Mission: Marriage. Karen Whiddon
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by the Hungarian’s henchmen.
The man known as the Hungarian had completely destroyed both of their lives. The crime lord’s vendetta was the reason Sean had pretended to die, so that Natalie’s life might be spared.
And she knew none of this.
“No,” he said slowly. “No mission. I’m not working for Corbett at the moment.”
“Then why?”
“Because the Hungarian is after you.”
He could see the stubborn light in her eyes. “The code I was working on before all this started was believed to be his, but what does that have to do with you?”
“That code may be part of the reason your team is dead, but he’s after you because you’re mine.”
When she started to argue, he shushed her with a finger to her lips, oddly gratified when she didn’t immediately jerk her head away.
“Natalie, I need to explain—”
“No.” Violently shaking her head, she pushed herself away from him. “I’m not interested in your explanations. The past is over with. What’s done is done. Save your story for someone who cares.”
He ignored the stab of pain her sharp words brought, knowing that, at least in her mind, he deserved them. “What I have to tell you has a bearing on the situation now.”
“I don’t care. I’ll be fine.”
Exhaling, he dropped the subject, knowing he’d have to try again later. She had to know the facts so she’d know what kind of monster they were up against. “So will I.”
“Have you ever worn one of those walking casts? You can’t move the way you’re used to.”
“Concern? From Super-spy?”
“Don’t call me that.”
“Why not?”
“I don’t like to be mocked.”
“I’m not mocking you. Isn’t that what you are now?”
“Look, you’re out of practice, injured and you probably have no idea what’s been going on in the underworld since you’ve been gone.”
“Your point?”
“The Hungarian has taken out several of SIS’s best agents. He may be responsible for what happened to my team. If you go after him alone, he’ll kill you.”
So much for faith in his abilities. If anyone needed protecting, it was she. Sean could take care of himself.
“I’m already dead, remember?” He gave her his best cold look. “If he kills me, I guarantee I’ll take him down with me. Anyway, I’m not your problem anymore, now am I?”
Waiting with bated breath for her answer, Sean knew he longed for her to say the impossible. Extremely foolish, considering she’d been absolutely correct. Unless he killed the Hungarian, he didn’t expect to come back except in a body bag.
Natalie opened her mouth to speak, then shook her head. “No.”
His stomach clenched.
“You’re absolutely right,” she said, turning her back to him. “What you do isn’t my concern. But I think you should know we’re bound to cross paths sooner or later.”
“What do you mean?”
One swift glance over her shoulder, the directness of her gaze taking his breath away. “If the Hungarian is trying to kill me, then I refuse to sit around and wait for him to come after me. I’m going to him.”
Stunned, he could only stare. She’d just outlined his worst nightmare. “Why?”
She lifted her chin. “Among other things, I’m an SIS agent. My mission is clear.”
Before he could comment, she spun on her heel and walked out of the room. A moment later, he could hear her laughter mingling with Auggie’s.
Her life no longer included him. He should be used to the pain by now, but he wasn’t. If anything, seeing her again, taking the brunt of her anger and knowing he deserved it had made him hurt even worse.
How the Hungarian would laugh if he knew. Despite Sean’s sacrifices, the Hungarian had won a different sort of victory. Ironically, he’d succeeded in robbing Sean of the one person he’d loved the most. Natalie.
A few minutes later, Auggie returned alone.
Sean glanced up, then down at his hands.
“I’m worried about her,” Auggie said, dropping onto the couch next to Sean.
“So am I.”
“Are you?” The skepticism in the giant’s voice had Sean raising his head. “You sure have a funny way of showing it.”
Saying nothing, Sean gave the other man a look that plainly said back off.
Auggie ignored him. “If you want to go with her, all you have to do is make like you’re weak, so she thinks you need her to protect you.”
“I don’t need anyone to protect me,” Sean snarled. “Go away.”
The other man didn’t budge. “Swallow your pride, man. Just because you’re a legend in the intelligence community doesn’t mean you can’t eat a little crow to protect the woman you love.”
Wincing, Sean lifted his head. “Am I so obvious?”
Auggie chuckled. “Maybe not to her, but the way you feel is plain to see. Every time you look at her, it’s like you found gold at the end of a rainbow. I can read you like a book.”
“Wonderful,” Sean groaned. “Her knowing how I feel is the last thing I need.”
“Why? You’re her husband.”
“I was. Now, she hates me.”
“Can you blame her?”
Silence was the only answer Sean needed to give.
“Look, if you faked your own death, it must have been for a good reason. I would think you can pretend to be an invalid to protect Natalie. What could it hurt, other than your pride?”
Reluctantly, Sean nodded. “Is she any good?”
Auggie’s bushy brows flew. “I wouldn’t know. You were the one married to her.”
He felt his face color. “No, I didn’t mean that. I meant is she any good as an agent?”
Chuckling at Sean’s discomfort, Auggie shrugged. “She must be. She just got promoted to team leader, right before the tragedy with her team. I imagine she’s finding that hard to live with.”
As would anyone. But team leader? Sean couldn’t wrap his mind around that. Though Natalie had changed, she’d always been more of a follower than a leader.
With a sigh, Auggie heaved his bulk to his feet. “Think about it, all right?”
“I will.” Clumsily Sean stood, too, holding out his hand. After they shook, he met the giant’s eyes. “Why are you doing this? You don’t even know me.”
“No, but I do know Natalie. I care about her. Nat needs all the help she can get. You know what the Hungarian is capable of.”
Sean gave the other man a sharp look. “But does Natalie?”
“She lost her entire team.”
Exhaling, Sean realized once again he’d need to swallow his pride and pretend to be something he was not.
But to save Natalie, he’d do anything. Even tell her the truth—that more of their marriage had been a lie than she knew.