Page 113 of The Endless Want

Despite the banter, I know Declan is tracking every shift in my balance, every subtle strain in my muscles. But he’s learning to step back, learning to trust that I’m not a liability or someone fragile to wrap in bulletproof cotton.

The training winds down after a long hour, leaving us flushed and warm and slightly worn out. It feels good—satisfying—to be useful. To move. To remember that I’m not just a belly or an asset or a problem to be solved.

Ronan signs off with a salute, promising to come in person next week, which earns a collective groan from all of us.

As the video call ends, Mackenzie pulls off her training gloves and tosses them aside. “Declan, she’s fine. Stop acting like she’s carrying the Ark of the Covenant.”

He huffs. “It’s not funny.”

“It kind of is,” Nadia says.

I take a sip of water, watching the two women tease him. He tries to deflect, tries to glare, but none of it sticks. When we leave the training room, Declan stays close, but he gives me a little more space. He lets me walk on my own. It’s progress.

We’re halfway down the hallway when Mackenzie’s phone buzzes. She stops, frowning. “We have intel.”

Nadia immediately steps closer, all traces of humor gone.

“Another attempt?” Nadia asks.

Mackenzie nods slowly. “Footage came in. Russians are still trying to recreate Ailish’s movements.”

A chill slides down my back.

“Let me see,” I say.

She shows us the screen. Nadia stiffens instantly. “That’s… that’s Dara.”

“You’re sure?” Mack asks, voice low, careful.

“Not one hundred percent,” Nadia says. “But enough that I feel sick.”

Declan steps in front of me, lowering his head to meet my eyes. “Ailish.”

“I’m fine,” I whisper. “I just… I need to talk to Nadia. Alone.”

Nadia nods once, jaw clenched. We step aside while Mackenzie gives us space, though Declan hovers at the edge like he’s one second from pulling me back to him.

“Is it really her?” I murmur once we’re out of earshot.

“I think so,” Nadia says. “Her posture. Her build. And if they’re desperate enough to use unknown female operatives again…” Nadia closes her eyes briefly. “She wouldn’t do this willingly. Not Dara.”

“But they don’t care about willing.”

A long moment passes before I pull myself back together.

Liam approaches us then, his expression serious. “We need someone from our side on a recon run this afternoon. Routine surveillance with the Italians. They want to show they’re rebuilding trust.”

Declan stiffens like steel at my back.

“And they want you, Ailish.”

My pulse jumps.

“I’m in,” I say.

The words come out steadier than I feel. Declan steps forward immediately. “The hell you are.”

But I stand my ground. I have to.