Page 184 of Damaged Protector

“Thank you. I handled it before it got too far, but that’s a whole other story. Anyway, Mal kissed me, but it didn’t go any further just then. I think our feelings really grew a lot that night though, and things progressed after that.”

“Do you take her in the Den of Sin?” he asked, point blank.

I lifted an eyebrow. “Do you still take your wife to that sex club?” His mouth dropped open. “What two people do together isn’t anyone else’s business, and I won’t answer questions about that. The only thing I’ll say is that I’ve never taken advantage of Mallori, and I never will.”

That had stewed in my brain all night, and until I said the words aloud just now, I hadn’t been sure if I believed them. But deep down, I knew they were true.

“Everything we’ve done has been consensual and mutual, just like the kinky shit you get up to with Shiloh. You would never hurt your wife, and I would never hurt Mallori. Ever.”

“Understood,” he said, properly chastised.

“I have no idea what she sees in me, Cam, but I’m the luckiest bastard in the world because she loves me.”

He glanced down at the new ink on my hand, between my index finger and thumb. It was a small bee with a dashed ring around it. I’d kept it covered yesterday until we could tell the family about us. And then everything had gone to shit.

“You really love her,” he said, staring at my tattoo.

“I really do, and for some crazy reason, she loves me back. I never thought that would happen to me. It’s easy to love someone for their strengths, but it’s damn hard to love someone for their weaknesses.” I pounded my fist against my chest. “Mallori loves me for both.”

Cam’s eyes dropped to the floor before lifting back to mine. “I’m sorry, Hawk. I never should have said the things I did to you yesterday. You really are one of the most honorable men I know, and… and I’m happy Mallori found a man who will respect her and treat her right.”

Relief flooded through me. “Thanks, man.”

“You want to go get some lunch?”

I stood and dug my keys out of my desk drawer. “Yeah, let’s go.”

To my surprise, Cam pulled me into a strong hug, his hand patting my upper back. “I’m sorry I haven’t been a better friend to you, Hawk. I know we’re all kind of quiet about our pasts, but you can tell me about your sister if you want. And whatever happened with your parents.”

I nodded, emotions clogging my throat. “Yeah, I’ll tell you.”

The door swung open, and I saw the flash of a camera. Fucking Bode.

“Hey guys, Cam and Hawk are enjoying a bro hug,” he called down the hall. “Come look.”

Woody appeared instantly and made a little cooing noise. “That’s so sweet. Now I’ll bet Cam is going to braid Hawk’s beard.”

Breaking the hug, I took a step back and shook my head at Cam. “We really need new fucking friends.”

When we climbed into my truck, Cam buckled his seatbelt and eyed me across the cab. “We need to talk about something else too.”

“Great,” I deadpanned. “What now? You want to know our favorite lube flavor or something?”

“Stop. Talking,” he muttered through gritted teeth. “I was talking about Moreau.”

I grinned at my friend and cranked the truck. “I already have a plan in the works.”

He held out a hand, and we slapped palms before tightening into a grasp. “I’m in, brother. Just tell me what to do.”

Chapter 56

I felt like shit for turning down Mallori last night, so I went by the flower shop and picked up a bouquet of dahlias. Then I made one more necessary stop.

Walking through the kitchen and into the living room, I found her on the couch, reading something on her iPad with Nut curled up beside her.

“Hi, baby,” I said, and she looked up, her face lighting up when she saw the flowers in my hand. “I’m sorry I was a dick last night.”

She stood and crossed to me. “When were you a dick?”

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