He laughed again. “I suspect you’re asking if he’ll forgive you if you defy his wishes.”
“I doubt there’s any way he’ll agree to let me go alone. He could barely stomach me running errands without him.”
“So that is what you’re asking.” He paused. “He takes loyalty very, very seriously.”
“This isn’t about loyalty.”
“Are you sure about that?”
“I’ve proven my loyalty multiple times over,” I insisted.
“He’s had a history of people choosing their own best interest over his. Once bitten, twice shy.”
“I’m not doing this for my own self-interest, Carter,” I said in annoyance.
“Are you sure about that?”
A woman walked out of the restaurant, holding up a brown paper bag and heading toward me.
“Our food’s ready,” I said. “I need to go.”
“Whatever you decide, make sure he knows who you’re really doing it for. Even if it is for you. The only thing he values more than loyalty is truthfulness.”
He hung up before I could tell him I already knew that. Maybe that was part of why I respected James so much.
Chapter 4
When I reached the safe house, I called out, “It’s me,” before I unlocked the door and walked into the living room. It was probably unnecessary. James had likely been watching the window.
He was on the sofa, a handgun beside him. He had circles under his eyes and two-day-old stubble, but it only made him look more ruggedly handsome. “Run into any trouble?”
I shut the door behind me. “No. How’s your headache?”
Irritation flickered in his eyes. “It’s fine.”
“Did you get any sleep?”
“I’m not a goddamned baby,” he said in a surly tone.
I could have taken offense, but I was feeling generous after the three calls I’d made on my burner. Besides, I knew his frustration wasn’t directed at me. “You and I both know sleep will help.”
“I’m fine.”
“I know it’s early, but I say we eat dinner and then I’ll start cleaning.”
“You’re not the maid,” he snapped.
“Maybe not, but I don’t see one hanging around, so someone has to do it.”
“Carter should have made sure it was clean.”
I set the food bag on the coffee table and sat down beside him. “Carter’s doing the best he can.” I reached for his face, and when he didn’t pull away, I pressed my palm to his cheek, turning his head to face me. “You’re doing the best you can.”
“But it’s not enough, is it?” he asked bitterly.
I pressed a soft kiss to his lips, and to my surprise, he grabbed the back of my head and held me close as he took over, his mouth hungry for mine.
A wave of desire rolled through me, and for the hundredth time that week, I wondered if sex was slowing his recovery. But every time I brought it up, he shut it down, saying he’d waited long enough to have me, and he wasn’t waiting any longer.
