Steel Vengeance (Blackthorn Security #6)

Chapter 44

CHAPTER 44

O NE MONTH LATER

Life wasn’t fair.

Sloane threw her clothes on the floor and climbed into the shower. She’d finally found the man of her dreams, and he’d disappeared off the face of the earth. After Stitch had left her in the ambulance, she’d told him she’d wait. That she’d be here for him. Surely, he’d understood what she meant.

Hadn’t she been clear enough?

She tilted her head back and let the water pound her face. Why was she second-guessing herself? Of course she’d been clear. He knew. He’d felt it too. She hadn’t imagined it.

Yet, a month had passed, and there was still no sign of him.

Or Pat.

She’d tried reaching out through official channels, but no one knew anything. It was like the whole thing had never happened. She was beginning to wonder herself. The last contact she’d had with anyone in authority was when a young agent came to see her in the hospital a few days after the fire, handing her a letter terminating her contract.

Her job was over.

It hadn’t even been a real assignment. Nothing about the entire operation was legitimate. Matthew. The mission. It had all been a farce.

She’d been played—completely.

Her cheeks burned, remembering how easily she’d fallen for it all. She had been flattered by Matthew’s attention, eager to impress, and so quick to trust.

She squeezed her eyes shut. What a fool.

After her shower, she stepped out onto the bathmat and wrapped herself in a big, fluffy towel.

Never again.

Never again would she be deceived by a man.

Had they even arrested Matthew? She’d asked the young agent, but he’d given her the standard response. He couldn’t share any details about an ongoing investigation. But she shouldn’t worry—there was no longer any threat to her.

“So, that’s a yes, then?” she’d asked, but he’d only repeated the same line.

Which left her wondering. Was Matthew in prison? Or had Stitch taken him out, just like Jeremy and Omari? Was that why no one was talking?

Was that why Stitch hadn’t come back? Had he been arrested for killing Matthew?

Nobody was giving her any information!

She’d tried calling Stitch’s burner phone, but it went straight to voicemail. It had probably been destroyed or deactivated. There was nothing she could do but get back to her life.

What life?

She rubbed herself dry, gripping the towel. What was she supposed to do now? Maybe she’d go back to teaching. She had always loved that, but something was holding her back.

It was because she wasn’t ready. The past few months had been insane, and she needed time to process everything, not least her feelings for Stitch, and how to move forward without him. A hot tear rolled down her cheek, something that happened more and more frequently these days.

What did you expect? she scolded herself. That he’d stick around? Move in? Live happily ever after? Yeah, right.

They’d had a passionate affair, but it was over now. He’d obviously moved on. His line of work meant he couldn’t stay in touch. He probably wasn’t even in the country anymore.

A familiar ache settled in her chest as she pulled on a black nightgown she’d once bought to impress Matthew, back when they were dating.

Funny enough, she’d never had the guts to wear it for him. Now it seemed like a fitting end to her love life—funereal.

Stitch was irreplaceable. No man could compare.

“I prefer you naked.”

She gasped and spun around. “Stitch!”

She hadn’t noticed him sitting quietly on the bed, his broad shoulders taking up half of it. He hadn’t changed—still rugged, still brawny, totally gorgeous.

He grinned. “Did I catch you at a bad time?”

She stood frozen, her heart thudding in her chest. Part of her wanted to throw herself into his arms and never let go, but another part of her hesitated. It had been a month. A lot could change in a month.

Did he still feel the same way?

Maybe he was here to say goodbye.

“Why are you here?” she choked out.

“I said I’d come back, didn’t I?”

“Yes,” she said cautiously. “But it’s been a while.”

“Sorry. I got held up. Had to go back to the SEAL teams and finalize my discharge paperwork. It wasn’t handled right the first time. Pat insisted.”

She bit her lip. “So, you’re not going back? You’re not here to say goodbye?”

“Not yet.” He got to his feet, eyes gleaming.

Her heart pounded. Was this really happening?

When he reached her, he buried his face in her hair, murmuring, “I’ve been dreaming about this moment.”

“Really?” She shivered as he nuzzled her neck. Could this be real? Could he truly be here?

“Really.”

Without thinking, she launched herself at him, wrapping her arms around his neck.

He laughed, catching her easily, holding her against his strong chest. She felt his heartbeat, strong and steady. Hers was firing like a machine gun.

“I missed you so much.” She buried her face in his neck. “I thought you weren’t coming back. That you’d forgotten about me.”

“How could I forget the woman I love?” he whispered into her ear.

“What?” She pulled back, her eyes wide. Had she just hallucinated, or had he just said he loved her?

“You heard me.” He kissed the side of her neck, his breath warm against her skin. “Don’t make me say it again.”

Stunned, she shook her head.

He snorted. “It’s not often I can render you speechless. I can see I’m going to have to prove it to you. Right now.”

She giggled, happiness bubbling up inside her, an emotion she hadn’t allowed herself to feel in weeks. “I’d like that.”

In one swift move, he carried her to the bed and laid her down, his eyes dark with desire. But as he leaned over her, she noticed the thick white bandage wrapped around his side, just above his waist.

“Stitch... what happened?” Her fingers brushed against it gently.

“Matthew shot me,” he said, his voice casual, though his face tightened with a flash of pain as she touched him.

“You were shot?!”

“Hey, I’m fine.” He gave her a reassuring smile. “They patched me up good as new, but... that’s why it took me so long to get to you. Discharge and a bullet wound, not the best combination.” He winced when she touched the bandage again. “But don’t worry, it’s healing. All the important things still work.”

He was making light of it, but her heart clenched. “I wish you’d told me.”

“I didn’t want to worry you until it was all over,” he murmured, pulling her hand away and kissing her knuckles. “Now that I’m here, I’m not going anywhere.”

She wanted to argue, to demand more details, but when he kissed her again, all her protests melted away.

In that moment, it didn’t matter.

Their lips met, and with every touch, he unleashed a yearning in her so deep it nearly overwhelmed her. She clawed at his T-shirt, and he helped her pull it over his head, wincing slightly as the movement tugged on his wound.

“I don’t want to hurt you,” she whispered, worry flitting through her gaze.

“You won’t.” He smirked down at her, eyes filled with heat. “I’ll take it easy. Maybe.”

She grinned, her hands sliding over his bandaged side, careful but determined.

God, how she’d missed him.

Her hands fumbled at his belt, desperate to feel him close. She needed to believe this was real, that he was here, that this moment was actually happening.

His jeans hit the floor, and he lowered himself onto her, careful but sure, claiming her mouth with his. Her breath hitched as their bodies pressed together.

Everything about him was strong, intense, and right where she needed him.

He groaned as she tugged him closer, pulling him down, opening herself up to him, making room for him in every sense of the word.

“Stitch,” she whispered, her voice trembling as she gazed into his eyes, “I love you too.”

His kiss was his answer, and the way he moved, slow and sure, was a promise of everything she had been waiting for.