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“And what about Pe
“I’m invested, too,” I growl. “I’m well aware she’s likely to become Keira’s sister-in-law. As far as I’m concerned, she’s family. But that doesn’t mean I’m going to ignore the risks. I’ll get her out when the time is right.”
“Then you need to call Sebastian.” She takes a sip from her mug. “He needs to know.”
I huff out a tiny fraction of my overbearing frustration and take a seat beside her. “Eat.”
“Why do you even care about Decker?” Luca scowls at her. “He hates you.”
“He has reason to hate me. But it doesn’t mean I want his sister to remain a prisoner. Everything he’s ever done has been for her.”
“He’ll find out soon enough,” I grate. “Until then, I don’t need any more distractions.”
She sucks in a deep breath and takes another sip, her nose scrunching with the gulp. “What type of coffee is this?”
Great. Just what I fucking need—a woman who can sniff out an imposter.
“Yours is decaf,” I admit.
She gives me a look of incredulity. “Why?”
“You don’t need to be wired. You need rest.”
“I think I can make up my own mind.” She shoves to her feet. “Thank you very much.”
An ache forms under my sternum. I’m close to snapping. So fucking close.
I place a hand over her mug before she can think to throw the contents down the sink. “Sit.”
Tension crackles to life between us, our adamant pride colliding.
“I’m not a dog to be ordered around, Cole.”
I incline my head. “But you also haven’t shown the necessary loyalty to hold a seat at this table, yet here you are, gaining insight into topics you shouldn’t be privy to.”
“So you’re telling me I need to drink decaf if I want to remain at this table?” She scoffs. “That’s ridiculous.”
“No. I’m reminding you I’ll do whatever it takes to protect you, and if that includes making you rest when you’re determined not to let your wounds heal, then so be it.” I slide my hand back to my mug. “Now sit. And drink the fucking coffee.”
She remains in place.
My stubborn little fox is loath to succumb and too determined to walk away from the information loop.
“We’re going to continue with the schedule as normal.” I meet Luca’s gaze and pretend she’s not seething beside me. “Once the jet arrives, we’ll go back to Portland to regroup.”
“We’re going to leave Pe
I’d kill him.
I’d fucking gut the bastard and leave his corpse to rot in the sun.
But we’re not talking about Keira.
If there’s any hint I’ve killed my father, the ensuing unrest would cause havoc. I wouldn’t be trusted. Rumors are fine. There’s always gossip and speculation, but proof is an entirely different matter.
I can’t be seen attacking Luther.
I can only play into his disappearance and dismantle his operation afterward.
“All it would take is a phone call to the Bureau and we’d have help within hours.” Anissa slumps into her seat and takes a juvenile slurp of her coffee, the sound a co
I’m not going to argue with her again. I’m done.
We’re all tired. None more so than her.
I keep my mouth shut as we all fall into uncomfortable silence.
Luca slinks low in his chair and stares into space. Anissa does the same as she alternates between taking bites of a sandwich and less-provoking gulps of coffee.
No matter how hard I try, I can’t see a way out. Not without risking everything.
“You can’t call Luther and work out some sort of deal?” Luca keeps his focus across the room. “Is there anything he would trade for the girl?”
“No. You heard him; Pe
“What about me?” Anissa places her empty mug on the table. “Would he trade her for an FBI agent?”
Both of them look to me for a confirmation I’d never fucking give. “No.”
“You didn’t even consider the possibility.” She pleads for understanding with the long bat of her lashes. “I’m sure there’d have to be some interest if you continued to work the angle of using me to pay off my father’s debt.”
“Are you insane?”
I know she’s tired. Her exhaustion is clear in the dark bags forming under her eyes and the loose slump of her shoulders. But even if she was on her death bed, she would have to realize I’d never use her. Not like that.
“But what if we didn’t actually do the exchange?” Luca sits forward. “It’s a way to bring him out here, on our turf, so we can end this the way we pla
I bare my teeth. “Don’t make me repeat myself.”
Anissa sighs and Luca collapses back into his seat, the silence returning as the sun slowly sets to bathe the room in darkness.
We sit in the shadows for too damn long, the quiet stretching until Anissa pushes from her chair to turn on the light. She drags her feet, her face ashen.
I puff out a breath of frustration. “You need to get some rest.”
“Yeah.” Luca frowns at her. “You look like shit.”
“Thanks.” She returns to her seat, leaning on an elbow to cradle her face. “That’s what every woman wants to hear.”
“He’s right.” I stack our plates and grab her mug to take them to the sink. “Your body needs to heal.”
“I’m fine. Just tired, that’s all.”
“It wasn’t a suggestion.” I walk back to the table and pull out her chair. “Come on. I’ll walk you to bed.”
“I can sleep once we’ve decided on a plan.”
“You’re not deciding anything.” I tilt her chair forward, forcing her to stand. “I’m the one who will figure out what’s going to happen.” I hold out a hand which she refuses to take.
“I don’t need a chaperone.” She walks for the hall, her posture slouched.
“Fucking hell.” I scrub both hands down my face, then meet Luca’s unimpressed stare. “I’ll be back in a minute.”
He nods. “I’m going to make more coffee.”
I stalk after her, catching up as she reaches her door. “Sleep in my bed.”
“No, thank you.” She grabs the handle and plunges the lever.
“My bed, Nissa.” I close in behind her, wrapping an arm around her waist before she can escape inside.
She stiffens, growing inches with her a
“I won’t apologize for protecting you,” I murmur in her ear. “You need time to recover.” I press into her, breathing in her anger. “And you’ll do it in my bed. Either now, or when I carry you there later.”
She shudders, her entire body responding to me. “Don’t be an asshole.”
“I’ll be whatever I have to be. Just for you, sweetie.”
She turns into my chest, her eyes narrowed to spiteful slits. “You know I hate when you call me that.”
“Then let me take you to my room, and I won’t have to resort to any more dirty tactics.”
“I’m too tired for this, Cole.” She wiggles from my embrace, wincing with the movement. “I just want to crash.”
“That’s okay.” I scoop her into my arms and expect a protest that doesn’t come.
Instead, she sighs and nestles into me, her head falling onto my shoulder. She’s not merely exhausted. She’s barely able to function.
“I should’ve taken you to a doctor.” I walk us to my room, kicking the door wide with my foot.