“Going back to the Rose?” Marcus asked.
He didn’t answer right away, eyes fixed on the closed door, where he could hear the faint cadence of voices inside, Elliot asking his careful questions, Elise answering with calm precision. Every instinct urged him to open the door and go sit beside her. But this was the cost of bringing her into his world. She had to prove she was no threat to the organization that entwined all his family.
“No. I have a place by a lake. We’ll go there.”
Marcus followed his gaze. “She’ll be fine. Elliot’s thorough, not cruel.”
“I know.” Blake crossed his arms, keeping his stance loose but his muscles taut. “Doesn’t mean I have to like it.”
Marcus smiled faintly. “Welcome to the other side, cousin. You know the score. Loving someone outside Guardian? It means proving they can stand in the light without burning. She looks like she can.”
Blake let the words settle, then nodded once. “She can. She already has.”
The murmur of voices continued behind the glass. Blake held his vigil, cousin at his side, the past and present of their family colliding in the narrow hallway while the future, his future withElise, was being weighed and measured on the other side of that door. Although it really didn’t matter what the final verdict was. He’d stay with Elise, regardless of Guardian’s preferences, until she no longer wanted him around. He’d already promised her that, and he’d meant it.
The door clicked open, and Blake’s body straightened before his brain even caught up. Elliot stepped out, closing the file in his hand with crisp precision. Elise followed, her expression controlled, though Blake saw the faintest flush along her cheekbones. He knew her well enough to recognize the signs. That Irish temper was there. She’d been tested, pushed for answers, and she’d held her ground.
Elliot inclined his head toward her. “Thank you, Ms. Serra. That’s all for today. We’ll process the paperwork and be in touch about the next step.”
She gave a polite nod, professional, but when her eyes flicked to Blake, they softened. He saw relief, trust, and a shadow of exhaustion. He wanted to pull her straight into his arms, but Guardian corridors weren’t the place. Instead, he shifted slightly so she brushed against his side as she passed, the silent reassurance exchanged in that subtle contact.
Elliot lingered, turning to Blake and Marcus. “She did well.” His voice was neutral, but his gaze carried a weight that made Blake meet it squarely.
“Well enough?” Blake asked, his tone clipped.
Elliot gave a single nod. “She’s honest, probably more honest than I would have been, and I’m happy with the information she’s provided. No hidden affiliations, no debts, no loose threads we couldn’t account for. She’ll need to finish clearance processing, but from what I’ve seen, she isn’t a threat to anyone at Guardian or in the United States.” He paused, glanced at her and smiled, then added, “She’s tougher than I expected.”
Pride curled in Blake’s chest, even as tension remained. He allowed himself the smallest smirk. “I could’ve told you that.”
Elliot’s expression eased by a fraction, then he adjusted the file under his arm. “We’ll debrief further once the background pulls finish. In the meantime, she should stay close.” His gaze slid to Elise, then back to Blake. “Very close.”
Blake inclined his head in acknowledgment. “That was always my plan. We’ll be going to one of my places tomorrow. You can reach me through CCS if you need to talk to her.”
Elliot gave a curt nod. Blake didn’t ask for permission to leave, and he wasn’t looking for approval. They were going to his lake house, and nothing was going to stop them. After Elliot bid them a farewell and strode down the hall, leaving the three of them in a pocket of quiet, Elise let out a breath and murmured, “That felt like an interrogation.”
“That’s because it was,” Marcus said dryly, but his voice carried a thread of warmth. “You passed. I’m Marcus, by the way. Blake’s cousin.”
She looked at him with cautious curiosity. “Mother or father’s side?”
Marcus laughed, “His father’s side, and there are a ton of us around, most of us work for Guardian as well.”
Blake placed his hand at the small of her back. “Long story, I can fill you in later.” Blake decided he’d bridge that gap for her later when they were away from Guardian walls. For now, he slid his hand into hers, grounding them both.
Blake heldthe keycard to the lock and opened the hotel door. The expanse of windows had a peekaboo view of Central Park, and Elise moved directly to the window. “I’ve been to most ofthe major European cities. New York is different.” She turned around to look at him. “Is that stupid?”
“No. Every city has its own unique vibe. Europe is more sedate.”
“That’s it. There is an energy here that’s almost palpable.” She took off her coat and looked around. “Where?” She lifted her jacket.
“In here.” He walked to the bedroom and smiled as he anticipated her reaction. He opened the door to the closet and stepped aside.
“What in the world?” She blinked and walked toward the closet.
“I had my sister do some shopping for you. When it was obvious you’d need to stay in the States with me for a while, I figured you’d need some more clothes. I told her to keep it casual. Jeans, slacks, shirts, a few dresses, and the things women need.” There was a new set of luggage in the closet, too. Elise watched as he opened the bathroom door. There was an array of products already there. Beth had had to guess on everything except her size. He’d looked at the labels on her clothes, but he’d told his sister to keep it simple. Elise didn’t seem to be the fussy type.
“She spent a fortune.” Elise shook her head and turned to stare at the clothes.
“No, not really. This is just to hold you over until you can go shopping for yourself.”
