“We need to go over the plan one more time before we break up and go to our assignments.”
“I’d love to hear the plan,” I say, not bothering to hide my frustration.
Knox leaves the center of the room and comes to stand by me. The rest of the men keep talking, and Knox leans in, puts his arm around my shoulder, and kisses my forehead. “You okay? I mean, you feel okay?”
I blush. My body is sore in places I didn’t even know could get sore. “Yeah, I’m fine.”
His smile is intimate as he takes in my low tone and pink cheeks. He squeezes me again and talks soothingly to me. “Nick is due to arrive in town soon. We left a trail that should lead him to the hotel in Jasper, and they are going to set a trap and snatch him up there. All you have to do is stay back and remain safe.”
He’s protective of me, and a tremble goes down my back that he wants to protect me, but I still feel guilty about it. “Knox, that doesn’t seem right. Everyone is putting themselves in danger, and I’m supposed to sit back and what, watch television or something?”
“This is what we do, baby. This is what we’re trained to do. Trust me, compared to some missions we’ve been on, this is a walk in the park.”
I look at him doubtfully. I’m hoping he’s not underestimating Nick. If he’s anything like his brothers, then I know he’s not coming without a plan. But I trust Knox. “Okay.”
He must hear the way my voice wavers. “Karina, you’re headstrong, and I know this is hard for you, but this is what’s best. I can’t let anything happen to you.”
I blink and stare back at him. “Because you promised Hollywood?”
His eyes widen. He searches my face and must not like what he sees in my eyes because he grabs my hand and pulls me back into the bedroom. As soon as the door is shut, he leans me against it, sliding his knee between my legs and caging me in with his hands planted on the door by my face. “Is that what you think? I’m doing this as a favor to Hollywood?”
I shrug. I don’t know what to think. I know why he came and got me, as a favor to Hollywood. “I’m not sure what to think.”
“I’m doing this because I just found you and I can’t lose you. I’m doing this because I don’t ever want you to have to be scared again, Karina. I’m doing this because I want to be with you.”
I nod. Hope is flaring in my chest because I want to believe there’s a future with Knox, but I’m too scared to believe it’s true. He leans in and kisses me, but it’s not the same kiss as last night. This is a kiss from a man trying to prove something. I arch my back, and the feel of his hard chest pressed against my sensitive nipples brings out a whimper. He pulls back, breathless and dazed looking. “When this is over, you and I are going to have a long talk about the future, Karina.”
I nod, speechless.
“Now get ready. We’re going over it one more time, then the guys are heading out.”
Knox
I walk away from Karina and back out to the living room. I ignore the questioning looks and get back to the task at hand. Hopefully by the end of the day, this is going to be over, and Karina and I can have that talk.
I go over the plan in my head over and over, trying to see if we’re missing anything. I know it’s a good plan. It is the safest, fastest, most effective one that will land Nick back in prison and keep Karina safe.
The team is split into smaller teams to go and execute the plan. Every person is important to the operation. I would normally run lead on this type of mission, but Bear is taking over on this one. The guys seem to think I’m too involved, and I can’t really argue with that fact. There’s no doubt if I see Nick that I won’t be able to control myself. He’ll be a dead man just like his brothers.
Karina joins us just as everyone is about to leave. She’s standing beside me, and it’s hard watching my brothers go on a mission that I know I should be a part of. I wrap my hand around hers, and she starts to walk away. She looks back and gives me a sign, telling me to wait a minute. I reluctantly release her and watch as she stops Bear. He turns, no doubt surprised by Karina stopping him.
“I just want to tell you thank you for this. I’m sorry that I got all of you involved in this. Please be safe. Take care of yourself... and your team.”