by Donna Grant
Certainly not her.
26
“What do you mean, you lost them?” Janice demanded through the mobile phone.
The agent on the other end of the line began giving excuse after excuse.
“I don’t want to hear about snow or the fucking conditions,” she told him, cutting him off. “You were sent out there with a team of our best men, and you can’t track down two people?”
“Ma’am, one of them is as trained as we are,” he stated.
She rolled her eyes. “And? The woman isn’t. She’ll slow him down.”
“She may not be trained, but she’s capable because we’ve not found any sign of her either.”
Janice squeezed the phone as rage filled her. “They can’t have gone far if the weather is as bad as you say it is. It’s winter in Romania.”
“We’ll keep looking,” he replied in a testing tone.
“You bet your ass, you will. If you see them, kill them.”
There was a beat before he said, “We were told to bring them in alive.”
“Who told you that?” she demanded. “You’re taking orders from me, and I never said that.”
“The order came after we arrived here. And no, ma’am, it didn’t come from you.”
Janice’s gut clenched. The only people who knew she’d been told to bring Maks in alive were the Elders. That meant they’d contacted the team that she’d sent out. Did they do it because they didn’t think she’d carry out their orders? If that was the case, then she was surprised she was still in her position. The Elders didn’t mess around when someone failed.
“Ma’am?”
She swallowed and cleared her throat. “You have your orders. Follow them.”
“I just want to be clear that we’ll be bringing the couple in alive.”
“If you find them.”
The agent’s voice went hard as he said, “Oh, we’ll find them.”
Janice disconnected from the call and looked around her office. At one time, everything had gone her way. She hadn’t aspired to run this division of the Saints, but she was glad she had taken the job. It had gotten her close to those in the Saints who could help her attain the positions she really wanted.
Never in her dreams did she think some IB and a spy would ruin her hopes. She had all kinds of resources at her disposal, and yet she couldn’t bring either of them in. There had been only one threat to her, but it was that one threat that scared her most of all.
The sound of her phone ringing split the silence. Her head jerked to the mobile lying on the desk. Her heart was pounding as she reached for the phone and saw there was no caller ID. With shaking hands, she answered. “Hello?”
“I thought we discussed this.”
The moment the male voice, raspy with age, reached her, she closed her eyes. “We did.”
“Then why are Maks and the woman still not in custody?”
Janice swallowed hard. “They got lucky. They’ll be brought in today.”
“Hmm,” came the reply. “And what is your explanation for not following my orders explicitly?”
“I-I don’t know what you mean?”
“You know exactly what I mean. I said I wanted Maks brought in alive. Yet you told your team to take a shot if they had it.”
It was on the tip of her tongue to lie, but she thought better of it. No one but the team she’d called upon to track Maks and Eden had known what her order was. So, either one of them had told on her…or…her office was bugged. Janice didn’t even have to wonder. She realized that she was being spied on.
“Wise of you not to try and lie,” he told her. “You’ve been good for us, Janice. You’ve always done what was expected and beyond. Look how far you’ve come. However,” he said with a dramatic pause, “if you continue in this vein, then everything will be snuffed out like a candle. You’re upset that Maks and the woman are eluding you. He’s one of our very best. It was never going to be easy bringing him in.”
She drew in a deep breath. “Sir, he could know sensitive secrets. Wouldn’t it be better if he was eliminated?”
“Without a doubt.”
“I don’t understand,” she said with a frown.
He sighed loudly, letting her know that he was irritated. “It isn’t for you to know. It’s for you to follow orders.”
“Yes, sir.”
“I hope you can, Janice. Your family has been a part of us for generations. I knew your father well. I was the one who placed your sister in our organization. Your family has an unblemished reputation. You wouldn’t want to ruin that now, would you?”
It was a low blow for him to bring up her family since she was estranged from them. But Janice got the point. “No, sir, I wouldn’t.”
“That’s good to hear. Now, bring in Maks and Eden so we can put an end to all of this. Today.”
The line went dead. Janice didn’t slam the phone down. If her office was bugged, they were no doubt watching her, as well. She knew for a fact that the Saints monitored others in the organization. Why did she think she was above that? Because her family was well known in the group?
She wanted to roll her eyes but managed to hold back just in time. Janice walked around her desk and went to sit down. She stilled, feeling the hairs on the back of her neck rise. Just as she was about to turn and see if there was a camera behind her, she stopped herself. Instead, she called back the unit of men she’d sent after Maks and Eden. The commander picked up on the second ring.
“Tell me everything that happened last night,” she said. “Including exact locations.”
27
He didn’t want it to end. Maks wished he could stop time. The past thirty-three hours had been the best of his life. Not once had he or Eden put on clothes. They had slept in each other’s arms, made love numerous times, and talked about everything.
Maks couldn’t remember ever speaking so much at one time, but he had really enjoyed it. Eden’s take on things made him pause and look at stuff from her point of view. He didn’t always agree with her, but it was nice to get someone’s fresh outlook. The fact that she was willing to see his side spoke to how openminded she was.
And her body. His cock twitched, growing hard just thinking about the many and various ways they’d pleasured each other. He knew for sure that he would never tire of her. He could wake up beside her every day for the rest of his life and be a happy man.
She lay sleeping in his arms after they’d had passionate sex. He’d been unable to sleep, though he had rested his eyes, body, and mind. Now, he envisioned what it would be like as they left the cave. There was a nearby village, which the Saints would no doubt be watching. It was where someone in their predicament would head. But not Maks.
His gaze slid to Eden. The trek was going to be difficult, but he knew she could make it. He’d make sure of it.
“You’re staring,” she murmured before her eyes fluttered open and she smiled at him.
His lips curved in response. “You’re just so damn cute when you sleep. Do you know you snore?”
She was instantly affronted. “I do not.”
“Light, baby snores,” he said with a smile he couldn’t contain.
She flattened her lips and gave him a playful slap on his abdomen. “Very funny.”
The easy way they teased each other wasn’t something Maks was used to, but he enjoyed it. He hadn’t had this kind of effortless relationship in…well, ages. The fact that it was so easy gave him pause. But how could he turn away from something that made him feel so good?’
Eden rubbed her nose, then stretched after yawning. “It’s time, isn’t it?”
“Just about. I was letting you sleep as long as I could.”
She sat up and pulled her knees to her chest as she looked at the entrance. “I have to admit, I’m loath to leave the warmth here and venture back out into the cold. How far do we have to go?”
“It’s a bit.”
Her head swiveled to him as she raised a brow. “A bit? Is th
at calculated in miles, perhaps?”
He chuckled and sat up. “It’s longer than you’d like, but shorter than I would’ve gone on my own.”
“Ah. That’s as clear as mud.”
“I thought you’d like that.”
“I had no idea you were such a smartass,” she replied with a grin.
The smile slowly slipped from his face. “We could stay another day.”
“No,” she said with a shake of her dark blond locks. “We’ve had a respite. It’s time we get things back on track. We’ve had more time than I expected, and it was nice. The world might not know it needs saving, but that doesn’t mean we sit here. We’ve got work to do.”
Maks rose to his feet and held out his hand. He pulled Eden up beside him and looked into her hazel eyes. She flashed him a smile then turned and began to dress. Maks did the same. When he finished, he put out the fire so their eyes could become adjusted to the darkness.
“It isn’t quite dawn yet,” he told her. “We’ll head out so the darkness can give us cover.”
“Makes sense.”
They sat in silence for several minutes. Maks finally reached next to him and took her hand in his. “I need you to remember everything I’m about to tell you.”
“Okay. Why?”
“If something happens to me, you’ve got to keep going.”
“What?” she said in outrage. “You’re talking nonsense.”
He shook his head. “I’m not, and you know it. They nearly took a shot at you the other night. They’re looking to kill, which I expected.”
“Oh,” she whispered in a soft voice.
Maks swallowed and wished he could see her face. “We’re going to leave here and head west.”
“West,” she repeated.
“There is a village at the base of the mountain, but we’re not going there because the Saints will be waiting for us. We’re going to continue heading west. If something happens to me, get to Oradea and the train station there. Look for locker D33.”
“Oradea train station. Locker D33.”
He smiled even though she couldn’t see it. “That’s right. The ticket to gain access is in my jacket pocket.”
“Okay.”
“There’s a burner phone in there, programmed with the Loughmans’ number. Call them, and they can get you to a safe location and then out of the country.”
Eden blew out a breath. “I’ll never remember all of that.”
“Sure, you will.”
“No. My brain doesn’t work that way.”
He tightened his fingers on her hand. “Keep saying it over and over to yourself. I need to know that you’ll be able to get away.”
Maks could just make out the outline of her body, and he saw her turn her head to the side. He could only imagine what was running through her mind at this moment. There was a lot between them and Oradea, namely the Saints, the weather, and the mountain. There were so many variables, so many things that could go wrong. He would have to keep them moving fast in order to stay out of sight of the Saints.
Eden was stronger than she knew, and she was intelligent. Her instinct to survive would kick in, and she’d be fine. That was if he could get her off the mountain. That was the only thing that made him pause.
“I can do it,” she finally said.
He pulled her against him and wrapped his arms around her. She held him tightly, neither saying the words they wanted. Maks had never shied away from a mission, no matter how dangerous. He wasn’t scared of the Saints or what they’d do to him if he were caught.
But he was terrified of what they’d do to Eden.
More than that, he didn’t want what he had found with Eden in the cave to end. For the first time in eons, he’d been able to be himself. He hadn’t lied or had to pretend to be anyone else. He wasn’t pushing for information from her or watching his words so he didn’t say something he shouldn’t. It had been the most relaxing, amazing time.
And now, it was ending.
“We’re going to come back here,” she said.
He smiled and leaned back as she looked up at him. “Yes. When this is all over, you and I are coming right back here for as long as we want.”
“Right after you take me to dinner.”
“Exactly,” he said with a chuckle.
She cleared her throat. “Well, now that we’ve got that figured out, we should head out.”
“Yes.” But he didn’t release her.
They stood as they were for another few minutes, each taking in every second they could. Finally, he bent down and retrieved her coat and then helped her put it on. He slipped his own jacket on and fastened it against the cold.
As he walked to the entrance, he paused and turned to her, pulling her into his arms for one last, lingering kiss. He ended it as she pressed her cheek against his chest. When she stepped back, both of them retrieved their packs and settled them on their shoulders.
“Let me have a look first,” he told her.
Maks moved the opening just enough to unlatch the cover and look outside. The darkness allowed him to hide a bit, but also anyone else. When he didn’t see anything near, he slipped outside and pressed himself against the side of the mountain. His gaze swept the area, including the path to the cave. He spotted bear tracks that were a few hours old, going in the opposite direction they were headed.
Several minutes ticked by as he waited for any movement. Finally, he said Eden’s name. She came out just as he did. Once he made sure the covering to the cave was secure once more, he moved in front of Eden, and they began walking. The snow was higher than before, but it was packed, allowing them to move somewhat easier than when they had come to the mountain. Maks was happy with the distance they were covering, but he checked over his shoulder often to see if anyone was coming up behind them.
The sky lightened from black to gray to pale blue. In the distance, he saw a storm headed their way. All he could hope for was that it moved slowly. Luck wasn’t on their side, however. The storm reached them within the hour, bringing with it gusts of wind and thick snowfall. The middle of a blizzard was no time to be out on a mountain, but there was no turning back for them now. Their only choice was to keep going.
Maks took Eden’s hand so they could stay together. The wind whipped around them, making it impossible for them to talk. He had to slow their pace some, but even then, they were still making headway.
What felt like an eternity later, the wind finally died down enough that they weren’t walking against it. He halted to give them a rest, and Eden collapsed against a tree.
“It’s official. I hate winter. I most especially detest blizzards,” she said.
He chuckled as he handed her a water bottle. “You dreaming of a beach?”
“You know it. White sand, turquoise waters, and a fruity alcoholic beverage in my hand, complete with a tiny umbrella. I’ve asked the bartender for extra cherries, and he’s gladly complied.”
“Extra cherries, huh?” Maks learned something new about her constantly.
She nodded her head, her eyes closed. “Yep. They’re particularly good in the hot sun against the clear blue sky.”
“Anyone with you?”
Her eyes opened as she brought the water to her lips and drank. Then she said, “You.”
“Hmm. I’ve not been to a beach in some time. Do you have a favorite?”
“Nope. I’m easy. Just somewhere I can wear a bathing suit and not freeze my tush off.”
Maks smiled as he looked around. The freshly fallen snow was going to make it harder for them to walk, but there was no way around it. “You’ve talked me into it. I definitely need a vacation.”
“Without a doubt. I’ll make all the plans. All you need to do is show up.”
“That I can do.”
She pushed away from the tree and handed him what was left of the water. “I’m okay.”
“I know.”
He finished the water and stowed the empty bottle in his pack. There wa
s only one left, along with two protein bars. It was going to have to last them until they reached their destination.
28
A bit. Eden rolled her eyes as she recalled how long Maks had said the journey would be. She couldn’t see the sun behind the clouds, but she was certain it was somewhere above them, which meant they’d been walking for hours.
At first, she’d been doing just fine. Then the blizzard hit. Eden had nearly been pulled off her feet from the wind a couple of times. Had Maks not had her hand, she was certain she would’ve been.
As difficult as that was, it was nothing compared to moving through thick, freshly fallen snow. Her jeans were damp, and her toes were numb. She really did hate anything to do with snow and winter now. It didn’t matter how much she envisioned lying on a beach or sitting in a sauna, nothing was going to warm her until she got out of the weather and into dry clothes.
Maks made her repeat where she would go if anything happened to him at least every two minutes. Well, she might be exaggerating. It might be every three minutes, but she had to admit that she wasn’t going to forget it now.
She watched him, wondering how he could keep going as if the cold wasn’t affecting him. He was like a machine. Except she knew for a fact that he was all man. Hot, hard, and mouthwatering.
“You’re staring,” he threw her words from this morning back at her.
Eden laughed. “You’re pretty hot, do you know that?”
“If you say so.”
“Pffft. You know you are.”
He glanced at her, grinning. “As long as you think it, that’s all that matters.”
“I bet women fall all over you, don’t they?”
“I’ll admit that I don’t have a hard time getting women, if that’s what you want to know.”
She found herself getting a little jealous. It was her fault, though. She’s the one who brought it up.
He tugged her closer. “I only want you, though.”
That brought a smile to her face. “Thank you for saying that.”
“It’s the truth.”
