Page 18 of Fighting Salvation

“But he could have and it would have been my fault.”

“No, don’t do that. This is not on you.”

“He took you to get to me. I should have expected it and kept you close.”

“You can’t live like that. I was doing my job and it could have been anyone of us he took. You can’t lock us all up.”

Niall shook his head. “No. He knows you’re special, Val. That’s why he chose you.”

She didn’t say that Hansen had practically said as much to her and she tried to keep the hope from her heart. “This is personal for him, Niall. I don’t know why but this started a long time ago and you have to figure out what happened if you want to beat him. I can help you. Let us help you.”

He nodded but she wasn’t convinced he wouldn’t try and keep them at bay to protect them but she was done standing aside. He needed her. He needed his team, and goddammit, she’d make sure they were there for him.

“I know. It’s why I have to end this. No matter what, Hansen has to die.”

A look of determination crossed his face before he laid his head down again and she resumed her ministrations on his hair. Fear stole through her because she knew he would sacrifice himself if it meant everyone else was safe. He was still as he kept his face away from her, tiredness dragging at him. She wanted so badly to lift the covers and invite him to sleep beside her, to hold him while she kept him safe for a change, but she didn’t. This would have to be enough because she had a feeling it was all he would ever offer her.

It wasn’t long before soft snores were the only sound in the room.

Chapter 6

A vibration against his hip had Bás jolting upright, instantly awake and aware of his surroundings. Surprise quickly followed when he realised he’d fallen asleep with his head on the bed beside Valentina, her fingers threaded through his own. The light outside the room had changed and he glanced at his watch, finding he’d slept for almost two hours.

His gaze caressed the woman who was watching him with her heart pasted so clearly on her face. He wished with all his might he could do the same but what kind of bastard would he be to show her that when he knew there was a very good chance he’d either be in prison or dead very soon?

Standing, he stepped from the room and answered his phone. “Yes?”

“We found Scout and Monty. Watchdog is having them flown back to base now.”

“Thank God.” He knew if anything happened to those two, Valentina would be devastated and he couldn’t bear it. “Anything else?”

Duchess paused and he could hear her talking to someone before her voice came back on the line. “Nobody saw a thing, but we’ll keep looking. How is Val?”

“She’s good, resting. The doctor wants to keep her tonight for observation but other than that, all good.”

“Do we know what kind of spider it was?”

“Not yet, but they’re working on it.”

“Good. It might help us figure out where she was.”

“Nothing from the CCTV at the airports?”

“Not that I’ve heard.”

“No problem. I’ll check in with Watchdog next.”

“Okay, give Val a kiss from us.”

“I will do no such thing.”

Duchess smirked. “Relax, boss, it was a joke.”

“Not funny.”

“It was hilarious.”

“You’re spending too much time with Lotus.”