Emma, over here! Lucas's voice pierced the early throng of the café. Leaning against the counter just inside the entrance, he seemed as if he had been waiting there for all time. Though his black coat was buttoned against the March cold, the way he carried himself—relaxed, aware—made her heart race.
She stepped inside after ducking beneath the awning and brushing a wisp of hair off her forehead. The balmy air was dense with the scent of pastries and cappuccino. Every step a fight between nervousness and excitement, Emma moved to the counter, clutching the strap of her bag.
"Sorry I'm late," she responded, pushing a cheerful grin.
Lucas removed his hand from the counter and extended his arm. "Traffic. There was a little issue at the studio as well: someone attempted to access the backup files. I had to lock everything down before I left.
Emma agreed, the former tightness knotting in her belly. It's good that you're here. I... I doubted I could confront you today.
Lucas met her gaze—those black depths that had tormented her mind—and softened. I'm here for everything you need.
They came to the counter side by side. A barista welcomed them with a practiced grin. "What can I get you two?"
First to order, Lucas said quietly and confidently, two large black coffees. Plus a chocolate croissant.
Emma's throat seemed to tighten. A coffee will do for me. Just black.
"Is there anything to eat?" the barista inquired.
Emma looked at Lucas. His look was kind and supportive. She agreed. A blueberry muffin would be great, please.
The barista entered the order. Emma moved aside, pulse racing as Lucas gave her his credit card. The seconds dragged on, each one resonating with unsaid language between them.
By the window, they placed a little table. Half-hidden behind a big potted plant, it was remote. Emma was initially seated, hands clasped in her lap. Sliding into the seat across from her, Lucas set his coffee down gently.
For a little while, they just stared at one another. Slanting through the window, the early light highlighted Emma's face in a halo of pale gold. She recalled the last time they had seen one another: the stolen kiss in her studio, the electrifying promise of anything more.
Emma eventually murmured, her voice hardly a whisper, "Thank you for coming."
Reaching across the table, Lucas covered her hand with his. I would not be anyplace else. He stopped. Are you all right?
Emma felt a tightening in her chest. "I've been... all over the place. Ever since the painting, I can't stop considering what I exposed. Regarding my emotions.
Lucas's thumb grazed her knuckles, sending heat down her fingers. "You painted your truth." That requires guts.
She gulped. "Courage, or folly." Her gaze darted to the window where the city bustled, oblivious. Lucas, I'm terrified. terrified of what it implies, terrified of what I feel.
The tinkling of the entrance door broke their moment. Stepping inside, a tall guy with a black overcoat scanned the café with keen, calculating eyes. A foreboding feature that made Emma's anxiety spike was a camera hanging from his chest.
Lucas saw right away. He tensed and got up a little. Emma's heart sank. The man's eyes fixed on their table and remained for a moment before he went to the counter.
Emma gasped. Lucas,
Lucas said in a low, frantic tone. Remain composed. Simply complete your coffee.
The guy ordered a drink, looking back at Emma and Lucas with a slight but clear awareness. He placed his cup on the counter and walked directly to their table.
Emma's heart raced in her ears. Lucas slipped from his seat and moved behind the table to be between Emma and the visitor.
May I help you? Blocking the man's way, Lucas said coolly.
The stranger's eyes were frigid. "Indeed, yes." Reaching under his overcoat, he produced a badge—an official-looking symbol Emma could not instantly identify. Agent Keller from the Intercontinental Security Bureau. You two have to follow me.
Emma felt chill in her blood. "Why?" Her voice shook.
Agent Keller's eyes darted from Emma to Lucas. Your painting—commissioned by Lucas, correct? You have accidentally caught something secret.
Lucas's jaw tightened. That artwork has nothing classified.
Keller's lips twisted. Headquarters should hear that. You two are both arriving for inquiry.
Lucas straightened his shoulders. "We're staying put. Not without good cause.
Keller's badge glimmered once more. Court order signed by the International Chief Magistrate. Your arrest is temporary.
Emma rose, pushing her chair back. This is impossible!
Lucas stepped in front of her. "Back off—now."
Keller's hand fell toward his hip, where under his coat lay a service pistol. Other customers in the café spun around, anxiety radiating all about.
Lucas took Emma's hand before Keller could respond. "Move!"
They ran from the table. Sprinting past astonished customers with Lucas at her side, Emma's pulse raced. Keller yelled into his radio, his offenders chasing.
They burst through the bustling sidewalk into the café entrance. Car horns and early conversation created a cacophony that consumed their flight.
Emma slipped into a little alley and felt Lucas's fingers tighten around hers. Adrenaline raced through her veins, making her heart race and her breathing labored.
Emma, keep going! Lucas said, dragging her farther into the backstreet labyrinth.
Behind them, footsteps thundered. Emma's head whirled; she was familiar with this area but not well enough to forfeit a skilled agent. A strategy was required.
Lucas's breathing was heavy as he pushed her into a brick wall. Eyes keen for an escape path, he looked around. We have to divide up. Pointing to an unremarkable warehouse door across the street, he added, "I want you to be safe—this building." Then phone Tessa.
Emma's gaze became larger. I am not abandoning you.
Urgency burning in his eyes, he cradled her face. You already took a lot of risks for me, Emma. I cannot let you do more. Leave. Right now.
Emma felt tears in her eyes. Lucas
Soft and intense, he kissed her forehead. Leave.
Weaving between people, Emma ripped free and ran across the street. Just as Lucas turned to confront Keller rushing into the alley, she wrenched open the warehouse door and slid inside.
From her perspective inside, Emma saw Lucas face up against Keller. Though the agent's shock baton was pulled, Lucas moved with martial accuracy and disarmed him in two quick motions. Keller fell, weapon clanging to the floor.
Heart pained, Emma breathed out and dashed for the phone. Tessa's phone was dialed by her trembling fingers.
Emma spoke softly, "Tessa, it's me." Lucas is in danger. He needs you right now.
Tessa's voice was frantically crackling. I'm coming. Remain concealed until I arrive.
Pressing her back against the chilly metal, Emma retreated behind a pile of containers. She looked at Lucas and Keller through a wall fissure. Lucas was outnumbered by two additional agents; Keller was back on his feet screaming for help on his radio.
Time seemed frozen. Emma's breast ached with powerlessness. Clenching her hands, she urged Tessa to hurry.
Out of nowhere, Tessa charged into the warehouse with two uniformed friends, and the door broke open. "Follow me!"
As Tessa's crew faced Keller's reinforcements, Lucas rolled to his feet, ducking beneath a baton stroke. Fists hitting flesh and boots pounding on concrete echoed around the room.
Emma emerged from her hiding place to assist Lucas in disarming yet another spy. Fighting side by side—Lucas with deadly elegance and Emma even surprised herself using a falling baton to cripple an assailant.
In seconds, the rival agents were subdued, kneeling or collapsed on the ground. Only the raspy breathing of those standing disturbed the stillness.
With adrenaline still running in their veins, Lucas and Emma stood shoulder to shoulder. Tessa came, her face angry but happy.
Are you all right? Tessa inquired of Emma.
Emma's voice quivered as she nodded. He needs medical care.
Tessa zip-tied Keller and his crew outside, ushering them out. Emma softly stroked Lucas's arm. His lip was torn; a bruise was already developing on his face.
He looked at her; the intensity in his eyes was dulled by thankfulness. "Thank you for returning for me."
Tracing the mark with her thumb, she touched his face. I said I wouldn't abandon you.
The warehouse door trembled from outside voices—reinforcements for Keller had arrived—and Lucas drew her into a tight hug. Emma's heart was both hurting and flying as she buried her face in his coat.
Emma and Lucas crept out the rear of the warehouse into an alley when Tessa's squad took control of the agents. As they stopped, the late morning light glinted off the snowmelt puddles.
Lucas touched her hand. "Are you injured?"
Though her legs shook, Emma shook her head. "Not really." That was, though—
"Too close," he said. I apologize.
She moved forward to bridge the gap between them. You are not to blame. I just... I hate seeing you gamble everything.
He touched her face, and his eyes softened. I would take any risk for you.
Emma's pulse raced, and her breath caught. Every pretension had been torn away by the precious seconds of their escape—side by side in the combat, safeguarding one another. All the fences they had erected around their hearts lay in the dust of war.
Lucas's eyes fell to her lips. As the universe shrank to their ragged breaths and the distance between them, Emma's pulse pounded in her ears.
Then, in the calm aftermath of violence, they kissed—a furious, desperate claim neither danger nor terror could extinguish.
Emma laid her head on his when they at last separated. We have to be more cautious.
Lucas grinned into her hair. I understand. But for now, let's just... hang on.
Emma nodded, her fingers caught in his coat. Then stolen moments.
He smiled and kissed her again. The finest kind.