Oath of Honor

Wes’s hand was so warm, so damn perfect in hers. Evyn wanted

to reverse the clock—start the last few days over. She wanted to keep

Wes safe, she wanted to take her out to dinner when they weren’t both

exhausted, she wanted to make love with her when they weren’t hurt or

displaced or scared of losing their fragile connection. Hell. She wanted

to date her, maybe more—something she hadn’t wanted with anyone,

possibly ever. “I think I fucked this up.”

“No, you didn’t,” Wes said. “You gave me everything I needed.”

The lights of the tower flashed red across the sky. The runway

lights glowed brighter by the second. Another minute and they’d be on

the ground. Evyn willed time to slow. She needed a little more time—

when had everything gotten away from her? “We’ll have to get a cab—

the team will have taken the SUV back to the House. We can share one

as far as your hotel, and then I’ll go pick up my car.”

“That’s okay,” Wes said. “We can head straight to the House. I want

to spend a few hours at the office. I’ve been away more than I’ve been

there since I’ve arrived, and it’s time I got some things organized.”

“Can’t it wait until tomorrow?” Evyn wouldn’t mind the few extra

minutes together, but Wes was pale. “You’re still looking pretty beat.”

“We’re coming up on the holidays. We’ll be working doubles

between now and after New Year’s so everyone can have time off. I

need to review the duty rosters and the travel schedules—and about a

dozen other things.”

The plane touched down and the engines whined into their

deceleration.

Please remain seated until the captain has taxied to the gate and

turned off the seat belt sign.

“What are you doing for Christmas?” Evyn asked.

• 191 •

RADCLYfFE

“I’m the new guy, remember? I’m working.”

“You’re also the boss.”

“Half the team has kids—they need to be with family.”

“What about yours?”

Wes smiled. “They’re used to me being away for holidays. They

understand. You?”

“Ah—I volunteered to take the holiday shifts too. Good overtime,

plus my sibs and I gave my parents a cruise for Christmas. They’ll be

gone until after New Year’s anyhow.”

“So we’re in the same boat again,” Wes said.

“Seems to happen a lot.” People around them began standing and

opening the overhead bins. Evyn realized she was still holding Wes’s

hand. She had to let go, and when she did, last night would really be

over. She slipped her fingers free. The cabin lights came on full and she

blinked. Passengers filed past. Wes released her seat belt and searched

Evyn’s eyes, questions in hers.

“So what’s next?” Wes asked.

“More of the same.”

“Hopefully no more water exercises.”

“No.” Evyn grimaced. “We’re done with those. Probably keep the

sims to half-days and finish up this week.”

“How am I doing?” Wes didn’t really expect an answer.

Evyn hesitated. “You’re doing fine, Captain.”

“Thanks.” Wes grinned wryly at the formality. “Seems I now have

quarters in a residential hotel off Dupont Circle, so I can use the extra

time to move. Got the text while I was in the shower earlier.”

“Need help moving?” Evyn asked.

“I’m fine—I don’t have much. But thanks.”

“Well, if you change your mind, let me know.” Evyn said.

“I’ll be in my office this evening if anything comes up.” Wes

pointed to the aisle as the last passengers streamed off, averting her

gaze. She was a little too tired and a little too sore at heart to hide her

sadness, and she didn’t want Evyn to misread sadness for regret. She

didn’t regret a moment of their time together. “Time to go.”

“Right. Don’t stay up half the night working,” Evyn said,

stepping out into the aisle and pulling Wes’s bag from the overhead

compartment.

• 192 •

Oath Of hOnOr

“I won’t.” At Evyn’s skeptical look, she laughed. “Word of

honor.”

“I might call you to remind you of that.”

“No need,” Wes said, her pulse racing despite her best intentions,

“but feel free to call anytime.”

Evyn paused, her expression growing intent. “I’ll do that.”

• 193 •

RADCLYfFE

chapter twenty-fOur

The cab stopped at Fifteenth and E streets, and Wes passed bills

to the driver for the fare and opened her door. Evyn had spent

the ride from the airport downloading mail and answering texts, and

Wes had been grateful not to make small talk. She couldn’t think of a

thing to say that wouldn’t ring false after the last thirty-six hours. “I’ll

see you. Take care, okay?”

“Yeah. I will,” Evyn said. “You too.”

“’Night.” Wes stepped out and dragged her go bag out after her.

The cab pulled away to take Evyn to her car. Wes didn’t watch it go,

although she wanted to. Instead, she hurried to the gate, showed her

ID to the officer, and made her way through the quiet halls toward her

office. The night had a surreal feel to it—everything was too quiet after

what seemed like a constant bombardment of emotional and physical

explosions for days. She nodded to the occasional valet pushing a cart