
Then he heard a faint scrape. A boot on concrete.
He silently closed the door behind him.
He glanced down over the railing and saw a stealthy shadow of a man coming up the stairs.
Cam’s smile was cold and grim.
Not today, asshole.
Chapter Eleven
Saskia sat curled up on Cam’s couch, bouncing one leg on the floor and nibbling her nail.
She was unfortunately sober.
And worried.
He’d been gone a while. Was he okay?
She jumped up. She couldn’t just sit there, waiting. She headed for the kitchen. Times like this called for stress eating. She opened Cam’s pantry.
Cam had like two percent body fat. The man probably had no chocolate in the house.
Then she spied a familiar box and nabbed it. Her favorite truffles!
She stilled. Oh, God. There was a row of boxes. She’d told him on one of their late-night calls that these chocolates were her weakness.
Warmth moved through her. The man was so into her. He was pushing her away with one hand, and keeping a stash of her favorite chocolates on the other.
She popped a truffle in her mouth, savoring the explosion of flavor.
Where was he?
She paced and ate more chocolates than she should. When her cell phone rang, she jolted and almost dropped the box.
God, had something happened to Cam?
Belly in knots, she grabbed the phone and saw her brother’s name.
Oh. “Killian?”
“Saskia, Jesus. Are you all right? I just got back in range, and had a slew of messages from Wolf.”
She gripped the phone. “I’m okay.”
“I’m sorry I wasn’t there—”
There was a far deeper, older pain in her brother’s voice. These men who thought they were responsible for everyone. “Killian. I’m okay, and I haven’t been alone.”
“That sick fuck who took you is going down, I promise.” There was a dark menace in Kill’s voice.
“Mikhailov is on the run,” she told him. “But he’s still here.”
There was a pause. “He’s still in San Francisco?”
“Yes. And after me, but the Norcross team is taking care of me.”
Her brother cursed. “I’ll be on the first flight back to the States.”
“Killian, I’m all right. I’m safe.”
“I’ll get Wolf and Hades to get you back to New York. My warehouse is the most secure—”
“I’m staying here. In San Francisco. For now.”
Another pause. “Where are you staying? Exactly.”
She let out a deep breath. She was an adult for God’s sake, but Killian often managed to make her feel like a little girl.
“I’m staying with Camden Morgan.”
The deep silence made her swallow.
“Morgan? Hunt’s brother. Former Ghost Ops.”
Killian had a mind like a steel trap. He never forgot anything. He probably knew the backgrounds of all the Norcross Security employees down to their shoe size.
“Yes. He’s keeping me safe. He’s outside right now following up on a sighting. He should be back any second.” Please be back any second.
“You’re vulnerable, Saskia. If he’s taking advantage—”
She rolled her eyes. “Kill, I’m a big girl. I’m okay, and Cam and I’ve been talking for months. He’s tried pushing me away, even when I didn’t want him to. I like him.”
Killian muttered a curse. “Saskia, he’s been through things you can’t even imagine. He may not be able to offer you the things you need.”
Now she felt annoyance. “He said the same thing, but the thing is, I’m the one who decides what I need, and so far, he’s giving me everything I want.”
Her brother made a strangled sound.
“I don’t mean sex,” she said.
“You don’t have sex. Ever. You’re my sister. Let’s just keep that clear.”
She laughed at his disgruntled voice. “I love you, big brother.”
Killian huffed out a breath. “I love you too, Sassy. I just want you safe and happy.”
She smiled and felt tears prick her eyes. He hadn’t used her childhood nickname in years. “I know.”
“I’m flying back as soon as I can. I trust Morgan and Norcross to keep you safe for now.”
That was a big concession from her paranoid brother. “Okay, Kill.”
“Be safe.”
As she set the phone down, the front door opened.
Cam entered, and relief filled her.
“Is everything—?” She sucked in a breath. “Is that blood on your shirt?”
He looked down at the flecks of red. “It’s not mine.”
She hissed. “Is that supposed to make me feel better?” She stalked up and grabbed his hand. His knuckles were torn again. “What happened?”
“One of Mikhailov’s goons was sneaking up the stairwell. I incapacitated him.”
“Is he dead?”
“No. Rome helped me, and Rhys picked the guy up. He’s in a holding cell next to the other guy. We’re hoping he gives us Mikhailov’s location.” Anger vibrated in Cam’s voice.
She pressed her hands to his chest. “Hey, I don’t want you to lose yourself in this anger.”
His face softened a little. He slid a hand into her hair. “I can’t. Not with you here.”
She had to kiss him. She went up on her toes and pressed her mouth to his. His hand tightened in her hair, and he slanted his head.
Mmm. She moaned. Camden Morgan could light her up every time with just a kiss. Despite everything, and even knowing one of Mikhailov’s goons had crept in close, everything quivered inside her.
She wanted Cam. She wanted to go back to where they’d been before the interruption.
Then Cam broke the kiss and Saskia fought back a groan.
“I need to wash up,” he said. “I hate touching you with blood on me.”
She nodded. “How did this guy find us?”
“He had photos printed out. Of you. And of me and Vander, from Union Square.”
And then they’d probably searched for information on Cam. God, she hated that.
“I’m sensing the mood is broken,” she said.
“Yeah.” He stroked her hair. “Besides, you’re still shaken. I just want you to rest and feel safe.”
She felt safest when she was close to him.
His gaze dropped, and his lips quirked. “I see you found the chocolates.”
“Yes. And I ate far too many waiting for you. And Killian called.”
Cam arched a brow. “He isn’t burning down Russia in revenge, is he?”
She smiled. “No. But he’s on his way home.”
Cam nodded. “I’ll clean up. You get ready for bed.” He tipped her chin up. “My bed. That’s where you’re sleeping tonight.”
She bit her lip, butterflies in her stomach. “Okay.”
He left for the bathroom. Saskia went into the guest bathroom, and washed her face and brushed her teeth. She found some cute pajamas that Savannah had urged her to buy—shorts and a tank. The shorts were very short with pink flowers on them. The pink, striped tank had a touch of lace at the neckline.