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His eyes flickered, and I saw a shadow of regret. But then it was gone, replaced by that infuriating spy stoicism. He shrugged, a gesture so dismissive it was like a slap to the face. "Well, it's like you said at the beginning, love. I'm a liar."
My heart clenched. "Drake, we've been through so much. I can't just let it go."
His face softened for a moment, and he looked away, clearly at war with himself. "You were shot, Daphne. Because of me. I can't… I won't let that happen again."
God, he was so noble. It would've been endearing if it wasn't so damn infuriating. My life, my choices, and here he was deciding what was best for me.
"Who do you think you are, Drake, my savior?" I shot back, anger and frustration rolling off me. "I knew what I signed up for."
But he was adamant, shaking his head. "It's not your fight, Daphne."
“Whose fight is it if it isn't mine? This man stalked me, terrorized me, threatened my family, chased me, shot at me, twice actually, and you're telling me this isn't my fight. You realize that's ridiculous, right? I’ve never had a dad, and I don't need one now. You cannot make this choice. We make these decisions together.”
“You see, that's where you're wrong. Only one of us has been killing people efficiently for the majority of their adult life. So that person gets to make all the decisions. You might not like them, but you have to deal with them. You're not listening, Daphne. This is a done deal. It’s a fight you can't win. You’ll stay here where you’re safe. I can't do what I need to do if I'm worried about you.”
“And what if I'm worried about you?”
He shook his head. “Doesn't matter. I'm still going, so don't make this any harder than it needs to be. This whole thing between us, it's an infatuation. You only think you're in love with me. None of it was real. Now let me do my goddamn job.”
My heart cracked in two at his words. I only thought I was in love with him? After everything we've been through? Wasn't that the bloody point of all this? We were supposed to be a team. But here he was, doing the exact thing we promised each other we wouldn't do… going rogue.
I watched as he moved toward the door, my protests and pleas bouncing off him like bullets off a Kevlar vest. He paused at the doorway, his back to me. "Get as far away from this life as you can. When this is all over, forget you ever met me."
Then he was gone, leaving me alone in my bungalow on the Rogues campus. The silence left in his wake was deafening. But hey, who needs a symphony of heartbreak when you've got the symphony of betrayal on repeat, right?
Damn it, Drake. You were supposed to be the good guy.
43
Daphne
My heart was still hammering in my chest as I entered Saffron's office. You know that sinking feeling you get when your favorite TV show ends with a cliffhanger and you have to wait for the next season? Yeah, it felt like that, only a hundred times worse. Except my cliffhanger was Drake striding out of my life like he was late for a hot date with espionage.
Saffron looked up from her computer screen and raised an eyebrow at the disheveled state of my hair and clothes.
“Rough morning?” she asked.
“You could say that,” I replied, sinking into the chair opposite her desk. “It's just that Drake…” I trailed off, unable to put into words the feelings of anger and betrayal that were still raw in my chest.
Saffron leaned forward in her chair, her eyes fixed on me. “Drake? Did something happen with you two?”
I nodded, the words tumbling out of me. “He just said some horrid things and left, and I don't even know if he's coming back. Supposedly he’s off to save me, but this doesn’t have anything to do with me. He really is the villain.”
Saffron didn't say anything, but her expression softened, and she reached across the desk, placing a hand on mine. “I'm sorry, I know how much he means to you. But you can't let his leaving define you. You're more than just someone’s partner.”
Her voice was gentle but firm, and I felt a sudden surge of determination. She was right. I wasn't going to let Drake walking away break me. I could do something.
“I know,” I said, feeling a slight smile tug at the corners of my mouth. “I just need to figure out what comes next.”
Saffron nodded, her hand still on mine. “Exactly. And I'm here to help you do just that. We can arrange a safe house for you anywhere you'd like to go. You can probably work remotely at your job until we're certain the coast is clear, and then you can go back to your life.”
As we continued talking, I felt a sense of hope begin to blossom inside me. Maybe Drake was gone for now, but that didn't mean I had to accept his decision.
"I'm going to the auction," I announced, putting as much steel into my voice as I could muster.
Saffron, the leader of Rogues, looked up from her desk, her long braids reflecting the sharp office lights. Her gaze was the visual equivalent of a Do not disturb sign, but I was not about to be deterred.
“You're nutters. No way in hell am I letting you go.”
