He hadn’t called Jasmine. He didn’t know what he’d find waiting for him in South Carolina, and he didn’t want to risk Jazz, too. Tracy had promised to provide support for him—and he would trust her. Victor had said the woman was a good agent, the best on his team.
He would—
The noise around him dimmed because she was there. Standing just a few feet away and nervously biting her lip.
“Elizabeth?”
She swallowed and nodded.
He was at her side in an instant. “What the hell are you doing here?” He’d left her all safe and sound back at the winery. She shouldn’t be in that busy California airport with him.
“Something has happened to Victor, right?”
His back teeth clenched. “Yes.”
“Because of me?”
He looked away.
“You do that…you look away when you don’t want to lie to me.”
Saxon caught her arms and walked her over toward the wall, blocking her view of everyone else with his body. “Whatever is going on—”
“It’s because of me. Victor was trying to help me. And now you’re flying off, and I’m coming with you.”
The hell she was.
But Elizabeth reached into her bag and she pulled out a ticket. “After you rushed out on me, I talked with Vanessa. She’d booked your flight, so I got her to book mine, too.”
No, this wasn’t happening. “You can’t come with me.”
On the intercom, he heard them announce the boarding for his flight. He backed away from Elizabeth, but she caught his hand.
“Why not?”
And he wouldn’t lie. “Because the bastard who has Vic—that bastard wants you! He wants to trade Vic’s life for yours, and that isn’t happening.”
She paled as she stared up at him.
“I can’t lose you, and I won’t lose Vic.” That meant he went on the plane by himself. “You mean too much to me.” And because he didn’t know what the hell was going to happen when he got to South Carolina, he leaned forward and kissed her once more. This kiss was different from the one he’d given her in the winery. Not wild, but soft and sensual. He poured his emotions into that kiss. He wanted her to know how he felt even if he didn’t have the words that he should be able to give her.
Do I love her?
Yes, he thought he did. But he’d never told a woman that he loved her. Never had those words come out. He wasn’t sure they could. He was so screwed up on the inside. Far more damaged than his sweet Elizabeth probably realized.
I knew she was too good for me, but I couldn’t stay away. And once he’d had her, there had been no going back for him.
“Good-bye,” Saxon breathed the words against her lips, then he kissed her once more. This time, when he kissed her, he could taste the salt of her tears on his tongue.
He turned away and headed for the plane.
***
Saxon buckled his seatbelt and leaned his head back against the seat. He’d need to get a weapon when he arrived in South Carolina. And he’d check in with Tracy to see what kind of reinforcements would be available from the FBI.
His eyes closed as he planned.
Getting Victor out alive was priority one. Making sure that—
He smelled honey. Sweet, sweet honey. Something soft brushed against his knee.
Saxon shook his head even as his eyes opened. Elizabeth was there and currently sliding into the seat right behind his. He caught her arm. “What are you doing?”
She glanced down at his hand. “I think I told you before, I won’t have you risking your life for me again. I won’t let you or your brother be in danger because of me.”
“You don’t understand—”
“No, Saxon, you don’t understand.” The tears were gone from her eyes. She stared up at him and said, “I love you, and I won’t let you just fly away from me. If there is something I can to do help you, I will.”
I love you.
He hadn’t heard anything past that. Tell her that you love her, too. Tell her. But he couldn’t speak a word.
The flight attendant’s voice drifted through the plane as she began her safety spiel.
“It’s okay,” Elizabeth told him with a soft smile. “I know you don’t love me yet. It’s too fast, I get it. But do I love you, Saxon, and I’m coming with you. I’m going to be by your side. I’m going to—”
“Why?”
Her smile widened. “Because that’s what family does.”
No, no…why do you love me? And why was it suddenly so hard for him to actually speak?
She caught his hand and brought his scarred knuckles to her lips. “Whatever is waiting for us, we’ll face it, together.”
The hell they would. “He wants you.” He’d told her that already. “The bastard is trying to trade your life for Victor’s.” That’s a trade that will never happen. I’ll protect her. Always. Victor was his brother, and he’d do just about anything for the man. Take a bullet, give up his life.
But there was one thing he wouldn’t do.
I’ll never trade her. Because she just meant too much to him.
***
Hours later, they were in South Carolina. Finally. Elizabeth had felt as if they were racing some invisible clock during the entire journey.
As soon as they left the Charleston airport, Saxon pulled out his phone. His face was tense when he made the call, and Elizabeth stood beside him, hardly daring to breathe.
“I’m here,” Saxon said into the phone.
She inched closer, trying to hear the other man’s voice. It was garbled but it sounded like he asked…Did you bring her?
Saxon’s gaze slanted toward Elizabeth. “Yes.”
A car horn honked, drowning out any hope she had of hearing the other man’s words.
“Where are you?” Saxon demanded.
“No cops…” She caught those words clearly.
A family came out of the airport, talking excitedly and laughing. She glanced over at them for an instant. When she looked back at Saxon, he looked even more grim and intense.
“I’ll be there,” Saxon promised.
“An hour.” She heard that part very clearly. “Or he’s dead.”
She shivered. Night had fallen, and there was darkness all around them. So much darkness.
Saxon ended the call and put the phone in his pocket.
“What happens now?” She asked him.