Never Gonna Happen - Cynthia Eden Page 0,45

about Alyssa that first time, then it meant the perp they were after had done it.

The perp had deliberately contacted Sebastian right in the middle of a giant press conference. He’d deliberately chosen that moment to reveal that Alyssa was being threatened.

Why?

Only one answer came to mind for Sebastian, and it wasn’t good.

He was testing me. The guy had caught Sebastian in the spotlight, and he’d forced him to choose…

I chose her.

“If you don’t need me, I want to talk with the guards,” Ella said. “Unless there is something else I need to know about?”

He gave a flash of his dimples. “We’re good.”

Ella nodded briskly, then strode away. As she hurried off, her gaze darted toward Antony.

“I’m so glad you’re okay,” Alyssa said as she eased away from her brother. “I was afraid something had happened to you, and when Sebastian told me—” She stopped. Pressed her lips together.

I told her everything. I thought there was no choice, and I told her.

Antony didn’t know that part, not yet.

Actually…

There was a whole lot that Antony didn’t know.

Alyssa glanced over at Sebastian.

“We need to go back into my office,” he said. “Talk privately.” Without anyone else overhearing what was sure to be one hell of a conversation. He maneuvered toward Alyssa and Antony. When he was near her, Sebastian’s hand immediately lowered and curled around Alyssa’s side. He wanted her close because he wanted to protect her.

He also just wanted her.

Antony’s gaze flickered at the movement. Then his eyes narrowed. “Uh…” Antony began.

Sebastian strode toward his office with Alyssa. What they had to say could wait until two more minutes until they were away from the lingering guards.

Alyssa slid inside before him. Sebastian held the door open for Antony.

His friend passed him, but sent Sebastian a hard, warning glance. “I was only gone a few days.”

Sebastian inclined his head. “A whole lot can happen in a few days.” In fact, a man’s entire world could change in just a few days. Sebastian followed them into his office and shut the door behind him.

He pulled in a deep breath as he considered where to start. How to start. How to be tactful.

But…screw tactful. Tact had never been his strong suit, anyway.

Alyssa stood uncertainly near his desk, and Antony was already crowding in around her.

“You were shot at?” Antony’s face showed his worry.

She bit her lower lip. Cast a glance at Sebastian. “He saved me. Literally carried me away from the scene, threw me in his limo, and rushed me back to his place.”

Sebastian saw Antony’s shoulders tense. But he turned his head toward Sebastian and said, “Thank you. I owe you.”

Yeah…about that… “You really don’t.” He strode forward. Deliberately put his body right next to Alyssa’s. His shoulder brushed hers.

The move was to show that he was aligning himself with Alyssa.

Or…to show…she’s mine.

“I can’t believe someone went after her.” Antony hauled a shaking hand through his hair. “I mean, that’s crazy. There’s no reason for anyone to ever try and hurt—”

“I know, Antony,” Alyssa cut in. Her voice was flat.

“Uh, know what?” He took off his glasses. Polished them on his shirt. A typical move that he used to buy time in uncomfortable situations. Sebastian had seen him pull that move over and over again.

Sorry, bro. This situation is about to get a whole lot more uncomfortable for us all.

“I know about your side business.”

Antony kept polishing his glasses.

“About the work that you do for the government?”

Antony popped the glasses back on. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

She surged toward him. “I had no idea you were such a good liar.”

Antony’s mouth opened.

Sebastian cleared his throat. He seemed to be doing that a lot lately. “I told her.”

Antony gaped at him as if Sebastian had lost his mind. “Excuse me?”

“I told her,” he repeated. “Her life was on the line. Alyssa deserved the truth.”

“Alyssa…” Antony began, his voice halting and careful. “Look, it’s not what you must be thinking—”

“I’m thinking that you’re a spy,” she responded crisply. Her thumb jerked toward Sebastian. “So is he. I’m thinking that you’ve both been keeping secrets from me for years, but it’s time for all the secrets to end.”

“Okay,” Antony mumbled. “So maybe the situation is what you’re thinking.” He blew out a breath. “There was no need to pull you into that world. It was too dangerous for you. You couldn’t handle—”

“Don’t tell me what I can handle,” she cut through his words. “I’m not some kid any longer, and you don’t get