Page 43

“Well, you can eat whatever you want when you’re with me.”

She pauses mid-chew, studying my face. “You’re really serious about this, aren’t you? About us?”

“Dead serious.”

“Even though I come with more baggage than a five-star hotel?”

I lean closer. “Princess, I’ve dealt with warlords in Afghanistan and cartel bosses in Mexico. Your stepmom and fiancé don’t scare me.”

For the next hour, we fall into easy conversation. She tells me about her college art classes, how she used to sneak out to paint landscapes when her stepmother thought she was at charity luncheons. I tell her about building my security business, about the satisfaction of protecting people who can’t protect themselves.

When Lainey brings the check, I hand her a large stack of bills. Then I stand and offer Audrey my hand. “Ready?”

She nods and slides out of the booth. Outside, the morning air is crisp and clean, carrying the scent of pine from the mountains. Audrey’s car, a sleek black Mercedes, sits alone at the far end of the parking lot.

“Thank you for breakfast,” she says as we reach her car. “I needed this more than I realized.”

“This is just the beginning.” I back her against the driver’s side door, my hands bracing on either side of her. “I meant what I said in there. I’m going to take care of you.”

Before she can respond, I kiss her hard. She melts into me immediately, her hands fisting in my shirt as she kisses me backwith desperate hunger. It takes everything I have to pull back before we cause a scene.

“When can I see you again, Princess?” I ask, resting my forehead against hers.

Her face falls slightly. “I’m not sure. I’m leaving tomorrow to go to Denver for a bridal show.”

“For how long?”

“Three days. I’ll be back Friday morning.”

Rage surges through me at the thought of her spending three days planning a wedding to Gio. A wedding that will never happen if I have anything to say about it. I force myself to appear calm despite the fury burning inside me.

“Can you get away for the weekend when you get back?” I ask.

“Maybe. Why?”

“Because I want to take you to my cabin. Just you and me, no interruptions, no expectations. Time to figure out what we’re doing here.”

At my cabin, we’d be completely alone. No Vega, no security, no family obligations. Just us and whatever this thing between us becomes.

“I’d like that,” she says softly. “I’d like that a lot.”

Relief floods through me. “Good.”

I reach for the chain around my neck and unclasp it. The tags are scuffed, the edges dulled from years of wearing them in the field. I pull them free and drape them over her head, letting the metal settle just above the neckline of her dress. The dog tags are heavy, military-issued, stamped with my real name, blood type, and a serial number that doesn’t mean anything to anyone except a government computer in D.C.

“What are these?” she asks, fingering the tags.

“My dog tags.” I adjust the chain so the tags rest flat against her chest. “I want you to wear them while you’re gone. So you remember who you belong to.”

Her breath catches at the possessiveness in my voice. “Reign...”

“I’m going to call you every day,” I say. “Morning and night. If you need anything, let me know. I don’t care if it’s two in the morning. Don’t make me chase you down.”

She laughs, and this time it’s real. “You’re so intense.”

“Just wait until I take you to my cabin.”

Audrey bites her lip and glances down. “I’ll count the hours. I promise.”