I wiped the steam off the mirror and stared at the woman I found there.
Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes bright, and her neck slightly red with whisker burn. She looked like the version of me I liked best, the one who only existed when I was with Nate.
The bathroom door opened, and I tensed at the serious set of Nate’s mouth.
“What is it?” I spun toward him, fearing the worst. “Serena?”
He shook his head. “Get dressed. They’re at the city gates.”
My lips parted. “At Jalalabad?”
His jaw clenched. “No. They surrendered Jalalabad last night while we were sleeping. They’re here in Kabul.”
Oh shit.
CHAPTER THIRTY
NATHANIEL
Kabul, Afghanistan
August 2021
“That makes three hundred,” Elston said, closing the roof-access door behind us as the Chinook took off with another fifty evacuees from the embassy.
The city was in chaos beyond the defenses of the Green Zone, and we weren’t faring too much better in here either. Panicked people were dangerous people, and though the evacuation was going pretty steadily, who knew how anyone within would react to the sight of one of those white-flagged pickup trucks.
“Only a few thousand to go,” I said as we descended the stairs in full combat gear. “How long do you think we have?”
“Before the president negotiates a surrender, the Taliban decides to kick up their heels in the Green Zone, or you actually convince Ms. Astor to get the fuck out?” he asked, our boots the only other sound in the stairwell.
“I bet they’re in the Green Zone before dinner,” Torres said, catching up to us.
“They’ve been in negotiations for a couple hours now, so I’m sure that part is going to happen quickly. We’re just lucky their forces are still outside the gates, and as for Ms. Astor . . .” I sighed as we passed the third floor and headed toward the second. “I’ve already told her that we’re out of here at five, whether or not she’s willing to go.”
She’d been holed up with embassy staff all morning, processing any last-minute visas possible and gathering blank passports to burn. Graham was under strict orders not to leave her side, though if he pulled the twelve-inches rule, I was going to kick his ass.
The noise grew the lower we went in the embassy, and I had no doubt that mayhem ruled the lobby. This moment had come quicker than any intelligence had speculated, though the inevitability of it stung like a bitch.
“You sure you don’t want her on an earlier helicopter?” Elston asked as we entered the second floor. Izzy’s door was wide open, with Parker standing guard and a line of civilians forming down the other side of the hallway.
“It’s a good question,” Torres added.
“You see the gridlock on those streets?” I asked.
“Pretty sure you can see the gridlock from the International Space Station,” he replied, his gaze sweeping the hallway. “Nothing’s moving out there.”
“All those people fleeing their cars are headed to the airport. Apex already has two teams there and said it’s a fucking nightmare. The place is pure havoc. Her flight is at ten, and I don’t want her in that circus any longer than she has to be. At least we’re in a controlled environment here.”
“For the moment,” Elston said as we walked into Izzy’s suite, passing Parker at the door.
“For the moment,” I conceded. The second that changed, she was on the next helicopter, and I didn’t give a shit who I had to throw off to make room for her.
The part of me I’d never wanted Izzy to see was in full force, and she might not like my methods, but she’d be alive, and that was enough for me.
I found her immediately, sitting on one side of her small dining table, nodding at whatever the civilian across from her was saying. Go figure the woman had had herself declared a consular officer so she could help process as many interviews as possible.
“She’s been interviewing people nonstop for the past two hours,” Graham said quietly, coming to stand with us.
“Did she eat lunch?” I asked, not taking my eyes off her. The red my beard had left on the skin of her neck had faded to a light rose in the hours it had been since I’d seen her. Though she was all business in a cream-colored blouse and dark pants, her hair wound in an efficient low bun, I couldn’t shake the vision of her beneath me, her hair falling around her naked body as she told me she loved me.
She. Loved. Me.
“She did.”
I nodded. Good. Who the hell knew what the food situation would be like at the airport.
“She flying out military or civilian?” Graham asked, concern furrowing his brow.
“Civilian.” My jaw flexed. “Up until a few hours ago, they were taking off the most frequently.”
“Hmm.” Graham watched as the civilian woman across from Izzy rose and shook her hand.
“You getting attached to Ms. Astor there, Sergeant Gray?” Elston asked, his beard twitching as he smirked.
“I’m more attached to Green over here keeping his shit together.” He cocked his head to the side as the civilian passed by, carrying her file. “Plus, I like her. She’s nice.”
I moved forward as Izzy stood, rolling her shoulders.
“You doing okay?” I asked, forcing myself to keep my hands at my sides. I couldn’t kiss her. Not here. Not unless we were alone.
“Just trying to get as many people through as I can,” she said, smiling softly at me.
Fuck, I’d missed that particular smile. It was the one she gave me when she wasn’t just happy or laughing, but content. “You’re remarkably calm for someone at the epicenter of a war zone.”
“Sergeant Gray got ahold of Serena for me.” She grinned. “She’s halfway here.”
“Checkpoints?” I asked.
“They’ve made it through every one so far, and I may have . . .” She scrunched her nose.
“May have what?” My stomach tightened.
“May have convinced the ambassador to accept Taj’s interview over the phone in return for my services.” She winced. “I mean, my interview services, not . . . other services.”
“I would hope not.” The corner of my mouth tilted upward. “So Taj’s visa is good to go?”
She pivoted and leaned over the table.
I didn’t look at her ass.
But if I had, that would have been okay, since she loved me, right?
“Right here.” She waved the paperwork. “I need to put it in my bag.”
I took it from her and stored it in one of my pockets. “I’ll carry it. If shit goes south fast, there’s no telling if you’ll get to take your bag, but you can bet your life that you’ll be taking me.”
Her gaze dropped to my lips. “I like the idea of you coming with me.”
My stomach twisted. “As far as the airport.” It had to be said. I’d have new orders the second I delivered her to safety.
“I know.” Her smile turned sad, and I debated kicking myself for having to say it. She glanced past me. “Next one is here.”