Kellan’s green eyes twinkled with amusement. “I’m an exceptional swimmer.”
I looked him over. “You look like shit,” I remarked.
“So do you.”
“You two know each other?” Coby asked.
“We’ve met,” I replied without looking at her. She was right. I was a coward. I stepped around Kellan with Coco in my arms and walked to the door to shove my feet in my slippers.
Coby made a terrified squeak in the back of her voice when she saw him. I rolled my eyes because here we go. “Hunter, what the hell is that? Is it…is it a rat?”
“It’s a Yorkshire Terrier. And from the looks of the pup, it’s a runt,” Kellan answered for me. “Don’t tell me you’re afraid.”
Coby, the vegan who was afraid of animals, shuddered out a breath.
“Wow. Yeah, I totally get the fear,” Kellan taunted. “A beast like that can totally gnaw your ankles to death.”
“Don’t tease her,” I warned, taking up for my bestie.
Kellan rolled his eyes. Coby fled to the bathroom. I took the puppy outside.
After Coco relieved himself, I put him in the room and yelled out for Coby, who was still hiding in the bathroom.
“What are you doing here?” I directed at Kellan. I had the same question for Coby, who was staring at me now and anxiously chewing her bottom lip. It wasn’t unusual for Coby and me to fight, but it was the first time it ever felt like it was the last one we’d ever have. Even while standing in the same room, it felt like there was a mountain between us.
“Your training starts today. Ocean’s orders.”
“Training?” Coby echoed before I could tell Kellan where to shove it. I guess Ocean never bothered to tell her about his job offer.
“The Strap offered me a job, and I took it,” I answered.
“Please stop calling him that, Hunter. Doing what?”
“Protecting you.”
Coby’s eyes flared with horror. “No.” She shook her head. “Absolutely not.”
“Coby—”
“I said no! You’re not doing it. It’s dangerous!”
I squinted. “I remember telling you the same thing. You asked me to trust that you could take care of yourself, so now I’m asking the same of you. You wanted me to stay, remember? I’m staying.”
“No, Hunter. I want you to want to stay.”
“Maybe I should come back,” Kellan said uncertainly. Despite being uncomfortable, he stayed where he was, his curious gaze swinging back and forth as Coby and I geared up for round two.
Instead of fighting with me again, Coby turned her fury on Kellan. “Where is he?”
Knowing exactly who she meant, Kellan answered, “In a meeting with the Boss.”
“I thought his father was in Ireland until the wedding?” I asked.
“They have cell phone reception in Ireland.”
“Take me to him,” Coby demanded.
Kellan looked like he wanted to say no, but then he nodded and started for the door. “I’ll be outside,” he called over his shoulder. “You both have ten minutes.”
