Page 65 of Fractured Future

Her eyes watch the flashing floor numbers escalating higher. “What I did isn’t exactly legal. I’ve hurt a lot of people.”

“You weren’t given a choice,” I point out.

“Does that really matter?”

“Yes,” Tom cuts in. “It matters.”

Falling silent, Ember smashes her mouth shut. Fuck, I want to tilt a finger beneath her chin and make her look at me. Tell her that I’ve bloodied my fists for Sabre more times than I can count and still feel guilty for it.

Shoving my hands in my cargo pockets instead, I bounce on the balls of my feet. Nope. Not my job. They told me to collect Ember, and guard her with my life—that’s all I’m here to do. Be her damn bodyguard.

But hey, it isn’t illegal to look.

Since the shit went down with Jayce a few years ago, I haven’t dared to even think about a woman, let alone show interest in one. Not when I managed to fuck up my marriage so badly.

This line of work isn’t compatible with a healthy relationship. Working for Sabre puts me in the line of fire every day, and by extension, my loved ones too. And I’ll never make that mistake again.

We’re admitted onto the top floor, high above the bustling levels of offices, training facilities, interrogation rooms and more. This isn’t just Sabre’s HQ. It’s a self-contained city of agents and shadow operatives.

“In there.” I gesture towards the conference room. “The team’s waiting.”

Down the thickly carpeted corridor, lined with floor-to-ceiling, frosted glass walls that conceal the office’s occupants, our destination is the final door on the right.

While Tom lets himself into the room, I snag Ember’s wrist at the last second. She halts to peer back at me through bruise-ringed eyes. The swelling has gone down enough for me to see her muddied gaze clearly now.

Blue flecks blend with her swirling, slate-grey irises, creating an intense thunderstorm that seems intent on decimating me. Yet beyond her defensiveness, something else hides.

“What?”

I wait for the door to swing shut. “Your brother’s worried about you. I don’t know what the deal is, but I want to help. Sabre has in-house medics who areverydiscreet.”

“Like I told Tom, I don’t want to see a doctor.”

“You were held captive for six years and faced more fights than I can even begin to fathom. At least let someone here check you over. It won’t hurt.”

“Why do you care?” she demands icily. “We hardly know each other.”

“And I’m sure it’ll look great if the client I’m supposed to be protecting keels over on my watch,” I hurl back at her. “You’ve been shaking ever since I picked you up.”

Sure enough, her still-trembling hands quickly jam into the back pockets of her jeans. Those curve-hugging, tight fucking jeans... Yep, I’ve counted every last muscle she’s packing.

“Leave me alone, Hyland.”

“No can do. You’re my assignment. Get used to having me on your ass when I think something’s going on that may jeopardise your safety.”

“If I’m your assignment, shouldn’t you respect my wishes?” She cocks an auburn brow. “I’m telling you to back off.”

“Cute. Nice try.”

“Listen up,” Ember growls. “I’m here to tell you what I know, and that’s it. I don’t need you sticking your nose in where it doesn’t belong.”

During our brief flash of privacy, her caustic tone dissolves any misgivings I have about stepping into her personal space. She backs up into the door as I advance, trapping her between my chest and the light wood.

Her chin tips up, those fierce eyes pinning me without ducking once.Huh.It’s been a while since someone’s looked at me like that rather than scuttling when I tower over them.

Before I can help myself, I’ve captured her pointed chin between my thumb and forefinger. Her pink lips part, drawing in air.

“You may have everyone fooled with this hard ass act,” I whisper knowingly. “But I’m not buying it.”