Page 41 of The Specialist

Then I tasted his fear. The salt of his worry ran down his face, and I pulled back, cupping his cheeks. “Egan, what is it?”

He met my gaze, his tortured and sad. “I think we should stop seeing each other.”

* * *

He led me to the sofa, sitting beside me, my hands clasped in his.

“What nonsense is this?” I asked. “You’ve chased me for years, and now you want to break up?” I didn’t believe him for a moment.

He told me what had happened last night. Seeing Alex. Knowing that somehow he was being tracked.

“Damien and I cannot figure it out. I don’t think they know about you, but I cannot take the chance. I cannot risk you, my Sofia. I would rather you be safe without me than in danger with me.” He gripped my hands tighter. “You should go away. Go to Damien until this is done.”

“No.”

He lifted his eyebrows. “Sofia—”

I interrupted him. “I’m not leaving you, Egan. You want to live two separate lives outside this building? I understand that. No dates out, no more hospital drop-bys. No driving me to work. But when we’re here, we’re safe, right? Damien told me this place was locked down and any sort of scanning or listening device wouldn’t work. Right?”

He nodded.

“Then, to the outside world, we just live in the same building. But I am not giving you up.” I crossed my arms. “Don’t even try to talk me into it.”

A small smile curled his lips, then he shook his head. “They might already know, Sofia. I can’t risk that.”

I shook my head. “If they knew, they would have used that angle. They don’t seem to be the type to pussyfoot around. They would have threatened you with me, but they haven’t. You only drove me to the hospital a couple of times and dropped by once. From now on, we will be careful.”

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I can’t risk you being out on your own, my love. There are simply too many factors. Until I know all the players and what the hell they want with me, I have to put you first. I need you somewhere safe. Damien is the obvious choice.”

“I am not running.”

“It isn’t running. It’s being smart.”

“I am not leaving you alone. Don’t ask me to do that, Egan Vulpe.”

He stared at me, then yanked me onto his lap. “Oh, my love, for you to be worried. I have not had someone worry about me like that for a very long time.” He kissed me. “I love you for that. I love you so much. But I have to put you first.”

“And I have to be here for you.”

He studied me. “I do not want to give you up,” he said quietly. “The thought of going back to being without you tears me up.”

“Then don’t.”

“We have to take precautions.”

“Fine.”

“There will be a driver taking you to and from the hospital.”

I pulled a face, and he held up his hand. “This is not negotiable.”

“Fine.”

“A bodyguard—”

I cut him off. “No. I will not have a bodyguard. The driver drops me off and picks me up. I don’t leave the hospital during my shift.”

“What if you are hungry?”