Page 68 of Wade’s Wrath

His expression softened. “I know.”

“If something happens and I could've helped—” she started.

“You already helped,” he insisted.

“Not enough,” she said.

“You gave us the warehouse,” he reminded.

“Frank's file told you where the warehouse is,” she said.

Wade's voice softened. “You've done enough.”

Tears burned again. “She's still in there.”

“I know,” he whispered.

“Bring her back.” Three words; that was all Harlow had left in her.

Wade went still. Then his hand slid around the back of her neck. His forehead touched hers. “I'll do everything I can.”

“That's not a promise,” she insisted.

“No, but I'm not gonna lie to you and promise you something that I might not be able to deliver,” he said. She closed her eyes. She hated that she respected him for it.

“Okay.” He stayed there with her, his forehead against hers, breathing the same air as her. He was so fucking close that when Harlow opened her eyes, she saw that Wade was watching her. She didn't think. She didn't question. She didn't wonder whether she was making a mistake. She simply leaned forward and kissed him. Wade froze, and for one horrible second, Harlow thought he was going to pull away.

Then his hand tightened around the back of her neck, and he kissed her back. The kiss was hard and deep enough to steal her breath. His beard scratched against her skin. His mouth was warm and demanding and exactly what she'd wondered it would be like. Then he stopped and stepped back from her. Harlow stared at him. His breathing was rough, but so was hers.

“I told you,” he said.

She blinked. “What did you tell me?”

“That when I kissed you, you wouldn't wonder if I meant it.”

Harlow's heart pounded. “You didn't kiss me.” His eyebrows rose. “I kissed you.”

A slow smile spread across Wade's face. “Technicality.”

“You kissed me back,” she pointed out.

“Fuck yeah, I did.” She laughed, and Wade's smile disappeared. His thumb brushed across her lower lip.

“Do that again when this is over.”

Her pulse jumped. “Do what? Kiss you?” she asked.

“Yeah,” he said.

“What if I don't want to wait?”

His eyes darkened. “Then you're gonna make tomorrow a hell of a lot harder for me.”

Harlow smiled. “Good.”

Wade groaned. “Woman.” For the first time since she'd learned Sarah was alive, something other than fear filled her chest. Hope—small and fragile, but still there.

Harlow looked at Butcher. “Bring those women home.”