Page 67 of Tactical Lies

“Knew that would do the trick,” he teased, leaning down to kiss the tip of her nose.

“What's going on?” she asked, obviously picking up on his tension.

“Did you get up and go to the bathroom?” Just because he was pretty sure he would have woken if she climbed out of bed he had to check.

“No. Why?”

“Lights are out.”

“You didn't get up to go?” A hint of fear crept into her voice.

“No. There’s a storm, though,” he rushed on to add, wanting to alleviate her fears before he knew if there was anything to be afraid of. “So that’s probably what happened. The wind or the rain likely took out the generator. I just need to go out and check on it, get it up and running again.”

“If there’s a storm you shouldn’t go outside,” Becca protested. “We can do without the generator until morning. Then, if it’s still storming or you can't fix it, we can just go back to the city. I can always stay with you until it’s safe.”

A growl warred with a smile at her words.

While he loved that she was willing to stay with him, it wasn't going to be until it was safe. Once he had her in the home he’d bought because it reminded him of Becca’s dream house, he wasn't going to let her go.

“We can go back to the city if we have to, but I still need to check out the generator now.”

“Why?”

“In case it’s not the storm that took the generator out,” he said gently, knowing she already knew this but was holding onto denial for as long as she possibly could.

She swallowed audibly. “You don’t think it was the storm, do you?”

“I don’t know,” he assured her.

“But you suspect they found us.”

“I don’t want to think that, Becca, but I have to consider it as a possibility. If these men can contact a gang in remote Cambodia just because I hopped on a plane to go and see you then I don’t think there’s much they can't do. I won't take any chances with your safety. Which is why I want you to get dressed, get your prosthetic on, then take Cade’s weapon and find somewhere to hide.”

Because he knew if he didn't get out of bed he’d never leave her side, Connor stood and reached for his clothes. Hopefully, this would turn out to be nothing, and he’d be climbing back under those sheets and wrapping his naked body around Becca’s in no time.

But if not …

Then, he would do whatever was necessary to keep her safe.

“I should come with you, we can watch each other’s backs,” Becca said as she did as he told her and strapped her prosthetic back on.

“Absolutely not.”

Not happening.

No way.

No how.

Not in a million lifetimes.

“But—”

“No, Becca,” he said in a tone that brokered no arguments. “I won't put your life in danger. Don’t ask me to. You'll stay in here, hide, keep a weapon and a cell phone in your hand, use it if you have to, and stay safe. Do you hear me?” Connor stalked around the bed until he reached her then dragged her into his arms. “I need you to be safe.”

“Okay,” she agreed, her voice muffled as her face was pressed against his chest.

“This is what I do. I’ll be fine,” he promised as he made himself release her and shoved his feet into a pair of sneakers.

---