Page 35 of Sawyer’s Mistake

Okay, so I’ve got a hickey. Move along, folks, nothing to see here.

“I’m okay,” she said. She didn’t really want to go into it.

“Good, good.” Her friend didn’t seem at all surprised. “Then why are you looking so gloomy? Did he …” Eva’s look went stormy. Saoirse stopped her before she could finish the thought.

“No, Eva, of course not! He was—” She couldn’t quite say Sawyer had been gentle, and she didn’t want to say he’d been exactly what she needed. “I’m fine.”

Eva smiled and leaned over to give her a small hug.

“They’ll be back in no time, you’ll see.”

Saoirse bit her lip. She made the mistake of looking at the gray sky above them. The atmosphere felt weighted and oppressive, somehow. “I’m sorry. I wish I were braver. But I just … I can’t go back.”

Eva looked at her sympathetically. “Nothing’s going to happen to Sawyer,” she added meaningfully.

Saoirse felt a rush of air behind her, and suddenly Sawyer’s arms were around her. He smelled of something fresh and minty. She reached back to look at him and found him grinning widely at her. She liked thinking that she was the only one who knew that other, darker, side of him.

“Did you sleep well?” he asked. He seemed oblivious of the fact that the whole team was staring at them. Eva was smiling, and even Storme and Meir, standing behind, seemed to be making an effort not to grin.

Fair enough. So that’s how we’re going to play this. By going public.

Saoirse shrugged and relaxed into his arms. It felt good to be held.

“I did, thanks.”

“I’ll go help Storme,” Eva excused herself, giggling.

“I’m glad you’re not coming with us,” Sawyer said. A muscle twitched behind his jaw, his expression going hard for an instant.

“I’m staying behind because I don’t think my being there would help anybody. But please don’t get the wrong idea.” She leaned closer to him and stood on tiptoes so her mouth reached his ear. “I’m only a submissive in bed, Jake,” she whispered.

His green eyes twinkled in appreciation. He leaned around to whisper in her ear. “I know. It’s one of the things I like about you.”

She watched them pile into the vehicle, forcing herself to hold on to the smile, even if it trembled.

“Had your first lovers’ spat already, Saoirse?” Prado asked.

“Give her a break, Prado,” Eva said, smiling.

Prado raised his hands in mock surrender. “Okay, ladies, let’s head back inside.”

Chapter 15

Jake

Those bastards.

The sight of the empty parking spot hit him like a punch to the face. Paul’s people had found their vehicle. Of course, it’s not like he and Saoirse would have had much need for it had things gone according to Paul’s plans. He clenched his fists at the thought of what could have happened to Saoirse.

“Take us through it again, Sawyer. How many soldiers did you and Saoirse see on the yacht?” Storme asked quietly.

Sawyer thought back to their time on the boat.

“They didn’t let us see much of the ship, so I can’t be sure, but there were two pairs of guards patrolling outside when we were there. Which means there must have been four more ready to take on the next shift, at least. Security, Paul called them. It’s possible some of the residents also have military training of some kind.”

“Might be too many for us to take on head-on,” Zander said.

“We’re going to need some kind of a distraction,” Prado added.