Page 70 of Covert Operation

So many things felt out of reach for me for so long. A relationship. A home. A family. But that’s all changing fast, and my hopes and plans for the future are changing along with it.

I know I should hate this area after what happened yesterday, but I don’t. I actually still really like it. It feels so different from Alaska. Especially here with Christian and his family. It feels like a place where I could be happy. A place I could feel settled.

A place I could build a future.

A family.

“Zeke.” Maddox comes up beside us, strapping an entire arsenal onto his body as he talks. “They’re heading out in ten minutes. Isaac is on the line whenever you want to run a test on the connection.” He turns to me, adjusting his earpiece as he asks, “What are your plans for the day?”

I tuck my chin. “Myplans?” I glance at Zeke. “What is he talking about?”

Zeke shoots Maddox a glare. “I have to go to Nashville, but I don’t want to leave you without someone.” He turns back to me. “So Maddox is going to be here with you.”

I look between the men. “What do you mean, here with me?”

After shooting another dirty look at Maddox, Zeke says, “Maddox goes wherever you go.” His expression is serious and unwavering. “You don’t leave the house without him. Even to cross the street. Understand?” His voice softens. “I need to know you’re safe or I won’t be able to concentrate the way I need to.”

I know what he’s saying, and I have full faith in Zeke’s judgment. If he trusts Maddox, then so do I. But I would have liked a little more of a heads up so I could acclimate to the idea.

“Why did you wait until the last minute to tell me?”

“We haven’t had many minutes to spare, Sweetheart.” Zeke’s hands come to my face. “I know I should have given you time to get to know him, but we just don’t have it.” His thumbs skim over my cheeks as his dark eyes fuse to mine. “No one will work harder to keep you safe than he will.” A ghost of a smile teases his lips. “Except for me.”

I understand why he’s leaving someone with me. I’m sure Christian is quite capable—the sheer volume of cameras he has set up show how seriously he takes security—but I see how having someone from Shadow here would make Zeke feel better.

“It’s fine.” My eyes drift to where Maddox stands talking to one of Christian’s giant brothers. “Why do you think no one will work harder than him to keep me safe?”

A pinch of something that looks a lot like sadness tightens Zeke’s face. “That’s not my story to tell, Sweetheart.”

Again, my eyes drift to my new bodyguard. He’s good-looking, with the prettiest blue eyes I’ve ever seen. He’s not nearly as big as Zeke—no one is—but he’s still tall and wide and physically intimidating. His demeanor though? There might not be a grumpy bone in that man’s body. He’s already smiled more this morning than Zeke probably has in his whole life. And while Zeke is always tense and stoic, Maddox’s stance is relaxed. Almost laid back.

As laid back as they men at Alaskan Security get anyway.

As if he can sense me staring at him, Maddox looks my way, offering a wide grin and a wink. I almost laugh because I imagine most women would probably pass out on the spot when faced with his undivided attention. Instead, I roll my eyes as I turn back to Zeke. “He’s going to drive me nuts, isn’t he?”

“Absolutely he is. But he’ll keep you safe, and that’s all I care about.” Zeke’s forehead drops to rest against mine. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

“Tonight?” I know I’ve only slept in the same bed as Zeke twice, but I hate the thought of him not being here. Christian and Lydia are nice enough, but I still don’t really know them. Not the way I know Zeke.

Zeke is quiet, but the guilty look on his face tells me all I need to know.

“It’s okay.” I try to sound more confident than I feel. “I’ll just hang out here.” Reaching down, I adjust the waist of the borrowed jeans irritating my skin. I know he said we couldn’t go back to the hotel last night, but… “Do you think someone can gopick up my stuff from The Gaylord today?” My stomach sinks as I add on, “If it’s still there?”

“The Gaylord is our first stop this morning.” Zeke’s eyes lift to the doorway behind me and he glares at whoever’s standing there. “I’ll make sure anything that’s there is brought here.”

I’m sure it’s too much to hope he’s the one who’ll be bringing it, so I don’t ask. “That would be great.”

“Time to go.” Luca adjusts the vest strapped to his chest as he asks Zeke, “You riding with me?”

Zeke jerks his head in a nod. “I’ll be out in just a second.” He waits until Luca is out of earshot before saying, “Maddox has a phone. Use it to call or text me whenever you want.”

I nod, trying to be brave even though I hate the thought of being without him even more this time than I did last time. “I will.”

Zeke pulls me in, pressing a lingering kiss to my lips. When he pulls back, the intensity in his eyes takes me back to the first time I saw him, making my heart flutter and my knees weak. “I’m going to clean this mess up and then we’re going to have a talk, okay?”

If any other man told me we needed to talk, I’d probably panic. Instead, I smile. “Okay.”

But Zeke doesn’t leave it at that. “You should figure out what you want while I’m gone.” His sharp gaze moves over my face. “Because when I get back, I’m going to ask what it is.”

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