Angel in the Shadows (22 page)

Chapter 27

The blades of the helicopter sliced through the air, causing the snow to swirl and dance. Catching the light of the moon, the flakes became prisms, shimmering in the cold, December air. Tucked deep inside Seth’s strong arms, Madison watched as the ground receded below them and though there was an initial thrill of uneasiness coursing through her, she wasn’t afraid. For the first time in a long time, she felt safe. She felt complete. How strange it was that the man beside her, the trained killer and deceiver, should be her salvation. He was the last thing she had ever expected to find and yet, now he was the only thing she never wanted to give up.

“Hang in there, Maddie,” his soft voice whispered in her ear.

His breath was warm and sweet on her face and he pulled her in closer. Wrapped in several thick blankets, she was warm despite the air flowing through the open doorways of the huge, metal chopper. The morphine she had been given to numb the pain was kicking in and she felt herself slipping into sleep. She struggled to remain awake, to be aware of what was happening and where they were going but the drug was too strong and Seth’s body next to hers was too warm and comfortable. From her position, she had a direct view of the pilot. Tall, dark, and handsome, he was a man she had never seen before. Nikolas Kozlov, an associate of Seth’s. His Russian accent was strong but she had been able to understand him easily. Dimly she wondered if it were a requirement that all members of Seth’s organization be so striking.

“What’s going to happen now?” she murmured, her tongue feeling heavy in her mouth.

“First you’re going to the hospital.”

Blinking her eyes, she turned her head and looked up at him. “And then?”

A soft smile, a gentle touch. “I don’t know yet. But whatever happens, you’ll be safe. I’m never letting you go, Maddie. Ever.”

She saw the truth shining in his blue eyes and smiled. Leaning over, he kissed her tenderly as they began to climb into the sky.

“ETA is twenty minutes,” Nikolas yelled back at Seth.

With a quick nod of acknowledgement, the helicopter pilot left the ground.

Hovering in the dark sky, Seth watched the cabin explode. In a massive ball of flame and black smoke, Vance Goldston disappeared. The mission was over, his job was complete. It was time to disappear again. Only this time, he would not be going alone.

Seth looked down at the woman he held in his arms and knew he could never live without her. It was funny really. Throughout his entire life, he had never wanted or needed anything or anyone the way he did her. He’d been content to live in the shadows. To be a ghost as it were. Always running, hiding, killing. And then out of the blue, she came along, making him question everything he had ever known. “Maddie,” Seth said.

“Hmmm,” she murmured back, her face tilted up, staring at him with one good eye.

“This whole time I just thought you were someone in the wrong place at the wrong time. And that I was saving you.”

“And that’s not the case now?” she asked, her words slurred with the drugs he’d given her.

“No,” he answered, bending down to kiss the tip of her nose. “Your timing couldn’t have been more perfect.
You
were the one saving me.” For whatever reason, he was being given a second chance. Another chance at life. Another chance at happiness. She was his salvation, his angel in disguise and he didn’t deserve her. At least not yet. But he would. With enough time, he could make her happy. He would be everything she needed and more. She deserved that and he would give it to her.

Charlie wouldn’t like his sudden withdrawal from the organization but she would understand. He had served her well for many years now and the least she could do was to let him go. There would always be newer, younger operatives coming in to take his place. Men and women that needed Charlie’s help as much as she needed theirs. Life would go on in the Perfect Order. Just without him in it. And he could live with that. He could do anything as long as he had Madison.

“I guess we saved each other,” Madison whispered. “But where do we go from here?”

Careful not to hurt her, Seth pulled her to him. “Does it matter?”

“No. As long as I’m with you, nothing else matters.”

Seth stared down at her, his future, his life and knew she was right. As long as he had her, nothing else mattered. With a gentle smile, he leaned down and carefully placed his lips on hers, knowing he would never leave her side. Whatever she needed, whatever she wanted, he would do it. For the rest of their lives. He’d finally found where he was meant to be. Who he was meant to be. The truth was crystal clear and undeniable. She had his heart and that was just fine with him. Because now he belonged to her. Forever.