“And we will,” Slade vowed. “But not at your expense.”
“That’s not your call.”
“No, but itismine,” Shadow’s father reminded her. A beat later, the powerful man turned his intense stare Slade’s way. “Go.” He used his salt-and-peppered chin to motion for the door. “I’ve got her.”
With a dip of his head, Slade acknowledged his boss’s order before sliding a quick glance Shadow’s way. The woman looked made enough to spit nails.
He wanted nothing more than to pull her into his arms and hold her close until she could finally understand his true motive in leaving her behind. She was so hellbent on being the one to take down her attackers she couldn’t see that he was doing everything in his power to keep her safe. And since she clearly wasn’t ready to listen to reason…
Keeping his gaze locked onto hers for a full two seconds longer, he said nothing before turning and walking away.
“So.” Bones spoke in a hushed tone as he hung back to walk with Slade as the team headed from the apartment to the elevator down the hall. “You and Shadow, huh?”
Slade’s chest tightened as he worked like hell to school his expression. “Me and Shadow what?”
“Oh, so that’s what we’re doing?” The other man sighed. “Come on, man. I saw the way you two were going at each other in there. We all did.”
“What you saw was a woman who’s pissed because she can’t tag along while the trained operatives go after the guy who almost killed us.”
“True.” Bones didn’t so much as attempt to deny the claim. “I also heard you call her ‘princess’.”
Slade’s brows dipped together with a frown. He thought back to the heated exchange but couldn’t recall every word that was spoken.
“She hates it when I call her that.”
“Oh, so you were just poking the bear, is that it?”
“Pretty much.”
He couldfeelthe other man’s disbelieving stare but continued on down the hall as if the conversation had come to an end. Of course, Bones being Bones, the infuriating medic couldn’t keep himself from pushing for more.
“Really? Because the tension between you two sure seemed like there was a lot more going on. Like maybe you’ve been poking more than the?—”
“Finish that sentence, and Andrew Reiner won’t be the only one getting his ass kicked today.” Slade sent his teammate a warning stare, his tone as lethal as he’d ever used.
He loved Bones like a brother to the point he wouldn’t think twice about laying down his life for the other man’s. But this was Shadow, and he wasn’t about to allow anyone get away with disrespecting her in any sort of way.
Not even another member of his own team.
To his credit, Bones didn’t flinch or try to defend his insinuating comment in any way. Instead, the dumbass met Slade’s gaze and then…he smiled.
“I’ll be damned.” The other man gave an approving nod. “Never thought I’d live to see the day. I’ll admit this was not one I saw coming, but I also can’t say I’m all that surprised.”
“What the hell are you rambling on about?”
“Oh, nothin’ much. Just the fact that you’re head over boots for our girl.”
“Our girl?”
She wasn’t theirs. Shadow belonged tohim.He was just too chickenshit to admit it to the guys.
“Don’t think I didn’t catch the way you started to reach for her earlier.” Bones grinned. “Between that, the way you two were shooting daggers at each other, the adorable nickname you gave her, and how defensive you’re acting…” Bones shook his head and chuckled. “I mean, you can deny it all you want, brother, but I know a man in love when I see him.”
In love?
“I’m not?—”
“It’s okay, Dig. Really.” Bones slapped a hand on Slade’s shoulder, giving the muscles there a friendly, supportive squeeze. “In fact, I think I speak for the rest of the team when I say…it’s about damn time.”
