Chapter 27

27

Rogue

A larm bells rang in his head.

They’d been ringing ever since he’d agreed to this shitty plan.

He looked beside him at Bea, sleeping peacefully. She was slim enough that she’d been able to tuck in her legs and get comfortable on the narrow economy seat.

Meanwhile, Rogue shifted uncomfortably, feeling like a caged animal. With his larger frame, there was no chance he’d be able to get any sleep.

He’d forgotten how uncomfortable flying commercial was. But then, it’s not like he’d been expecting to sleep, anyway. Not knowing what they were traveling towards.

Thorne hadn’t been surprised to hear of Emiliano’s plans. It turned out Antwerp was the main entry point for drugs into Europe. It was the perfect place for Cruz to go to if he wanted to expand his business in that continent. Which he did, of course. Two pounds of cocaine, worth around three hundred US dollars in Colombia, could be worth as much as a hundred thousand US dollars by the time it got into Europe.

There were a lot of hungry consumers, looking to spend big bucks on the best product. It was a gold mine for Emiliano. But, more than that, it would cement his global expansion. And that would mean more to Emiliano than any amount of money.

Rogue looked down at Bea. She was traveling under a false name and wearing a brunette wig, to make her less easily recognizable. Now that they were out of Colombia Rogue felt marginally safer, but he didn’t want to take any chances with her safety. If he knew Cruz at all, the man would be looking for her.

Bea stirred, opening her eyes. They’d considered finding some colored contacts, but there hadn’t been enough time to set it up. “Did I miss a snack?” she asked, looking at the open trays some other passengers still had in front of them.

Rogue laughed, handing her the box he’d saved for her. At least, the stress of the last days didn’t seem to have affected her appetite. She was slowly gaining strength and weight. She opened the sandwich up with more enthusiasm than he’d ever seen anyone muster for airplane food. That was one of the things he loved about Bea—the excitement she found in things both big and small.

“It’s not bad. Would you like a bit?” she asked, looking guiltily at him.

He signaled for her to finish it. He wasn’t the least bit hungry.

“I wish you weren’t coming to Antwerp,” he said in a low voice.

He’d wanted to drop Bea off in Zurich before heading to Antwerp to look for Cruz—had pushed hard to make that happen, but Bea had apparently had other ideas.

Bea chewed the bite in her mouth thoroughly before swallowing. “I won’t have a life as long as Emiliano’s free, Rogue. You know him. You know he won’t stop looking for me.”

“That doesn’t mean you have to be bait. There are other ways?—”

“It’s not just about me, either,” she said, in a hushed, anguished tone. “It’s about the people who are getting hurt every single day that he remains free. I never had the courage to do anything before, but now … for the first time, I believe there’s something I can do. Please don’t take that away from me.”

The earnest look in her eyes undid him. Jesus. He didn’t want to take anything away from her. Ever. He wanted to give her the world. He wanted to?—

“Please, Rogue. Let me help.”

It’s not like he had much choice. The plan had been agreed, the wheels had been put in motion. But Rogue would keep her safe—whatever it took. Rogue pulled her closer against him.

“We’ll be in Antwerp in a few hours,” he said. “We’ll figure it out together.”

“And your friends will meet us there?”

Rogue nodded. The entire team would meet in Antwerp, with the exception of Ash, who’d been instructed to stay back this time around. Dark and Slate had left Panama ahead of them, in a private jet. Griffin was driving from Zurich, so would be there soon. Even Thorne was traveling to meet them, and he never joined them out in the field. But then, he had the best contacts at Interpol.

Rogue had thought of researching Thorne’s background multiple times but had always stopped himself at the last minute because he wasn’t sure he wanted to know their handler’s past, and because, as good as Rogue was with computers, he didn’t want it getting back to Thorne. That was trouble he didn’t need in his life.

Rogue looked down to find Bea’s small fingers gripping his hand. “It’s going to be okay, isn’t it, Rogue?” she asked, sounding scared.

Rogue held her hand as tight as he dared.

It will if I have anything to do with it.

He would protect her with his life.

“If you’re having second thoughts, we can find another way, Bea.”

She shook her head. “No. I want to do this. I’m sure of this. It’s just … I’m also scared.”

“I promise we’ll protect you, Bea.”

“I know that. But I don’t want you to get hurt, either. I wish … I wish this were all over.”

For an instant, Rogue let himself imagine what would happen if it were all over. He knew what he would want. He would want Bea with him. He’d been a fool to think he could get close to her—make love to her—and then let her go. He’d never be able to let her go. Or rather, sure, he’d let her go. He’d let her go because that was the right thing to do. Because she deserved her freedom. But he’d never—no matter how much time went by—forget her.

He’d already admitted to himself that he was falling in love with her. It was something he’d never thought could happen, and yet, it had happened. It was happening, every minute of every day.

Bea eyed him warily. “Are you okay, Rogue?”

Rogue nodded, glad she couldn’t read his thoughts, knowing they would only serve to scare her. Now was the time to focus. Whatever the cost, he had to finish the mission and make sure Bea was safe.