Hostile Ground (The Arsenal #7) - Cara Carnes Page 0,34

the opportunity to tangle with you, but you have my word no one will know about this. Or you. Whoever you are.”

Minutes ticked by as the women chattered nervously, looking at one another, then back at Addy.

“Need an update,” she said.

“Waiting on the local to take effect. She needs stitches, but I’ve sealed it for now. Wound was packed with toilet paper and taped shut with duct tape and a washcloth,” Cracker said, his voice grim. “There’s evidence of significant trauma elsewhere, but our mutual friend won’t let me tend anything else.”

Addy mentally noted the women’s battered faces and bruises along their throats and arms. Whoever had them hadn’t given a damn what damage they’d done. Anger rolled through her, but she forced it back and focused on the current objective—get the women secured and to Zoey.

“We can take them to the facility Kristof was treated at,” Gavriil offered. “I can call ahead and order them to clear a floor for them and provide additional security if you’d like. You’re familiar with the layout and whoever is helping you has already proven their ability to hack its systems.”

“Oops. Apparently, our new friend is thorough,” Zoey said. “Accept the offer without the security. We’ll use drones for the area.”

“Thank you, that’s perfect. We won’t need the extra security, though. You’ve done enough.”

Gavriil nodded and pulled out his cell. He stepped into the other room.

“You’re trusting him and me with more than I expected,” Kristof said. Intensity resonated within his gaze. “Thank you. And Hummingbird.”

“Trust goes both ways,” Addy said. “Maybe you’ll start trusting us with whatever the hell is going on with you. I know our mission is nearing the end, but until it’s finished, we’re protecting you.”

Kristof took a step forward and wove his fingers through her hair. Anticipation quickened her pulse as their gazes locked. “It isn’t that I don’t trust you. That’ll never be a problem with you and me.”

The rightness of the declaration settled within her, a warmth that cascaded through her. “Then what is it?”

“I can’t let you protect me from this because then I’m not protecting you.”

She should shove away and say she didn’t want or need his protection, but she couldn’t. Trapped within his gaze, she let her mind wander down the path she rarely traversed—one where he was the boy who was always there when no one else was.

How long had it been since someone cared enough to protect her outside of an op? Sure, she had her team and her friends, but they were part of her world. Her job. She’d never formed a bond outside of the world she lived within, never had someone that was just hers who wanted to keep her safe. Care for her because she mattered.

“I fear you’ll hate me even more if you get the answer you seek,” he said. “I’m not ready to let you go, even though I should. I’m nowhere near the man you deserve.”

Let her go? He’d let her go long ago. Anger spiked within her. “You can’t let go of what you don’t have.”

“And therein lies my problem. It’s taken me too long to admit I screwed up, Addy. I won’t ever get closer to you fighting this war my way. I see now we’ve got to do this on your terms.”

“We aren’t at war.”

He smiled. “That right there proves we are. Every time we get closer to what we could be, you push away. Just know I’ve decided I’m not surrendering. This is a war I intend to win.”

“We aren’t at war,” she repeated. Her heart thudded hard in her chest. She tried to pull back, but he gripped the back of her neck firmly. “Let me go.”

The double meaning loomed between them. She couldn’t let whatever the hell this was get any more out of control. Sure, she wanted what possibility he offered but she couldn’t take the risk.

Could she?

The internal struggle she’d combatted more and more often since arriving in Russia weeks ago became harder to ignore. Kristof was a threat in so many ways, one she couldn’t chance. Too many people relied on her. She couldn’t let what’d once been intersect with her life at The Arsenal. Not now.

“I’ll let you retreat but know I’ll follow. I lost you once. Then I screwed up. I won’t make the same mistakes again.” He traced her lips with his thumb. “The war is for you. The Addy you bury so no one can get to her. She’s in there