Semua Bab Aegis Group: Bab 121 - Bab 130

"I'M LATE!"Zain opened his eyes just in time to get the comforter tossed over his face and a knee in his thigh. He grunted and shifted out of the way to avoid being trampled. The bed bounced and footsteps thumped the floor.He peered out at the clock from under the pile and caught a glimpse of Andrea's naked backside before she darted into the bathroom.How the hell had he slept past eight? It was after nine, for Christ's sakes.For the life of him, he couldn't remember what Andrea might be late to, but judging by the notes of high alarm, he figured there wasn't time for a shower or anything else before she had to report somewhere for something. He checked his phone briefly, noting there was nothing that appeared urgent or relevant to his day, and pushed to his feet.He stepped on something soft and foreign.Zain glanced down at Andrea's panties, still where she'd dropped them.Last night was a blur. A dream. An aberration, at the very least.He picked up the underwear

ZAIN KEPT HIS HAND on Andrea all the way up to his room. It was that or punch someone, and violence wasn't the answer."I'm okay, Miranda," she said again. Andrea glanced at him and rolled her eyes, gesturing at the phone.He swiped his key card and held the door for her, listening to the same statements made again and again.I'm okay.Security is searching.Zain is fine.Never saw his face.Zain plucked Andrea's phone from her fingers and spoke into the receiver."She'll have to call you back." He ended the call and tossed the phone on the bed."Now she's going to come down here, you know?" She rolled her eyes.He didn't give a flying fuck if Miranda or her whole posse showed up at his door. All that mattered was that Andrea was safe. He'd spent the better part of an hour practically frothing at the mouth while the hotel and con security had their heads up their asses. They meant well. They were doing their jobs. But his was protecting her. Watching her be question

ZAIN SQUEEZED ANDREA'S HAND, the weight and feel of her palm a strange, new sensation. The oddity of it wasn't her-it was how normal this seemed. As though he'd been made to hold her hand. Her fingers were smaller, more delicate than his, and yet they needed to be so they fit between his. The match was perfect.They strolled with no urgency toward the elevators.He wanted to look at her, study her features, but that was weird, right? It'd been so long since he'd done more than fall into bed with someone that he couldn't remember what was normal. Mason was right, he'd become married to his work to the point where he wasn't living. He'd known it in the back of his mind, but it wasn't something he'd wanted to admit, because how could he change that? In the end, it wasn't he who'd done anything. It was her.Andrea.His will wasn't strong enough. He glanced at her, still a little in shock that Andrea Clancy was holding his hand. That she was...that they were...well...they were somet

ANDREA WIGGLED HER TOES and stared at the ceiling. Or the top of the cabin. Actually, it was the over-head baggage compartment and tucked in next to the window the whole thing felt like it was caving in on her. She wasn't normally claustrophobic, but for some reason the tight space bothered her. Her whole world was twisting, imploding, and she couldn't stop it. She couldn't change it.Someone she knew was behind everything.It'd been easier to ignore and brush off the emails and threats when the people behind it were faceless, nameless entities.But she knew them.Or at least the one behind the worst of it.And that hurt."Zain?" She shifted, crossing one leg over the other and turning her upper body toward him."Hm?" He leafed through the Sky Mall magazine."Tell me about what it is you do."He turned his face toward her, his expression blank. Impassive.Was what he did that bad?For a moment he didn't speak. They stared at each other.Finally, he seemed to mak

"I'M FINE. I SWEAR." Andrea stared at Zain's broad shoulders as he waited at the baggage pick-up. It was strange not having any luggage, but at least she didn't have to worry about hauling it around."I will come pick you up right now. It would only take half an hour this time of night," Crystal said."We're going to crash at Maggie and Glen's. They're out of town and said it was okay. It's closer. We're exhausted." Andrea also wasn't in the mood to have nine cats pawing at her and climbing all over her for attention. She loved visiting Crystal's furry friends, but there was a limit to how much she could take."Wait, he's staying?""Yeah.""I need more details about this Captain America guy.""His name is Zain," Andrea whispered."He's staying. With you?""Yes.""I'm so coming to see you tomorrow. Are you sure you guys don't want to come to my place?""Positive.""Only fools are positive."Andrea darted another glance at Zain. She felt pretty foolish right now.