Page 10 of Forbidden Access

“I’m aware, but let’s hope that nothing is going to happen.”

“You can’t rely on that.”

“I don’t have to, I have you.”

She didn’t reply, simply walked past him and back to the living room. As she passed, he got a whiff of her perfume. Intense, but alluring. Like her.

Rose Wilde made a beautiful fake bride. That alabaster skin, wide green eyes, soft shimmering coral cheeks, and of course the soft locks of clipped-up strawberry blonde hair, just enough escaping to soften her prickly expression.

Thorn. Yep, he could see that.

But she was also a Rose, just very well protected.

“Where’d you get the dress,” he said, easing himself down onto the couch. “I’m assuming you didn’t just have it lying around at home?” He hadn’t seen a ring on her finger, but then an operative probably wouldn’t wear one, even if she was married.

“Nope.” She turned away, not looking at him.

Abrupt. Too abrupt.

“It fits you like it was made for you.”

She didn’t reply.

“It’s yours, isn’t it?”

She glared at him.

“Are you married?”

She heaved a sigh. “You ask too many questions, you know that?”

He shrugged. “I’m just trying to get to know you.”

“Well, don’t. This is not a friendship, it’s a job, and I can’t do it properly if you keep bugging me.”

He laughed. “Okay, I’ll stop bugging you, but I’m right, aren’t I? You are married.”

“Was.” She looked him straight in the eye. “He died.”

Damian clenched his jaw. “Fuck, sorry.”

Again.

He was always apologizing to her. Maybe he should just keep his trap shut, sit down and drink his wine and try to forget he was once “married” too, but now his life was on the line. Any moment a sniper’s bullet could find its mark and he’d die, along with his crypto update. Thorn was right about one thing, a lot of very dangerous men would pay a great deal of money to see that happen. They’d probably put the hit out on the dark web. How ironic would that be?

Except, he’d never been one to sit back and let others do the hard work.

“What can I do to help?”

She looked down at her dress. “Now that is the first sensible thing you’ve said all day. You can wait here, keep away from the windows, and stay put so I can get out of this dress.”

“I had wondered where you were keeping your weapon.”

She smirked. He liked the way her eyes lit up. It made a change from the scowling. “The same place I kept it when I broke into your office to kill you.”

He snorted.

“Don’t move.”

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