He didn't exactly meet my gaze. "I'm just on edge."
"Anyone could see that. But why?"
"Asher made it clear he won't abide by the rules set forth about innocents. I worry for you."
Moving closer to him, I settled my hands on his shoulders. "Burke, if our disastrous dinner date proved nothing, then I can't force you to realize you don't need to worry about me."
His gaze remained locked on the wall behind my head. "Logically, maybe."
"Logically, I can handle a firearm, I'm taking self-defense classes with my kickboxing, and I'm in the best shape of my life. Why do you still have that crease between your eyebrows?"
"Logic has nothing to do with reality." Finally, he set his gaze on me, and I trembled at the fire in his eyes.
It was obvious he cared for me, at least as much as he was able. "Burke, I understand it would upset you if my well-being was on the line. I feel the same when I think about anything happening to you. But, I have to remember you're as well equipped as you can be and not let the stress consume me."
It was no surprise that he crushed my body to his, that he slanted his mouth to cover mine and poured his frustration out in the kiss. I'd almost grown accustomed to the way he used sex to distract himself from all we had going on in our lives.
Finally, he pulled back. "We should see to Finn."
Nodding, I stepped into our closet to find some clothes, my head swarming with possibilities. We had yet to cross the line I saw as the final one; the one where we said we loved each other. Sometimes, I thought he might feel that way, but he said nothing to show feelings other than protection and territorialism. In return, I was extremely careful not to let my emotions get the best of me.
Together, we went to the nursery to find Finn. Maddie was sitting in the armchair by the window, typing on her laptop.
She looked up when we entered. "Hi. I was finishing up some classwork while he napped."
I smiled down at the sleeping baby. "How long has he been down?" I whispered.
Maddie checked her watch. "About an hour."
"Oh, he has a while then."
The three of us left the room.
"How did it go?" Maddie asked once we were in the hall.
"It went well, except Asher planted a listening device on me."
"Shit." Maddie looked between us. "But you found it, obviously."
"Yes, before we said anything terrible." Burke let us walk in front of him down the stairs. "I have to tell the others what I found." He turned down the hall to his office, but Maddie and I went to the living room. After she’d gotten her hands on it, the room was much more comfortable and inviting.
"So." Maddie sat on the couch. "Were you scared?"
I thought about how it felt to be in that church, ostensibly alone. "I was a bit scared, but I knew how many men were on the balconies keeping an eye on me. It doesn't appear they're interested in a truce or keeping any peace, though."
"You've grown stronger."
"I was just telling Burke that. He's concerned the Navarros will attack me in particular because they said they won't honor the law stating wives are untouchable."
Maddie's forehead creased. "I'll be a wife soon."
"Yes." I nodded, running my fingers over my eyes. "I know we can't dismiss the danger, but I also know we're prepared."
"I still think I should start carrying a gun. I would lock it up somewhere when I was here; give it to Noah or something."
"It's not a terrible idea, Maddie. You could be a target at any time."
"Caden has brought up that fact more than once. He likes to spar with me to ensure I can take what Kai is teaching us and apply it to a man of his stature."
