Page 127 of Hushed

He took a beat to stretch his neck before he reluctantly answered. “I don’t want to. Reggie is a fucking hot head. We know this. And we know it’s generally harmless. But it’s a detriment right now, and I would rather not lie to the federal government.”

“But you will, right?”

She was sitting up now, and he could hear the agitation in his voice. He needed to rein her in quickly or they would be up all night hashing this out. Or worse, she would storm off and tell her brother.

Before Kenzie, he would never have dreamed of sharing details of an assignment with a lover. But Kenzie wasn’t just a lover. She was going to be his partner for life if he had his way, and that warranted a different level of honesty. Not to mention she was the sister of his “assignment.”

“It’s complicated, Kenz. Obviously, I’m going to do everything I can to protect him. That’s part of why I brought Samuel in. He was your brother’s handler when he first faked his death and went under. But then Samuel left the job all-together, and Reggie wanted to give him the space he’d asked for to spend time with Erin—the woman he eventually married.”

There was so much she didn’t and couldn’t know, that he knew he was doing a shit job of explaining the situation, but she wasn’t in tears or yelling at him, so he was taking the win.

“So, what are we doing in New York?”

“Samuel suggested that if we can wrap this operation up quietly, my assessment won’t matter. The feds can retire him and wash their hands of him. But if any of this makes the news with him involved, they won’t be able to sweep it under the rug and they’ll insist on prosecuting him.”

Kenzie looked like she was going to be sick, and he leaned close and cupped her cheek.

“This is why I didn’t want to tell you, pet. Samuel is one of the best at his job, and despite his hotheadedness, so is your brother. We’re going to get him through this.”

Her eyes drifted closed, and she leaned into his touch. “I want to believe you. But I’m having flashbacks to the night you showed up at my apartment to tell me he was dead. I don’t want to go through that again.”

His thumb traced her cheekbone, as his gut twisted from the heartbreak in her voice. “Neither do I. And I promise we are doing everything we can to prevent that or anything else that keeps you from having him in your life.”

She seemed soothed by his promise, and snuggled closer to him, resting her head on his shoulder.

He hugged her close, squeezing her shoulder and closing his eyes.

“I want to help if I can.”

He squeezed her shoulder harder and glared down at her. “You help by doing as you’re told and staying out the way.”

She huffed, and he leaned back and tucked a hand under her chin.

“Do we need a refresher on the rules around your safety?”

She glared right back at him, but wavered after a few seconds, and her shoulders sagged. “No, Sir. You’re right.”

Fearing he’d broken her spirit; he pulled her close again. “I’m not trying to be an asshole, babe. But this is seriously dangerous shit we’re dealing with here.”

She whistled. “It must be dangerous if you’re willing to admit that to me.”

He wanted to chuckle at her snark, but the situation was too serious for laughter. “I need to hear you say you understand, Kenz. Controlling asshole is not the kind of Dom I usually am, but for these next few days I don’t want any sass from you about this. If you’re given an order by anyone assigned to your protection, you better take it as an order from me. And that doesn’t mean act like a brat and mouth off, it means you obey without question.”

Her lip trembled as she took in how serious he was, and he did his best to soften his expression.

He didn’t push her anymore, just sat and waited for a response. Finally, she blinked her eyes and drew in a long breath. “I understand,” she whispered after an equally long exhale.

“Good girl. Now please, let’s get some sleep so we can keep your brother safe.”

“Who’s keeping you safe?”

The warble in her voice nearly did him in, and he hauled her to his chest.

“I love you, Kenzie. Having you in my life will make me even more careful than I usually am. Coming home to you will be the highlight of my life once we move in together.”

Hot tears spilled onto his chest, and he kissed her head tenderly.

The tears didn’t last long, and soon her breathing evened out. When he was certain she was sleeping, he eased himself down, so he was lying on his pillow with her sprawled across his chest.

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