They ushered me into the car, and Carter brought us safely back to the apartment before taking off. We ascended the stairs in silence. Every time I opened my mouth to say something, no words would come out.

  Archer went straight to the bathroom once we were safely back inside his apartment. I stood in the middle of his spartan living room, wondering how I’d be able to fix things.

  When he came back, he was only wearing his boxers, his tanned skin and delectable abs on display. “Bathroom’s all yours.” He stopped next to me, putting a hand on my waist before leaning in to kiss my cheek. “It’s difficult knowing you’re married to someone else and even harder to hear you talk about it. But I’ll deal with it. Just give me some time.”

  “I’m so sorry for what I said. I wasn’t thinking.”

  Looking regretful, he dropped his hold on me and stepped back. “Doesn’t change the facts. You’re married.”

  “If I could change things, I would.” My voice held a tinge of panic.

  He shook his head. “But that’s the thing. You can change things. All you have to do is ask William for a divorce.”

  The thought of ending up back where I started was unfathomable. I’d made countless sacrifices over the last few years. And I’d made a promise to William.

  “Archer, I can’t.” A tortured sound accompanied the whispered words.

  Nodding, he turned and walked out of the room. His silence was worse than if he’d yelled at me. It felt like he’d already given up when we hadn’t even explored where this was going.

  I dragged myself into the bathroom, spending more time than necessary washing my face and changing into one of Archer’s T-shirts. They’d become my favorite thing to wear.

  I turned off all the lights as I made my way to the bedroom, leaving the apartment in darkness. The moon was bright enough to avoid hitting any corners or walls.

  Archer didn’t say a word when I came into the bedroom, already lying in bed, his body still. Dropping to my knees on what I’d claimed as my side, I slid under the covers.

  Despite being this close to him, he felt a million miles away. I swallowed down the tears that were brimming in my eyes. I’d never been good at conflict. And my emotions seemed a thousand times more intense when it came to Archer.

  With a muttered curse, he dragged me into his body, his front to my back, his arms around me. He took my hand in his and buried his face in my neck.

  I didn’t move, too scared he’d change his mind and turn away again. When he didn’t do anything but hold me, the tension left my body, and I sank into him. He pulled me impossibly closer, and I sighed in relief.

  After a few minutes, his breathing evened out, and I followed him shortly after.

  I woke up to lips on my breast and a hand between my legs. The lips worked their way down my body, nipping, sucking, and kissing. I came awake fully with a needy groan. The dim early morning light showed me Archer’s head that was now between my legs.

  My thoughts scattered, and then all I could feel were his reverent touches and kisses. And when my orgasm crashed over me and quivers shook my body, I was sure we’d find our way through this together.

  Archer’s familiar body came over me, his mouth finding mine before he thrust inside me, my overly sensitive body welcoming him. I shuddered, and a sense of completeness grew in my chest until my body was awash in happiness.

  “Fuck, you’re perfect. Every time with you feels better than the last.”

  His words were enough to push me over the edge again. Archer increased his thrusts, drawing out my orgasm before he followed me.

  His hands and lips lazily caressed every inch of my skin, our bodies still joined. “I’m sorry about last night.”

  Capturing his head in my hands, I brought his face close to mine, needing him to look at me. “I’m the one who should be sorry for dragging you into my mess. You deserve better. But I can’t get myself to do the right thing and walk away. You’re buried in my soul. You found all my best parts and made them shine. I can’t help falling in love with you.”

  The last part came out unexpectedly, and I stilled, waiting for his reaction. Instead of answering, his head dipped down, taking my mouth in a deep kiss. Our tongues tangled, and I slid my arms around his neck, holding on.

  The alarm ringing made us break apart, panting, our arms still around each other. He pulled out of me and rolled onto his back, taking me with him. Turning off his alarm, he hugged me to his side. “I have to be in the office in an hour. And since traffic in Chicago is a nightmare, I should have left five minutes ago.”

  Leaning into him, breathing in his familiar scent, I kissed his chest. He climbed out of bed, looking down at me, my gaze roaming his naked body. “You want to go out to dinner tonight?”

  Propping up on my arms, a smile formed on my lips. “Like a date?”

  I didn’t know how I felt so much for this man without even having been on an actual date with him yet. We’d done everything backward.

  “Isn’t that what couples do?”

  His words were the best reassurance that we’d be okay he could give me. “I look forward to it.”

  It also meant I had some shopping to do today for the perfect date outfit.

  Archer gave me one of his lazy grins and went to the bathroom. The shower turned on a few seconds later, and I sat up fully. I was still wearing his T-shirt but had to hunt for my underwear before making my way to the kitchen.

  The coffee machine was the only thing that was new in Archer’s apartment, the gleaming chrome-and-black monstrosity taking up most of the bench space. But since I loved coffee and didn’t cook, I didn’t mind in the least.

  While I waited for the machine to heat, I sat down at the kitchen table, pulling his laptop in front of me. I’d been looking up galleries in San Diego and had even gone so far as contacting a few.

  Archer had been relentless in his pursuit of getting me to submit my art to a few galleries. And with his encouragement, I’d finally felt confident enough to do something with the dozens of paintings that sat forgotten in the pool house closet.

  I was clicking on a gallery website that looked promising when a video call came through. It said someone named “Callie” was calling. I wasn’t sure what to do, so I didn’t pick up. I didn’t know her, and if it was a work call, it would be weird for me to answer.

  As soon as the call ended, a message popped up in his chats. The image next to the text was of a blonde bombshell with porn star lips.

  Callie: Are we still on for tomorrow night? It’s been over a week since I last saw you.

  A strangled sob escaped me. Archer’s seeing someone else. Everything was muted, and I struggled to breathe. I felt like someone was holding my head underwater. But no. He wouldn’t do that. Would he? He’d been encouraging me to move to Chicago. If he was seeing someone else he wouldn’t have been so happy to see me. Or was it all just an act?

  With shaking fingers, I did the one thing I never thought I would: I went through his messages. And the further I scrolled the more I felt like I was drowning. It seemed like he’d been seeing Callie for months. They’d been meeting each other regularly, their messages back and forth arranging times and Callie checking up on Archer to see if he was okay.

  The video calls had started when he’d moved to Chicago so she must still be in San Diego. He’d never mentioned her. And that set off all my alarm bells. Every little insecurity and doubt I’d had about our relationship crashed into me. If she was only a friend surely he’d have talked about her.

  Numb, I closed the screen and stood up. I thought I would suffocate if I didn’t get out of the apartment. Pulling on my clothes, struggling to button my jeans, I stood dressed in Archer’s bedroom, wondering how I could have been so stupid. How did I ever think we could work? I was an idiot to think our age difference didn’t matter.

  I was ready to start a family and my biological clock was ticking. Archer was only starting his life.

  Most of my clothes were still in my suitcase, and all I had to do was find the few pieces on Archer’s floor. I didn’t care about my things in the bathroom; all I cared about was getting out.

  I texted Carter to let him know I was leaving. He’d need at least ten minutes to get there. I wasn’t sure I could wait that long. The pain coiled around my insides like a snake, writhing and tightening its hold.

  I pulled my shoes on, then dragged my suitcase down the hall. The shower turned off, and I hastened my steps.

  Archer emerged in a cloud of steam, a towel tightened around his hips. When he saw me, his brow crinkled in confusion, and he turned in my direction instead of to the bedroom where he’d been headed.

  I backed up, holding up my hand that wasn’t clutching the handle of my suitcase. “Don’t come any closer.”

  “Thea? Baby? What’s going on?”

  I fumbled with the door before it finally opened and I stepped through, dragging my suitcase along with me. Archer was in front of me before I made it to the hallway, taking my suitcase out of my hand and setting it to the side.

  Abandoning my clothes was the least of my worries right then, so I shook my head, both my hands now up. “Callie wants you to call her.” My voice broke, and I swallowed down the sob that had worked its way up my throat. “Stringing me along like this was cruel. You could have been honest once you realized how I felt about you.”

  He stopped, his face scrunched up in confusion. He was a better actor than what I’d given him credit for. “What are you talking about?” He reached for me, and I stumbled back and out of his reach. “Come back inside.”

  “I’m leaving. I hope you and Callie have a great time laughing at how stupid I was.”

  “Why would we laugh about you? She thinks you’re the best thing that could have happened to me.”

  I faltered, dazed he would have talked to her about me. “She knows about me? And she doesn’t care?”

  “Of course she knows. I’ve told her more than anyone else. And you feature pretty heavily in my life.”

  He said it so matter-of-factly. But each word felt like a blow. “Of course. I mean, why would she care? I was only ever a convenient lay for you.”

  Archer’s brows crinkled, and he looked a little lost. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He tried reaching for me again, but I stepped back farther. “Please, beautiful, come back into the apartment, and we can talk about this.”

  I knew I couldn’t hold the sobs back any longer. Taking a deep breath, I took in his face that was distorted into a pained mask as if he was the one being hurt right now. “Don’t call me that.”

  Then I turned and rushed down the stairs, praying Carter was waiting outside.

  Archer’s footsteps sounded behind me, but I had a head start. When I found Carter right outside the door, leaning against his car, I sprinted for him.

  Carter raised a brow at me. “Where’s the fire?”

  I ripped the passenger door open. “Get me out of here. Please.”

  My wavering voice and undoubtedly crazy eyes must have been enough for him, and he opened the driver’s door.

  Archer came rushing out of the building, holding on to his towel.

  Carter’s mouth visibly dropped open at the sight. He looked at me, then back at Archer, who was now in front of him. “What the hell is going on?”

  “I need to talk to Thea.”

  “Carter.” My voice sounded broken. “Please get me out of here. I have nothing left to say to Archer.”

  Carter put his hand on Archer’s shoulder. “Give her time to cool off. And put some clothes on before you give everyone a show.”

  Archer opened his mouth, no doubt to argue, but Carter shook his head. “You both look like you just found out that someone drove over your cat. If you had one, that is. I’m sure it was all a misunderstanding, but Thea is a client, and if she wants to leave, I’ll go with her.”

  Archer’s jaw clenched, his attention on me. Lowering my head, I fought against the tears.

  Carter murmured to Archer, then stepped back and slid into the car. Archer stayed on the sidewalk, his shoulders hunched, staring at our car.

  I lost sight of him when we turned a corner. The ache inside me had grown into a violent storm, and I couldn’t hold back the tears any longer.

  15

  ARCHER

  Clutching the towel that had come loose during my mad dash down the stairs, I went back inside. The haunted look on Thea’s face would forever be burned into my brain. I didn’t know what had happened while I’d been in the shower.

  Rushing back up to my apartment, I hastily dressed, then grabbed my phone and keys and got in my car. She’d most likely go to the airport. And I would be right behind her.

  When my phone rang, I picked it up right away, not checking the display.

  “Thea?” I didn’t care that my voice sounded desperate. “Please talk to me.”

  “Not Thea here, but whatever it is you want to talk about has to wait. We’re moving out in an hour.” Chase’s voice wasn’t the one I wanted to hear. Especially not since he was telling me I had to get to the office instead of the airport.

  I gripped the steering wheel tighter, a string of curses escaping. “Can it wait a few hours? I’m in the middle of something.”

  “All the other teams are out, and we have a situation, so you’re back in. Congratulations.”

  “Does Gunner know about this?”

  “He’s the one who put the team together. We’re meeting in the office now, so get your ass here.”

  I knew this was my chance to prove I was ready to go back into the field. I couldn’t mess this up. My sense of duty warred with my need to go after Thea.

  But in the end, I knew I’d never forgive myself if something happened because I let my team down. So I gave Chase the only answer I could. “I’m on my way.”

  I parked in the underground parking garage of the Locked Security offices. Getting out of the car and making my way to the elevator seemed like an impossible task when everything inside me screamed to turn around and find Thea. With my steps heavy and my brain working furiously to figure out what had made her think the worst of me, I stepped onto the elevator.

  Dialing Thea, I hoped against hope that she’d pick up. When she didn’t, I sent her a message.

  Me: Please answer your phone.

  Thea: There’s nothing left to say.

  The relief at seeing her name pop up on my screen was replaced with confusion. What had happened while I was in the shower?

  Me: Talk to me. You owe me at least an explanation why you left.

  Thea: You lied to me. I owe you nothing.

  Desperate to talk to her and clear up what was clearly a misunderstanding, I texted her again.

  Me: If I call, will you pick up?

  Thea: Goodbye, Archer.

  What the fuck is going on? Goodbye?

  If she thought she could get rid of me that easily, she was mistaken.

  Hitting the Call button, I waited for the phone to ring. She didn’t answer. I called back, only for the phone to ring out each time.

  The elevator opened onto the office floor of Locked Security, and I put my phone down. I walked past the reception desk, ignoring the greetings. I wasn’t usually rude, but I only had one thing on my mind: Getting this meeting over and done with and then figuring out what had happened to Thea while I was in the shower and fixing whatever was broken.

  I entered the large meeting room where we always assembled before going on a mission. One wall was all windows, and as a result, the room was bright and open. For once I didn’t take in the view but rather focused on the people already here.

  Gunner was at the head of the table that took up a good portion of the room, Devon on one side, Chase next to him. Jonas, a master at hand-to-hand combat, sat on the other side, checking over equipment spread out in front of him. I hadn’t worked with him before but had heard a lot of good things about him. Leif was next to him, a weapon’s expert who I’d gone on missions with before.

  Gunner looked up from his hushed conversation with Devon when I entered. “Archer, close the door behind you and take a seat.”

  As soon as I sat down, Gunner turned on the projector. An image of a smiling family greeted me, and my gut twisted. I wouldn’t be looking at them if they were okay.

  “Four hours ago, militia invaded the home of Sari and Michael Houston on their property in Bogotá, Colombia. They took Sari and her two kids, Holly and Benji. Michael contacted us as soon as he was able to. He’s working on a confidential deal with the government to clear land that is currently the stronghold of a paramilitary group known as Fantasma.”

  The image changed to several mug shots with names underneath. “These are the four key players.” Gunner changed the image again, this time to an aerial shot of what looked like a compound. “We believe this is their headquarters. We haven’t been able to confirm it’s where they have the hostages, but that’s where you come in.”

  Devon pushed a folder in front of each of us. “We’re going in for recon first, making sure we’re hitting the right place. I don’t have to tell you we only have one shot at this. No room for errors.”

  I flipped through the folder, memorizing faces and locations. “How certain are we that they’re still alive?”

  I’d dealt with my fair share of hostage situations, and despite our best efforts, they didn’t always have a happy ending.

  The image on the projector screen changed to a photo of a woman and two kids who had their hands and feet tied and a bandana over their eyes.

  “Thirty minutes ago, Fantasma sent this image to Michael. They want him to stop clearing the land or they’ll kill them,” Gunner said. “We all know they’ll kill them anyway if we don’t get them out. And we’re running out of time. The flight to get there is seven hours. It’ll take us an hour to drive to the airport, then another hour to get to the compound once we land. But you’re the best chance they have because there’s nobody else closer.”

  Devon stood up. “Get your gear and be ready to leave in ten minutes.”

 

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