Clearing her throat, Kinsley said, "This isn't the way to solve anything."
"If Kinsley spent seven motherfucking months on the run, and my sister knew about it the whole time . . ." I had to stop speaking before I ruined the relationship I had with Logan. I loved him like a brother and had for years, but Logan loved Anna. If I said the words out loud, I feared there was no coming back from it. "I can't think about that right now. We have to come up with a plan, and we need it yesterday."
40
Kinsley
"Burke, why are you so worried?"
"Why shouldn't I be?" he countered.
I looked out the limousine window, watching the downtown streets pass us by. "The bride and groom aren't worried."
He snorted. "Like hell they aren't."
Turning back to my husband, I squeezed his hand and watched the frown between his brows deepen. "They're happy. It's a day of celebration, not one of stress."
With his free hand, Burke pinched the bridge of his nose. "Kinsley, my father and sister are in the wind. The Navarros have pinned targets to our backs. Caden is terrified that Maddie might now be on their hit list. I can only fake it for so long; this is my one chance to drop the mask."
"I know." Shifting, I hiked the hem of my dress up my thighs and climbed onto his lap. "I don't want you to pretend for me, I just want you to realize we've taken all the precautions we can."
"Do you know what happened to the mobster Lucky Luciano?" At my head shake, he continued. "They killed his girl by mistake, thinking it was him lying in bed under the covers." Burke framed my face between his hands, his elegant fingers threading through the hair at my temples. "I don't know what I would do without you."
"You'll never have to find out."
More and more, Burke was letting his feelings out. He hadn't specifically said he loved me, but I thought he was heading in that direction. Perhaps he'd only recently discovered it, or perhaps he wasn't quite there but was close. I'd hoped the wedding would be the perfect opportunity for declarations, but he was entirely too tense. Caden and Maddie had said their vows at St. James Cathedral without incident, and now we were on our way to the reception at a nearby hotel.
"I don't enjoy being off our home turf. Anything could happen."
I leaned down, pressing my lips to his in a brief kiss. "If it does, then we'll handle it."
With his face so close, I could make out the flecks of green and gold in his eyes. Everything darkened when he focused on me until the sapphire shade morphed into something akin to the lake behind our home. His skin was warm on my face, his fingers gentle as he tilted my head to envelop me. That was the sensation he evoked; wrapped up in him, secluded and secure. When he opened his mouth and gasped a breath, I reciprocated in order to tangle our tongues.
Only the high-pitched screech of Finn could pierce through our haze of lust. Settling back on Burke's lap, I turned my head to grin at our son in his car seat. "Brat."
Chuckling, Burke moved his hands to my ass to hold me in place. "He's a cockblocker."
"Probably always will be." I refocused on Burke's face, watching the mask slip back in place. "We're almost there, anyway."
Sighing, he assisted me in returning to my seat and fixing my dress. "Please tell me if you see anybody suspicious. I won't take any chances today."
"Half the people at the event will be unknown to me, Burke."
"I know, but use your instincts. They're remarkable."
Nodding, I slipped my hand into his and held on. "I promise."
We entered the ballroom together, Finn on Burke's hip. Adjusting the top of my strapless dress, I searched for any sight of Maddie. Burke didn't drop the protective arm wrapped around my shoulders, but I didn't mind. After scanning the crowd, I found Logan standing with a man I didn't recognize.
"Who is that with Logan?"
Burke regarded the two men. "That's Jonah Carmichael."
I sucked in a sharp breath. "You invited a rival Family to the wedding?"
"It was Caden's idea, and I thought he told you."
"But . . . why?" Trying not to stare, I glanced discreetly in their direction. Jonah was older than Logan by what appeared to be more than a decade. Black hair curled around his ears, mixed with just a bit of gray to give him a distinguished countenance. His stature was strong, tall, and slender with long limbs. If I squinted, he looked related to the Gallaghers.
