Page 42 of Protect Me
“Fuck me. Why does she have to be so damned gorgeous?” Killian's gaze is already glued to Sway.
“She looks at peace up there,” Bracken adds, also watching her intently. “Don’t you think?”
“Did you find anything on patrol?” I demand, desperate to change the subject because talking about Sway with them—knowing where they stand with her—makes it even more difficult to refuse what it is I want: her. The promise I made to myself to stay away from her is getting harder and harder to keep.
“Nope. If the bastards are lurking, they’re remaining upwind. We couldn’t even catch their scent.”
“They’ll be here Friday,” I tell them. “You can fucking count on it.”
“Then we make sure they don’t recognize her.”
“How do we do that?” I ask Killian.
“Liv used to perform in a mask. We get her one.”
The idea has merit, but even with that mask, Liv’s attackers knew just where to find her. It’s a risk, one I wish I could avoid by putting this asshole in the ground before she takes the spotlight for the first time. “It’s a good start,” I say as I shift my gaze back to Sway. “You make the call?”
“He’s on his way as we speak.”
“Good. That should help. If they’ve been tracking her, then with his cloak, they may believe she left."
"You really think so?" Killian questions.
“We can only hope,” I reply as I focus in on Sway.
She’s so in tune with her body, twisting it in perfect tandem with the slow, romantic beat that’s playing from the speakers. From the rafters, a single spotlight shines down on her.
“So?” Killian prompts.
“So, what?” I ask, already knowing damn well what he means.
“How’d it go with her earlier?” Bracken bumps my arm with his. “Did you make it three for three with a kiss?”
“No.”
They share a look at my clipped response.
“Fuck, man. Why are you holding back?” Killian asks. “We can tell you want her as much as we do.”
“That’s exactly why I won’t have her,” I say.
“What the fuck does that mean?” Bracken asks.
“Maybe the best way to protect her is to keep sex out of it,” I say, “Did you ever think of that?”
They both look at me with varying expressions of disgust.
“That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard you say,” Killian announces.
“And we’ve heard you say a lot of dumb shit, dude.” Bracken shakes his head.
“Fuck you both,” I mutter.
“No, thanks. We have our eye on something better.” Killian’s grin makes me want to punch it off him. Assholes.
“I’m going to make my move on her,” Bracken announces.
I turn to look at him. Killian’s grin is wide as he says, “Same.” He turns to me. “You’d better make your choice soon, Dunc. Because we already have.”