He stayed silent for a moment and then lifted my face up, making me look at him. “I have a surprise for you.”

My whole mood brightened at once. “What surprise?”

He chuckled, capturing my lips in a soft kiss. But his kiss lingered for too long for my impatient self.

Pulling away, much to his dismay, I snaked my arms around his neck. “What surprise?”

“Too many things have been going on recently. So, I thought you’d like to get away from this place for a while.”

“We’re going somewhere? On a vacation?” I squealed like a child getting their Christmas gift.

A breathtaking smile tugged at his lips, gray eyes roaming my features with love and adoration. “Yes. A vacation.”

“Where? When are we going?”

“Relax, Rosebud. It’s a surprise. Have some patience, will you?” He ran his nose over my jaw. “We’re leaving tomorrow night, after the meeting with the Russians.”

I pouted. I hated not knowing where he was taking me. “Is it out of the US?”

Amusement danced in his eyes. “You’ll see once we reach there.”

Huffing, I put my head back on his chest.

Chuckling, he trailed his hand under my dress. A shiver shot through my body as his fingers glided up my thigh.

“Are you still sore, baby?” his hot breath fanned my neck.

Hiding my face more in his chest, I nodded. The slight pinch of discomfort was still there. “A little.”

He let out a groan. “Take another painkiller. I’ll go mad if I don’t have you tonight.”

I bit my lip at the painful tug in my lower region. I could already feel the burning desire running hot through my veins. My hand went to his hair, tugging softly.

He breathed into my neck. “I love you so much, my rose.”

My lips parted at his hot lips against my skin and scorching touch on my thighs. Those pervert hands of his slowly crept up to my butt.

Pulling away, I brought his head down and captured his lips in a hungry kiss. And he responded immediately with his punishing one.

“I love you too.”

Walking down the hallway, I called Warner for the second time, but he didn’t pick up. I left him a message after meeting Liza, but he didn’t even answer that. I wanted to ask him if he found out more about Arthur.

Where was he?

I was getting impatient now. I needed to talk to Ace. But I was too afraid to ruin the beautiful phase we were going through.

I wish I had gotten Warner’s cousin’s number from him.

Sighing, when I punched the green button again, a hand grabbed my arm in a harsh grip before pulling me into a dark room I hadn’t entered before.

FIFTY-FOUR: THREAT