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A couple more minutes of silence passed between us, the tension thick.

“I still don’t know why Gray called you. It’s not about him picking you. You’re obviously a trained killer.” She pushed the wineglass away, swiveling away from the bar so she could stand.

I almost choked on her comment. “Then what the hell do you mean?”

“I can’t remember the last time I saw my godfather. Just like your dad and uncle, Gray and my father had a falling out that Dad never talked about.”

“None of my business, but Gray was my commanding officer. He knows what I’d be capable of.”

She threw back a half glass of wine, chugging it like a sailor. “That’s what frustrates me about you, Kage. You refuse to get involved with anyone. I’m curious. Is that because you couldn’t care less or because you don’t have the capacity to care about anyone but yourself?”

When she started to walk away, I grabbed her arm. “Where do you think you’re going?”

“To the bathroom. Would you like to come inside the restroom with me and hold my hand?” Her glare of defiance had returned.

I released my hold immediately; the touch of her skin alone was far too damning. “Don’t take too long.” I threw her a sideways glance, forced to shift on the barstool since my dick was pulsing like a son of a bitch.

“Aye, aye, sir,” she huffed, saluting as she clicked her heels together.

While she was walking away, I grumbled under my breath.

“So, recently married, huh?” Jarvis winked when he suddenly appeared in front of me.

“What the fuck?”

“News travels fast although I can tell you two don’t know each other very well. I take it you’re on assignment. Don’t worry, you don’t need to say anything. Just remember this town treats itself like one of those quaint locations depicted in a Hallmark movie. Everyone knows everything about everyone else but themselves.” He laughed heartedly.

“Great.”

“But look at it this way. Maybe she’ll do you some good and make you want to stick around, maybe even start a family.”

“Fuck that.”

He laughed while I tipped my head toward the neon sign indicating the restrooms. Nothing would break the cycle of pain furrowing deep inside.

Not even a beautiful woman with a body made for sin.

CHAPTER 23

Juliette

Whoever said taming the wild beast could be delicious and fun was an idiot.

I’d spent the better part of two days doing just that and all I could say was doing so was exhausting. I’d been funny and cute, even honing my skills as a barista by whipping up some cream and making a smiley face in his mug of coffee.

He groused and stormed into the kitchen for a spoon.

I’d been playful, hitting him in the chest ‘accidentally’ with tennis balls when tossing them with Tank outside.

He’d left Tank and me alone, slamming the door after heading inside.

I’d been helpful, cleaning his kitchen and rearranging the dishes and glasses so the organization made more sense. He’d immediately taken a full hour to put everything back where they’d been.

Including leaving a few items on the counter.

Right in front of me.

The pancake with peanut butter and maple syrup experiment had gone horribly awry. Even Tank had turned his nose up at the gooey mess after Kage had refused to eat it. The trash was heavy this week.