“Maybe…maybe we should comb through more files, Oz.”
He shot her a look. “We got what we need.”
“But maybe there’s information about my own issue. Something about Baynard or those stolen arms. Something that might point to the reason I was kidnapped.”
A dark shape suddenly appeared in the sky, and they watched the chopper lift off from the helipad.
“My guys,” Oz said with total conviction.
She watched the aircraft continue to rise into the air and vanish in the darkness. Three men she didn’t know had sat watching over them from a distance, just in case they needed backup. She didn’t know their names to even thank them.
“Where will they take that guy who came to warn us?”
“Back to the base. If he’s as stealthy as I think he is, we need him on our side.”
“Oz, we need to keep searching for information to help me.”
“What’s in those files won’t help you. But I know where to look.”
“But—” she tried again.
“Trust me, Rose. We won’t find anything in those classified files, and getting the hell out of here is best. I will find the man behind the order to kidnap you. And then I’ll end it.”
She knew enough about stubborn men to realize she wouldn’t get past his steel defenses right now. She clenched her fingers in her lap and thought about her sons again. How similar they were to their father—all three could drive her to drink with their stubborn convictions.
The miles flew by, but the darkness of the night seeped into her mind…and then her soul. Every vehicle on the road made her nervous with the thoughts of people trying to kill them. Bottom line—she was scared. The world she knew vanished and left behind a big, terrifying monster that made her want to hide under the covers. Maybe she’d awaken to find all this had been a dream; that she was tucked safely in her bed back in her DC apartment.
Stop wimping out and ask him the only question that will make you feel this might all be worth living through.
“Oz.” His name came out raspy.
He hadn’t spoken in a long time, and he swung his gaze from the road to her. “What is it?”
She swallowed hard. “What happens to us after all this?”
His jaw tightened, and he returned his attention to the road ahead. “You go on with your life, Rose. And so do I.”
Chapter Eight
When Oz turned on to a quiet street in the most unremarkable neighborhood in America, the tears that threatened at the backs of Rose’s eyes began to burn. He didn’t need to tell her that he planned to leave her here.
Part of her longed for solitude, a place to hide from the world and lick her wounds. Never in a million years would she have believed she’d be getting over Oz for a second time in her life.
House after house slid by her view through the window, and she bit back her rising emotions.
He braked in front of a small house tucked between two larger ones. The gray and white home didn’t stand out at all, which was why she knew it to be a safehouse.
“You’re leaving me here,” she said without looking at him.
“It’s for the best, Rose. When I hunt down these bastards after you, I need to be able to know you’re out of harm’s way.”
“You didn’t think I was safe with Elizabeth.” She turned her gaze on him, and he winced at what he saw on her face. Good—let him know the pain she’d felt over him for years. Why had she ever let him back into her heart?
Because he never left—he just picked up where he stopped.
She opened the door and stepped onto the sidewalk. “I’ll deliver myself to the safehouse.”
“Wait. Shit.”
She slammed the Humvee door and took off toward the house. He caught up to her and grabbed her elbow. She shook him off.
“Wait, I’m not leaving you like this.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She lengthened her strides. When she reached the door, she lifted a hand to knock, but he pulled her back.
“Dammit, we aren’t leaving things this way.” His dark gaze penetrated her soul.
“You have work to do. I’m staying here so I’m out of your way. What else is there to discuss?” She reached around him and knocked on the door.
Oz opened his mouth to speak, but the door opened, cutting off anything he would say. A woman stood there, and within, a man got out of a recliner to join her.
Oz led Rose inside with a hand on her spine, and she stiffened against his touch. Really, she couldn’t blame anyone but herself. Eighteen years before, he’d told her what he didn’t want. He hadn’t changed. Neither had she—she still wanted the asshole.
Now she needed time away from Oz so she could regain her senses. With him nearby, giving her those dark looks of desire, how could she pry herself away from him?
Oz and the man walked into the kitchen, leaving Rose alone with the older woman. She appeared to be in her forties, wearing trousers and a sweater. Her brown hair gathered into a short ponytail at her nape, and she had kind creases from smiling around her blue eyes.
“I’m Rose.” Taking charge of her life, she held out a hand to the woman.
“I’m Geraldine. You can call me Gerry.” She smiled.
Rose forced her features into an arrangement other than the scowl she wanted to shoot in Oz’s direction. After their short discussion, the men returned and then the couple left her and Oz alone in the homey living space.
She avoided looking at him directly for fear she’d break down altogether. How dumb to let the situation sweep her up and give her a false sense of having a relationship with Oz. Desire and wanting were two different things, especially in this case.
“Rose…”
“I’ll be fine. Just get me free so I can return to my life.”
“Of course I will. But—”
She chanced a look at his face. He wore a deep furrow between his black brows, and the gleam of worry in his eyes hurt her to see.
“I’m sorry, Rose.”
“Don’t be. I used you too—for comfort.”
He blanched. Face solemn, he gave a nod. “Thank you for your help with the password.”
“I hope it helps your friend,” she said breezily.
This goodbye was painful enough without dragging it out. She had to get him to leave so she could find a place to break down.
He stood there another long moment, running his fingers through his hair, then he finally nodded. “I’ll come back for you. Get you home.”
She nodded. “We’ll figure that out when the time comes.”
When he sent her a loaded glance, she couldn’t hold his stare and let hers slip away, down his strong body to his boots.
“I’ll go now. The faster I get to work, the sooner you’ll be back to your life.”
At the choked tone of his voice, her gaze flew to his. For a dangerous, throbbing moment, the truth nearly spilled out about their sons. Oz’s life was filled with more dangers than she could imagine. He could die without ever knowing he fathered two amazing boys.
He was older. He could handle it or not, but his feelings no longer concerned her.
Her first priority—always—lay in protecting her sons. Learning about a father who then lost his life in the line of duty would only hurt Alex and Nick worse than never knowing him in the first place.