Maddie looked down. "What if something happens to him?"
"That's always been a possibility, Maddie."
She nodded. "I know, but it used to be a vague threat."
"Until the shootout."
Looking up, Maddie said, "Yes, and now I know I want to be with him for as much time as I can. If something happens tomorrow, then at least I'll know I was with him until the last second. Every day has meaning, and I want them all with Caden."
I had to agree with her. If there was no telling when our last day together would be, then I needed to live each day with Burke to the fullest. It seemed he already lived that way, from what I'd seen, and I was doing a fairly good job of doing the same. I didn't know how to let go of my inhibitions as completely as he did, but I was trying.
By the time Maddie left, Finn was awake, so I changed his diaper and took him with me to find Burke. Not surprisingly, he was in his office, but I heard him yelling from down the hallway.
I waited until he finished with whatever sent him on his tirade, showing Finn the ancient paintings hanging on the walls. When the volume of Burke's voice returned to a lower level, I knocked on the door.
"Yeah?" he said irritably.
"It's me."
"Come in, Kinsley."
He was alone, which I hadn't expected. "Who were you yelling at?"
Instead of answering, he came around the desk and reached for his son.
The urge to protect my husband hit me strongly. Something horrible had happened, or he wouldn't be yelling over the phone and avoiding my gaze. "Burke, what's wrong?"
Sighing, he sat in the desk chair and helped Finn stand on his lap. "I've had Carson followed for some time now."
Just hearing my father-in-law's name caused a visceral reaction within me. My stomach twisted, and a dull ache began behind my eyes. "What has he done?"
"Points to you." Finn giggled, and Burke grinned at him while he bounced. "He's made several inquiries to the other three Families. Innocuous questions, at least on the surface, about what they would pay for information on me."
Tears formed in my eyes at his devastating news. Burke tried to hide it, but I knew he was equally wounded and outraged. "Who will take him out?"
"No hesitation, Kinsley? No second thoughts about taking a life?"
With a huge intake of breath, I moved over to him, sitting on the edge of the desk and reaching out to cup his jaw. "He made his choice. I know this must be difficult for you, but it can't go unpunished."
"He hasn't met his grandson."
"No, he hasn't."
"I'm more upset that Finn won't have a grandfather than I am that my sperm donor will miss out on knowing what a joy he is."
I didn't think it was the time to bring up my father. Tom and Julia's avoidance of the truth was pain for another day.
"I knew it would come down to this, eventually. What I can't decide is who'll do it." Burke swallowed. "It should be me."
"It won't be you," I said with as much strength as I could infuse into my voice.
He met my gaze with a raised brow. "No?"
If I thought it would ease Burke's aching, I would take care of Carson in a heartbeat. "I'd offer if I thought I could pull it off, but it shouldn't be you. It's bad enough he intends to sell you out to the enemy, don't add the weight of his death to your shoulders."
Burke was silent for a long time, changing his grip on Finn and watching him exercise his little legs. Finally, he spoke. "Thank you."
"I didn't do anything."
