I’ll be guarding Jade from outside of that bedroom. That’s the only way I’ll survive. Because the need to be close to this woman is dangerous.
And after she told me about her father and that asshole’s possible criminal activity, my need to shield her amplifies by the second.
But I’m fucking working. The team is in the middle of a high-stakes mission.
As I stride up the walkway, the front door swings open to reveal three teammates armed to the teeth.
“You need a medic?” Justice asks, stepping out of the way.
“No, she just needs sleep.”
There’s a hush inside the safe house as I cross through the vestibule and move through the open living room. Everyone’s eyes tracking us.
The men who work for Agile Security & Rescue are concerned, and their girls are curious.
Allison, Truck’s girl, is the first to unglue her feet and rush ahead of me. She whispers, “The bedroom with the twin beds on the right is empty. Linens are ready.”
I tip my chin and keep moving. Deeper into the house, away from the hushed voices.“Who is she?”
“What’s wrong?” Another of the women asks.
Allison turns on a small lamp on the dresser, enough to give me a clear path to the twin bed against a solid wall. Not near any windows.
I don’t care that they are bulletproof. She’s not sleeping next to one.
Shifting her light frame into one arm, I pull back the blankets, carefully settling her into the bed.
Jade sighs and snuggles the pillow. “Oh my god, that feels so good.”
Couldn’t respond if I had a gun to my head. I’m a tangle of emotions I’ve never felt. And the need to be near her is nearly suffocating. I’ve never been jealous of a pillow in my life.
Allison’s watching from the doorway, probably catching the way I’m hovering too close, my shoulders as tight as wooden beams.
“Do you need anything?”
Yes.
I need a brain transplant and an army to guard Jade.
Shaking my head, I tug off my baseball cap. When she sees my expression—tortured—she motions for me to come out of the room.
“She’s safe here, you know that. You can stand down.”
Ha.Wrong.
“You sound like your man. Stand down isn’t something an archeologist would probably use in her daily vocabulary.”
“What can I say?” Her eyes soften. “But the real question here is, are you okay?”
No. Not even close. “Need one of the guys back here, now. Please.”
She nods, gripping my arm. “Sure. Do you two need food?”
“That would be good. Load some things up on a tray that you think she’d like.”
With that, Allison silently retreats joining the others in the kitchen.
I exhale, shake my head, pressing my thumb into my eye. Shit. Shit.Shit.
