Page 71 of Fighting for Scarlett

“Stop doing that.” Tate’s hands closed around her own, untangling them from her messy brown locks and lowering them until they rested in his lap.

Sitting in the back of one of his teammate’s cars, they were on their way back to the little apartment where they would regroup and catch Prey up on what happened this morning. Maybe there were cameras at the parking lot that had captured something useful.

At least then she wouldn’t feel like she had risked Tate’s life for nothing.

Everything.

That’s what he was risking for her.

Now that a warrant was out for her arrest, he could be charged with harboring a fugitive. He’d lose his career and his freedom. And for what?

Her?

Didn't seem like a good trade-off. Especially since she’d gotten him shot at, his car ruined, his house shot at, and gotten him blown up.

Yet he hadn't complained.

Not even once.

Even when he’d had doubts, he had done everything in his power to keep her safe.

And that was what convinced her that she was doing the right thing giving him a chance. He hadn't gone about it the right way, but he’d been trying to outrun his fears when he’d been a jerk to her, and now he was facing them head-on. All for her.

Warm fuzzies renewed her determination to make this morning’s efforts worth something.

“They must have been there watching,” she said, thinking aloud. “To make sure we got blown up. Do you think they saw us get out of the car?”

“I didn't see anyone, and I didn't feel eyes on us,” Tate replied.

“Still, they had to be there, at least until we got blown up.”

“We’ll get this all sorted out. I promised you that, Scarlett, and I intend to keep that promise.”

There was a determination in his voice that hadn't been there before. As soon as he started believing in her innocence, he’d been determined to help clear her name, but it hadn't been quite like this. This felt like the kind of all-consuming determination that would wind up getting him killed.

Not what she wanted.

“Don’t do anything crazy, Tate,” she begged, latching onto his hands like she never wanted to let go. Because she didn't. She was one hundred percent committed to giving this tiny, little fledgling relationship everything she had. There were no guarantees of where it would go, but she didn't want regrets.

His gaze shifted from her to the rearview mirror, where it met with his friend’s before returning to her. “I will do whatever it takes to keep you safe, Scarlett. Never ever doubt that.”

“I know,” she said, brow furrowing in confusion. Why did he sound so desperate for her to believe that? If him going with her to the park this morning, even though he didn't think it was a good idea, wasn’t proof enough then what was?

Tate nodded slowly like he had doubts, but then he wiped them away, clearing his expression. “At least we know whoever the mole is they don’t have much field experience. If that blast was supposed to kill us—and I have no doubts that it was—then they didn't add enough explosives. No one with even the slightest bit of training would make that mistake. If you have a target you need to get rid of you get the job done because you might not get a second chance.”

“What if they do get a second chance?” Just because she had no intentions of doing something as selfish and stupid as running into a trap ever again, that didn't mean she was free and clear. Raul was determined and he had resources, he could pay someone off, do a deep dive into her life, and find her connection to Tate—which wouldn’t be hard since he already had to know she’d been at his house—and find the guys’ hangout spot and the apartment where she was hiding.

“They won't.” Tate said it with such confidence that, for a moment, she faltered.

How could he know that for sure?

He couldn’t.

Yet, there had been no room for doubt in his words.

“I know you’ll do whatever you can?—”

“Whatever I have to,” Tate corrected.

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