THE APARTMENT FELT EMPTY WITH LILA AND CALLIE BOTH GONE. Skye’s bed felt empty with Edge back in his own apartment. She had surprised him with her decision.

“Now that you’re going after Markham,” she’d said, “we know this thing between us is coming to an end. Your life is aimed in one direction, mine in another. The weeks we’ve spent together have been great, but they’ve changed me, Edge. Being with you nearly every day, enjoying the closeness.”

“I liked being with you, too,” he said a little gruffly.

“And then there was Lila and the baby. I never suspected I’d want children, but I’ve found out I do. I want a husband and father who is there for me and our kids, not a guy I see a few months out of the year. Ending this now is better for both of us.”

“There’s no way to know what’s going to happen. You can’t predict the future, Skye. Why not enjoy the time we have left together?”

She just shook her head. “I can’t sleep with you knowing there’s a time limit on our relationship. I’m sorry, Edge, I just can’t. I hope you understand.”

He glanced away, walked over to the windows in her living room, and stared out at the city. Finally, he turned. “All right, if that’s the way you want it.”

It was the last thing she wanted. She loved him. She wanted the life she had described, and she wanted it with Edge. But that was impossible.

“That’s the way I want it. In the meantime, we need to focus on the mission, get organized, and get down to Arizona.” The sooner the better. Repaying her obligation to Edge and getting on with her life was the best thing for both of them.

They spent the next morning in the office, making a list of the weapons and gear they would need, strategizing, digging up info on the Internet, figuring out the best way to approach the problem.

Grease called with more information. The weapons were being smuggled out of Fort Huachuca Army Base in southern Arizona. Edge made arrangements with the jet charter company he had used before. They would be flying into the municipal airport in Sierra Vista, the town closest to the base, just twenty miles from the Mexican border.

While Edge worked on the flight and getting a rental car lined up, Skye checked out the local motel accommodations. She thought of the nights ahead—of sleeping in an empty bed in a lonely room when she could be lying next to Edge’s warm hard body. When they could be making love, and afterward, she could fall asleep in his arms.