If this Saturday were like any other Saturday, then I wouldn't be waking up with this overwhelming sense of dread. Like at any moment the sky would fall down on me. Normally on this day the bakery would be closed, so Gage and I would go to unload the shipment. Maybe afterwards we would grab some groceries and do laundry, but that wasn't going to happen today. The only thing that hadn't changed was the fact that I had woken up in his warm embrace. But even that felt slightly off. Not because of anything he did wrong, but because today was today.

For a second I pretended that I wasn't about to face my worst nightmare tonight and that Gage and I could spend the rest of the day wrapped up in each other, but that fantasy quickly vanished when Armita called to inform that she needed to discuss something with me before I left later on. Given the severity of today, I almost debated on skipping her offer, but Armita was the type of person you don't say no to. Not to mention I owed her a great deal after everything she's been doing for us, so one conversation wouldn't hurt. As much as I wanted to stay in bed, I knew that wasn't possible today.

Today was different.

Gage remained asleep throughout the entire conversation which didn't surprise me after last night's multiple events. They, too, were different from the other times we made love, but in a bittersweet sort of way. Every touch had a new meaning and every heartbeat was a little faster, filled with both angst and adoration. After exploring each other's bodies until dawn, not knowing what the day would bring, I had no doubt that he would be as drained as much as I was. Still, I got up and dressed, my eyes trained on Gage's bare body wrapped up in the ivory sheets the entire time. It was a beautiful sight, really. Ink on white. And I tried not to think about the fact that this could be the last time I see him like this if I was not careful today, but of course I did. I worried, and then I worried some more to the point where I was sure my negative thoughts would somehow wake Gage up. But he never stirred.

In a way, it saddened me because I wanted to spend every spare moment that I could with him, but at the same time, I knew he needed his rest. So, with a sigh, I pressed a soft kiss to his forehead before slipping out the room silently. I had no doubt that by the time I came back he would still be sound asleep as he usually was after a long, vigorous night.

As promised, Armita was waiting by the elevators. I noticed that she traded out her business suit for casual jeans and a shirt that flattered her figure even more. Her long, dark hair was pulled up on top of her head to show off her fatigue-free face. No puffy eyes or anything like I was sporting. I must get her secret one day.

"Good morning, Katy," she greeted with a kind smile. "Sleep well?"

I thought back to last night which involved little sleep but still replied, "I did, thank you. And yourself?"

She, too, didn't reply right away and instead looked down at her hands. "Very well. The beds are exceptional here."

"They are definitely cozy."

"Yes," she nodded in agreement before looking back up to me. "I'm sorry for calling you so early. I'm sure you'd rather stay in your cozy bed right now, but I wanted to discuss something with you before you left and figured now would be the best time."

"That's okay," I assured her.

"I promise I won't keep you for long. It's just . . . something I felt was important. And, of course, we won't discuss it here. They have a small breakfast downstairs that I'm sure has private areas."

I briefly wondered what her definition of "small breakfast" was before I said, "As long as there is coffee, I'm there."

Armita smiled again before turning to press the button for the elevator. Together we went down in silence before reaching what really was a small breakfast bar. Immediately I found a cup and filled it to the brim with coffee while Armita piled up her plate with food. A few people gawked at her, but either she didn't notice or didn't care. Although I had only known her for a few days, I had my money on the latter. Once we found a seat tucked away in the corner, she started munching on chopped melons while I nursed my coffee. It was strong, but I could tell I was going to need more.

"Hotel fruit is never good," she made a face at her plate.

"The coffee is great," I noted.

"I prefer chai. Or bourbon, but this is not what I wanted to discuss with you," she pushed her half-finished plate to the side before looking at me with a serious expression. "I wanted to talk about you."

And just like that, all lighthearted conversation vanished. I'd much rather discuss food than myself, I wanted to tell her, but figured that wasn't an option. I was definitely going to need more coffee.

"What about me?" I asked, wrapping my hands around the warm cup.

"This is a big day for you. I know you must be nervous."

I refrained from scoffing. "I think nervous is an understatement."

"I have no doubt. Which is why I wanted to talk to you," she clasped her hands together in front of her. "I know that I have told you many times that I take all of this seriously, but I wanted you to know that I truly mean it. This is not just another bust for me. I know the severity of the situation, and not just for Gage and the others, but for you as well."

Her words took me slightly aback so I asked, "What do you mean?"

Her smile wasn't as cheerful this time but instead thoughtful as she looked down at the cup in front of her. I could tell something was turning in her mind before she took a small breath and asked, "Did you . . . always want to be a baker when you were little?"

I thought about it. "Pretty much."

"I see," she took a small sip of her drink before continuing. "When I was a little girl, I wanted to be a painter like my nani. She could make anything look beautiful with just a small stroke of the brush, but I was not that talented. Instead I was gifted in other areas, some a little too much, like compassion. It has its pros and cons."

"I can understand that," I noted, taking a sip of my own drink.

"Well, I didn't really understand it until my family came to America. You see . . . my younger brother quickly became lost when we arrived in every sense of the word. He eventually fell into a very terrible crowd and I thought that with my gift I could save him. I worked hard to become the one thing that could destroy his demons. It was not an easy journey, and there are days when I wish I never stepped into the field, but it was too late. My first real mission was supposed to be disbanding his organization, but then I discovered I was actually taking down my brother," her eyes darkened as she looked down at the content in her cup solemnly. "It . . . was difficult. But I knew it had to be done."

Regardless of my raging curiosity, I didn't want to push her further for any information. There are some stories better left alone. Gage and I know all too well about that subject.

After taking another sip of her drink, that I wasn't sure was coffee, she let out a long sigh. "I'm not telling you this for my benefit. I just want you to understand that I understand what you are going through. This mission hits pretty close to home for me because it involves your own family, much like mine did. Regardless of your strained relationship with your parents, it's not going to be simple. That was my first mistake in my own mission. I thought that because he was my brother it would be an easy takedown, that I would have some sort of leverage. But I was so wrong. So very wrong. Because, in reality, the fact that they are your family means they have the greatest weapon of all. They know your past, they've seen you grow, they just know. This mission is an emotional one. Much more than you think. Which is why I wanted to talk to you. To get you mentally prepared in the way that I never was. I can give you all sorts of tools to ensure your physical safety, but this one?" she placed her hand over her heart. "This will be more difficult to secure. Do you understand?"

More than ever, I wanted to say. But instead, my only reply was a slight nod. I didn't trust myself to create a coherent reply just yet.

"Good. And I don't mean to overwhelm you. It's just that you seem like a wonderful person, Katy. On and off paper. But I know all too well how easy armor can break when diving into something so personal. You will lie to your parent's face, you will watch them be taken away, you will see things that may not leave you, and it might feel like it's all too much. But you have to remember why you are doing this. Or rather, who you are doing this for," she sent me a soft smile. "That is what kept me going. And I believe it will keep you going as well."

She was right. However, I've always known this. When Gage begged me not to do all of this I had already made my decision when I thought of all those I would be saving regardless of what happened to me. I felt like I could be a small sacrifice, but now I see it's much bigger than that. I always thought of the end result but never the in-between. I could easily imagine Gage and Jason's smiling face when they realized it was all over, but I never imagined my parent's face as they walked away to be placed in prison. All because of me. I never thought of all the weight this would put on me, at least not to this extent. I was so focused on the others I didn't think of myself or how I would feel. Because the truth was, I have always put others before myself.

Regardless, I wasn't going to change my mind. I would be more emotionally guarded than before, but I would never give up on this. That was not how I worked. And I told Armita the same thing who didn't seem surprised at all. Instead, she picked up a strawberry from her plate and said, "You are strong, Katy Thomas. If the world had more people like you, we would be in a much better place."

I smiled at that and picked my coffee back up although it was no longer hot.

"As are you. In fact, I think you might be the—"

"Katy?! Katy, please! KATY!" a frantic voice cut through the room, and my heart, ending all conversation. All heads including mine turned toward the direction where it was coming from until a large man with tattoos covering his body came barreling in the room, his eyes wide and filled with fear as he continued his search.

Gage.

He looked completely manic about something. It was only a second later that I realized why he was calling out for me. But he didn't know that I'm tucked away in this corner. He can't see me safely in front of him.

"Oh, my," Armita said, but I was already on my feet.

It wasn't until I stood up to cross the room that Gage finally saw me. And once he did, he looked as if was about to collapse.

"Jesus, woman," his voice cracked as he launched himself at me, not paying any attention to the others in the room. In all honesty, I had forgotten about them too the second he came charging in the place. All at once I collided into his arms that clung to me in a steel-like hold, nearly squeezing the oxygen from my lungs. But I didn't care.

"Gage," I tried to coax him as I ran my hand up and down his back that was trembling with the rest of his body. "It's okay."

"I thought you left," his voice shook and I could feel a part of my heart break. "I thought you had already gone, and you didn't tell me. I thought that I was too late and that something had happened and that I couldn't be there. Damnit, Shortcake, you scared me senseless! I woke up alone and you weren't in the room and you weren't in Jason's room and you weren't--."

"Hey," I said gently and pulled back to look up into his terrified expression. "Gage, look at me," I placed my hand on the side of his face, but still his blue eyes looked far away. I went for a different approach and tipped my head in the direction where he was looking hoping he would see how serious I was when I said, "I'm right here. I would never leave without saying goodbye to you. And even then I wouldn't say goodbye. I'll be gone for a few hours, and then I'll be straight back in your arms. I promise."

Finally, he started to relax some as he looked deeply into my eyes. It was as if he fully realized that I was there, right in front of him, and not gone. When he let out a long, heavy sigh the rest of his body seemed to deflate and he placed his forehead against mine, never letting me go.

"Please . . . don't do that again," he mumbled. I could hear the pain still stuck in his voice.

I ran my thumb back and forth across this stubble along his cheek as I said, "I'm so sorry. I won't do it again, I promise. I just thought you'd still be asleep."

He placed his hand on top of mine. "I can't sleep without you beside me."

With our bodies still pressed together, I was sure he would feel my heartbeat increase at his words.

"I'm sorry," I whispered, again.

He took in another deep breath. "It's okay now," then he pressed a quick kiss to my forehead before leaning back to smile at me. We stayed there looking like two fools for a long moment until his expression shifted when he added, "Although . . . Jason probably isn't."

My smile dropped. "What did you do?"

"You are so beautiful," he tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.

"Gage Rivers."

"Did I ever tell you it's not good to say 'calm your tits' when I'm in the middle of a panic attack?"

I slapped my forehead and groaned. I was about to scold him when Armita jumped in to ask, "Is my room destroyed now?"

Gage stiffened and turned to look at Armita now a few steps away from us with her arms crossed. His panicked look from before started to return, only in a different context.

"Jason is . . . picking everything back up," he informed.

Armita held her glare a beat longer before letting out a sigh. "What's done is done. But actually, I'm glad you are here. I was about to come get you and Jason to show you something." I could have sworn I heard Gage curse under his breath, which didn't go unnoticed to Armita who added, "It's nothing bad. I just want to show you where we will be set up at this evening."

"Oh," Gage said and released one of his arms around me to scratch the back of his head. "Okay. Yeah, that sounds great."

"Percy will be here soon to show everyone so I suggest you go ahead and get ready," she turned on her heels to walk back to our table. "It is going to be a very long day."

"Yes," he looked back down at me. "It will."

Armita let me tag along with the guys as they went to check out their posts which, I discovered, were located inside different fake business vans. I imagined everyone would be stuffed in some sort of big white van like I saw in the movies, but apparently, that wasn't necessary.

"It sticks out too much, but we do need a van for all this equipment," Oliver said gesturing to different monitors that I assume were for my devices. "Just not in a solid bright color that could stick out like a sore thumb."

Somehow Gage and Jason kept their behavior in check the whole time as they were told the different locations everything would be at. Gage was with Armita, Jason, and Oliver at the post closest to the house. That way they had the best reception and, if need be, they could reach me the fastest.

"By foot it would take about two or three minutes to reach the outside wall. Going from there, I'm not sure," Oliver informed. "It all depends on where Katy gets us an opening at."

I promised them I would figure out the closest path possible. I wasn't sure how, but I would try. Afterwards they went over different blueprints of my parent's house while Armita was on the phone with Percy who was getting the backup team ready. I overheard her say there were over twenty people since we were invading a pretty large scale party. Not to mention there was no telling what sort of resources my father had.

It was all feeling real, a little too real that by the time we arrived back to the hotel I was shaking from nerves. I knew I wasn't going to go back, but that didn't mean I wasn't terrified. There were so many things that could go wrong. However, before I could dwell on it for much longer Armita informed me that I had an hour left to get everything together.

The whole time I was packing my things I tried not to get too overwhelmed, but of course, that didn't work. I felt like I was going to vomit at any second. Thankfully Gage was there to keep me company and help me feel assured although I knew he was just as scared if not more. When all of this goes down, he could only listen from afar. His hands were tied, and I knew how much he hated that. If the roles were reversed I would be highly upset, too. Still, he put on his best confident act. But he could only wear the mask for so long. It slipped when he realized time was growing shorter until we barely had any left.

And when it was finally time, he crumbled.

After placing my suitcase inside the car and slamming the door shut, I turned to everyone who was watching me with different expressions that ranged from terrified to slightly anxious. I knew this part wasn't going to be easy, which was why I decided to look at Gage last.

Jason, surprisingly, was the first to step up and say, "Listen, I'm not good with motivational shit, but I know you'll be fine, cupcake girl."

I smiled at him. "Thank you."

"And if you need me to kick anyone's ass just let me know. I'm not pulling out any stops anymore."

"Good to know," I nodded.

Next was Armita who gave me a knowing look. "Remember what I said this morning."

"I won't forget," I promised.

I will never forget, I mentally added.

When she seemed confident in my answer she turned her attention Gage, then me, then Jason. I could practically see her plan before she took Jason's bulky arm in hers. His surprised expression almost made me laugh.

"Let's go," Armita pulled him away.

"Where are we going?"

"Somewhere."

Anyone could see his smirk from a mile away. "Oh? More rummy?"

The only person who wasn't confused by his words was Armita who instead looked pained. She let out a long sigh and pulled him even further, and harsher, as she cursed in her native tongue over and over. Jason only grinned like a madman.

I smiled at the couple before turning back to a very solemn looking Gage. I had imagined what I would say in this moment for days now, but anything I came up with was not good enough. I wanted him to know how everything would be okay, but honestly, that was not guaranteed. The only thing that was guaranteed was that I loved him. So much. And right when I was going to tell him he pulled me into a tight hug, similar to the one this morning, only he wasn't shaking anymore.

I melted into his hold like warm butter, winding my arms around him as I tried to get the maximum feel. The