Visions of her spread out under me, her body trembling and pulsing around mine, the way she completely came apart in my arms flash through my head.
“We ran a check on him after the meeting last night. Gabe called a bunch of his military contacts, and he checks out, kiddo. He’s got half a dozen service medals, an impeccable record and honorable discharge. There’s no reason to think he isn’t exactly who and what he appears to be.”
I inch closer to the door, waiting for her response again like a damn middle schooler straining to hear if the girl he’s crushing on likes him, too.
Finally, she releases another deep sigh. “You’re right. I’m just being overly cautious.”
“That’s your job, right?”
His words carry so much affection and pride, it reminds me of the way I used to hear similar words. How much they meant to me at times when it felt like I was drifting.
I hope Bishop can take them for what they are and accept his sentiment.
“It is my job, Dad. And after what Satriano pulled last night? I just can’t shake this deep, foreboding sense of dread.”
I freeze, my shoulders tensing and my spine going ramrod straight.
What Satriano did?
Something must’ve happened after she left my place…
I assumed she snuck out because she wanted to avoid having to face me after what happened between us, because she loves to run, but maybe there was actually a reason for her absence when I woke.
“Let’s put him with you today. I want you to take him to all the properties. Everywhere. Show him what security does at each location. Take him to all the residences. I want to be able to use him anywhere we might need to at any given time, and he needs to know how to get anywhere fast.”
“Agreed.”
The slight hesitation in her voice suggests she isn’t fully on board, but my bet is it has to do with her being assigned as my guide rather than what he actually wants me to be shown.
And it sounds like their conversation is wrapping up, which means I can’t continue to lurk in the hallway.
I step out, intentionally slamming my boot down harder than I normally would to announce my presence. “Hello?” I take the few steps toward the door, pretending to only notice them as I almost pass by. “Oh, hey. The guy down at the bar sent me up. Said you were here and expecting me.”
Bishop doesn’t even glance at me, just keeps her eyes locked on something in the corner of the room that’s suddenly very interesting.
Her dad rises from where he was leaning against the front of his desk and smiles, extending a hand to me as he approaches. “Good to see you this morning. Welcome to the team, officially.”
I return Saint’s strong handshake. “Thank you. I’m glad to be here and ready to help in any way I can.”
He sighs. “We definitely need it. Bishop will fill you in. I have to go meet with Savage, Gabe, and Kennedy, but I’ll catch you guys later.”
His heavy footsteps trail out of the room, and Bishop climbs to her feet, rubbing the back of her neck and keeping her eyes anywhere but on me.
She’s still wearing the same clothes she had on at my place last night…
My hand twitches, so desperately wanting to reach out and touch her, to pull her up against me the way she should have been this morning.
She clears her throat and attempts to step around me, but I wrap my arm around her waist, halting her progress. Her entire body instantly tenses, and she keeps her gaze on the open door only a few feet in front of her.
Her escape route.
But I am not letting her get away that easily.
I dip my head, brushing my lips against her ear. “You’re running from me again.”
She swallows thickly and shakes her head, still refusing to look at me. “No. I’m not.”
“Then what do you call sneaking out of my place while I was asleep?” I press my body tighter into hers, purposely reminding her of the position we were in only hours ago. “Did you really think I was done with you?”
