Page 77 of Ace

I look at the man, for the first time in my life fully understanding the instinct to rip the head off anyone who even considers putting their woman in a bad mood, much less one that he believes poses a threat to her.

"He fell in love with his mark," Jericho says, a hint of laughter in his voice.

Hemlock's eyes widen in surprise, but he can't be any more fucking shocked than I am about my current emotional situation.

"She wasn't a fucking mark," I snap at the man. "But that's not up for discussion."

"Oh, it's not?" Hemlock says, crossing his arms over his chest. "I think maybe—"

"The man who beat the shit out of me issued a warning about Cora Preston. Has Kincaid kept you up to date on that case?" I interrupt Hemlock.

I've been working this case as support for this Gatlinburg chapter of Cerberus, despite Kincaid being my contact rather than Hemlock. I think it has more to do with my history with Kincaid than my recent dust-up with Hemlock.

"Both of us," Jericho says. "We had a conference call about it earlier today. She pulled the video feeds?"

"She did," I confirm. I watched that video over and over and over last night just so I could see her pretty face.

"Do you think William ordered the beating?" Hemlock asks. "I'll admit that he's a giant asshole, but I watched the tape of that dick Fredricks coming in and I didn't see any surprise on his face saying there was a difference in what he was hearing versus what he knew to be true."

"Same," Jericho says. "I think he's just a cold-hearted asshole, and although a part of him might be glad his sister is no longer around to cause problems, I don't know that he ordered her hit."

"Plus, I don't think he'd be stupid enough to order the beatdown of a federal agent either," Jericho says before I can answer.

"Stop," I say holding up my hands. "The warning was personal. I don't know that the ordered hit and what happened last night is even connected. They told me to stay away from her."

"Those were the exact words?" Hemlock challenges, his eyes narrowing as if he can read my mind.

"It was a little more personal than that," I mutter, unwilling to put such personal business out there in order to protect Cora.

"I see," Jericho says, not even bothering to make an attempt to hide his smile. "Interesting. So, it's true then? You are in love with her?"

I glare at the man but don't respond. Denying it feels like a lie, but I don't know that I've fully accepted it either.

"It doesn't matter. I need to know if she's in danger," I growl.

"An old lover maybe?" Jericho asks, his eyes locked on my face as if he's expecting some sort of reaction at the mention of her having a life before I came into the picture.

"Or a current one?" Hemlock adds.

"Do you want me to fuck you up?" I snap at him, and I watch his face transform.

He isn't pissed I just threatened him. The smile that spreads across his face is telling.

"Damn," he says. "How the mighty have fallen."

"Are you going to keep giving me shit or are you going to help me?"

"Keep giving you shit," they say in unison.

"At least for a few more minutes," Jericho adds as he steps closer like I'm a science project he's required to take notes on.

I slap at his hand when he pokes my shoulder.

"It looks like Agent Edward Yarrow," he says.

"Sounds like him, too," Hemlock says, joining in on harassing me.

"I hate both of you fuckers," I mutter, taking a few steps back. "This is serious."

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