Into the Lair

Chapter Nineteen

Tyana watched as Eli finished shoving his clothes into a duffel bag and then tossed it onto the bed. Afterwards, he methodically performed a weapons check, going over each gun, each piece of electronic equipment.

She was jealous as hell.

D had left with Marcus hours before, and now Eli prepared to rendezvous with Tits before they headed to Austria.

She was itching to go. She wanted Esteban, and she wanted him badly. Wanted to make him pay for D’s pain and suffering.

“You look like you just swallowed a really nasty-tasting bug, sugar,” Eli drawled.

She blinked and then glared at Eli. “I hate being left behind,” she muttered.

He grinned and dropped a kiss on her upturned lips. “Yeah, I know you do. I’d rather you come along because I hate leaving you, but until that cast comes off, you’re stuck here.”

“Get him for me, Eli,” she said softly. “Promise me you’ll take him down for D. For what he tried to do to you.”

Eli’s expression turned serious. “I know how much D means to you, Tyana. I know how much it’s hurting you to be separated from him. I’m going to do everything I can to help you both. I have a personal stake in this, remember? Ian and Braden aren’t far behind D. They’re deteriorating more each day.”

She grimaced. “I don’t mean to leave them out of the equation, Eli. It’s just that for so long it’s been just me and D. It’s hard for me to get used to the idea that we aren’t alone anymore.”

Eli brushed her hair behind her ear. “No, sugar, you aren’t alone. You’ll have me for as long as you want me.”

Though the words were meant to comfort her, she saw the flash of uncertainty. Was he so unsure of her feelings? How could he not know how much she wanted him, how much she needed him?

Because you’ve never told him, dumbass.

The idea of laying bare her soul made her lightheaded. But he’d already given up so much for her. To give him the words seemed like so little. If only it didn’t feel like she was stabbing an ice pick through her eyeball.

Queasiness attacked her stomach, and she was sure she was turning green.

“Tyana? Are you okay?”

Eli’s concerned voice reached through the haze, and she focused on his face. On the earring that glittered in his ear. On the strands of dark hair that hung to his shoulders.

“I love you,” she blurted out.

Mortified by the brash way it tumbled out of her mouth, she closed her eyes and prayed he hadn’t heard.

“Tyana,” he said in a quiet voice.

She opened one eye to peek at him. In that moment she wanted to throw her arms around him and kiss him senseless. He seemed to understand how difficult it had been for her. He didn’t demand she say it again. Didn’t make a huge deal out of it. But she could see the stark relief in his eyes, and in that moment, she’d tell him a hundred times over if it meant he’d never look at her with insecurity again.

“I love you too.”

“I’m sorry I haven’t told you before now,” she went on in a rush. “I assumed you knew, I mean—”

He hushed her with a kiss. Long and slow. Gentle yet demanding. She emitted a little sigh as she melted into his arms.

“I do know,” he said as he pulled away. “But it’s damned nice to hear.”

“Eli, chopper’s here,” Mad Dog called from the other side of the door.

“Be right out.”

He glanced back at Tyana as he made a grab for his bags on the bed.

“Well, that’s my ride, sugar. I’ll see you in a few days. Try not to drive Mad Dog and Jonah too crazy, okay?”

She smiled but thought it was a rather weak attempt. He slung a backpack over his shoulder then leaned in to give her a quick kiss before he threw open the door and hurried out.

As she watched him go, she was struck by the thought that a few days ago she’d wanted this reprieve. Wanted room to breathe. And now, suddenly, the two people she loved most in the world were gone.

Hollow achiness invaded, stretching and invading her veins like poison. Alone. She was alone. And it felt horrible.