“I mean because of your sister.”
Instantly, my jaw clenched. I’d told very few people about the most painful period of my life. I wanted nothing more than to be furious with him for daring to bring even a single thought about Emily into this. But I didn’t because he knew me too well. “I don’t know. Maybe.”
“Honorable, yet just make sure you fully understand what you’re getting in the middle of.”
“A little too late.”
“Never too late. Including for your lackluster sex life. Glad you finally got your weenie wet. Maybe now, you’ll be a better prosecutor.”
“You fucking asshole,” I teased, shaking my head as I grinned.
“You bet I am. One last thing and something I learned from the operation with Valentina. Karma has a way of invading your life when you least expect it. The smart guys will go with the flow.”
“And the idiots?”
“Well, the idiots will grow old alone. And very lonely.”
“Oh, great. Thanks so much.”
“One last piece of advice now that I said what I said and meant it. If what you two shared is anything special, it will be there long after this nightmare is over. That woman is counting on you to provide her with justice even if you might believe she brought the nightmare on herself. She did so for a valiant reason, but she’s not equipped to handle the situation herself. You and I both know that. The only reason she let her guard down with you is because she needs your help in saving her sister. And you not only accepted the call, you pushed for it.”
“So what are you saying, Hudson? I’m not in the mood for riddles.” I could hear the annoyance in my tone.
“I’m saying you need to shove aside your feelings. While in this case, this mission you’ve embroiled yourself in requires an unusual level of intimacy, you need to find a strict balance and understand that whatever acts you’re required to perform aren’t personal. In other words, save the passion for when you’re required to show it. That way, it won’t appear as if being done for another reason. Men like Lucifer can smell deceit a thousand miles away.”
Unfortunately, he was right. It was something I’d thought about more than once during the middle of the night.
“Yeah, I get it.” I ended the call, instantly feeling a presence behind me.
In the reflection of the glass, there was a warm glow of the sun creating a breathtaking halo. As if the woman was an angel.
For all the times I’d failed in protecting an innocent victim, the promise of keeping her safe stood. There was no arguing what I would do to protect her.
Was it all under the guise of justice?
Hell, no.
Reese had already gotten under my skin with the slow crawl of her fingers, the whispered heat of her breath.
The rough kisses that had led to unbridled passion.
Even with all the arguments in place, the reasons why keeping my distance from her held merit, I’d come to realize in less than twenty-four hours I wasn’t the man I thought I was.
Instead, I was something much darker.
And hungrier.
CHAPTER 14
Kendrick
The angry, burning desire furrowed deep into my system, making breathing as difficult as keeping the promise I’d made.
As soon as I turned, the same dark, intense, and hungry sensations threatened to derail my newfound determination to keep the situation strictly business.
Fuck. She was even more stunning than the night before. At least she appeared more rested, calm when I was antsy as hell.
I don’t know what I was expecting on the morning after a whole bunch of shit had gone down, but it wasn’t to see her standing with a sly grin on her face.
