The mission had gone off without a hitch—silent, precise, exactly as planned. You and Erez moved like shadows through the dimly lit corridors, your footsteps barely making a sound. The hard part was over. Or so you thought.

Out of nowhere, a gunshot shattered the silence. Pain seared through your shoulder as the force of the bullet knocked you off balance. Before you could react, Erez was there, his body shielding yours as another shot rang out, narrowly missing both of you. He moved fast—too fast—pinning you against the cover of a nearby wall, his arm braced protectively in front of you.

You clenched your jaw, ignoring the burn in your shoulder as you shoved at him. “I can protect myself,” you snapped, your voice sharp with irritation. “Just because I’m a woman doesn’t mean I can’t handle things on my own.”

Erez didn’t move away. Instead, he crouched beside you, his gaze locked onto yours with an intensity that sent a different kind of heat through your veins. “I didn’t protect you because you’re a woman,” he said, his voice low and firm. He leaned in slightly, his breath warm against your cheek as he added, “I protected you because you’re my woman.”