He could tell she was half-asleep and not really thinking straight.
Anthony didn't tease her. He just scooped her up and set her gently in the car.
“Where are we going?” Charlotte looked up at him, her long lashes brushing his cheek as she blinked in confusion.
“I have an office at the base,” Anthony said. He slipped off his coat and tucked it around her shoulders. “Do you want to sleep in a room, or just stay in the car for a while...”
There were only three hours left until sunrise.
Charlotte frowned a little, then moved closer, wrapping her arms around his waist.
“Don’t move.”
That was all the answer Anthony needed. He turned on the heater and pressed a soft kiss to her pale cheek. “So we’re just sleeping? Nothing else?”
At that, Charlotte reached up and gave his chin a little squeeze, then planted a quick, half-hearted kiss on his lips.
“Aren’t we already sleeping?”
That was it?
Anthony couldn’t help but laugh, shaking his head. She was definitely playing games with him.
He had worried she might have trouble falling asleep. Ever since she’d arrived at the base, he’d waited outside her dorm every single night. Tonight, it finally seemed worth it.
“You’re really good at brushing me off, you know,” he said, his voice a little rough. He tapped her nose lightly. “Alright, get some rest.”
***
At the same time, somewhere in foreign skies, a military plane sliced through the clouds.
Inside the cabin, Donald sat by the window in his special forces uniform, staring out at the night with a thoughtful look and a faint smile.
“Donald.” Saul placed a cup of tea next to him, speaking with quiet respect. “We’ll be landing at the base soon. They’ve arranged a car for you. After you inspect the base, you’ll head straight back to the Gates family estate.”
The Gates family’s youngest had been home for a few months now.

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