The safe house was a dimly lit apartment on the outskirts of Prague, its walls reinforced, its location untraceable. It wasn't much, but it would keep them hidden long enough to regroup.
Julian parked the car in the underground garage, and everyone piled out, exhaustion heavy in the air.
Marcus groaned as Eleanor and Alyssa helped him inside, his arm still bleeding. "Seriously, I'm fine. You don't have to..."
"Shut up, Marcus," Alyssa snapped, her voice sharp with worry.
Dominic trailed behind, his muscles aching from the fight with Volkov. The bastard had slipped away again, but next time, Dominic swore there wouldn't be an escape.
As soon as they stepped inside, Eleanor got to work patching up Marcus. Julian secured the doors and checked the security system. Alyssa, however, grabbed Dominic's wrist and dragged him into the kitchen.
She slammed the door shut behind them.
"What the hell was that back there?!" she demanded.
Dominic leaned against the counter, arms crossed. "You'll have to be more specific."
Alyssa's eyes flashed. "Running into sniper fire, using yourself as bait are you trying to get yourself killed?!"
"I knew you'd cover me," he said simply.
"That's not the damn point!" she hissed, stepping closer. "You're reckless, Dominic. One of these days, it's gonna get you killed. And then what?"
His throat tightened.
Alyssa's chest rose and fell rapidly, her face inches from his. She was furious, but beneath the anger was something else. Something raw.
Fear.
For him.
Dominic exhaled. "I'm sorry."
She blinked, caught off guard. "Wait… what?"
"I said I'm sorry," he repeated. "I wasn't thinking straight. I just.... " He paused, running a hand through his hair. "I couldn't lose you."
Alyssa's breath hitched.
The silence between them crackled, heavy with something unspoken.
Then, suddenly, she grabbed his collar and pulled him down into a kiss.
It was desperate, needy, and filled with pent-up frustration. Dominic reacted instantly, his hands tangling in her hair as he pressed her against the counter.
The tension that had been building between them for months—years—finally broke.
Alyssa pulled back slightly, her lips swollen. "You're still an idiot."
Dominic smirked. "But now I'm your idiot."
She rolled her eyes, but a small smile tugged at her lips. "Damn right."
A loud groan from the next room made them both freeze.
"For the love of God," Marcus groaned. "If you two are gonna hook up, at least wait until I'm not actively bleeding out!"
Julian snorted. "Dibs on not being the one who has to hear them."
Alyssa groaned, burying her face in Dominic's shoulder. "I hate them."
Dominic chuckled, kissing the top of her head. "No, you don't."
Eleanor called out, "Okay, lovebirds, get in here. We need to talk strategy before Volkov makes his next move."
Alyssa sighed, pulling away. "Duty calls."
Dominic nodded, but he didn't let go of her hand as they walked back into the room.
This wasn't over. Volkov was still out there.
And next time, Dominic would make sure there was no escape.