Page 49 of Duty Bound

Even Joe.

He ground his teeth together. Sometimes life could be a bitch.

“It was Pat who asked me to come and get you. He was worried about you.”

Her gaze softened. “He’s like a father to me. A real sweetie.”

Blade thought of the barrel-chested bear of a former Navy SEAL and laughed. “I haven’t heard Pat described like that before.”

“He’s got a softer side.”

If he had, Blade hadn’t seen it.

“I trust you,” she said, out of nowhere.

He glanced at her, surprised. “You hardly know me.”

“I know you’ll do everything in your power to get me home safely.”

He didn’t reply. Hell, he’d move mountains to get her home.

Not for Pat.

Not even for Joe.

For himself.

He might never be able to have her, but there was no damn way he was gonna leave her out there at the mercy of killers.

The way she was looking at him. God help him.

“I want you to know I’m grateful, even if I don’t show it. You didn’t have to come here. After what happened to Joe, I’m surprised you did.”

“I owed it to Spade.”

She threaded her fingers through his. “You’re a good friend, Blade.”

He stared at her, his big hand enveloping her small one. Suddenly, all the tension of the last few hours rose up to strangle him. “Lily, I?—”

“Shh.” She leaned in. “Just kiss me.”

CHAPTER 18

It was madness, she knew this.

Yet she did it anyway.

She needed this. Needed him. To kiss away the fear and the weariness and make her feel safe again.

“God, Lily,” he growled, raking a hand through his hair. “We can’t.”

“Why not?” she whispered, her lips trailing along his jawbone.

He groaned and closed his eyes. “Spade loved you.”

“I know he did, and I loved him back, but this isn’t about Joe. This is about you and me.” She began nuzzling his neck.

Blade stiffened, hot tension radiating off him. “Pat would kill me if he found out.”

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