Page 13 of Back the Blue

“Fine,” I say with a sigh. “We’ll only be at my apartment long enough for me to arm myself and for you to grab some sleep.”

“I was only four hours into a twelve-hour shift,” she counters. “I’ll be fine for a while.”

Not what I wanted to hear knowing she’ll be in my personal space in a bit, but I ignore my still semi-hard dick and press forward.

“I also need time to find out who I can trust so I can truly put you somewhere safe.”

“For how long?”

This time, her question is asked quietly. Almost as if she’s afraid of the answer.

“Until we can neutralize the threat.”

It’s a bullshit answer. And she knows it.

“If Diamond is the kingpin and he ordered the hit, won’t his entire organization keep going until they’ve succeeded?”

“Not if we can take out Diamond.”

“Was that your original intention?”

“It was,” I say as I glance at her.

Her brow is furrowed, but the flicker of fear I can see in her eyes is fucking killing me. Taking out Diamond is priority one for the Bureau. And if I can make sure it happens, I should get the promotion I’ve been after. But if something happens to Lorna in the process, it won’t be worth it to me. Not in the slightest.

Why?

Because for whatever reason fate put her on this path with me tonight, I know I won’t rest until she’s safe and I make her mine. Even if she resists, I’m going to pursue her until I’ve exhausted all avenues to her heart.

“Ashley!” she shouts.

I grimace when I realize that I was lost in my head just now while she was obviously attempting to talk to me. After I clear my throat, I respond.

“I’m sorry.”

“I don’t think zoning out like that is going to fare well for keeping either of us safe,” she sasses.

“Neither will asking questions when I need action.”

“Touché,” she sighs. “But anyway, you said taking out Diamond was your original intention.”

“Yes,” I say slowly. “I did.”

“What’s changed?”

“You.”

Her quiet intake of breath doesn’t escape me. Its effect is a double-edge sword, though, twisting my heart and my libido.

“I didn’t ask for this,” she whispers. “I was just doing my job.”

“I know,” I nod as I reach for her hand. “And I need you to let me do mine. So I can keep you safe and get you back to your normal life as quickly as possible.”

Her eyes are locked on me as she lets my words settle in. Then she asks something unexpected.

“And what about you? Who’s going to keep you safe?”

Her words touch me. Deeply. And I give her an honest answer that will hopefully enlighten her on how much I want to see this through so I can give her exactly what she said she wanted earlier.

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