Page 75 of Tying the Knot
“We go tonight. That means that you will be alone here probably until morning.”
Her eyes widen, but she doesn’t say anything. I know this will cause her anxiety. She hasn’t left the house since she arrived here a few weeks ago, with the exception of going to to see Pierce, after the knife incident in the hotel room. We have also made sure to have someone here with her at all times. But tonight, it just isn’t possible. We need the entire task force in the field.
“I want you to go and sleep in my bed. Lock the door if you want to. We will make sure all the doors and windows are locked, and the alarm set when we leave. We will also have someone watching the house while we’re gone. You will be safe.”
She blinks and looks up, those green eyes swimming with emotion. “Is that necessary?” she asks.
“To be completely transparent with you, Morgan, yes, it is. Those thugs who took the lockbox are still at large, and they knew you were here. I saw the SUV come past the house when you were here. Not to mention the countless other criminals who know about younowand don’t know what you know or don’t know about them. It is serious, and it is non-negotiable. I think you know this, or you would have at least left the house in the last four weeks.”
“I’m sorry. I know I’ve been a shut-in, and I will get up and find a job so I can contribute more.”
I frown, not following. “What?”
“You’re accusing me of not leaving the house. I wanted to explain.”
“Who is accusing?” I ask carefully.
She chews her lip. “You?”
The fact that she formed it as a question makes me roll my eyes at her. “Don’t be ridiculous. I couldn’t care less if you stayed in your nest all day, every day. I’m not accusing you of anything. I’m pointing out that there are dangers out there, and Iwantyou to stay indoors where you are safe.”
“Oh. Sorry, it’s bugging me and a sore subject. I’m sorry I took offence but know that the sentiment is no less true. I will get out there. Eventually. I don’t think I realised how much of a toll this all took on me.”
“That’s expected. It was harrowing. Your life has been turned completely upside down with a terrifying situation thrust onto you. I’m impressed you are handling it so well.”
She gives me a shaky smile. “Thanks. I think.”
I take her hand and kiss it. “So you’ll go up to my room?”
She nods. “Yes.”
“And take your phone. If you hear anything, even if it’s the wind outside and it worries you, ring me. I will answer.”
She shakes her head. “No, I will be fine. You cannot let anything get in the way of taking Blackstock off the streets. Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine. Someone will be outside?”
“All the time. In fact, they haven’t left since you got here. Well, okay,theyhave left, but someone has been there twenty-four-seven.” I smile to try to reassure her, but the fact is, I’m terrified. If anything happens to her, it will kill me. I seriously pissed Adam off when I went to see him, and I’ve been waiting for the fallout – which hasn’t come. Andthatscares me the most. I just want to protect her at all costs, so leaving her alone tonight is going to be one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. I know the other men feel the same. We debated leaving Dylan here with her, but it’s just not an option this time.
“Okay, well, that makes me feel better.” She gets to her knees and leans over to cup my face. She kisses me and crawls off the bed and into my lap.
“You won’t sway me,” I mutter, pulling back and fixing her with a fierce glare.
She drops her hand between us and squeezes my rock-hard cock. “This says differently. I will break you, Commander.”
“Fuck, I love it when you call me that.”
“Commander St. Clair,” she purrs against my lips.
I groan and pick her up, standing as I do so and lower her back to her bed. “Gather your things and go to my room.”
“You know my scent will be all over your bed when you get back. Especially considering what I intend to do when I’m in it.”
“Fuuuuck, Morgan,” I growl. “You are a bad little girl.”
I can see it thrills her. I want to give in, I really do, but I won’t. On principle now.
“You love it, though.”
“I do,” I say, leaning down to grasp the back of her neck before I press my lips to hers, giving her a kiss she will remember and that will see me through the next few hours. “I’ll settle you before we leave.”
