Page 83 of Danger Close

But I was fucking tired. Sofuckingtired. She was cold. So I put my arm across the back of the pew, over her shoulders and pulled her into me. She stiffened, and tried to hold her rigid posture before she eventually leaned into me, searching for my heat. But the moment she relaxed into my embrace, the kids were saying “I do”.

The pews were removed, put against the wall by volunteers like yours truly, and banquet style tables laid out with burlap and lace, center pieces with mason jars full of fairy lights, and floral arrangements in a coordinated scene change that Daria made us rehearse over and over again. By the time I got back to Teri, I’d taken off my blazer, trying not to overheat from the physical labor.

I was getting too old for this nonsense.

I found Teri and pulled her to the head table, where we were supposed to be seated.

“I should go.” She smiled, dipped her head, and turned to leave.

“No.” I grabbed her by the arm, and turned her face to me. “I’m not playing this game with you, Princess. Not right now. You want to play hot and cold, fine. Do it after the wedding.”

“I’m not a child to be scolded, Cobra Guerro.”

“Yes, you are, if you insist on acting childish.” I pulled her in close, leaning down to graze my lips against the shell of her ear. “Tell me what happened.”

She stiffened. “Nothing happened.”

“Somethinghappened.” I kept my voice low so we had a semblance of privacy.

I held her close until we molded together. She fit so perfectly against me, it was like we were two pieces put together to make a whole.

“Talk to me, Princess.” I bent down brushing my lips against her temple, whispering my words. I moved my palms down from her waist to her round hips.

If we were going to fight, I’d make it look like we were whispering sweet words.

“Soniahas apropositionfor you.” Unlike my sweetly whispered pleas, her voice was absolutely flat. “She seems to know you quiteintimately, no?”

She tried to push me away, but I held on strong. Too strong. She winced when our little struggle agitated her injuries, and shefroze. Her eyes glazed over with tears as she fought to hide the pain.

“Baby, I have never met Sonia Norkus in my life.” That was a half-truth.

I’d never met herin person, but to say that I wasn’t acquainted with her would be a lie. Spies tend to know other spies.

“Like I believe that,” she said through clenched teeth. “You should have seen how effectively she marked her territory.”

She clicked her tongue in a very scolding French way—I only say that because I’ve never met anyone not from France who could shake their head, click their tongue and make that disapproving noise. I fought the smirk that tugged my lips because laughing at that moment—finding heradorable—would rightfully get me smacked, either literally, or metaphorically.

“Jealous, Princess?” I crooned.

I walked us from people’s view, where a pillar and bolts and bolts of lace and tulle created a backdrop for the festivities on the other side. This was far from private, but it was close enough.

“What do I have to be jealous of?” She glared at me, her blue eyes bright with that fire I loved so much. “I am not your wife. You are not my husband. What do I care who you’reintimatewith?”

I chuckled. She wasso jealousher cheeks turned pink.

“Ah, so she must have literally said the wordintimate, then.” I tsked, and shook my head. “Do not doubt me, Princess. I’venever met Sonia. At least not in person, and certainly not in an intimate way. I have no intention of being intimate with her professionally, or personally.”

I traced Teri’s jaw with the back of my knuckles, then swiped my thumb over her thick bottom lip.

“I am going to talk to her. One, for sowing discord between us. For implying that I’d cheat on you withher—”

“What is there to cheat on? We are nothing. We’re not married. We’re—”

I kissed her to shut her the hell up before she said something that would enrage us both.

My tongue explored her mouth as I swallowed the acidic words she was ready to spew at me. Words that would crack the delicate connection we had between us. The small foundation we were building as we repaired what we broke thirty years ago.

I pulled away when she groaned in pleasure.