Page 52 of Kage

“Are you fucking out of your mind?”

“Maybe so, but as I’ve told you before, you’re the only person I can trust one hundred percent right now.”

“What aren’t you telling me?”

His sigh was full of exasperation. “It’s not the right time, Kage. I still need your help on this without questions asked.”

That sounded familiar.

“Fuck, Gray. She’s a handful. Trust me. She won’t like being taken prisoner. Again.”

“Call it a vacation. You live in a scenic playground. You have a nice house, big enough for two people.”

“And a dog. Don’t forget about Tank.”

He snorted, a laugh following. “I wouldn’t dream of it. Maybe that dog will get the commendation.”

“We’re long past that and you know it.” He of all people knew how I felt about medals. “What makes you think she’ll be safe there?”

“Because I know you. Remember? You’ll die trying to protect her.”

“What are we talking about here? A couple days?”

“A week. Two. Tops.”

I was ready to beat my head against a wall. After what had happened the night before, just being close to her, no matter how roomy my uncle’s house was, presented far too many problems. “Not acceptable.”

“Then take her somewhere else. Just keep her by your side until this blows over.”

“It would be helpful to know what ‘this’ is.”

My statement was met with silence.

“It’ll mean a lot to me, buddy. Truly.” Gray was as close to begging as I’d ever heard.

I glanced back at the door, half expecting to see her standing there. At this point, what choice did I have? “Fine. One week. Not more. Whatever you’re dealing with, get it finished.”

“Good. If I were you, I wouldn’t fly into Colorado. Go somewhere else first. Rent a car.”

“This has something to do with her father. Doesn’t it?”

“This has everything to do with her father. That’s all I can tell you. Stop asking. You don’t want to be involved.”

He seemed to forget I already was involved.

Another setback in a long line of them. I’d gotten myself involved in some international crime game. I could feel it. “If I do this, you’ll owe me. So will her goddamn father.”

“And you’ll remind me ten times. Yeah, I get that. Just keep her safe. She doesn’t deserve any of this.”

“No. That much we can agree on.” Then again, neither did I. To have my private space invaded for more than a couple of hourswas intolerable. To have a female in my world, and one that I’d fucked was asking for serious trouble.

One mistake.

That’s all it had taken.

I couldn’t dare risk any others.

After shoving my phone into my back pocket, I walked inside. At least she’d showered and was dressed, finding something to tie her long hair into a ponytail.

---