Page 18 of Burn Bag

I tugged her to her feet and pulled her into my arms, laying one hell of a kiss on her lips. It was not life-altering like I’d hoped for, but that might take some time. After all, we were rushing things.

Stepping back, I smiled at her. This was going to be amazing. I handed her a card with all my pertinent information on it. “We should go ahead and get the marriage license now.” Then I realized thatwould need to be taken care of in Kansas. “On second thought, I’ll take care of it. All that’s required of you is to show up and marry me!”

She nodded with a smile, but she looked like a frightened kitten. Taking her hand in mine again, I tried to be reassuring. “Trust me on this. It’s gonna be perfect. We’re going to be very happy together. I know it.”

She blew out a breath and sighed. “I’m just getting nervous.”

“Well, don’t be. Things are going to be great. Trust me.”

5

KNIGHT

I gotout of the car, wincing as I stretched my sore body. The recovery time from this particular gunshot wound was taking longer than when I was stabbed in the fucking chest, and that grated on my nerves.

No, I was not as young as I’d been back then, but I took pride in keeping my body honed as a fighting machine. How else would I protect my family?

Kate walked around to my side, her face pinched in concern, as it had been ever since I woke up with her by my side, pissed as hell that I’d allowed something like this to happen. And things had only gotten worse from there.

“We should get you out of the open,” she said, glancing around like she was the protective agent.

I grunted in agreement, more concerned about her being in the open than myself. I was technically dead. However, she could still very much be a target. I took her hand in mine, striding toward the doors of OPS. Lock was already there to greet me, his eyes taking in every staggered movement of my body.

Shaking his head, he ushered me inside. “You should have fucking stayed home.”

“We both know this thing is coming to a head.”

He glanced at Kate, not wanting to say too much in front of her, for which I was grateful. “He’s waiting for you downstairs.”

I nodded and followed him over to the elevator, sweat beading along my forehead with every step I took. Even counting the weeks of healing, my body wasn’t adjusting as well this time around. That could be because of the fact that I just couldn’t let shit with Cash go. I hadn’t stopped working even though I’d been laid up.

I couldn’t. Not when he was out there. There was still so much to take care of, so much that I couldn’t rely on anyone else for.

We stepped off the elevator and Fox grinned at me, holding his arms wide.

“There he is! Man, The Kamau in the flesh! I can’t tell you how long I’ve waited for this. Seriously, man. Bring it in.”

Before I could step away, he wrapped his arms around me, squeezing me tight. I gritted my teeth and took the hug for what it was. Just weeks ago, this man threatened to kill my brother. Now he was hugging me as if nothing had happened.

He stepped back, slapping me on the arm. “I’ve made the very best shawarma for you. I know how much you love it. And Kate, Anna’s dying to fill you in on her latest news!”

Kate glanced at me, shooting me a knowing look before smiling at Fox. “Sure. Is she at the house?”

“She is. I have an escort ready for you. Can’t risk my man’s woman,” he grinned.

Kate turned to me again, her eyes narrowing. “If I come back here and you have any more cuts, bruises, or gunshots, I will divorce you.”

“Understood.” I was on shaky ground with Kate, and if I didn’t watch my step, she’d leave me. Not that I would allow that, but I didn’t want the hassle of chasing her down and stalking her to the ends of the earth just to get her back in my bed. As it was, she was holding out on me.

As soon as she was gone, the smile slipped from Fox’s face. “Cash is about to make a move.”

“You’re sure?”

“Positive. He’s fucking crazy if he thinks he can take them out with only Shadow.”

He turned and headed into the office, which Lock immediately closed off, pulling the blackout shades and engaging the soundproof system.

Fox pulled up a screen, pointing out a location along the Canadian border. “This is his last known location, but I’ve been studying what players you could identify from the Shadow Government. These fuckers have eyes everywhere.”

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