We spend the next thirty minutes driving in silence. It’s nice to have someone who doesn’t need to fill the air with noise. He’s comfortable just being. Mark starts to slow the car and lets go of my hand.

He surveys the area. “I’m going in first.”

“The hell you are. We’re partners. Let’s think about this rationally.” He looks over while I start to form a plan. “If we go together we can play the part of a married couple lost in the area. Hell, we can be missionaries for all I care, but having a story gives us credibility. Your guys will know it’s you.”

“They have cameras at the perimeter. They won’t hesitate to shoot if they think you’re a threat.”

I smile. “I’m not worried. If they’re in there, wouldn’t they have used a secure line to call you?”

He rubs his hands down his face. “They wouldn’t risk it. Not with who they have in their protection.”

My mind starts to race. Who the hell is the company protecting that would require no contact? Of course, a lot of private government contractors do high asset transports. It’s common not to want to alert anyone, so they hire outside people. It gives them the secrecy they want, but whoever it is must be a lot higher than I originally assumed.

“So, what do you want to do?” I surprise myself by asking. I don’t normally sit on the sidelines, but this is his part of the trip.

“I need them to see me first, then they’ll know. So you need to look madly in love with me. Hang on me. We’ll get close enough to the camera, and then we’ll be in.”

“Why did I agree to this?” I ask myself more than anything.

“Because you wanted to be close to me.”

“Whatever helps you sleep at night.”

His eyes flash but he recovers so quickly I’m not sure I really saw it.

We exit the car and start to walk the area. It’s a larger city, filled with people. There’s no cover. No place to hide, except in plain sight. Kids run around outside and the streets are lined with cars. This means we’ll be able to blend in easier. I lift my scarf over my hair and walk beside Mark. We move around easily and unnoticed. I stay close to his side, and keep my eyes lowered. Once we get closer to the safe house, Mark’s hand grips my arm.

“Stay close,” he warns.

We pass through two small alleyways while my mind flashes to the last time we were in an alley. Once again, we’re playing the part of lovers. I wonder how much of this act is his way of getting to kiss me.

Mark stops and turns to me. He pulls the scarf down, cups my cheeks, and leans in close. “Behind you is the camera.” His hands tilt my face to the side as he peers up at it. “I’m going to turn you so they see your face.” I nod.

He turns me back to face him and presses his lips to mine. I grip his wrists as he holds me there. Suddenly, he breaks the kiss.

“Mark,” I say. My breathing is shallow. “We can’t stay here.”

“I know. Let’s move.”

We head upstairs to the apartment and the door opens. The man on the inside of the doorway is tall, dark, and appears ready to kill anyone in his way. There’s a gash on the side of his cheek, and he has a bandage around his leg.

“What is going on with these missions, Dixon?” One of the guys asks as soon as we come into view.

Mark visibly relaxes as his gaze lands on everyone present, but continues to search. “Where’s the ambassador?”

What? I gape at Mark, and he returns my stare as if waiting for me to say something.

“He’s fine and in the back room. He has his meeting tonight so we’re completely silent until that’s over. Then we can get him the hell out of there.”

Mark looks around before he finally asks the leader, “What happened?”

The guys all settle around and describe how the mission went down. When things started to feel off, they decided for the safety of the ambassador to go into hiding. The team had set up to take him a roundabout way through Egypt so he wouldn’t be detected.

I listen in and form my own suspicions. It seems unlikely that there was someone seeking out the ambassador, even though he’s been in hot water regarding a bombing that happened a few years ago. Mark watches me while they talk; I observe the questions that churn in his own mind. Why them? Why would this small, covert mission be targeted? It still doesn’t make sense. There’s something behind all this. Someone is repaying a debt they never collected.

I think it’s time someone gets answers from Jackson.

Mark arranges for a private jet again and we leave Egypt once he ensures the ambassador is secure after his meeting. Instead of heading to the Middle East as we planned, we go back to the States. There are some things that need to be handled right away. I also need to check in with the agency, since I’m pretty sure they know I disappeared. Plus, it’s time for me to do some digging to determine exactly what Mazir’s last known location is. We agree there’s no point in heading somewhere if we’re already ten steps behind.

The flight so far has been uncomfortable. Mark is withdrawn and seems lost in thought. We don’t say much to each other, each of us working through whatever is rolling around in our heads.

I head back to the bedroom to change. I haven’t been sleeping well since I was drugged. The only time I really rested was last night in his arms. It pisses me off. Stupid boy. I don’t have time for this; I have a terrorist to find, but the notion of how safe I felt doesn’t evade me. I’m in so much trouble.

Removing my clothes, I contemplate how easy it could be once all of this mess is behind us. We could have something—maybe? Once everything is done, I can determine if there’s more than friendship between us. I mean, he’s known me more than a year, and he’s still interested—as am I.

Someone is after them, and Mark isn’t immune to the possibility that he’s next. Jackson’s been shot, Aaron’s been kidnapped. It would only make sense that Mark is the next target.

I’m in only my bra and underwear when I hear the click of the door. I quickly use my shirt to cover myself. Mark’s eyes stay locked on mine. “What are you doing in here?”

“I’m not sure.”

He looks a little lost. I know the feeling well. “You should’ve knocked.”

He takes a step closer but keeps his gaze firmly on me. “I knew you’d tell me to wait.”

“Mark,” I say cautiously. He’s standing so close my chest touches his. Our breaths mingle and the energy around us is electric. “We can’t do this.”

“You’re so beautiful.” His eyes close. “Every time I look at you, it literally takes my breath away.” When he returns his gaze to me again, I melt. Every part of me becomes liquefied, and I want nothing more than for him to take me in his arms. I’m falling for him. Against my will. “I see you, Charlie. I see it all.”

I don’t doubt he does. He seems to have a way of breaking me down and seeing who I really am. Right now, I’m worried about him. I also feel vulnerable at the prospect of what’s to come, and for once, I want to forget. “And what do you see?”

“I see a woman who has had to fight for everything.” His hand pushes my hair back. “I see how strong you are, even when most would be weak. I see the fucking sexiest woman in the world.” He steps forward, and I take a step back. My knees hit the bed. “I see how your mind never stops working, but you want someone to make it stop. Let me take it from you, baby.” Mark holds my head in his hands, waiting for me to say something. It’s the first time he asks for permission.