Her gaze met his. “You respected Sister María for her faith, but you doubt mine? That’s funny. I pray, if that’s what you’re asking, and I hope that God hears me.”
He turned back to the window, gave her privacy, her prayer silent.
The bed creaked as Gabriela, done praying, crawled beneath the covers.
“You could have escaped those bastards on your own. When you brought that key out to us, you could have run off, but you went back inside. Why?”
“They had two US citizens, good people who were terrified. I was able to use my position as a religious sister to make their lives a little easier. I got them blankets, regular meals, water for drinking and washing. I couldn’t just abandon them.”
“You guilt-tripped the kidnappers into taking better care of them?” He could imagine that.
“More or less.” The sheets rustled. “Do we have to talk about this now? I haven’t gotten a full night’s sleep since this began. I’m so tired I can barely think.”
“That bastard I shot, the one who hit you—you could have taken him yourself.”
“I tried. I’m out of practice, and the skirt was too narrow. I couldn’t manage a good… kick.” Her words trailed off, became a yawn. “He had a firearm. I didn’t. I decided not to get shot on the way to my rescue.”
That made sense to Dylan. “Smart.”
“I’m glad you approve.” Her tone of voice said she didn’t give a damn what he thought. “If you’ve got an extra firearm, I want it.”
It went without saying that an Agency officer could shoot.
“I’ve got a spare Glock you can carry.”
“Perfect.”
“Good work today, by the way—saving my leg, finding that shortcut, getting us across the bridge. You had those bastards wrapped around your finger.”
“It’s their balls—men’s balls make them stupid.”
“I can’t argue with that.” Especially given his response.
Gabriela had been through an ordeal and had done all she could to protect the other hostages, putting their safety ahead of her own, aiding Cobra’s mission. She’d also done her part to help with the rescue and to get the two of them safely to the hotel tonight, stopping that bastard from hamstringing him, taking them on that shortcut.
So, why was he behaving like an asshole?
She had violated his trust. She hadliedto him. Yeah, she’d had good reason, but that didn’t change the fact that she wasn’t who he’d thought she was.
Get over it,cabrón. Your anger isn’t about her at all. It’s about Valeria.
The truth of that sank in, stirring emotions he’d thought he’d left behind—hurt, grief, anger. He’d trusted Valeria, and she’d brought his world crashing down.
Fuck Valeria.
He shouldn’t give her any space in his head or waste another moment thinking about her. She didn’t deserve it.
Just like Gabriela doesn’t deserve your attitude.
An apology on his tongue, Dylan turned to find her sound asleep, dark lashes against her cheeks, one hand tucked beneath her chin, her breathing deep and slow. Even with bruises on her face and a split lip, she was beautiful.
Jesus, he was an idiot.
Even knowing who and what she truly was, he couldn’t help the sense of protectiveness that welled up inside him—or his attraction to her. It had been one thing to ignore his desire when he’d believed she was a nun. But now…
Now, nothing had changed. He needed to focus on his job. She was a client, and it was his mission to bring her to safety, not to get inside her. No, he wouldn’t go to hell for having sex with her—not that he believed in hell—but he might lose his job. Worse, he might get distracted and get the two of them captured—or killed.
He brushed his teeth, made sure the door was locked, checked his pistol, and set the weapon on his nightstand. Then he got into bed, staying on top of the covers and as far away from Gabriela as he could.