Page 37 of Duty Unbound

He handed the phone back, our fingers brushing briefly. “You can override it anytime, of course. But this way, you might actually get some work done. Or some painting done.”

I was speechless. It was such a small thing, really. A simple app. But the fact that he’d noticed this pain point in my life, that he’d thought to address it…

“Thank you,” I managed finally, clutching the phone. “That’s…incredibly thoughtful.”

He shrugged, but I could tell he was pleased by my reaction. “Just doing my job. Identifying security vulnerabilities.”

“My sanity is a security vulnerability?”

“You’re no good to anyone if you’re burned out.” He dropped his eyes to my arm, where the bruise from the serving cart collision was fading to a yellowish-green. “How’s that doing?”

“Better,” I replied, surprised again that he remembered. “Barely hurts now.”

“Good.” He nodded, seemingly satisfied. “Heat helping?”

“Yes. Thank you for the advice.”

He stood, gathering his tablet. “I should get back to it. We still have the east perimeter to finish securing before nightfall.”

“Of course.”

He paused at the door, looking back at me. “Your painting. What was it?”

The question caught me off guard. “Just…a landscape. Nothing special.”

“Landscapes can be very special,” he said quietly. “Depending on what they represent.”

Before I could respond, he was gone, the door closing softly behind him.

I sat alone in the conference room, staring at the space where he’d been, warmth spreading through my chest.

How did he do that? How did he see through all the professional veneers and manager armor straight to the parts of me I kept hidden? The parts even Nova didn’t see—or care to see.

More importantly, why did it matter so much that he did?

I rose slowly, gathering my notes, trying to ignore the lingering sensation from where his thumb had brushed my cheek. It was nothing. Just Ethan Cross doing his job—seeing details others missed. That’s what made him good at security.

But as I made my way back to my suite, I couldn’t help wondering what else those observant eyes had noticed about me. And why the thought made my heart beat just a little faster.

Chapter 12

Ethan

The quiet of the Rivers estate settled around me as I made my final rounds for the night. The security upgrades were complete, the team was in position, and everything was running smoothly. I should head to my quarters and get some sleep.

Yet here I was, walking the marble corridors one more time, telling myself it was due diligence. Who was I kidding? I was hoping to run into Mel.

“Get it fucking together, Cross,” I muttered to myself, checking another door lock.

This was becoming a problem. When I’d taken this job, I’d promised myself I’d maintain professional distance. Mel might not be the primary client—a line I wouldn’t cross—but she was still off-limits.

But hell if I could get her off my mind. For the five days we’d been here, I found myself always half looking for her.

I’d spent years compartmentalizing, keeping emotionsseparate from work. It was what made me good at my job. So why couldn’t I get those green eyes out of my head?

I redirected my path toward the communications room. Might as well check in there before calling it a night. The door was ajar, blue light from the monitors spilling into the hallway.

“I sent Williams on an extended break,” Jace said without looking up when I entered. His fingers flew across the keyboard as he monitored the feeds. “Wanted some quality time with my beauties. These are the only women who don’t talk back.”

---