He sighs and looks down. “I don’t like this. I’m putting my family in grave danger. If you are caught, it will not go well.”

My hand rests on his arm. “No one will find out. Not if we stick to the story.” I pause and wait for him to acknowledge. We’ve spent months fabricating the details to align. He nods in agreement.

My cover is uncomplicated. “I’m your niece who’s been studying in Europe. I’m home because I couldn’t stand to be away any longer, but that left me as a burden since my parents have died. You get them to take me in to pay off the debts I owe, and I’ll get what I need before anything can happen to your family.”

“They won’t hesitate to kill you.”

“I’m not scared.” And I’m not. It’s a chance I take every time I go on assignment. There are times I’ve seriously wondered if I would make it out alive, but that’s when my training comes in. That’s when I strip down the situation and let my instincts take over.

Khalil has been feeding me small bits of information for six months. I realize he’s reached the maximum of what he can discover. Someone must go inside to learn more. He’s not willing to do what needs to be done—and I don’t blame him. If he’s caught, he’ll lose his life. I have no plans to blow my cover.

“They will want you to cook and clean . . . I can’t protect you.”

“Trust me,” I implore. “I know how to be careful. I’m Fahima Salib, and it’s time for me to help the family the only way I can.”

Khalil nods as we walk down the street toward Mazir’s last known location.

The heat is absolutely ridiculous. I’m sweating like a pig. I open my eyes to see why the air has stopped working only to find something—someone—has me pinned against the mattress. My heart accelerates when I realize it’s Mark’s arms. The moonlight shines through the window and across his face.

He’s peaceful, calm, and for once—quiet. His arms encircle me as he lies on his side. I twist cautiously in his heavy embrace until I face him. I hate being spooned or being cuddled. I don’t like to feel trapped, but it’s different in his arms. I’m careful not to wake him as the desire to touch him mounts. My hand lifts and I gently push the hair off his face with my fingertips. The silky strands glide back and his arms tighten. I smile and wish things could be different for us.

In another life, I’d date him. We could stroll down the street, hold hands, and laugh. But I have a red target on my back. I’ll forever be watched, possibly even hunted. I can’t bring someone else into this mess. Not until I feel safe.

The pads of my fingers brush the stubble on his chin. “I wish,” I whisper. “I wish I could let myself get lost in you.” I continue to touch him. I allow myself a minute of normalcy. A few seconds where I’m only a woman and he’s only a man. It would be nice to believe that is the case, but our lives are complicated. There can be no dating because at any moment, when I go back to work, I might need to disappear. “If only you knew just how much I wish it could be.”

I lie this way, looking at him, hoping that maybe I can find love. Hoping that some day I’ll be able to put my past behind me and sleep in my husband’s arms, unafraid of what tomorrow will bring. I close my eyes and pretend that someday is today as I drift back to sleep.

“Charlie.” Mark’s voice seems far off. “Don’t fake sleep just to get a kiss.”

My eyes flutter open, and I scan the room. “What? What time is it?”

“We gotta move,” he says as he leans back off the bed. “Now.”

I bolt upright as I take in Mark’s alert demeanor. “What happened?”

“Erik got a location on the team. I don’t have time to explain.” He throws some stuff in a bag. “He was able to get their tracker working and thinks they’re hunkered down in a safe house. We have to move quickly.” He races around like a tornado but leaves nothing in his path. Mark stills and eyes me with confusion. “Are you coming or are you staying here?”

I scramble from the bed. “I just need a minute to freshen up.” I grab my bag and head into the bathroom.

I spend a few minutes making myself presentable and reflect on last night. I’m confused and unbalanced. Everything with Mark is so damn complicated. I’ve never allowed myself even a little bit of freedom with this kind of thing. Sure, I’ve had superficial relationships, but with him, it feels like . . . more.

“Charlotte!” Mark bangs on the door. He has the best timing. There goes my ‘more.’ “Let’s go! Either you’re out in thirty seconds or I’m leaving you.”

I throw open the door with my eyes narrowed. What I wouldn’t give to kick his ass. “I’m coming!”

“You can bet on that,” he mutters under his breath.

“What?”

He smirks. “I said I’d like to beat you with a bat.”

“Uh huh.”

We finish packing the room faster than I imagined possible. Instead of taking the front exit, Mark chooses the side. The energy around him is different. It’s as if he’s wound tight, ready for battle, and part of me feeds off it while the other is nervous. He’s always so calm and collected; whatever information he received has him rattled.

Once we’re in the car, I decide to ask. “What was the information?”

He sighs and his fingers tighten on the steering wheel. “They think they’re dark for a reason, but my office heard chatter of a possible location of the safe house they could be at. I can’t confirm it with him because if they are there, it could be a trap.” He faces me, and I nod.

My hand slides across the center console and grips his forearm. He relaxes slightly and shocks me by grabbing my hand. “Your guys are trained. It’s only been a few days. I’m sure they’ve survived worse.”

“The safe houses in the regions are stocked. If they’re there . . . they’re fine.”

His fingers lace with mine, and he keeps hold of me. “Mark,” I start but I don’t quite know what to say. Do I tell him how good it felt in his arms? How maybe when this is all over we could talk?

“You know, one day you’ll realize how perfect we are for each other. You’re going to look back and see how much fun we could’ve had.”

Damn him. “Do you have to ruin any moment we have together?”

“I’m just pointing out the obvious that you’ve failed to realize.”

“I don’t know why I’m asking, but what’s the obvious?”

He smiles without answering.

I wait.

And wait.

“Mark!”

“That you’re falling for me. I can’t blame you.” He pauses. I’m sure he’s waiting for some smartass remark from me. I’m going to keep him on his toes. “I’m prime real estate, princess.”

“Yet you’re not even under contract.”

“Simply waiting for the right buyer.”

“I assure you, I’m not interested in your property.”

He laughs. “Keep lying to yourself.”

I roll my eyes and look out the window. I try to yank my hand back, but he tightens his grip. Since taking his hand, he’s back to the same guy. The warmth and humor I’ve come to know is in place. We’re both reeling from our pasts. He’s lost friends while I’ve lost my father due to our careers.