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“Because…” She blows out a breath. “It’s way too complicated to get into tonight.”

“Does Daniil know?”

“Daniil knows everything. In fact, he came looking for me. And that’s another thing. On paper, I am Shadow Security’s administrative assistant. Technically, I’m still not supposed to be working on computers.”

“Why weren’t we told?” I ask abruptly. “What if something had come up when the feds were here because of Allora and the sex trafficking ring? It could have outed you!”

She smiles but it doesn’t reach her eyes. “They wouldn’t easily recognize me. I don’t look the same, and back then my name wasn’t Luna.”

Chapter Nine

Luna

Secrets are dangerous. I know that and I’m sure Rage does too, but as he sits there, still perched against my desk, he doesn’t seem overly concerned.

“You’re Luna to me,” he says quietly.

“You have to understand that I’m in witness protection and⁠—”

“I don’t care,” he interrupts. “I kind of figured. But it doesn’t matter. What matters is who you are now.”

I stare for a beat.

I never dreamed someone like Rage would be willing to do this with me. Not just making the baby but it sounds like he wants to date? I need to clarify, because this is overwhelming. And hell, I was willing to settle for Roger. Rage is a million times better than him, in every way that matters. A gorgeous man who’ll hopefully get me pregnant and then stay around to be a father to the baby. Maybe even…be a real couple? How is that possible? Rage couldn’t want me like that.

Would he? It almost sounds like it, which is baffling. It can’t be possible.

Of course, I thought working cyber security would be impossible too, but look at me now.

When Daniil found me, my luck changed in so many ways. I was working at a big chain electronics store, selling computers. I didn’t have anything to do with coding—it was all about the quality and quantity of RAM and CPUs and graphics cards.

He bought me a cup of coffee and told me I was infamous in Europe. That his friend who used to be in the CIA heard good things about me. Because even though I broke the law, I did it for all the right reasons. If I wanted to work for him, to continue the work of taking down bad guys, he would protect me. And pay me more than I’ve ever made before in the process.

Essentially, he invited me to be part of something important.

Because Shadow Security isn’t just about protecting rich people—it’s about protecting the poor, the underrepresented, and the vulnerable. Women who need to get away from abusive husbands. Runaways who desperately need help getting started in life. Sex workers who are ready to make a change.

That’s the work we’re going to be doing behind the scenes once we’re fully operational. The big clients will pay to run the business—everything else is about making changes in the world, in whatever way we can.

I took a leap of faith to come work here.

And now it seems like I’m about to do it again.

“I don’t know how we do this,” I admit finally. “Like, do you just show up to my apartment ready to have sex?” I wrinkle my nose. “I don’t think I’m built that way.”

He nods. “Of course not. We’d spend time getting to know each other. And the timing is fortuitous. I need to make an appointment with my doctor and get bloodwork done anyway, which probably won’t happen for a week or so. Then it’ll take the lab a few days to send the results. That gives us a little time.”

To my horror, my eyes fill with tears. He’s not just gorgeous and sweet, he’s thoughtful. And he’s serious about this. Which is absolutely flabbergasting. This beautiful, powerful, hunk of a man wants to make a baby with me.

“You’re sure?” I whisper, trying to keep the tears puddling in my eyes from falling.

“Of course, I’m sure.”

“What happens if you change your mind? We can break up but the baby will still need its daddy.”

He shakes his head. “That’s not going to happen. If we make a baby, I’m not going anywhere.”

“If we do this, I want to be sure to sign something saying I’m not entitled to any of your assets, and you aren’t entitled to mine. If you want to start a trust or something for the baby, that’s a separate thing, but we both need to protect ourselves.”