Chapter 10

Blake stared at Waylen. Had he really just claimed Kian was in love with her? Because it had sounded that way. Which was crazy, wasn't it?

She glanced at Kian, fully expecting him to roll his eyes. Maybe give Waylen a shove. Something to show Kian was just as surprised by the statement as she was. That his buddy was the one being stupid. Having Kian smile down at her, those gorgeous blue eyes of his practically sparkling in the light took her breath away. Or maybe it was the realization that he wasn't the only one who'd fallen in love. That she was right there with him.

Kian chuckled. "Breathe, sweetheart. Waylen's an ass, and this isn't how I pictured confessing anything, but he's not wrong. I am stupid in love with you — from the way you scrunch your nose when you think I'm crazy, to the fact you're willing to put your life on the line to save the people you care about, there's no denying it. And I hope the fact you're standing there, speechless, means I'm not the only one."

He'd spoken. She knew he had. His mouth had moved, and words had echoed around her. But she'd lost track of everything after he'd said Waylen hadn't been wrong and that he loved her.

Kian leaned down — dropped a chaste peck on her mouth. "Blake?"

An answer. He wanted an answer, but she couldn't quite remember the question.

She blinked, lifting her hand to rest on his jaw. "You love me?"

Kian shook his head. "If I'd known that was all it would take to throw you off your game…"

"Kian…"

"Yes. I love you. And I know… It hasn't been that long, and you have monsters in your maze — probably a laundry list of other secrets hiding beneath the surface. But that doesn't change the fact I can barely breathe every time I look at you." He brushed his thumb along her jaw. "It's okay if you haven't reached my level, yet. I don't expect you to say anything, but if there's even a chance you might?—"

She kissed him. Right there in the Hawk's office. His buddies gathered around. Porter watching them as if he thought they were all nuts. And hell, they probably were. Signing up to become targets of one of the deadliest drug lords Miami has ever seen. The man who hadn't even blinked at killing federal agents. And all because Kian had fallen for her.

Though, she knew, even if he hadn't, they'd still offer to protect her, because they were heroes. Warriors who jumped into the fray without any consideration to their own well-being.

Champions.

Blake smiled when she finally eased back, still holding Kian's jaw. "I knew you were trouble the moment I saw you. And I'm edging more toward crazy than stupid but…"

Kian inhaled, held it, then let it all rush out in a raspy laugh as he grinned. "Hell, yeah, you are. Which means, no more running. No…" He stopped her from interrupting. "I know you're scared we'll get hurt. That you'll have our blood on your hands. But I need you to trust me. Trust my team. We can handle Russo and anyone he sends after you. Promise."

He turned to Porter. "I understand you have protocols. That your hands are tied and making her disappear is all you really have at your disposal. But you said it, yourself. This bastard's a monster. And no one should have to face that alone."

Porter stood there, glancing between them for so long Blake wondered if he'd had a heart attack but hadn't fallen to the floor, yet, before he muttered something under his breath. "Make that a bleeding ulcer. And yes, Lieutenant, we have a system. One that hasn't resulted in a witness dying, yet. Not as long as they follow the rules. The video was unfortunate. But moving her is still the best solution. Even with Russo hounding her. Now, if you're determined to stay by her side, I can look into you joining her in WITSEC, but your blanket assurances haven't changed my mind or my recommendation."

"Whoa, easy folks." Harlan moved out from the back, stepping between Kian and Porter. "Let's try to remember we're all on the same side and want the best possible outcome to the situation."

Blake shook her head. "There isn't anything to discuss. And while I don't want to be the reason anyone in this room gets hurt, I can't go through moving, again. I'm sorry, Adam. I know you're the only reason I've lived this long. But I just can't…"

She paused, gathering her strength to say the words she'd never thought she'd utter. "If that means I have to leave WITSEC?—"

"Hold on a second, Blake." Harlan turned to face her. "Let's not make any rash decisions while everyone's emotions are high. Time to take a breath, then, we'll talk it out. Kian…"

Kian clenched his jaw but nodded, hooking her arm and gently leading her back to where Waylen and Presley were standing with Raider and Hawk. Kian didn't speak, just kept her close, occasionally glancing over at Harlan as he spoke to Porter. Not loud enough she could hear what the men were saying, but it was evident Porter wasn't all that pleased.

Raider gave her a nudge. "While Harlan's stoic attitude can drive us all crazy, he's the best damn negotiator I've ever met. If anyone can calm this down, — help find some common ground — it's him."

Blake worried her bottom lip, wincing when Porter glared at Harlan, making some motion with his hands in what she suspected was an attempt to get his point across. "Maybe Porter's right, and I should just leave with him?—"

"No way. I…" Kian took a visible breath. Looked as if he was counting to ten before slowly exhaling. "You're the one who's giving up everything. Who will have to leave your life behind, again. So, if you think relocating is the best option — what will bring some semblance of peace — then we'll leave. Go wherever Porter thinks is best. He has a point. The Marshal Service are pros at this, and the last thing I want is to pressure you into making a decision you'll regret."

"We?" She glanced around at his friends, but for once, they all looked like Harlan. Stone cold. "You can't just leave your team. Not when you've been telling me from the start that you guys agreed you'd find a way to stick together. And it's clear the island's become home."

Kian nodded. "You're right. We did, and it has. But not if you're not here. Because as much as I love these assholes — would do anything for them — I've come to realize, I love you more. And no, I'm not joking, and I'm not crazy. Like I said, I know it's been insanely quick, but I don't need to spend the next three years with you to figure it out. I've spent my entire adult life knowing whether a decision was right or not before I jumped out of the plane. And I can honestly tell you, I'm ready to jump." He leaned in, brushed his lips across hers. "You had me with that first kiss."

Was she crying? Drooling? Had she passed out and this was all a dream? Because she swore Kian had just said he loved her more than his brothers. That he'd leave, for her.

A press of his mouth across her forehead snapped her back, and she stared up at him, wondering what she'd done to deserve him.

She gave him a light shove. "No fair. Getting all charming on me. And no. I don't want to leave. Not when Russo will find me, again. And then what? How many times will the marshals relocate me? Us? How many last names do I have to go through before it's over? Not that it'll ever be over. Not while Russo's breathing."

She gave each of his teammates a hard stare. "And no, that wasn't me asking you or your buddies to kill the guy. I still believe in justice. I just don't know how to have a life and not put everyone I care about at risk."

Raider inched forward. "How about you let us worry about the risk, and you find a way to get Marshal Porter on board. Because we could use a man of his expertise on this."

"That's Deputy Marshal." Porter moved into the opening Kian's team made for the man, Harlan standing slightly behind him. "You know, if I'd had any idea what a giant pain in the ass SEALs were, I never would have placed Blake here. And since when do your teams have a freaking negotiator? That seems like overkill to me when you've already got all the cool toys."

Kian grinned. "Harlan's special."

"Oh, he's special, all right." Porter ran his hand through his hair. "And he's raised some interesting points. So, let's cut through the bullshit and get down to tactics. While I'm not ready to toss out the idea of moving you, yet, Blake, I agree that in this particular situation — with the level of threat against you — the usual protocols aren't enough. Kian's right. You shouldn't have to face this alone, and I can only stay a few days. A week, tops. So, for now, I'll agree to alternate arrangements while we fully assess every option. That doesn't mean staying on the Big Island permanently will be my recommendation, but I'm willing to see if there's a way to make it work while providing you with the highest level of security."

Porter eyed Kian. "I just hope you and your teammates are as good as you think because this is definitely a war."

"The only easy day was yesterday."

Porter snorted. "So, I've heard. I'm also familiar with the phrase, abandon all hope, ye who enter here. Let's make sure that's not the one that ends up on our epitaphs."

"Great to know the Marshal Service is an optimistic bunch."

"Trust me. That's being optimistic." Porter nodded at her. "I'm going to assume since you haven't punched me in the jaw, yet, you're okay with having your boyfriend and his buddies accompany us to our next safehouse?"

She smiled. "You're coming, too?"

"After all we've been through, did you really think I'd walk away?" He shook his head. "All we need, now, is a plan."

Waylen stepped forward. "I've got an idea."

Kian groaned. "Please tell me this is better than when you thought scaling that mountain would save us days of traveling."

"It did save us days."

"Only because that damn rope ladder broke while we were crossing the river and we got swept downstream."

Raider nodded. "I had to carry your pack because you cracked two ribs."

Waylen chuckled. "Good times. And this is much better. All we need are a couple boats?—"

"Boats?" Porter shook his head. "No freaking way I'm trapping myself on a boat where the only alternate exit is jumping in the water."

"We won't be staying on the boats the whole time. They're mostly for transportation and to get us off the island without flying. Because I bet my ass Russo's people will be expecting Blake to fly out of here."

Porter mulled it over, finally nodding. "That's a fair point. But if we're not staying on these death traps, where?—"

"Kian."

Blake inhaled as Lane's voice crackled over the handset clipped to Kian's waist.

Kian grabbed it. "Talk to me, Lane."

"We've got company. Four heavily tinted black SUVs bouncing along the gravel road. I can't confirm they're unfriendly, yet, but I'll bet my ass they aren't selling cookies."

"Roger. We're out of here."

Blake snagged Kian's arm. "There're too many people here. What if they don't follow us?"

Hawk stepped forward, already talking on his cell. He paused for a moment, nodding toward the door. "You let me and my crew worry about the ranch. You just get someplace safe."

He tossed them all keys to the company's work trucks. "If nothing else, driving all the same make and color might confuse them. Stay sharp." Then he was out the door, yelling out that they needed more office supplies.

Kian took her hand, leading her outside then over to one of the white vehicles sitting in the driveway. "Hop in. Porter, you, too. We'll head out on some of the back roads. See if we can lose them."

Raider and Harlan jumped in another, while Waylen said he'd bring up the rear with Lane once Lane had provided some backup at the ranch. That they all needed to meet at the marina that night.

Kian nodded, revved the engine then took off. Dirt spraying out behind the tires as he barreled down the driveway, skidding onto an old two-track just past the barn then out toward the open fields. Raider's truck bounced along behind him, three of the four SUVs popping into view a few moments later.

Blake twisted in her seat, staring out the back. "I should have taken the chopper. Given you air support. Had them follow me, instead."

Kian chuckled. "You really aren't good with letting others take some of the risk, are you? And there wasn't time to get you to your helicopter and airborne. We'll lose them on the trails. Which reminds me… How did you get that chopper in the first place? Seems a bit odd the Marshal Service had a spare just lying around."

Blake grinned, glancing at Porter. "Guess it's a good thing they're in charge of asset seizure, then."

"It's a drug cartel chopper?"

"I think it was arms dealing, but close enough. But, she's mine, now, and I don't intend on giving her up."

Porter grunted. "Like I said. Bleeding ulcer. Fox, are you going to lose these bastards or what?"

Kian fishtailed the truck around the next corner, nodding at Raider when he pulled up beside them, then made a few hand signals — taking the next branching trail off to the right. "I just want to make sure we're clear of the ranch. That they keep following us. Then, we'll get serious."

One of the SUVs took off after Raider's vehicle, the other two sticking on their tail.

Kian passed a series of fence posts, then hit the gas. What Blake assumed was the boundary of anything to do with the ranch. The truck picked up speed, increasing the distance between them. Kian followed the winding path until they reached the next fork, then veered right, jumping onto an even rougher road.

The track dipped low then took them up a steep bank. Kian caught a few feet of air at the top, screaming over the edge, then down the other side. The back end fishtailing as the loose dirt sprayed out either side.

Blake held on, wondering if this was how Kian had felt when she'd been tossing the chopper around. If he'd been white knuckled, praying the machine didn't simply break apart. Kian didn't seem worried. Face relaxed. His gaze constantly dancing between mirrors.

He took the truck up the next large rise only to spin it a full one-eighty at the top. Made the whole vehicle slide sideways several feet, before the wheels caught on the gravel — kicked a bunch of stones off one side as they leaped forward. Heading back down the embankment.

Kian glanced back at Porter. "Now would be a great time for you to show us how good a marksman you are, Porter. Those assholes will be coming up on your side any second, now."

Porter already had his window open. "Like I didn't already know that. Just hold it steady for more than a second, if that's not too much to ask."

Kian glanced at her, rolling his eyes at Porter's comment before winking at her — the ass. She shook her head, inhaling when one of the SUVs came sailing over the rise, landing in a billow of dirt and stones, the chassis still bouncing as it careened down the hill.

Kian held the truck steady, racing at the other vehicle — swerving to keep it on Porter's side. The marshal didn't disappoint, clipping the front passenger tire as they shot past each other, the SUV jerking hard to one side before flipping over — leaving a trail of debris across the ground as it tumbled down the rest of the incline, finally stopping in a heap at the bottom.

Kian whistled. "Nice shot. Now hold on. The other won't be that easy."

Porter muttered something about how the first one hadn't been easy, and that Kian needed to hold the damn truck steady, next time. Though, Blake had to admit, the man was skilled. Shooting out the tire while the truck was bouncing along the gravel path, the cab tilted slightly to one side with dust and dirt swirling through the air. Definitely not the average hit.

Not that Blake thought there was anything average about Adam Porter. Still…

Kian slowed enough to spin the truck — get it heading the other way, again — before the next SUV barreled over the rise. It hit the slope going some insane speed, barely remaining upright as it raced after them. A few winding turns, then Kian had them slaloming through the trees and brush. Blake wasn't sure how he avoided all the branches — didn't wrap the front end around a trunk. But he managed it, shooting out the other side onto another trail.

The SUV shadowed them, losing a mirror when the driver clipped a branch — blew out the passenger window in the process. Some asshole in black leaned out the open space, rifle notched in his shoulder. Dull pops sounded above the crunch of gravel beneath the tires, a few bullets pinging off the flatbed.

Kian cursed when the next shot took out his side mirror. "Hold on. I'm going to get creative."

He slammed on the brakes, while spinning the wheel, executing a sharp ninety-degree turn. Barely missing a giant boulder rising out of the brush. He skidded around it, heading back through some scrubby undergrowth before spinning it, again. Rocking to a halt with Porter's side facing the dusty cloud.

Porter had half his body hanging out the open window, lining up where he obviously hoped the SUV would punch out of the dust. He held firm, firing off a few rounds when the vehicle appeared around a small tree. Slightly off to the right, but Porter simply shifted his aim — caught the thing three times in the grill.

Steam poured out of the hood as the driver veered right, plowing into a stand of bushes.

But Kian was already off. Spraying more dirt and stones out from beneath the wheels as the truck lurched ahead. He took the next small two track, angling them toward the volcanos.

He gave her a quick once-over, eyeing Porter in the mirror. "Everyone still in one piece?"

Porter snorted. "No thanks to your driving. I'm not sure I want to know what they teach you in the SEALs because that was crazy."

Kian laughed. "You think I'm bad. You're lucky you didn't ride with Raider. He takes evasive driving to a whole other level. Scary good with an emphasis on scary."

"I just hope how all of you are behind the wheel isn't indicative to our upcoming boat ride."

"I get the feeling you don't like the water."

"I don't like trapping myself. But… We should take the long way there, just to be safe."

Kian nodded, reaching over to give her hand a squeeze. "Don't worry. Raider can handle the other tango, and Waylen and Lane were staying behind to help Hawk. Everyone's going to be fine."

Blake simply smiled because if she thought, for one second, she was the reason anyone at the ranch got hurt — if something happened to Presley just for being there — she might start screaming and not stop.

She needed to end this. She just wasn't sure how to do that and not lose Kian and herself in the process.