Page 48 of Lethal Salvation

“Ready?”

Her innocent question hit him, and he wondered if he’d ever be ready for her, but he knew in that second he sure as fuck wasn’t ready to walk away. And he probably never would be either.

Chapter 13

Duchess pulled the sunglasses over her eyes as she exited the car Bás had sent to bring her and Gideon to RAF Northolt. On the tarmac sat a beautiful sleek Gulfstream, highlighted by the late afternoon sun glinting over the horizon. Hurricane waved and she held up her hand before turning back to Gideon to ask him to grab the bags, but he was already hefting them out of the car.

“Thank you.”

His smile made her belly flip and, despite her exhaustion and grief, she felt desire sweep through her for this man. No, more than desire, something less tangible than that, a feeling of belonging she’d never known she was missing until him.

“Duchess.” Hurricane’s big arms swept her into a hug and she swallowed down the tears as she returned his embrace.

“I’m so sorry.”

He looked at her as she blinked rapidly and nodded.

“Thank you.”

Hurricane took the bags from Gideon and led the way inside the aircraft, ducking his head at the top.

“We’ll be in Italy in about two and a half hours. Why don’t you get settled while I just finish up my pre-flight checks.”

“Wow, she’s a beauty.” Her eyes scanned the interior of the jet, spotting the leather seating, the dining area, and she knew it would have a private bedroom and bath at the rear. Black piano glass finish along the walnut woodwork gave the final touch of luxury to this aircraft.

“She really is special.”

“Who does it belong to?”

“A friend of Jack, from what I understand.”

Duchess smiled, Jack, her friend and the man who had given her this team and who had saved her ass more than once. Who knew, in the hells of the sandbox, that such a friendship would thrive and last. He’d already reached out, offering his condolences and letting her know that, if she needed anything, he and Astrid were there for her.

“He’s a good guy.”

“Should I be jealous?”

Duchess glanced back at Gideon who was grinning at her with a tenderness that made the already fine emotions wobble.

“When you meet him, you’ll understand, but no, Jack and I have never been that and his wife is a firecracker who would beat my ass if I even thought it, which luckily I don’t.”

Hurricane smirked and ducked his head out as he went to finish his checks and she moved to her seat while Gideon stashed their bags, before settling in beside her.

His hand covered hers. “How you holding up?”

“I’m okay. Just a little tired.”

His arm came around her as Hurricane closed the doors of the plane.

“I’m not surprised, you must be running on fumes.”

“So must you, neither of us have slept properly in days.”

His nose wrinkled and he lifted his arm to flex his bicep, the form-fitting t-shirt he wore with jeans showing off the tattoo on his arm.

“Nah, I’m a tough macho man. I don’t need sleep.”

She shook her head with a smile. “So tough macho men don’t need sleep?”