Tempting as it was, protection was one thing; surveillance was another. Besides, while I trusted Theo to place a team that would keep her safe, I knew he would gather as much intel as he could for his own benefit anyway.
“Protection only.” I sighed.
“Your loss.” Theo said with a smirk. “Just so we’re clear, Ialwayssurveil. It’d be irresponsible not to. It’s just a matter of whether or not you want to know about it.”
“I won’t betray her trust like that.” I grimaced, hating that I had to keep this from her, but she was still so fragile, and she didn’t deserve to walk around in fear. She needed normalcy in her life as much as possible. She’d already had so much taken away, I wouldn’t take away her sense of safety too.
“Very well. I’ll only inform you if anything seems out of the ordinary.” He turned to his computer. “Precautionary courtesy.”
I nodded, that would be fine, I supposed. “What do you need from me?”
Theo pursed his lips. “Nothing. I’ve already got a file on all of you, so this should be pretty seamless.”
I rolled my eyes. “Of course you do.”
“I’m the best for a reason.” He shrugged. “You need a detail for yourself?”
“I’m good.” I stood up and headed for the door.
“Is that why you’re carrying?” He was looking at the computer when I turned.
“I’m not.” I lied.
“Right.” Theo rolled his eyes, reaching into his drawer, and he thumbed through a file before plopping a stack of photos down on his desk.
Even from across the room, I could see the blood in the photos, and my heart started to race as I walked towards his desk. I picked up the stack, realizing they were photos of me, one after another, of me unconscious, the night of the attack.
“Where the fuck did you get these?” I demanded.
“I know a guy,” Theo said, not even mildly concerned as he typed away on his multi-screen surveillance setup.
“Whatguy?” I demanded.
“Hacker guy.” He shrugged uncouthly. “You know the type, and you also know I protect my sources.”
“Did you know they were coming for me?” I growled.
“Of course not. You know I would have warned you.” He shrugged. “A contact offered me the information after the fact, and I’m never one to pass up intel. You, of all people, should know that.” I was fuming. “I waited for you to reach out after the whole thing, but you never did.” Theo shrugged. “And I’m not one to stick my nose where it’s not invited.”
“Oh, you’re not, huh?” I growled.
He steepled his fingers together, expressiontotally unbothered. “You know, I have other services.” Theo mused. “Off book. Untraceable.”
“You’re going to land yourself right back where you started.” I snapped, tempting as that offer was.
“Perhaps.” Theo shrugged. “Perhaps not.” He leaned forward on the desk. “The only question is Kensington, when it comes to her safety, how far are you willing to go?” His eyes darkened.
There wasn’t a question in my mind. All the fucking way. Which is why it could never come to that. “If anything happens to her, it’s your neck I’m coming after.” I threatened as I stormed towards the door.
“Easy, Carter.” Theo warned. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.”
“If so much as a hair on her head is touched, I will buy this whole goddamn building, just so I can burn it down with you inside.” I said from the doorway. “You have my word.”
“And you have mine.” Theo nodded, completely unbothered. “As long as my team is watching, nothing will happen to her, or to Liam, for that matter.” He stared at me as I hesitated in the doorway. “Carter, I’ve got her. I’ll keep her safe.” He offered more gently.
“Thank you.” I said, my eyes shuttering at the dark reality of the situation.
“Anytime, old friend,” Theo said, already picking up the phone as I closed the door behind me.
