Page 144 of The Saint (Gentlemen Rogues 3)
CHAPTER 47
SAINT
That nightI had my game face on when I returned to Rogues. Unfortunately for Rook, he was the first to see it.
"Saint…"
"Fuck off."
He sighed. "Mate, I was never competition. From the moment she signed on to be your fiancée,she was yours. I thought we agreed to bury the hatchet.”
I frowned at him. "You wanted her."
"Hell yes, I did. Still do. But she made her choice. Well, made it until you fucked up. Not smart of you to leave me an opening like that, Now I guess I have to be there to pick up the pieces you left behind. Best news is I’m great at cuddles."
The fucker winked at me, and I lunged for him.
Deftly he stepped out of the way. "Uh-uh, save it for the mission. Either you're going to go save her or I am. If I go and get her, I might get the invitation to stay."
"Go the fuck away." I shook my head. "I'm not here for you. I'm here for Kaya."
"Mate, am I glad to hear it. Now why don't you fuckingtell Gabe and the teamthat you're here so you can go get her instead of fucking about, yeah?"
"This doesn't mean we're friends or mates. I still don't like you."
Rook grinned at me. "That's all right. I'm growing on you."
“Like a fungus!” I called over my shoulder, and I could have sworn I heard him chuckle. I jogged into the residence and then down to Gabe's office. I still had fifteen minutes before time for the mission brief. The door was open, and he was dressed for an op.
"I'm here, Gabe."
He looked up. "Saint, glad to have you back."
"Don’t get this wrong. I'm not back for you."
"Of course, not."
"Why are you dressed for an op?"
Gabe's gaze was steady and level on mine. "Do you really think that I would send any of my team in after her without going in myself? I made her a promise that I was going to take care of her. I wasn't lying. Besides, from the bugs she set once she was on the compound, we had some decent information come in on a couple of Igno’s brokerage deals. She's done well, and it’s time to get her out."
I could see it then, the strain around his lips. He was just as worried as I was. He didn’t want to leave her in any longer than she needed to be.
"I thought you would send them in and watch from the comms unit."
"I gave her my word, so I'm going in too."
Keeping his word that he would personally see to her protection thawed my feelings toward him… but only a little. "Just stay out of my way when the shit hits the fan. My only mission isher."
He narrowed his gaze as if he wanted to argue with me, but then he nodded. "Roger. Let's go get our girl."
"Mygirl."
"Right. But Saint, no heroics in there, okay? Getting Kaya safely is your mission, and Igno is for the rest of the team, do you understand me?"
I nodded. "Yes, I'm bringing her out."
"Glad to hear it. I'm going to make sure she stays safely away, but then Igno is coming with us or he’s not coming out at all."
