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Chapter Eleven - Endgame 


I'm pulled out of my dream by something soft caressing my cheek. Humming happily, I snuggle into the warmth while that something soft moves on to caress the area under my eyes, the bridge of my nose and then my jawline before rubbing my bottom lip. I shiver at the feeling and try to push it away but fail. My eyes flutter open to see Judah intertwining our hands with a tender smile on his lips.

"Morning my little dove." His voice is deep and husky, clearly laden with sleep which makes it even more alluring.

"Good morning." I whisper before realizing how long his eyelashes are as they flutter shut.

He hides his face in the crook of my neck and holds me tightly. I chuckle and run my fingers through his hair as I look over to see that Cole is no longer here. Judah groans softly and murmurs a barely audible, "don't stop," as he cuddles up to me. Smiling at his sweet self I lay there contently as birds chirp alongside the quiet voices of the team outside.

"Would you do me the honor of having a breakfast date with me Macy?"

"With your snacks?" I grin and he turns his head to look at me with a playful gleam in his eyes.

"I'll surprise you. It'll be good, I promise."

"I'd love to." I smile and he pecks my cheek before patting my hip.

"Right, get moving then and freshen up. I'll get breakfast sorted." He stands up with an excited grin and I mentally squeal at how adorable he is.

I leave him to it and spend the next few minutes brushing my teeth and relieving my bladder behind a tree in the woods with Reece standing guard a few feet away. I fall into step with her as we make our way back to the camping site.

"Any idea where we're moving to next?" I ask quietly only to chuckle when she playfully arches a brow in my direction as if to say, 'are you really asking me that?'

"We're leaving after breakfast and will probably leave Russia." She sighs as she swats some leaves out of her way.

"Have you been here before?"

"I was born here." She smirks at me before shrugging. "My parents come from dysfunctional families though so as soon as I was born they left for America. Russia doesn't hold many good memories for them and because of that it's of...sadly...not much importance to me either."

"Me and you both on the dysfunctional part." I snort unladylike which makes her laugh.

"I'd be surprised if your parents came from perfect families!" She nudges my side with her elbow. "But everyone's under the impression that your mother is from one though...just married to a devil."

"No...she was forced to marry my dad. My grandparents are evil bastards." I shake my head as we break out of the tree line. "Money sure does make the world go round."

Reece smiles sadly at me and hesitates before speaking her mind. "What if that happens to you?"

"I'd bury myself six feet under the ground before they could drag me to the altar." I wink cheekily before continuing onto my tent.

I hear her soft laughter behind me and it makes me smile. Unzipping the tent, I still at the sight before me. Judah sits on our sleeping bags with a wide variety of food arranged in the middle. He smiles at me and I return it as I put my toothbrush and paste back into my backpack.

"Well, I'm certainly spoilt for choice." I wiggle my brows and he grins before pulling out a flower and handing it to me. I pluck it out of his hands with a gentle smile before meeting his gaze. "Thanks Judah. You're sweet."

"I try." He shrugs half-heartedly as we tuck into the food. "If I took you out on a better date you'd be spoilt rotten."

"Really? So, what does the typical date look like for Judah Jackson?"

"You don't deserve typical." He murmurs and I squirm from the intensity of his gaze. "I've never felt so drawn to anyone other than you. You deserve everything I can offer and more."

That stuns me momentarily. "Then let's say if we had a chance –"

"We do."

I smile softly, almost wistfully, before nodding. "If I were to go on a second date with you what would that look like?"

"What would you want it to look like?" He asks tenderly as he meets my stare.

I hesitate before shaking my head as my cheeks burn. "Nothing hectic or too adventurous."

"Something relaxed...slow paced?" He asks and scoots closer to graze the back of his hand against my heated cheeks. "Where time passes slowly and allows you to take everything in, leaving you wishing that you had more of it by the end?"

I stare at him wide eyed and nod slowly. "Yeah...exactly that. It's just –"

"The guys you've been with before thought you'd be more into something adventurous and out there because of who you are?" He guesses correctly and I avert my eyes with a nod. He gently grabs my chin and pins his lips to mine in a slow burning kiss before pulling away hesitantly. "Don't be embarrassed love. Those were just boys who adored the idea of you."

"How are you any different? Don't you also adore the idea of me?" I whisper with a smirk and his eyes gleam mischievously.

"Why don't you agree to a second date with me and find out dove?" He whispers back and I narrow my eyes challengingly.

"Fine. One day we'll have our second date and I'll see what all the fuss is about." I wink before shoving him back.

Loud yet comfortingly rich laughter escapes him as he loses his balance and falls back. He pushes himself up slightly by his elbows and just stares at me. I smile but it vanishes just as quick when I realize the situation we're in for the hundredth time as I catch snippets of the team outside talking about strategy. I slouch with a sigh and he tilts his head to the side questioningly.

"Sometimes I don't get us." I murmur and he frowns in confusion. "This feels right but sometimes...I don't get what we're doing or why we're doing it when we know this isn't going to work –"

"It's going to work Mace."

I throw my arms up in exasperation. "No, it's not Judah! I'm most likely going to be killed –"

"That's where you're wrong. I won't let you die that easily especially when I'd like to be the reason for it."

I face palm myself as I shake my head. "You can't control what happ –"

"Yes, I can. Trust –"

"Stop cutting me off jerk!" I explode with an angry swat to his chest.

His eyes widen dramatically before he bursts out laughing. "Has anyone ever told you that you're cute as fuck when you're angry?"

"Fuck off." I grumble as I munch on a strawberry. Turns out Judah had loaded a Tupperware box with fruit too before we left the first safehouse.

He stares at me with a goofy smile before taking my hand and brushing his lips against my knuckles. "I know what you're trying to tell me but believe me when I say I'm not going to back down. I like you Macy. Nobody, not even your father, can stop me from seeing where this goes and I have a good feeling it's going to turn into a brilliant love story for our kids one day."

I can't help but smile at that. "You're going to drive me crazy."

"I'll only ever want to drive you crazy Macy baby." He whispers as he leans forward to land a feather-like kiss to my cheek.

He pulls away but only just until his lips are a breath away from mine. I see my reflection in his light eyes as they crinkle at the corners slightly when he smiles. My gaze drifts down to his lips that I know from memory are soft and addictive. He brushes them against mine before pulling away and handing me a paper plate full of chocolate covered strawberries.

"When did you have time to cover these in chocolate?" I frown in mild confusion as I bite into one. "It's not hardened either meaning..."

He only shrugs innocently in response and doesn't meet my eyes. I instantly realize he went out of his way to make this slightly more romantic despite our surroundings which warms my heart. He quickly glances at me only to look away when he sees that I'm still staring.

"Judah?" I call with a giddy smile as butterflies flutter in my tummy.

"I melted some chocolate earlier this morning with a lighter." He grumbles while the tips of his ears tun red alongside his cheeks.

I giggle only to slap a hand over my mouth when he glares at me playfully. But I end up laughing loudly when he starts pouting. I push forward on my knees and grasp his sweater before pinning my lips on his. It's only brief and I chuckle when he whines as I pull away.

"You're cute Judah."

"I can be downright fucking adorable if you come back here and kiss me again?" He perks up hopefully but deflates when I shake my head with a smirk. "Mace, come on! We just had a deep and meaningful moment. Don't I deserve a little extra love for that? Why do you have to be so cruel woman?!"

"Oh, alright! Shut up and come here."

He grins victoriously and leans forward with his eyes closed. I brush my lips against his before moving up to kiss his cheek and then shoving him away. His eyes snap open and instantly narrow as they flicker with a devilish glint. I squeal when he pounces on me, peppering kisses to every inch of bare skin he can find as he tickles me. My laughter echoes and I know the others must be curious as to what we're doing in here.

It dies down when he lets up on his torment and I lay there panting until my breathing returns to normal. He brushes his nose against mine with a content smile before pulling me up. I settle between his legs as we continue the rest of our breakfast date and ask him about his life back in London, listening curiously before perking up at the mention of his best friends, Kenzo and Aiden.

"Are they in safe houses too?"

"Yeah, your dad's men definitely saw them with me as we're almost always together. So, the team decided it'd be best for them to hide out in separate safe houses too." He explains as he finishes eating.

"What about your family?"

"I was only in Texas for recovery after being shot and then in Canada recently so we think your dad didn't see me around my family. They're being guarded regardless and if anyone gets too close they'll be moved to safe houses too." He replies and wraps his arms around my waist.

I bite my lip as guilt blooms within me. "I'm sorry my dad's such a prick."

Judah's chest vibrates against my back as he laughs. "It's fine and don't apologize, it's not your fault little dove."

"Why do you call me that?" I sigh as I rest my head against his shoulder.

"You don't like it?"

"Depends on the reason behind it. You could just be calling me stocky and small with short legs." I tilt my head to shoot him a cheeky smile.

"It's nothing like that, believe me. Especially when you have sexy, long legs like those –"

"Judah!" I laugh as I swat his knee.

He chuckles before resting his chin on top of my head. "When I heard that you're a trained killer I thought you'd be cold hearted and emotionless but you proved me wrong. Every now and then you give me little peeks into your innocent soul. A dove symbolizes purity, for me anyways, and I think you have a pure heart. That's why I call you little dove."

"That's sweet." I murmur as I play with his fingers.

"I try." He chuckles and kisses my cheek when I scoff. "So, can I keep calling you that?"

"I guess." I sigh dramatically only to squeal when he picks me up and makes me straddle his waist.

"I want to know more about you. Let's start with your bra size –"

"Fuck off!" I swat the side of his head gently with a laugh.

"How was your life back home? Any best friends?"

"The life of Marcella Quintana is pretty boring. If I'm not on an assignment then I'm either working out or training others for the most part of my day." I explain before a fond smile quirks my lips. "Elenora is my best friend. She was recruited to assist me and Cameron with assignments, to make sure we don't get hurt on the ground. It was hard for me to trust her at first but eventually I warmed up to her."

"Why?"

"People always try and use me because I'm Quintana's daughter and the most important person to Cameron...who will take over one day. They try and get close to gain something for their own benefit but they forget who raised us." I sigh as I wind my arms around his neck loosely. "When I was younger it felt like all I was doing was allowing people to hurt me...and it upset me so much. That people didn't want to be friends with me for me."

"I feel you...on a certain level." He smiles sadly as he rubs my sides comfortingly. When I tilt my head in confusion he explains. "My older brothers were very popular in school, known for being friendly and charming. I can read people very well though and know when they aren't being genuine so I would blatantly reject any offer of friendship that seemed insincere. I got bullied for it because people thought I was an arrogant jerk."

"Judah..." I breathe as I cup his face in both hands.

"Nobody in my family knows to this day that I was picked on for not allowing anyone to get close. They all wanted to be friends with my brothers who kept their circles tight too." He shrugs half-heartedly before meeting my gaze.

"You didn't deserve that."

"I know. I got my revenge when I went through my rebellious phase." He winks which makes me smile.

"Now that I'd love to hear." I chuckle before Griffin orders for us to pack up from outside. "Maybe another time."

"Sure." He replies before leaning in and brushing his lips against mine. I shiver at the feel of it before swallowing harshly over his intense look. "I guess that's another thing we have in common."

I lean back to frown at him in confusion. "What's the first?"

"How much we want each other." He replies before his lips come crashing down on mine.

I moan softly as desire courses through my veins while his touch ignites a delicious heat within my body. The kiss starts off passionate and slow before, as usual, taking a hungry turn. Gasps and groans escape our lips as we playfully tease each other before our tongues meet. I run out of air quickly but that doesn't deter Judah as he peppers kisses to my jawline and up to my ear.

"Are you sure about us now?"

"I'm getting there." I whisper back and his lips quirk up into a gorgeous smile.

My arms wind around his neck tightly as his hands roam down my sides to grip my hips. We both smile into the kiss when they find my ass and he squeezes my cheeks mischievously. I grind my hips against his, pressing myself against the tent in his pants which makes him throw his head back with a husky groan.

"My little minx!" He hisses before catching my bottom lip between his teeth.

I whine before he swallows it up mid-way by slanting his mouth against mine. We ignore Griffin's calls for us to get ready to set off, too lost in each other and the burning desire. Things are moving too quickly with Judah yet it feels right. I only get flickers of uncertainty every now and then which he chases away with his charming self. He makes me feel safe and comfortable. I've never felt this before and now that I have I don't ever want to lose it.

We start pulling away at the same time, hesitantly leaning back before shooting forward for a few more pecks. His eyes drift over my features languidly before they meet mine again with a lazy smile. I find myself absentmindedly playing with the ends of his hair as I fight hard not to blush from his attention being on me. He grabs my hand in his gentle grip and kisses the inside of my wrist before intertwining them.

"I need you." He murmurs and his tone is overflowing with longing.

Just as his hands slip under my top we hear Griffin call out, "Marcella! Judah! You guys better not have fallen asleep! Get moving...now!"

Our shoulders slump and I rest my forehead against his with a soft chuckle. He kisses me sweetly before helping me stand and holding me close. Bright blues meet warm hazel as we stare at each other, wishing we had more time.

"I guess the wait will make it even sweeter." He grins boyishly and that brings a smile to my lips.

"I guess so." I murmur before nudging him to grab his stuff before Griffin storms in here and drags us out.

We meet with the rest of the team and after disassembling everything we set off for the next safe house. As I fall into step with Reece I glance at Judah who is ahead of me with Cole by his side. He's slowly breaking down my walls and I want nothing more than to let my inhibitions go. I know my time is running out and as soon as we get to the next safe house we'll be strategizing on sending me back.

I remember when I saw him at the charity ball. I remember how much I regretted not giving into him that night at the strip club. Not again. This time I'm taking what I want...what I need.

And what I need is a strong dose of Judah Jackson.





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