Page 5 of Deadly Force

Or the way my house suddenly feels too small with him in it.

He tucks his weapon behind his back while I yank open the fridge and grab a carton of orange juice.

"I don't know what Mick told Silas, but this isn't necessary."

Caleb's eyes lock on mine. "Maybe not. But I think he'd sleep better knowing someone's watching your six."

I grab a glass, hyperaware of his presence behind me. "I'm not comfortable with you sleeping in my house."

He nods, calm. "Understandable, but unavoidable."

The glass nearly slips from my hand. "Yes, it is. I'm fine."

He glances at the juice, and I catch the hint of a smirk. "You know that stuff's loaded with sugar and acid? May as well be drinking cola."

"I know that," I snap. "And this—this right here—is why I don't tell Mick anything. He's already too protective."

Caleb's lip twitches. "Brothers are supposed to be protective."

I slam the carton down. "I'm fine."

He crosses his arms and leans against the wall. "That's the second time you've said that. I didn't believe you the first time, either."

My frustration bubbles. "I value my privacy. That's all."

His face hardens. "Do you value your life? Because if that's in question, you need someone close by for a few days."

I pinch the bridge of my nose, trying to wrap my head around how fast this got out of hand. And trying to ignore how the thought of him staying makes me nervous for reasons I don't want to examine.

"Am I being billed for this? Or is Mick?"

He softens, and something in his expression makes my chest tighten. "No charge. Mick called in a favor. And we owe you for Samantha."

What?

I drop into the nearest chair, too tired to argue. When did I lose all control?

Caleb pulls out the chair across from me, and I'm suddenly very aware of how close he is. "What were you doing in the park that late?"

I toy with the juice carton. "Running."

His brow lifts. "Alone? In the dark?"

I groan. "I was meeting someone. I lost track of time."

"Who?"

"A source."

His jaw tightens. "This goes faster if you're straight with me."

I shift in my seat. "Okay, look. I get why Mick's concerned. And I appreciate… I mean, after what happened… you didn't have to come."

He cuts in quickly. "We don't need to revisit that."

I wince. "Like I said on the plane; I thought you were one of them. They tied my hands. I thought they were going to strap a bomb to me. I panicked and fought back."

He gives me the same skeptical look he gave months ago. I sigh. "You didn't say you were a friend of Mick's."