However, the Governor is not faring well. He’s already explained to us that he’s willing to concede to any and all d
emands within his power, including dropping out of the race. No one has argued with him; our concern is the wellbeing of those being held.
I take my coffee outside and dial Presley, needing to hear her voice. She left me a message last night that Tripp brought her back to our condo, and she was staying there. With all the shit going on, there was comfort in knowing she was lying in my bed.
“’Lo…” Her voice is gravely and laced with sleep.
“Did I wake you?”
“Yes, but I’ve been waiting for your call. I didn’t fall asleep until after five this morning.”
“Sorry I couldn’t call earlier. We haven’t taken many breaks.”
“Can you tell me what’s going on?”
I briefly fill her in on the situation, leaving out any confidential details.
“What’s next?”
“We’re on stand-by, waiting for any news. Our team is still digging for enemies and radicals.”
“When are you coming home?”
“Hopefully, in a few hours. We’ll start taking shifts soon.”
“Should I be worried?”
“No.” The lie burns in my chest. It’s better if I don’t tell her the next stage of the plan unless it’s absolutely necessary. There’s an ache deep in my chest, knowing that if this gets ugly, I’ll be in the middle.
“Call me when you’re coming home. I miss you.”
“Miss you too.”
I end the call and try to finish my coffee, but it tastes bitter as I think about what could happen if James needs me.
Standing in my doorway, I watch Presley sleep peacefully on my side of the bed. The vision of her wearing one of my USMC t-shirts while wrapped around my pillow eases the wrenching in my gut.
Two hours. I have two hours to explain to her what’s happening and meet the team at the airport. Instead of heading to the shower and packing a bag, I strip and crawl into bed next to her, rolling us. Her warm breath tickles my chest as she burrows deeper into me. My arm starts to tingle with the loss of blood flow, so I adjust us gently, then run my hand up and down her back.
I allow myself a few minutes to soak in the closeness of our bodies before kissing along her hairline to wake her. “Presley, wake up.”
“Hmmm, noooo.”
“I hate to do this, baby, but we need to talk. Wake up for me.”
She shakes her head and gives a little grumble.
My lips travel down to her ear, and I nibble gently, whispering, “I have to go. I’d love nothing more than to strip you naked and sleep the rest of the day away, but I can’t.”
I know she’s awake when her lashes flutter against my skin. “When do you leave?”
“Soon.”
“When will you be back?”
“As soon as the motherfuckers are arrested.”
“Is this going to be safe?”