SIENNA.

It wasn't the first time that Zane Calloway would be my timely knight in shining armor, yet it was the first time I doubted his ability to save the day. This situation was tricky, and a misplay could mean that this would be the last few minutes I spent with my best friend.

"Zane... No." I whispered, feeling his hand settle on my shoulder. His touch was firm, but it didn't calm the storm raging inside me.

My eyes stung with tears, blurring the sight of Belinda's pale face, her hair now a mess, brushing against her forehead. I had already failed her twice, and had just a chance left to save her. One card to pick the number three, or Belinda would die. My heart pounded in a frantic drumbeat as I stared at the remaining cards, knowing they held the key to my friend leaving the rooftop alive.

Zane's grip tightened. "I will pick up the last card, trust me."

I turned to him and felt a conflicting wave of awe and fear as I studied his face. His dark eyes burned with a confidence I couldn't fathom. How could he be so sure he would pick the right card? My stomach churned with doubt. What if he chose wrong?

Damian's voice cut through. "You sure about this, Zane?" He stood to my left, his hand hovering near his gun. "This whole thing's a setup. I don't trust these folks."

Liam joined them, "We all know this whole card thing is a distraction. We need to move, not gamble, Zane."

Zane's eyes didn't leave the desk. "We do not have a choice. We stand here, they shoot. We rush, they shoot. I pick, we buy time."

"Time for what?" I snapped, trying to follow up on their conversation.

His gaze snapped at mine. "Just give me the chance to try."

The scarred-faced man's laughter broke the moment. "Touching," he scowled, his pistol swinging as he paced around. "But the clock's ticking, Calloway. Pick, or I choose for you both."

As Zane stepped toward the desk, my heart lurched with fear, choking me. I wanted to believe in him, yet the scarred-faced man's grin made my legs go weak and give way. I had to hold onto the edge of the desk to balance quickly.

Zane was reaching for one of the cards when hell broke loose. It happened in a split second, and I almost didn't see it start. A gunshot went off, echoing across the rooftop, and men in dark gear rushed in, aiming their guns at us. Damian spun around with his gun drawn, firing at them.

A scream tore from my throat as Liam and Ethan dove for cover behind a rusted vent. Their shots rang out in defense.

I snapped out of my momentary shock and turned my attention to Belinda, still slumped in the chair, oblivious to the surrounding madness. The scarred-faced man vanished behind the men, and it hit me. He had never intended to let her go. The game was at a standstill until his men could trap us and outnumber us.

"Sienna, stay down!" Zane called out while he pulled a phone from his pocket. His fingers moved fast over the screen as he dialed, "Get here, now," he barked into the phone, then dropped it, sprinting toward Belinda. I wondered what that call meant, but didn't dwell on it. We needed to save Belinda before a flying bullet pierces her heart.

I stumbled forward to join him as bullets whizzed past, and one grazed the desk, splintering the wood. Zane reached Belinda, and he fished for a knife to cut the duct tape binding her wrists and ankles. When she was cut free, her body sagged forward, and he caught her before he turned to me. "Sienna, hold her and stay low."

I nodded at him and reached for Belinda with shaky hands, letting her body rest against mine. Tears burned my eyes as I cradled her cold, pale body and under-eye. I brushed my fingers through her hair. "I've got you," I whispered, "I've got you now, Belinda."

Zane had joined the fight, rescuing Damian, who was grappling with a cartel thug. Damian's knife found its mark on his arm, and Liam fired from behind cover. Ethan wrestled another thug. He shot him in the jaw, and the man went skittering across the rooftop.

My stomach revolted in fear at the rawness of the bloody fight. Zane and his brothers were putting up a good resistance, but the cartel's men kept increasing in numbers.

A bullet grazed the desk, and I tightened my grip on Belinda. I ducked lower, shielding her with my body. A mechanical thrum filled the air, it was so low that it shook the rooftop. I looked up to see a helicopter descend, its blades slicing through the chaos. I saw the pilot, and hope filled me at once.

Noah.

The chopper dipped low with its side door open, letting out a rope. The cartel thugs shot at it, firing wildly when they realized it was our ride out of their chaos.

Zane was back at my side, his face streaked with sweat. "Sienna, move!" he shouted, grabbing my arm, pulling me and Belinda toward the chopper. Damian appeared, blood dripping from a gash on his forehead, his grin feral. "Go, Zane! We'll cover you!"

Liam and Ethan were still fighting, holding back the thugs. I clung to Belinda as the chopper approached until Noah's face became visible in the cockpit. Zane pushed me forward, his hand on my back, "Climb, Sienna! Now!"

I grabbed the ladder but felt my hands slipping on the ropes. As bullets whizzed past, I became frightened when one grazed the ladder's rung. I was terrified we would never make it out alive.

The helicopter's rotor roared above me, drowning out the gunfire but not my fear. I gripped the rope tighter until the coarse fibers were biting into my palms. The ladder swayed wildly under our weight as I climbed rung by rung, each step a battle against the surrounding terror.

"Sienna, keep moving!" Zane said, and I felt his hand on my back as he climbed behind me. His breath was hot against my neck, but his presence kept me from doubting our escape.

Below, the rooftop was a blood-soaked nightmare as the brothers kept fighting back against the thugs. A bullet whizzed past, grazing the ladder's rung above me and the metal twang. I gasped as my grip slipped, causing my body to lurch backward. Zane's arm shot out, wrapping around my waist,

"I've got you," he said. His eyes met mine for a split second, and I saw it...fear, not for himself, but for me and Belinda. It was gone as fast as it came, replaced by that unshakable resolve that both awed and infuriated me.

"Climb, Sienna!" he shouted, his hand pushing me upward. The helicopter's spotlight swept over us. The ladder twisted, causing the wind from the rotors to whip my hair into my face, stinging my eyes.

Below, Damian roared; He buried his knife in a thug's shoulder as he shoved the man to the ground. Another cartel thug lunged, but Damian was faster. He sent him sprawling with a punch. Liam crouched behind a vent, firing shots at the thugs, yet the men kept coming.

Noah called out to us. "Don't stop, you're almost here."

Almost. The chopper's open door loomed above, a promising safety, but it felt a world away.

"Sienna, move!" Zane shouted as a cartel thug jumped on the rope too, clutching his leg. My muscles screamed with pain as I forced myself higher.

Noah leaned out the chopper's door, extending his arm. "Sienna, give her to me!" he shouted, his voice barely audible over the rotors. With Zane's other arm holding me up, I pushed Belinda upward. Noah grabbed her, pulling her limp body into the chopper. Relief flooded me, but it was fleeting, as Zane and his brothers were still fighting below.

I scrambled into the chopper, collapsing onto the metal floor. I heaved a deep sigh. Noah secured Belinda to the seat. He checked her pulse carefully. "She's alive," he said, his eyes flicking to the chaos below. "But we need to move. Now."

"Come on, Zane, we have to go," Noah yelled.

I leaned out to watch Zane on the ladder as he covered his brothers while firing back at the man running after them.

"Zane!" I screamed, gripping the chopper's doorframe. "Get up here!"

He glanced up, "Not yet!" he shouted, firing again, dropping a thug who had aimed at Liam. He was protecting them.

Noah called out again. "Zane, we can't hold this position! Get your ass up here!"

Zane nodded and started climbing. Damian broke free from the thugs, sprinting for the ladder. Liam followed closely, still firing his gun to cover Ethan as he shoved off his opponent.

A scream tore from my throat as a bullet grazed Damian's shoulder, his body jerking, but he didn't stop, his grin feral as he hauled himself higher. Liam and Ethan climbed next. Zane reached the chopper, pulling himself inside. He turned around, grabbing Damian's arm to haul him in. Liam followed, collapsing beside me, his blood staining the floor. Ethan was last, his hands slipping on the ladder.

"Move," Zane called. Noah didn't wait to lurch the chopper upward while the ladder swung wildly as the cartel's gunfire chased us.

I clung to Belinda, my arms wrapped around her, my tears falling onto her hair.

Zane knelt beside me, his hand on my shoulder. "Sienna, she's safe. You did it."

I looked at Zane, his face streaked with blood and sweat. His eyes were tired. "No, you did. You promised to get us all out alive," I whispered. "Thank you, Zane," I managed to say just before the world went gray around me.

ZANE.

The helicopter's roar was a relentless pulse in my ears, but my eyes were fixed on Sienna, slumped against me on the chopper's cold metal floor. Her hair fell across her face as she took shallow breaths. Her grip on Belinda loosened as her eyes fluttered shut. I had caught her as she passed out, my arm was wrapped around her waist, stirring up my desire.

Belinda lay beside her, sedated, her face pale, her lips had a blue tinge from the cartel's drugs. Even though I had pulled off the duct tape, her breaths were faint,

Noah's voice crackled from the cockpit. "ETA to the penthouse, eight minutes. Hang tight, guys."

I nodded, though he couldn't see. I tightened my hand around Sienna's waist. Her cheek was smeared with blood. She had been reckless in an admirable way, climbing that ladder with Belinda despite how bullets were raining around her. The way she had fought for her sister back on the roof gave me the strength to fight harder. Because even if I was fighting it, the glaring truth was that I was in love with Sienna Carter and couldn't bear to lose her out there.

Damian leaned back. "Hell of a night, huh?" His voice was rough, his eyes flicking to Sienna, then me, a knowing glint in them.

Liam, clutching his arm, glanced up from his tablet. "We're not clear yet. They could still be out there."

Damian tapped on his seat. "Step on the gas, brother."

I listened to their talks but was too tired to attend. I merely nodded when they directed any questions to me. The chopper descended on the penthouse's rooftop pad, and Noah brought us down with a jolt, slowing the rotors.

I lifted Sienna, resting her head against my chest, while Damian and Ethan took Belinda. We stepped onto the pad and walked off the helicopter. A medic was there waiting to receive us. He rushed forward, leading us through the glass doors into the penthouse's foyer. "This way," he said,

I carried Sienna down the hall. I fought the urge to hold her closer and let my hands explore her beautiful body. She was vulnerable, and I was supposed to be her protector, not a man losing himself to desire. I loved her, and every moment I held her made it harder to hide.

The medic directed Damian and Ethan to a guest room and laid Belinda on a bed. The medic moved fast, hooking her to an IV. He checked her vitals, muttering about sedatives and recovery times. I watched for a moment, ensuring she was in good hands, then turned down the hall, carrying Sienna to my bedroom. I needed her close to know she was safe.

I laid Sienna down in the king-sized bed when I got to the room, her body sinking into the white sheets, her hair fanning out. I let my fingers linger on her arm, tracing the curve of her skin to her cheek. My chest tightened with want, the sight of her stirring that fire I couldn't douse.

Damian appeared in the doorway, his shoulder bandaged now. "We're heading out," he said.

"All of you?" I asked as Liam and Ethan joined him.

"Yes. We need to patch up and lie low. You good here?" he replied.

I nodded, my eyes still on Sienna. "Yeah. I have got this."

Liam's eyes flicked to Sienna, then back to me. "Lock it down, Zane. They will come again."

"I know, go. I will handle it," I said,

Ethan clapped my shoulder, "Watch your back, brother."

"You too. Thank you for today," I said.

They nodded silently at me before they left the room. I listened to their receding footsteps until the house was silent.

I stood over Sienna, my hands itching to touch her and smooth the hair from her face. I wanted to feel her warmth under my fingers. I sat on the edge of the bed, brushing my hand over her arm. My pulse quickened as my body came alive with want. I forced myself to pull back. I stepped away from the bed and began pacing the room to distract myself from the growing desire I felt. But my eyes kept returning to her slightly parted lips.

I kept staring at her until her eyelids fluttered, and a soft moan escaped her lips. I was at her side in an instant.

Her eyes opened slowly, searching the room before landing on me. "Zane?" Her voice was weak, but it sent a jolt through me, igniting the fire I had been fighting.

"You're safe," I said, "You're in my penthouse."

She sat up slowly, wincing as she touched her hand to her cheek, "Belinda?" Her eyes widened in panic, flaring, and she tried to stand.

I caught her, "She's in the guest room. Medics have checked her. She's stable but not yet awake. She will be okay."

Her breath hitched with relief, flooding her face, but her eyes stayed on mine. "Thank you, Zane."

My hands lingered on her waist. She was so close, her fragrance filled my senses. I couldn't hide it anymore, especially the need that burned through me.

She stepped closer, her hands brushing my chest as her fingers curled their way into my shirt.

My body tensed with every nerve alive with her touch. "Sienna," I murmured, lifting my hand to cup her face. Her skin was warm and soft,

"Zane," she whispered, her body leaning into mine. I slid my hand to her neck, tangling her hair with my fingers, and she tilted her head, parting her lips open.

Our lips met in a slow kiss that burned through every lie I had told myself. Her hands roamed my chest, and I pulled her closer. I used just one finger to expertly tilt her shirt to explore the ripeness of her swelling breasts. She wasn't wearing a bra. She mused distractedly; she waited, breathless with anticipation, as I trailed my fingers patiently down, drawing inexorably towards the throbbing mounds. When my fingers finally scooped up the shirt to cup it, she let out a little gasp, unconsciously egging me on for more.

Her nipples instantly hardened at the sweet tenderness of my touch. I played with one, lazily tracing its tip with my forefinger. My left hand came down as well, first lowering the other strap and then caressing her other breast, gently rubbing the rosebud peak until it hardened too, resulting in similar pleasurable sensations coursing through her.

I looked into her eyes, which had clouded with arousal. My gaze dropped to my own hands, now cupping her breasts.

"Exquisite!" I exclaimed.

She closed her eyes, trying to shield herself from the brilliance of my gaze.

"Please." That one single word escaped her lips before she could stop it.

"Kiss me, Zane."

As I lowered my head to take one of the tumescent peaks into my mouth, my tongue flicking it expertly, she sighed with pleasure. The wetness of my mouth assuaged the heat I had caused, my tongue now lapping at the engorged tip. When I raised my head momentarily, she groaned her protest.

I laughed delightedly and moved to her other breast, taking it into my mouth to bestow the same treatment I had on its twin. She traced the hairs on my head, ruffling them gently, gasping with each movement of my mouth.

Delicately, I played with the taut peaks, drawing them into my mouth again and again, alternately bathing them with my tongue and blowing gently on them with my warm breath. She whimpered as her arousal grew, soft sounds of pleasure emanating from her lips.

She cradled my head in her hands, unconsciously guiding it in response to her body's yearnings. When I stopped kissing her breasts, she moved her own hands over me to keep them in place, cupping the now tender mounds. My fingers still toyed with our tips, replacing my lips and tongue, the rhythmic rubbing of my thumbs ensuring her arousal remained unabated.

"You are something to die for, Sienna," I said huskily.

Without thinking, she began to giggle as they both ripped off each other's clothing as quickly as they could until they stood before each other completely naked.

I lay her down gently onto the bed, between the pillows, and as her back touched the mattress, she smiled at me.

She winked as I parted her legs until they were wide enough to accommodate my head. I stared at her navel and kissed the soft curls until I was at the edge of her wetness. She was already wet for me, and I was happy,

"Hmmm, don't ever stop, poke me harder," Sienna whimpered over and over as I sucked at her clits selfishly, just like she wanted.

Sienna's moans jostled me to the task at hand. She continued to moan aloud, calling my name randomly when she could not hold the cries. She would chuckle, scream, and pull at my hair, but I continued to eat the juicy flesh. After a few minutes, I stuck out my tongue until it was over my chin, flat and wide, then I put it at the tip of her vulva, making sure it was wet. I started to move my head up and down, pulling my tongue over her vagina slowly until my tongue was over her clit. I did this for a few more minutes, then made a small "o" shape with my lips, the perfect size for her clit. I poked my tongue inside her and gently started to suck, then I increased the pace, sucking as fast as I could, wildly. I used my tongue to massage her clit. She clings to my head in reaction.

Her cries grew louder, and I felt the urge to keep going at it, not getting tired.

"Zane, I want you inside me. Now."

"Gladly," I said. My fingers found their way to her thighs. I was not surprised to discover she was slick with thick wetness. I rolled her onto her back and thrust her in one quick movement, and she cried out with pleasure. My hands were rough on her breasts as I pinched lightly at her burgeoning nipples, holding them roughly between my thumb and forefinger. She cried out again. "Please, yes, oh my. Oh, please. Faster!"

I obliged readily, thrusting into her as hard as I could, the rhythmic movements mimicked by the synchronized arching of her hips, matching him stroke for stroke. When it rose to a crescendo, I couldn't help letting out a guttural cry of triumph, matched by her moans of satisfaction as she called out my name repeatedly. We climaxed together. I lay on top of her, reluctant to move away. I didn't want to say anything either, careful not to ruin the magic between us. When I glanced over at her, she stared at the ceiling, a dreamy look in her eyes.

Just then, the IV machine rang off, and we sat up at once, staring in the direction of the door as it dawned on us what that sound meant. Belinda was awake.

SIENNA.

The IV machine's piercing beep cut through the room, snapping me out of the lasciviously satisfied dampness that had settled over me. One second, I was on the highest cloud of ecstasy that Zane had taken me to as he pleasured me without stopping, and the next second, I was back to the reality of things in the penthouse.

Belinda was awake.

I stumbled out of Zane's king-sized bed, my bare feet hitting the cold hardwood floor, as I grabbed my shirt from the edge of the bed. The room tilted for a second since my legs were still weak from holding Zane's masculine body as he plunged into me.

I wore the shirt as I bolted for the door with my pulse roaring in my ears. Zane's broad frame brushed past me, his feet thudding against the floor. We raced down the hallway to the guest room.

The door was slightly open, and I shoved it open immediately. When I saw Belinda, my breath caught. I had to hold the edge of the wall to steady my breath. Belinda lay on the huge bed, and an IV line ran from her arm to a bag hanging on the metal pole. Her hair fanned across the white pillow, and her chest rose and fell as she breathed. The doctor hovered over her, holding a clipboard and a stethoscope dangling from his neck. He adjusted the drip before he glanced up towards us.

"She's stable," he said, reading her chart. "The sedatives are wearing off. She's groggy, but she's coming around."

I barely heard him. My eyes were still locked on Belinda's pale face. Her eyelids fluttered as a soft moan escaped her throat. That was my cue. I crossed the room in two strides, dropping to my knees beside the bed. With trembling hands, I reached for hers, feeling her skin clammy under my fingers. "Bel," I whispered. "I'm here, baby girl. You're okay."

Her fingers twitched in mine, giving me a weak squeeze that sent a flood of warmth through my chest. Her eyes opened slowly and unfocused, searching the room until they found me. "SiSi?" Her voice was barely audible, but it was her. My Belinda, alive and there with me.

Hot tears stung my eyes, but I blinked them back. I wouldn't cry, not now when she needed me to be strong. "Yeah, it's me," I said, forcing a smile. "You scared the hell out of me, you know that?"

Her lips twitched into a grin, and my heart lifted. Even half-conscious, she was still my delightful Belinda. "Takes more than a few cartel goons to keep me down," she mumbled in slurred words.

I laughed with half relief. "You're impossible," I said, squeezing her hand tighter. My gaze flicked to the doctor who was scribbling something on his clipboard. "How long until she's fully awake?"

"An hour, maybe two," he said, not looking up. "She's dehydrated, and the sedatives were heavy. She needs to rest and drink plenty of fluids. No stress."

No stress? I almost laughed at that. Stress was our lifestyle. The cartel had made sure of that. My jaw tightened as I brushed a strand of hair from Belinda's forehead, noting how warm her skin felt under my touch.

I stood, curling my hands into fists at my sides as I turned to Zane, who was leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed; he had his gaze fixed on me. Those eyes seemed to see straight through to the storm raging inside me. He didn't say anything, but the way his fingers flexed against his biceps told me he knew what I was about to say.

"We need to put an end to this," I said. "The cartel. All of them. They don't get to come after us again."

Zane's brow lifted as a flicker of surprise crossed his face. "Sienna," he started, "You know what that means? It's not just going to be a diplomatic fight. It's a war."

"I know." I met his gaze with an unflinching glare. "And I'm not asking for your permission. I'm telling you I'm in. All the way."

Belinda's hand tightened around mine, pulling my attention back to her. Her eyes were clearer now, a spark of mischief in them. "Damn, SiSi," she said in a weak voice but laced with teasing. "You're out here sounding like a badass. What happened to my girl who used to jump in her own shadow?"

I snorted, shaking my head. "She's still here. Just pissed off." I leaned closer, "You're not going through this again, Bel. I'm not losing you."

Her grin widened, and she lifted a shaky hand to poke my arm. "You're stuck with me, babe. Cartel or no cartel." She glanced past me to Zane, her eyes narrowing playfully. "And you, Mr. Mafia Kingpin, better keep up. My girl's got a vendetta now."

Zane's lips twitched. "Noted," he said, stepping closer. "But Sienna, this isn't a game you just jump into. You go after him, you're painting a target on your back bigger than the one you've already got."

"I already have a target," I snapped. I gestured to Belinda, "They took her, Zane. They tied her to a chair, drugged her, and played their sick games. And for what? I'm done being their pawn."

He stepped close enough that I could feel the heat of his determination radiating off him, "You think I don't want them gone?" His voice was low, a growl that sent a shiver down my spine. "Every bastard in that cartel is on my list, Sienna. But rushing in only gets us dead." He nodded toward Belinda. "I'm not letting that happen."

I opened my mouth to argue, but Belinda's laugh cut me off. "Oh, you two are cute," she said, propping herself up on her elbows despite the doctor's disapproving grunt. "Fighting like an old married couple already. SiSi, he's got a point. You're fierce, but you're not bulletproof. And you..." She pointed a shaky finger at Zane. "Don't act like you're not impressed with her decision."

I shot her a look. "Bel, not now."

"What? I almost died. I get to say what I want." She grinned at us, "And what I want is for you to stop pretending you don't trust this guy. He hauled my ass out of that hellhole. Give him some credit."

Zane's gaze flicked to Belinda, a flicker of amusement softening his features. "You're welcome," he said,

I exhaled, my shoulders slumping as the fight drained out of me for a moment. Belinda was right...she always was, damn her. Zane had saved us both, risked his life and his brothers' to pull us off that rooftop.

"Bel," I said, sinking onto the edge of the bed, my hand still wrapped around hers. "What happened out there? What did you hear?" Her grin faded instantly, making me hate myself for dropping that random question prematurely. I gave Zane a glance, and he had the same startled expression as I.

"Bel?" I asked, watching her eyes cloud as she stared at the ceiling. Her fingers tightened around mine.

"They didn't think I was listening," she said. "They thought I was out. But I heard them, SiSi. That scarred bastard while he was on the phone, talking about hitting Zane where it hurts. His investments and his allies. They want to gut the Atlas Group by leaking everything to the feds and the press. Make it so he can't hide anymore."

I glanced at Zane, whose face had gone stone-hard as he processed her words. "They're going for the servers," he said, more to himself than to us. "The financials, the offshore accounts. Everything."

I nodded until I remembered I still had the flash. "We can use the flash," I said, "We can turn their plan against them. Draw them out, hit them first."

Zane's eyes snapped to mine, "You're talking about baiting them. Using yourself as the lure."

I lifted my chin, meeting his gaze head-on. "If that's what it takes, yes."

"No." He said, his hands flexing at his sides like he wanted to grab me and give me a shake. "You don't get it, Sienna. They don't just want you dead. They want you broken. I'm not letting you walk into their trap again."

I stood, my chest brushing against his, "It is my call to make, Zane."

Belinda let out a low whistle, "Told you she's a badass," she said, nudging the doctor, who looked like he wanted to be anywhere else. "You should've seen her, Zane. Took on a frat boy twice her size for stealing my phone. Knocked him flat."

I shot her a glare, "Not helping, Bel."

"Oh, I'm helping," she said. "You two need to stop circling each other like alley cats and work together. SiSi, he's got the muscle, the brains. And you..." She paused. "You've got that fire. Use it. But don't be stupid."

Zane's gaze softened as he looked at Belinda with a flicker of admiration in his eyes. "You're tougher than you look. Most people would be a mess after what you went through."

She shrugged, wincing as the movement tugged at her IV. "What can I say? I'm a survivor. Like my girl here." Her eyes locked on mine, and for a moment, it was just us.

"I trust you," I said to Zane, "But you have to trust me too."

For a moment, I thought he'd argue, but then he exhaled and nodded. "Alright," he said, "We do this together. But you follow my lead, Sienna. No heroics."

I smirked, echoing Belinda's defiance. "No promises."

Belinda laughed, an infectious sound that cut through the tension. "That's my girl," she said, "Now, can someone get me a burger? I'm starving."

The doctor sighed, shaking his head. "You need to stick to fluids for now."

"Fluids?" Belinda scoffed, propping herself higher on the pillow. "Unless it's a milkshake, I'm not interested."

Zane's lips curved into a real smile this time, and my heart stuttered at the sight. "I'll see what I can do," he said, his eyes flicking at me, holding my gaze for a beat too long. Heat crept up my neck, and I looked away, focusing on Belinda to hide the flush in my cheeks.

"You're ridiculous," I said to her. "I thought I lost you."

Her expression softened, her hand finding mine again. "Never," she said, "Like I said earlier, you're stuck with me, SiSi. Always."

I squeezed her hand, my throat tight. The weight of the past five years pressed against me, but it is different now. We were not alone anymore.

I glanced at Zane, catching him watching me. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes held an emotion I wasn't ready to name. "Come on, she needs to rest." his hand brushes my arm, which sends a jolt through me.

Belinda's voice broke the moment, "Okay, lovebirds, save the staring contest for later. Get me that burger, and then go kick some cartel ass. I want to be there when you burn those bastards down."

I laughed hard and, for the first time in years, I felt like I could breathe. The fight was coming, and it would be brutal. But with Belinda's fire and Zane's strength beside me, I was ready.