Page 51 of Lethal

She lifts her head, watching me for a moment before leaning in to kiss me. “Thank you,” she breathes against my lips. I don’t need to explain it more. She understands. And that means more than I expected it to.

Before either of us can say something else, a knock comes from the open doorway. “We’ve got our tracks covered. I’d love to give you more time, but we need to leave.” Vander’s gaze hungrily traces over Raven.

“We’re coming,” I tell him, kissing my woman on the forehead, then standing to drag on my clothes. Vander steps into the room, holding her clothes and my shirt that were abandoned in the hallway.

He helps her into her clothes, caressing her and pressing soft kisses to her new heart tattoos. “I can’t wait to cut you here,” he rasps, and a shiver runs through her.

“Ready, Luv?” I ask her, reaching a hand out for her to take. I really can’t be far from her right now. She’s the only thing holding me together. “I need my laptop, and we have to fill in the others.”

She doesn’t hesitate, grasping onto me and threading her fingers with mine. “Let’s go find Becca.”

Chapter 24

Jasper

The moment I saw Cole advance on my woman with anger flashing in his eyes, I wanted to rip him to shreds. But when he held up his hand for us to stop, I saw something on his face. I knew he wouldn’t hurt her, and thankfully, I was right. Of course, I remained close, not willing to risk being wrong.

I watched them connect like they never have before. Both of them dropped their walls and let the other in. You could practically see the healing energy around them in the air, like some kind of paranormal phenomenon. Or perhaps it’s because I know them both so well. They needed that.

It helps that I was in Cole’s head. He made love to her. Fucked her slow and gentle. I never thought he’d be capable of such a thing. Although, he found a way to include his depravity. I’m okay with that though, it still counts as making love with her. It doesn’t have to look the same for all of us.

The two of them had a monumental moment. We could all see and feel the change that came over them, the spark binding them closer. It’s why we’ve allowed them to cuddle in silence while we drive the two hours back to the jet. But as we grow closer, we still don’t know what happened. What the man said to them, or how he died.

Apparently, I’m not the only one who’s tired of waiting. “Reginetta,“ Vander calls, peering at her through the rearview mirror. When she lifts her head from Cole’s shoulder, he continues, “Can you tell us what happened?”

She slowly nods and, after gathering her thoughts, she jumps into recounting everything that happened. The moment she mentions the Tulip Broker, my spine stiffens and my breath freezes in my chest. My mind races, but I wait to say anything until she’s finished with her story.

“I’m sorry I missed that. I bet you were sexy as fuck shoving that cactus down his throat.” Vander winks at her, and her cheeks get a little rosy.

“I don’t know about that,” she coyly responds, but she’s not fooling any of us.

“I can attest that you were.” Cole lifts the laptop and adjusts himself, then puts his hand back on her leg. He hasn’t been able to stop touching her. At least he’s replaced his destructive behavior with her. I’d hate to see the fallout if he ran off again. She’d kill him without a second thought. It would change her forever. She needs Cole. He completes something in her. Fills a void no one else can fill.

We glide to a stop outside Cole’s jet and climb from the vehicle. I stretch my back out and prepare myself for what’s coming. The Tulip Broker is no joke. He’s not someone I want to cross paths with. Although, it’s not because he’s dangerous.

“You okay?” my girl asks, cutting off my thoughts as she loops her arm around mine. The concern she’s developing for us warms me. I fell in love with her before I even met her. She was cold and unfeeling. I didn’t have any hopes of her changing, but I couldn’t be happier with the growth in her humanity. It’s been good for all of us.

“I’m better now with you beside me.” Her sharp gaze traces over me, and I can tell she doesn’t believe me. It’s the truth, though. Life is always better with her by my side. “Let’s get on board so we can figure out where we’re going.”

Once we’re all on, we gather in the middle of the plane where the couch is. It’s the area where we’re best able to see each other. Cole opens his mouth to say something, but I hold up a hand and stop him before he can. “Sorry to cut you off, but I need her to hear it from me.” He lifts his hand and tilts his head in a sign for me to continue.

“Tell me what?” my girl hisses, her arms crossing in anger as she pins me in place with her glare.

I lean forward, elbows on my knees, facing this head on. “We conveniently didn’t give you all the details about The Guild when we explained it before.”

“Okay...” Her eyes narrow even more. “What details did you decide to filter out?”

“I don’t exactly work for The Guild,” I tell her. The look on her face tells me I better not pause there. “I am The Guild.”

“Excuse me?”

“I started The Guild. I filter through every hit, get to take my pick of the fun ones, and palm off the jobs I don’t want,” I admit.

“You palmed off my hit?” Her tone is indignant.

Clearing my throat, I work hard to keep the smile off my face. I should’ve known that’s what she would care about in what I said. The unspoken part that involved her. “The client paid extra to ensure the contract was open to all the hitmen in the organization. It wasn’t personal, Little Bird. If it makes you feel better, I started killing my employees the moment I laid eyes on you.”

She rolls her eyes. “You didn’t Google me to find a picture?”

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