Page 95 of Perfect Order

— Viego Martinez, Celebrity Blogger

“Kane.”

Beckett’s voice is despondent as I cross the floor of his expansive living room. His fiancée is curled to his side. It’s obvious she’s been crying, if only by the sheer number of tissues at her side. “What’s wrong?” I ask.

“You need to sit down.” When I remain standing, he drops the tablet in his hand and gestures to a chair near his side. “Please.”

“What did I do?” are the first words out of my mouth.

“I have a question for you,” Beckett begins.

“Yes?”

“Did you ever share any of what you knew of my childhood with anyone?” Beckett swallows hard. Paige reaches over and takes his hand. “If you did, I understand. You likely were trusting someone you care about.”

I frown. “Of course not. I’m not permitted to discuss any information with anyone, even Paige. Sorry.”

Beckett’s lips curve, even if the smile doesn’t reach his eyes. “Consider this my unofficial authorization there’s nothing you can’t share with Paige. That being said, do you want to revise your answer?”

I can’t understand why there’s such shock in his eyes. Or why Paige has a hold of his fingers so hard, her own are turning white. “Becks, man, I swear. I’ll even volunteer for a lie detector if it would make you feel more comfortable. The only people who have an idea of what I know are those I normally report to.”

“And that’s Keene, Caleb, and Colby,” he validates.

“Yes, sir,” I say formally, because the situation appears to call for it.

His head drops. His hand with the ankh rises up and scrubs over his face. “I’ve already spoke with Hudson. Back when Kylie was acting out after her sister’s death, you asked Sam a question about Kylie’s computer skills. Why?”

My heart begins to thud heavily in my chest. “I was getting to know her.”

“And she’d sent you an email. Caleb’s already told me the story; you don’t need to protect her.”

“I hope you won’t. You wouldn’t be the same man I respect if you do,” Paige hisses fiercely. She leans over, kisses Beckett on the cheek, and murmurs in his ear. He rests his head against hers a moment before she stands and leaves the room.

When she leaves, Beckett opens his tablet and hands it to me. “That’s what we woke to this morning.”

I begin reading the article on StellaNova. And then I click to the next.

And the next.

Beckett’s childhood laid bare for anyone to read.

Fuck, Leanne. What the hell did you do this for?I curse her silently. “What’s on the agenda for today?”

“We’re going to see Carys,” Beckett says simply.

Caleb’s words from long ago come back to haunt me.Protect the principal. Keep Lee away from Beckett. She’s a powder keg ready to explode.

In my mind, all I hear is the sound of a gun being shot. And I can’t help but flinch.

She bursts from the stairwell, completely out of breath, and I let out a string of curses. I didn’t post a man at the stairway entrances. I should have. I should have known an operative ofQ?za’s caliber wouldn’t let anything stop her.

Certainly not something as nominal as avowals of love.

“Get out of here, Lee,” I growl as I approach her.

She comes to a dead stop. Her beautiful, deceptive eyes are haunted as she pants out, “Kane. I have to…tell you…”

I lift my wrist and mutter, “Mitch. Cover the door. I have to handle something.” After hearing his acknowledgment, I grab her by the elbow and drag her back into the stairwell. After a quick dash up and down to ensure we’re alone, I charge her. “What the hell is wrong with you?”