Page 174 of Wrecked
“Is Sin coming to check on you?” Addison asked as they made their way through the quiet building.
“God, I hope not,” Z said. “If he shows up, he’ll bring the National Guard with him, then declare this a terrorist attack on home soil.”
“He might not be wrong,” Hawk replied.
“I’m leaving in the morning,” Z explained. “Sin is flying me in his private jet to an undisclosed location for a few days.” Z rolled his eyes. “I’m concerned you’re the target, dear. Why don’t you and Hawk come with me?”
“No, Daddy,” Addison replied “I’m staying here. Hawk and I are doing a good job keeping me safe.” Z opened his mouth, but Addison shook her head. “We’ve got this.”
“We’ll stay here tonight,” Hawk said. “I’ll work from home the rest of the week.”
“Thank you,” Z said. “I’m going to sleep. That’ll teach me for driving something other than an ALPHA SUV.”
They walked past the offices and conference room and over to the residential wing where Z stopped in front of an open bedroom door.
“Thank you both for a lovely birthday dinner. It was a special evening. I’m sorry I doubted you, Nicholas. I should have known better.” Z entered and shut the door behind him.
Finally, alone with Addison.
He didn’t want to be apart from her, but he needed to keep their relationship under wraps a little longer. If Z learned they were falling in love, he might replace Hawk with another Operative. The thought of anyone else guarding Addison made his hackles stand on end.
When he placed his hand on the small of her back, everything shifted. The gargantuan weight on his shoulders lifted, and he could breathe for the first time since the explosion.
They continued to the end of the hall and into the large family room filled with sofas, recliners, a bookcase loaded up with books and games, and three large-screen TVs.
She wrapped her arms around him, snapping him from his thoughts. Her soft lips pressed against his. “Thank you for protecting both of us.”
“I got you, baby,” he replied. “Has anyone tried to assassinate Z before?”
“I don’t know.” She peered into his eyes. “What are you thinking?”
“This is the second car explosion. Did Z have anything to do with taking out Abdel Haqazzii?”
“I didn’t know all the players.” She trembled and he pulled her close, caressed her back. “If my dad had gotten in his car, he’d be dead. I can’t even wrap my brain around that.” She hugged him hard. “I don’t want to be apart from you, tonight. Let’s sit on the sofa.”
He dropped a tender kiss on her lips.
He craved her, but the desire went far beyond lust. Holding her calmed him. She was here, she was okay. He’d do whatever necessary to keep her safe.
He pulled his Glock, set it on the end table. She removed her wig, raked her fingers through her hair. They sat side by side. He held her hand. She rested her head on his shoulder. While he doubted he’d get much sleep, at least he could assure her safety.
He turned out the table lamp, but the lit hallway bathed the room in a warm glow. Having her there, with him, was what he needed.
“What did you mean when you told my dad, ‘You, of all people, know much Addison means to me. How much she’s always meant’.”
“I loved you before I was ready to be loved,” Hawk replied. “Before I was ready to risk my heart and love again.”
“Oh, wow.” She peered into his eyes for the longest time before she kissed him. “Are you ready now?”
“I’m ready.”
She climbed in his lap and hugged him. “I love you, Nicholas Hawk.”
“I love you too, baby.”
The following morning, after a restless night, they said their goodbyes to Z in the giant hanger where Sin’s driver, Anton, waited by the sedan.
“I love you,” Z said before hugging Addison.
