“Money does buy happiness.”
I laughed. “Only there is no money. You see, your buddy Franklin betrayed you. He was the mole and he was stupid enough to underestimate the man who was the real architect of that security software you’ve been using. You’ll be happy to know the money is going to a good cause. Various abuse centers all across the world. The money will go a long way it helping to protect women from vultures like you while also giving them the assistance they need in putting their lives back together.”
“You’re lying.”
“Am I? Check your bank account.”
I’ll be damned if he didn’t pull out his phone, hurriedly moving his fingers across the screen. Seconds later, he roared, pitching the phone to the pavement. I’d made him angry. Aww. What a shame.
The man was on edge and I knew what that meant. He was prepared to do something crazy.
My father had taught me as a boy how to shoot. He’d also provided me with the understanding of when to attack and whento stand firm. This would be one of those times I should wait until the opportune moment to allow Dante to make his move.
Only I wasn’t that man any longer.
So I did the unthinkable.
I lunged forward.
Pop! Pop!
Reese
“Where is he?” I asked for the fifth time in the last thirty minutes. I was grateful that I wasn’t waiting alone; Valentina was a lovely companion but I was sick to my stomach.
“Relax. They know what they’re doing,” Valentina said, her voice and actions full of patience, trying to comfort me when that wasn’t possible.
“He’s been gone for a long time.”
“Don’t underestimate what they can do. They’re an amazing team.”
“How do you stand it? When Hudson goes out on some crazy mission like this, how can you tolerate the wait? The worry?”
“It’s called having faith. Besides, what makes Hudson such an amazing man is what he’s doing right now. I wouldn’t be here today with my little girl safe and sound if I hadn’t placed my trust in him and he hadn’t formed Raven Intel. They are an amazing team.”
“You love him.”
Her face lit up. “Absolutely. Hudson is my knight in shining armor. Like I suspect you feel about Kendrick.”
She was right. I couldn’t ignore the way I felt about him any longer. While he’d said nothing about my admittance, I’d seen the look in his eyes, the kind that I couldn’t read. But he’d heard me. The three words that could change everything between us.
“I do.”
“Tell me about the way you feel.” She moved toward the coffee table, grabbing the bottle of wine. The two glasses had done nothing to take the edge off.
Sighing, I thought about him while she refilled my glass. “He’s very opinionated. He’d also hardheaded as hell, a little grumpy around the edges. But he’s so amazing with everything he touches. Did you know he plays the electric guitar?”
She grinned. “Now I do. What else?”
“He never backs down with anything and walks right into danger. He’s perhaps the most honorable man I’ve ever met in my life and my father is right up there with him.”
“So you do love him.”
“Is it that obvious?” I asked, almost sheepishly.
She laughed. “If you think you’re hiding it from anyone, you’re wrong. Very wrong.”
“Ugh. I don’t know how he feels about it.”
