Chapter 57 Running Together
Elena laughing, turning in his arms to face him. "We really need to get up."
Pierce groaned but released her, watching as she slid out of bed. Elena was aware of his eyes on her as she walked naked to the bathroom, feeling both self-conscious and strong by the heat in his gaze.
When she came back out, Pierce was sitting on the edge of the bed, jeans on but unbuttoned, watching her with an intensity that made her breath catch.
"What?" Elena asked, pulling on her underwear.
"Just looking at you." He said with a smirk.
"You've been looking at me all morning."
"Can't help it." Pierce stood, crossing to her. His hands settled on her waist, thumbs brushing the skin just above her panties. "You're beautiful."
Elena's hands went to his bare chest. "We need to get dressed."
"We're getting there." His mouth found hers, kissing her slowly, thoroughly.
Elena melted into it, her fingers sliding up to his shoulders. Pierce's hands moved to her thighs, lifting her. She wrapped her legs around his waist instinctively.
"Pierce..."
"I know, I know. Derek." But he kissed her again anyway, walking her backwards until her back hit the wall. "Just one more."
His mouth moved to her neck and Elena's head fell back, giving him access. Her fingers tangled in his hair as his hands gripped her thighs, holding her against the wall.
"This isn't getting dressed," Elena breathed.
"No. It's definitely not." Pierce's teeth grazed her pulse point and she gasped. "Tell me to stop."
"We should.." Her words cut off as his hand slid higher, fingers brushing between her thighs. "Oh God."
Pierce's mouth returned to hers, swallowing her moan. His fingers moved with purpose and Elena's hips shifted, seeking more.
"We really need to..." She couldn't finish the sentence.
"I know." But Pierce didn't stop, his fingers working until Elena was shaking in his arms, her nails digging into his shoulders.
"Now we can get dressed," he said, pulling back, his voice rough.
Elena laughed breathlessly. "You're terrible."
"You love it."
Pierce's eyes darkened. He kissed her again, then slowly lowered her legs to the floor. "Get dressed before I change my mind about checking on Derek."
They finished dressing together. Pierce helped her with the clasp of her bra. Elena buttoned his shirt while he kissed her neck.
Simple, domestic moments that felt big after weeks of fighting their feelings.
Finally dressed, they headed downstairs together. Pierce's hand found hers naturally, their fingers intertwining.
Derek's room was at the end of the hallway. Pierce knocked softly.
"Come in," Derek's voice called out, stronger than yesterday.
They opened the door to find Derek sitting up in bed, the IV still in his arm but his color significantly better. His eyes went from Elena to Pierce, then down to their joined hands.
A slow smile spread across his face. "Well. It's about damn time."
Elena felt heat rise to her cheeks. "How are you feeling?"
"Like I got shot. But alive, thanks to you." Derek's smile widened. "Though I'm guessing my near-death experience had some unexpected benefits."
Pierce squeezed Elena's hand. "Shut up, Derek."
"I'm just saying, I've been watching you two dance around each other for weeks. Glad you finally figured it out." Derek winced slightly as he adjusted his position. "Even if it took me taking a bullet to make it happen."
"That's not funny," Elena said, moving to check his vitals.
"Little bit funny." Derek watched her work. "How's it look, Doc?"
"It's better. Much better." Elena checked the bandage, satisfied with the healing. "You're lucky. Another inch to the right and we'd be having a very different conversation."
"Yeah, well. Couldn't let those bastards shoot you." Derek looked at Pierce. "Boss would've killed me himself."
Pierce's jaw tightened. "You did good yesterday."
"We all did." Derek's eyes went back to their joined hands. "So. This is official then?"
"Yes," Pierce and Elena said simultaneously.
Derek grinned. "Good. You two are less insufferable when you're not pretending you don't want to rip each other's clothes off."
"Derek..." Elena started.
"What? I'm recovering from a gunshot wound. Let me have my fun." He settled back against the pillows. "Besides, boss has been miserable for weeks. Nice to see him actually happy for once."
Pierce's phone buzzed. He pulled it out, his expression shifting immediately as he read the screen.
"Marcus," he said, already answering. "What've you got?"
Elena watched Pierce's face as he listened, seeing the tension return to his shoulders.
"When?... How many?... And Xander?... Understood. We'll move tonight." He hung up and looked at Derek. "How fast can you travel?"
"Fast enough." Derek answered, voice sharp. "What's happening?"
"Rodrigo's been moving assets. Marcus tracked three separate shipments heading toward the city." Pierce's voice was controlled. "And Xander was spotted in the financial district yesterday. Two blocks from D'Corporation."
Elena's stomach dropped. "He knows I was there."
"Probably." Pierce squeezed her hand. "Which is why we're leaving tonight to a new location, completely off grid. No one knows about it except Marcus and me."
"What about the company?" Elena asked. "The board..."
"It can wait." Pierce said. "Your life is more important than the company."
"But..."
"Elena." Pierce turned to face her fully. "We're not having this argument again. You showed up, you asserted control. That bought you time. Now we need to disappear until we can handle Rodrigo and Xander permanently."
Derek shifted in bed. "What's the plan for handling them?"
"Working on it." Pierce's jaw was tight. "Marcus is coordinating with our people. We're close to pinpointing Rodrigo's main operation. Once we have that..."
"You move on him," Derek finished.
"We move on him." Pierce looked at Elena. "But first, we get you somewhere safe."
Elena wanted to argue, wanted to insist she could help, that she wouldn't hide while they risked their lives. But she also understood the reality, she was a target, and that made everyone around her vulnerable.
"Where are we going?" she asked instead.
"To the cabin. It's two hours north and completely isolated. No neighbors, no roads leading directly to it." Pierce's thumb brushed over her knuckles. "We'll be safe there while Marcus handles surveillance."
"And Derek?"
"He'll be coming with us. Can't leave him here unprotected." Pierce looked at him. "Think you can handle a car ride?"
"I've had worse." Derek said. "Though I'm claiming the good painkillers for the trip."
Pierce's phone buzzed again. He glanced at it and swore under his breath.
"What?" Elena asked.
"Marcus found something. Xander's been using a burner phone to contact someone inside the city. Multiple calls over the past week." Pierce's expression darkened. "He's planning something and whatever it is, it's happening soon."
"How soon do you think?"
"Days, maybe less." Pierce looked at her, and Elena saw the fear beneath his controlled exterior. "Which is why we leave tonight. Pack light. We move at sunset."
Elena nodded, processing the information. Yesterday's attack at D'Corporation. Xander spotted near the building. Rodrigo moving assets. All of it building toward something.
"We'll be ready," she said.
Pierce pulled her close, kissing her forehead. "I won't let them hurt you. I promise."
"I know." Elena looked up at him. "But you have to promise me something else."
"What?"
"You won't do anything reckless. You won't sacrifice yourself trying to protect me." Her hand pressed against his chest. "Because I can't lose you. Not now. Not after finally.."
Pierce kissed her, cutting off her words. When he pulled back, his eyes were intense.
"I promise." He said quietly. "We both survive this. Together."
Derek cleared his throat. "As touching as this is, can someone get me more painkillers? Watching you two make declarations of love is making my gunshot wound hurt worse."
Elena laughed despite the tension, moving to adjust Derek's IV medication.
Pierce's phone buzzed with another update from Marcus. He read it, his expression serious, then looked out the window at the fading daylight.
"Sunset in three hours," he said quietly. "Then we disappear."
Elena finished with Derek and moved back to Pierce's side. His arm wrapped around her waist automatically, pulling her close.
Three hours until they ran again.
Three hours before they disappeared into hiding.
But this time, Elena wasn't facing it alone.
This time, she had Pierce and somehow, that made all the difference.