Page 40 of Dangerous Intent

“It’s not me I’m worried about.” She sighed. “He said he was going to kill you and make me watch.”

“You don’t have to worry about me. He’s stupid and sloppy. It’s only a matter of time before I get to him.”

“You heard what Milo said. Danny came here to provoke you in front of witnesses. If you kill him now, you’ll be the number one suspect.”

“I can be patient.”

As much as I wanted to deal with Collins, I had to be smart. I also had to be vigilant. Protecting Lissia was my priority. The longer Collins drew breath, the longer she was a target.

She had to help me. Keeping things from me wasn’t going to keep her safe.

“I caused this.” She leaned against the wall. “I brought Danny into your life. If it wasn’t for me, you wouldn’t be caught up in all of this.”

“That’s not true.” I tilted her chin, forcing her to look at me. “He and your father are the reason I’m caught up in this. They are the ones who set up the trafficking in my territory. You didn’t trigger this war.”

“I’m the reason there is a target on your back.”

“I’m not scared of the arms dealer. I’ll handle him.” I lowered my lips to hers. “I’ll keep you safe, but we have to be in this together.”

“I don’t want anything to happen to you.” She spoke against my mouth. “I can’t live without you.”

“You’re not going to have to.”

It was me who couldn’t be without her. I was the one who feared losing her every night my head hit the pillow. I had only one weakness. And I couldn’t live with the agony and guilt my father experienced over losing my mother. That kind of pain changed him.

“Just promise you’re going to be straight with me. We can weather any storm as long as we’re honest with one another.”

“No more secrets.”

“Give me your phone.”

“Why?” She wrinkled her nose. “Are you going to throw it in the river again?”

“Let’s go, brat.” I held out my hand. “Don’t make me ask twice.”

“Please don’t take it from me again.”

When I didn’t respond, she reached into her back pocket and gave me her phone with more hesitation than I would have liked. I scrolled through her recent calls, finding the number from the night of the funeral.

“Is this his number?” I showed her the screen.

“Yes.”

I blocked the number, though that wasn’t going to stop him from coming at her. Only I could do that.

“Don’t answer any more unknown calls.” I gave her back the phone. “Or I will toss it in the river.”

I tugged her to me and kissed her possessively, igniting a slow burn in my body that could only be resolved between the sheets.

“Tell me who you belong to so I can take you home and fuck this whole night away.”

“You.” She licked her lips. “I’m ready for a hard, relentless fuck.”

“Let’s get out of here.” I took her hand. “I’ve had enough of this place for one night.”

“Once I make it theinplace, you’ll think differently.” She glanced around the empty club. “You really know how to clear a room.”

“There you are,” a familiar voice said.