He kissed her gently on her bruised, swollen lips. “It’s only a flesh wound. But if my arm falls off be sure to pick it up for me, okay?”
Juliet could see sweat still beading on Evan’s forehead. She knew he must be in pain. But that he would worry about her and make jokes to help her feel more comfortable even now…
God, how she loved him.
Her eyes flew back to his and she drew in a startled breath. Where had the thought of love come from? After her rape, she had figured that love wouldn’t be in the cards for her, that she would never again be comfortable enough with a man to be close.
But here she was, sitting on the lap of the man she trusted most in the world, as comfortable as she could ever dream of being. They were both wounded, exhausted and surrounded by criminals, but Juliet felt safe.
So maybe love wasn’t such a crazy idea, after all.
“What? What is that look? You look like you’ve just had a breakthrough in quantum physics or something.” Evan smiled, shaking his head.
“Yeah, something like that.” This wasn’t the place for declarations of love. But she did lean in and kiss him tenderly. “You’re a pretty good husband, Mr. Sinclair.”
Evan’s smile got even brighter. “Well, you’re a pretty good wife, Mrs. Sinclair.”
They probably would’ve stayed there awhile, just holding on to each other, if the staff member hadn’t come to lead them to the medical attention they needed.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Evan watched the distant port of Annapolis come into view. It would take only an hour or two now before they docked and were able to disembark. He was ready to get off this yacht.
He glanced at Juliet, who sat in an overstuffed love seat enjoying the late afternoon sunshine. Her eyes were closed and her battered face turned up toward the sun, which had chased away all traces of the storm. The sight of her wounded face brought back many unpleasant memories for Evan, but Juliet seemed to be doing fine.
More than fine, if her slight smile gave any hint.
Truly, she had handled the entire situation with the Ukrainians like a champ. She may have been out of the game for the past eighteen months, but no one would have known that last night. Evan could still feel the terror that had washed over him when that bastard had taken her out of the galley to go get the codes.
Not knowing what the Ukrainian was doing to Juliet—whether he would kill her as soon as he had what he wanted—had been much worse than the pain in Evan’s shoulder. And then to see her come flying back through the galley like some professional wrestler, tackling a guy twice her size? Yeah, she’d saved Evan’s life, but she’d also taken ten years off it as he’d watched, helpless, as the second Ukrainian raised that knife at her.
So thank God for Christopher Cady and his good aim. That was a sentence Evan never thought he’d say.
Vince Cady, although thrilled with his son’s actions, was truly appalled at what had happened. He’d moved Evan and Juliet into a huge cabin for the little of the night that was left and had apologized profusely. Multiple times.
In the end, Evan had no doubt this incident would strengthen their relationship with the miscreant. It was always good when a criminal owed you a favor. Vince was less likely to be suspicious of them in the future when he remembered what they had gone through under his watch.
Cady would eventually be arrested for his crimes, but first he would inadvertently provide Omega all sorts of intel about his criminal network. Evan would see to that.
But most of all, everything had become crystal clear to Evan last night. He was not going to live without Juliet any longer. Life was too short, too fragile. And he’d loved her too damn long to be without her anymore. Whatever it took to convince her of that, he would do it. He’d made the mistake of giving her space for too long.
He wouldn’t be making it again.
“You doing okay over there?” Juliet asked him from her chair. “How’s the shoulder?”
The yacht’s medic had stitched him up and given him a tetanus shot and some painkillers. It didn’t seem as though any permanent damage had been done, especially since Evan had full range of motion. But the doctor had suggested he get himself completely checked out once they reached shore. None of Juliet’s bruises and swelling would have any permanent effects, either, he predicted.
Evan turned and leaned against the railing so he was facing her. “Not too bad. How about you?”
“I’m just glad that ridiculous storm is over. This is much more what I think of when I envision myself on a yacht.”
Yeah, they’d made it through all sorts of storms last night.
Evan went to sit next to her on the love seat. He didn’t see anybody within earshot, but just in case, he pulled her close.
“How about, when we get off the boat, you come and stay with me at my town house?”
Juliet opened her one good eye. “You mean, for the op?” Her voice was barely more than a whisper. “In case they’re following us?”
He shrugged, then brought his face near hers. “Yeah, that. But mostly because I want you there, Jules.” He kissed her gently. “Now. When this case is over. Forever.”
Juliet sighed. “I’m still pretty messed up, you know.”
“We’re all messed up in this business. We’ll just take each day as it comes. Together.” He wanted to tell her he loved her, but was afraid it was too soon, that it might scare her off. If she agreed to come stay with him, hopefully live with him, that would be enough for right now.
Evan held her close as the ship headed to Annapolis. He enjoyed just being there with Juliet. Omega safely held the drone codes. And because of
