Stepping into my boxers and pants, I work double time to lower my heart rate, wrestling a shirt over my head that Royce gave me for Christmas.
Grabbing my phone from the nightstand, I pull up his number and type out a text.
TOM: Send me something
ROYCE: I talked to you like twenty minutes ago
ROYCE: I’m good but I’m not that good
TOM: Anything
ROYCE: What happened?
As much asI love my nephew, I won’t be telling him I seriously considered hurdling over every fucking line and boundary I have in place when it comes to clients. Because that’s what it all comes down to.
I wanted to break my rules.
For her.
I want to fuck the sadness from Kat’s eyes. I want to see her writhing beneath me, all that silky skin flushed and glistening as I take her over and over until she feels like herself again.
Like she can take on the world instead of hiding from it.
TOM: Nothing—just restless. It’s been a long time since I was on this side of things.
It’s not entirely a lie.
The last time I played bodyguard was several years ago. When I first started working for Cullen and Gene Andrews it was more regular, but I worked my way up to managing the entire department and several teams for events, investigations, and whatever else needed to be done.
ROYCE: How about the doorbell footage I acquired from the neighbor adjacent to Kat’s house? It’s too far to positively ID anyone but we need to nail down the timeframe for the envelope.
TOM: Send it.
ROYCE: I feel like I should be worried
TOM: Why?
ROYCE: You never ask to do my job
TOM: Remember that time Kinsley was almost kidnapped?
ROYCE: I try not to
TOM: But do you remember that helpless feeling when you were driving there and going too fast but not fast enough to get to her?
ROYCE: Yes
TOM: That’s how I feel. I need answers. I need to be in the mix and I can’t do that from here.
ROYCE: She needs you there—no one is better than you for this
TOM: Thanks kid. Just send me the footage and we’ll touch base in the morning
ROYCE: You got it
ROYCE: Work me needs you to stop doubting yourself and focus on what you need to do. Get your head in the game
ROYCE: But nephew me needs you to know I believe in you. You’re my hero and the smartest man I know and I love you
