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“I made some calls while you slept this afternoon.”

“I didn’t sleep.” She smiled. “Maybe just for a little while.”

He kissed her hair. “The thing is, I did what I could at a distance. Called in some favors. Got some more info.” He paused. “But I don’t have anything yet. So, tomorrow…”

“We’re going back. To New York.”

“I’m going back. You’re staying here. Dec will sack out on the sofa. Fortunately, our unit hasn’t been deployed yet and—”

“I’m going with you.”

“No. See, things might get, you know, dicey. And there’s no way I’d let you—”

Bianca turned in his lap and faced him. “I beg your pardon?”

“I said, there’s no way I’d let you—”

“Lieutenant. I make my own decisions.”

“Yeah.” His voice hardened. “Except when I make them for you.”

“Chayton. I am not a child. I am a grown woman.”

“You are my grown woman,” he growled. “And I intend to keep you safe.”

A short while ago, days ago, his possessive words would have made her furious. Now they made her heart sing—but they weren’t about to change her mind.

“You are not going without me, Chayton. I appreciate your concern, but—“

“I don’t want your appreciation, goddammit! I want you here, where I don’t have to worry about you.”

“Ha.”

“Ha?”

“Yes, ha! Is that what this is all about? Finding a way to keep you from worrying?”

“It’s about you. You and what I—what I feel…” Chay took a deep breath. Leaned his forehead against hers. “Bianca. I cannot let anything happen to you.”

She cupped his face with her hands. “Nothing will happen. When I’m with you, I’m safe.”

“When you are here, you are safe.”

“I won’t do anything other than what you tell me to do, Chayton. I promise. I’ll behave. I’ll follow orders. I’ll be good.”

“Hell,” he said, on a broken laugh, “I don’t want you to be too good, baby.”

She laughed too. Then he kissed her, led her back into the cottage, and they made love.

• • •

Chay called Declan.

He gave him the names of the barista and of the doctor Bianca had replaced, and asked him to take a look at the spouses of the two people Bianca had told hi

m about.

“And check out this kid…” Chay looked at Bianca. “What’s his first name?”