“So, I have something on you.” He smiled.
“What do you want?” If her brother wanted to hold Sam’s work as an author over him, he could live with that as blackmail.
“For you to sweat.”
Was that all? “Not that you hold a grudge or anything.”
“You know I think you’re insane?”
“You know I think you’re a prig?”
“As long as we’re clear.”
Sam agreed. “Then let’s not keep her waiting.”
“After you.” Clark motioned for him to precede him. “You’ll understand why I don’t want you at my back.”
“Lots of ways to kill people, Superman.” He reminded him as he headed inside. “Lots of ways.”
“Are you sure we can’t shoot him, Addison?” Clark called.
“Quite sure,” she replied.
Sam would drink to that.
Hours later,Sam stood on the balcony overlooking the valley. He had a bourbon in one hand and cigar in the other.
“You planning to smoke that?” Addison leaned against the railing, a jacket pulled on over her turtleneck shirt. She was so buttoned up, he couldn’t wait to strip her naked later. The very idea pulled a reluctant smile from him.
“Your brother is not a field op.”
“He didn’t used to be, no, but we’ve had to make many changes over the years. Adapt or die.” The answer seemed too simple, too pat. “And you didn’t answer my question. Are you planning on smoking that?”
“No, because I plan to kiss you shortly, and your brother is clever.” He set the cigar down on the stone railing next to her. “But he’s not subtle.”
Addy chuckled, a light sound, and the first real laugh he’d heard out of her since they’d turned over the thumb drive and other files collected from the Earl to her team.
“He doesn’t like that you’re here, but he won’t fight us.”
She summed up her sibling relationship so neatly in that statement.
“Too much effort?” Maybe he pushed his luck, bagging on her brother.
“Be nice, darling. I may not shoot to kill you, but a leg wound still hurts.” Apparently, yes, he was pushing his luck.
The others hadn’t ceased watching him since he arrived. Whether they used cameras or the tail who’d made his presence known, Sam could practically feel them boring holes through him. They didn’t know what to make of him, and he preferred their wariness. Slipping an arm around her, he drew her close before he pressed his lips to her ear. “Why don’t you let me take the target out for you? You don’t have to endanger your brother at all.”
“You’re not here to be our pet assassin,” she chided, but she rested her hand against his chest. “This is about more than me or you—more than about Clark. We all have a stake in this, and the final play… Clark calls it.”
“You can pet this assassin anytime you like, luv.” Her smile made the tease worth it. “I’m not leaving.”
“So, you said you would follow no matter where I went.” Those gorgeous eyes locked on his.
“Still true.”
“It could take a while. It’s already taken years to be as close as we are.”
“What are a few years between lovers?” He pressed a kiss to the corner of her mouth. “I have one condition.”