“You need to fucking find out what they’re doing there,” I growl menacingly.
“On it, killer,” he says aloofly, unfazed by my tone. “Probably a good thing you’re vapor. Watch your back.”
Click.
I crush the phone against my forehead and groan. Shit. Shit. Shit. Never a dull moment.
I drop my cell back on the nightstand just as Ellie shifts with a small sigh as if searching for me while she dreams. I crawl into bed and pull her against me, locking her in my arms. Locked. That’s exactly how I intend to keep her—safe, secure, and completely protected. Except for once, it’s not her I’m worried about. No, that conversation meant something else entirely. It meant someone might be looking forme,or, even worse, coming for me.
I’ve expected this, even anticipated it. I wasn’t lying when I told Ellie you don’t bring down one of the world’s most notorious drug lords without repercussions. I messed up a lot of powerful people’s businesses, and criminals don’t usually take kindly to people screwing with their income. But I’m ready and waiting. So, let them come.
“You’re awake?” Ellie stirs.
I glance down at her. Her eyes are still closed and her face is still pressed firmly against my chest.
“How did you know?”
“I heard you thinking.”
I chuckle distantly. “I’m sorry if my thoughts woke you.”
“It’s fine.” She smiles sweetly, and I melt. Jesus, the woman can cut my balls off with one twitch of her lips. “Is something wrong?” she asks, her eyebrows furrowed.
“Nope. Not a thing.” I kiss her head.
“I’ll take your word at face value, but I know you’re full of shit.”
I exhale profoundly, half amused by Ellie, and half worried about the rest of the world. “It’s just—”
“Work. I know. I get it. You have to keep different kinds of secrets now.” She cracks her eyes open, and the green is so deep her irises almost look brown.
“I don’t want to keep anything from you.” Even though, I am.
“Then don’t.”
“Some things I don’t have a choice about.”
“I can accept that. Just don’t lie to me about who you are. I want to know the real you, not who you have to be for work or who you think you have to be for me.”
“I wish I knew who the real me is.” I’ve been someone else for so long, it’s hard going back to who you were. Not that I really want to be that person, either.
“We can figure it out together.” She snuggles up against me, and I nearly fall apart. I think that’s most comforting thing anyone has ever said to me. Maybe with Ellie in my life, the person I am isn’t so bad.
“There is something I do have to tell you.”
“Oh yeah, what’s that?”
I brace myself for the confession. “You’re not the only one living in Hawaii.”
“What?” She lifts her head and pierces me with her now very awake green eyes.
“I’ve been living in Waikiki with Jett.”
“For how long?” She sits up hastily using the sheet to cover her naked form.
“Ten months.”
“What!?”
