Chances Are - By Christy Reece Page 0,78

of her decision. “That’s exactly what I’m saying.”

Turning away from him, Angela bit her lip to keep it from trembling. Out of all the directions she anticipated this conversation going, this hadn’t been on her radar. She had stupidly assumed she had proven herself to him.

In a voice thick with emotion, she confessed softly, “I fell in love with you almost from the moment we met. I already knew about you and what you had endured, but when I saw you, it was cemented in my mind—I knew I would love you forever.” She whirled back around to face him. “Not once did I consider not loving you or wanting to be with you because of your job. Even now, knowing I could lose you on an op, I would never consider asking you to stop doing something that you loved. And yet, that’s exactly what you’re asking of me.”

“Dammit, you’re acting as though I have no reason for my fears. I almost lost you. Can you not see why I would feel this way?”

“Yes, I can understand your feelings. But here’s the thing. My family went to visit some friends for the weekend and died in a freak accident. Death and tragedy can occur on any given day for anyone, LCR operative or civilian. Not being an operative won’t necessarily keep me from dying.”

“No, but as a researcher, you have a better chance of living a long life. At least you wouldn’t be putting yourself at risk every day.”

Releasing a shaky breath, searching for a calm within the storm of her emotions, she stated her position: “I’m not a researcher anymore, I’m an operative. I love you Jake, but I would never ask you to be something you’re not.”

He snorted. “You were an operative for barely two weeks.”

“I’ve wanted to be an operative for years.” She glared at him as she added, “And don’t you dare diminish what I accomplished.”

“I’m not. I’m just pointing out that being something for two weeks doesn’t exactly make it a career.”

“It does when it’s all I ever wanted to do. And it’s what I intend to do for years to come.”

They glared silently at each other for several seconds. Angela wanted to throw her arms around him and plead with him to understand. She wouldn’t. He had to come to the realization on his own, without her trying to seduce him into accepting her decision.

She watched helplessly, hopelessly, as Jake whirled, jerked up his jacket and headed for the front door.

“Where are you going?”

“I’m leaving. I’ll come back for my things later.”

“So that’s it. It’s either my dream or you.”

He opened the door and then stopped. Turning back to her, he said, “I thought I was your dream. Coming in second place sucks.”

The door slammed, putting an end to her future with Jake and breaking her heart in the process.

Chapter Twenty-two

One month later

Agar, France

“The bastard’s got to be coming down soon,” Aidan growled. “He’s been like that for hours.”

“Whatever he’s taken, I hope to hell he’s enjoying himself,” Seth responded.

Stooped behind a jumble of bushes, Angela adjusted her earbud. A few hours ago, Aidan and Seth had been ready to storm the house where Rupert Gardon was holding his wife and children hostage. Because of the sensitivity of the case—Rupert was the son of a prominent politician in Agar—LCR had been called in to do a quiet snatch and grab.

Things hadn’t gone as planned. Rupert was, as Seth so succinctly put it, loaded for bear. An AK-47 was strapped to his shoulder while he held a Glock securely in his hand. Even crazier, Seth had spotted several sticks of dynamite lying on the kitchen table. The man had enough explosives to incinerate the house and everyone inside it. And to make matters a thousand times more dangerous, he was apparently hyped up on some kind of drug. He had been pacing back and forth on the front porch for hours without a break. And though they had yet to see anyone else, they had strong suspicions that Rupert had brought some friends of his along.

LCR had expected a simple rescue operation and Rupert was prepared for Armageddon.

After conferring with Aidan and Angela, Seth had made the call to Noah, requesting more operatives. Until reinforcements arrived, the three of them were to watch and wait.

This was her fourth op since returning to work. As usual, Noah had been true to his word—only giving her assignments where the danger was minimal or partnering her with