Wrapping his arms around me he hugs me then gives me a quick kiss. “Fancy this is Roja. Rico and I have worked with her a couple times. She’s a friend of Diego’s who’s in town. They work for the same security company. Although, she tells me he’s backed off quite a bit since he’s gotten with his woman.”
I hold out my hand to shake. Her grip is strong, almost like she’s testing me. I refuse to flinch. Her tilted grin tells me she noticed.
“You want coffee?” Kade asks.
“Please.” I glance at the clock over the stove. “Is it really noon?”
Roja chuckles. “It’s almost midnight, sleeping beauty.”
“Almost.” Kade places the mug in front of me. That’s when I notice he’s wearing a very high-end dress shirt and suit pants. Something akin to what Adorno wears. It looks a hell of a lot sexier on Kade. “What’s going on? Where’s Rico?”
Roja raises her eyebrow and looks at Kade. “Ooh, favorites already?”
I’m not doing this. I’m not playing games. I’m not— “Yes, Rico. My other man. In case he didn’t tell you, Kade, Rico and I are together. What’s your relationship here?”
She smirks. “I like this one. She may actually be able to handle you two assholes.”
Kade gives his head a shake. “Roja, give us a few.”
Taking her mug, she goes to the patio door and steps onto the deck.
“Kade?”
“It’s nothing. We met her briefly when we were on another case.”
I tilt my head. “Met? Or hooked up?”
He snorts. “Met, as in worked professionally together for a couple hours. She likes to unsettle people to see what they’ve got. She’s a good operative. I trust you with her. She’s here for a case of her own but it hasn’t started yet.”
“Where is Rico?”
“He’s at the casino. We need to finish this.”
“Then why the hell aren’t you with him?”
“I couldn’t leave you alone. She just got here.”
“The doors lock. You showed me the security system. I can take care of myself. Don’t do this to me. Don’t put yourself or each other in danger because you’re worried about me. I can’t deal with that. I can’t deal with losing you like I have Phil. I can’t live with any more guilt.”
“Sweetheart.”
He reaches for me and I step back. “Go. Go take care of Rico. Of each other. And you damn well both better come back unharmed.”
He grabs his suit jacket from the chair back and crosses to the door leading into the garage.
I rush after him, stopping him. Cupping his face in both hands I kiss him, pouring all my love and fear into that oneaction. “You damn well both better be home later. I need you. Be safe.”
“We need you too, sweetheart. I can’t tell you when, we may not be able to come back here tonight, but we’ll be home. Roja and Diego will be watching over you.”
I pull him in for another kiss and then he’s gone. I stand looking at the door.
“This is the life. It doesn’t get easier. You strong enough for this, princess?”
I face Roja, hands on my hips. “Princess my ass. Damn straight I’m strong enough. I’ve been fighting my whole life. I’m not stopping now that I found someone—two someone’s worth it. You know nothing about me.”
“Stripper and part time hooker for a mother who liked playing with the mob until they got rid of her. Probably tried to barter something she should not have had and got herself killed. You had a sperm donor dad and work as a hat check girl. I’ve also got your GPA. What am I missing?”
“That’s information. That’s not me. Not the person I am.”
