Page 133 of Second Chance Savior

“Hodge?”

“Probably not. He never liked undercover stuff. I’m thinking of someone else.” I’d have to talk about it with the others. We had time to get all that into place.

Charlie breathed out slowly. “Rationally, I realized it wouldn’t be you. But just now, I started thinking of the men and firepower Stillwater devoted to hurting me. And how vicious Agent Rainey was when he…”

“He’s gone.”

“I know.”

I hugged her, and she buried her face against my shoulder.

“Being a Protector isn’t really your job,” she said. “It’s a calling. I see that. I know you’ll face danger again and again. But not Stillwater. Please. I can’t think of you facing them again.”

“I won’t be on the front lines next time. Brynn will, though. She’s your best friend.”

“Yes, but Brynn will kick their asses. She’s got this.”

I barked a laugh. “Wait a minute.Nowyou’re doubting my abilities?”

She lifted her head. “Not doubting. But I want all your abilities to myself.”

“I promise to save my very best for you.”

Charlie’s gaze grew heated. Her hands trailed down my back to grip my ass. We exchanged lazy kisses. Her tongue dipped into my mouth with a soft moan.

“Don’t get me worked up again,” I said. “Not until later.”

She pouted. Something the lieutenant governor would never do in front ofanyonebut me.

“I love you,” I whispered to her.

“Love you too.”

When we emerged, Aiden was pouring shots of whiskey to seal our partnership. Jessi, Scarlett, and Genevieve had arrived, greeting Brynn warmly.

Our war meeting had turned to a party-like atmosphere. A celebration of our connections. Ourfamily. This ragtag group of ours that kept expanding.

Aiden passed around shot glasses. I lifted mine. “Can I propose a toast?”

Every head turned my way. I lifted my eyebrows at Charlie, asking permission. She dipped her chin and smiled.

“Charlie and I are engaged.”

I tipped back my glass, and the whiskey hit my throat with a smooth, smokey burn.

After I’d swallowed, everyone wasstillstaring.

“What?” I asked. “Is it so hard to believe she’d say yes?”

Brynn reacted first, rushing over to Charlie to hug her and study the ring. The other women followed. Aiden brought the whiskey bottle to refill my glass. Trace nodded at me knowingly, while Owen shook his head and grinned. At leasttheyweren’t that surprised.

But then Aiden hooked his arm around my neck, lowering his voice to a downright threatening register.

“You skipped my engagement to Jessi. Now you’re rollingin and stealing my thunder before I can marry her? You can’t tolerate not having the spotlight on you?”

“It’s what I do. Also, fuck you very much.”

We were both smiling.

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