Page 48 of Bennett

Bennett nodded. “Let me know the second Gabe gets a hit. And keep this circle tight. Until we have proof, we don’t know who else is involved.”

After Carter handed the building surveillance tablet to Bennett and gave Laurel a quick rundown on how to operate the apartment’s new alarm system, one by one, the guys packed up and filtered out. Brandi and her crew followed a few minutes later, waving goodbye to Laurel before disappearing into the evening.

The apartment settled into silence.

Just the two of them now.

Laurel walked over to a window, arms crossed, her gaze distant. “They really think this is going to scare us off?”

He didn’t answer right away. The setting sun shining through the window caught the edges of her hair, making it glow. She looked beautiful. Tired, but not broken.

He admired that more than he should.

She turned to face him, her expression guarded. “You okay?”

Surprise washed through him. “I’m supposed to be asking you that.”

Laurel laughed as she walked toward the kitchen where she grabbed two bottles of water from the fridge, offering one to him.

His fingers brushed hers, the brief contact shooting through him like static. “Thanks,” he said. “And I’m fine. How are you?”

She took a sip and leaned back against the sink. “The same.”

He studied her for a beat, cataloging every defensive line in her body. Her shoulders were set but not tight. Her voice was level but her eyes were too sharp, too bright. She was tired but fighting not to show it.

“You know, Bennett,” she said, regarding him through those beautiful amber eyes of hers. “You really don’t have to sleep here every night.”

“Yes, I do.”

Her brow rose. “Because Annie asked?”

“Because someone’s targeting this building, and it’s not finished. Security’s not complete. You shouldn’t be here alone.”

The list was endless.

“I can take care of myself,” she said before sipping her water.

“I know you can,” he said quietly.

Her gaze flicked up, surprised by his lack of argument.

“I’m not here to protect you because I think you’re weak, Laurel,” he said. “I’m here because someone out there wants thisrenovation stopped, and I’m not going to let them win. Not while you’re living in it.”

Her demeanor changed. The wall she’d braced between them thinned just enough for him to see through. Her bravery, vulnerability, passion, and strength…he saw it all. Heaven help him, he liked what he saw, a lot.

Too much.

“Well,” she said with a blink. “Thank you. Even if your version of protection comes with lectures and lock installations.”

“Don’t forget tactical judgment and emotional repression,” he added dryly.

She laughed. “Right. How could I forget?” Then she sobered. “I’m glad you realize I’m not helpless.”

“I never said you were,” he told her honestly. “But you’re stubborn, and I’ve seen what happens when stubborn people face off with desperate ones.”

It always ended badly.

She exhaled, and her gaze softened. “I’m sorry you’ve seen so much of the worst in people.”

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