much time analyzing, at least in himself. The Guard considered him to be one of their more easygoing members. He glided on an even keel, providing amusement and comic relief to all, every chance he got. Easier to do when seated behind a screen. Out here, he wasn’t totally himself. The stress shoved him down, and all he could think of was keeping his woman safe.
No, not his woman. His ward.
At the sound of her footstep on the kitchen floor, he cast aside his heavy thoughts and turned with a smile. She was dressed in jeans and his T-shirt, the one with NERD written across the front.
Christ, seeing her wearing his shirt shouldn’t cause a clawing feeling in his chest.
His lips tipped up. “Nice shirt.”
She looked down at herself, her dark auburn hair tumbling over her shoulders. “I hope you don’t mind. I saw it sticking out of your bag. It’s kind of cool.”
He grinned. “I know. It’s my favorite.”
“I don’t really think of you as a nerd.” She padded across the kitchen to him.
He rubbed the back of his neck. “Guess you haven’t seen that side of me yet.”
Her gaze cut over him, from head to foot and back up, as if his hidden depths could be revealed just by looking.
Shaking off the moment, he took charge once again. “Sloane, we’ll be leaving as soon as you can get your things packed up.”
She blinked. “I’m packed. You are too—I threw your things into your bag.”
“Thanks.”
“Is there some…danger?” Her voice pitched lower.
“We’re safe enough though we need to get on the road. All right?”
She nodded, and together, they went into the bedroom to grab their bags. Minutes later, he locked up the cabin with the question in the recesses of his mind when he would return. Certainly never with her.
A few miles out, he glanced at the car following them some distance behind. His fellow guard, Archer, prepared to take over when they reached their destination.
“Where are we going?” Sloane seemed to sense his thoughts and finally asked the topic he’d been avoiding.
With a heavy sigh burning in his lungs, he glanced over at her. “We found Flint.”
Her eyes flew open wide. “What?”
“We’re going in.”
“Oh my God. What do you need me to do? Tell me so I’m prepared.”
“You’re not coming with me, Sloane. I can’t put you out in the open like that.”
Did she have to look at him like he betrayed her?
“No.” She shook her head. “This is my fight. Dammit, Bodhi, this is my fight!”
“I can’t let you get anywhere near him. You’re targeted from so many sides, and no way can I protect you.”
“I don’t care. I’m going.” She faced forward, glaring out the windshield.
“Sloane…baby, this is how it works. Your safety is my top priority.”
She twisted on him. “So you’re leaving me where? With who?”
He glanced in the rearview. “See that car back there? That’s your protection.”
With a glance at her side mirror, she groaned. “You’re leaving me.”
Christ, when she put it like that—
“For a little bit. I know this case better than anyone, and I can’t leave it up to another guard to take over.”
“So you’re leaving it up to them to babysit me while you go off and fight my battle!”
“I can see why you’re upset. But can you see my point?” Anger began to rise in him, and while it wasn’t aimed at Sloane, he couldn’t keep the heat from his tone. “How can I allow you to walk into what could be a trap?”
Her features seemed to shiver, and she closed her eyes. When she opened them, he saw a pain gleaming in the depths that sent his heart tumbling. He reached out and snagged her hand, gripping it hard in his own.
“I care about your welfare, Sloane. I can’t put you in danger.”
“You care about my welfare,” she repeated in a flat tone.
“Yes, goddammit, I do.”
“Because it’s your job to.”
“No, because—” he struggled for a moment. Swinging his head to her, he pierced her in his stare. “You’re not going. End of discussion.”
She tore her hand free of his and balled it on her knee. He drove on in silence, seething at the entire situation. For the first time in his life, he had a woman he gave a damn about. Someone he wanted to take care of. And she was fighting him.
An hour later, Sloane still wasn’t speaking to him. He took her into the house where she’d be staying, and Archer entered behind them. He quietly closed the