Page 45 of Centurion

He watched Gabby yesterday. She was happy. She was having fun with Conner, and that was something he rarely saw. Gabby’s seriousness was a legend in their home. She rarely smiled, and laughter wasn’t a common occurrence either. Watching her yesterday had been a balm. He’d been so worried about her he’d become more confining. He knew it, but he didn’t know how to stop it. He wanted to protect her, and with her being a Shadow, there was no way that could happen. He was in a Catch-22 position. If he denied her the chance to try to pass the training, he’d lose her, and their relationship was strained at the best of times. But if he allowed it, he’d lose his little girl, and she’d lose any chance of a normal life. It seemed like failing to protect Gabby from the world was his most notable life failure. Charley’s fate was sealed by bastards who’d robbed her of her childhood. Bastards who had sealed their fate. He’d let Fury loose on them and had never asked how they’d died, nor had Fury told him.

He stared at the man working in the other node. If Con made his daughter happy, then so be it. But he damn well better not hurt his girl. Not now, not ever. Thatwasgoing to be said, no matter how much Anna and Gabby had asked him to let it be. No, he was going to warn Conner Solomon. The man was a tech genius. But someone who surpassed Jewell and Conner in the tech world had constructed his defenses, and he knew every time anyone tried to look for anyone in his family. The security structure that circled his family was now Jewell’s baby, and she kept improving it with every attempt to find him or his family. The original designer kept his eyes on Guardian and tweaked things when necessary. Even though Jewell’s genius seemed to know no bounds, the original designer was better. Conner wasalmost as good as Jewell. Almost. Jewell had laughed when she said he was keeping her on her toes.

He hit the button, and the mesh rose silently. Standing, he buttoned his jacket and walked toward where Con was working. Con glanced his way and then shot out of his seat like a rocket. “Sir. Can I do anything for you?”

David Xavier looked at Conner Solomon. “I know everything about you, your family, and your life. I will tell you this once. You hurt my little girl, and there isn’t a place on this earth you can hide from me. Do we understand each other?”

Con blinked at him and then smiled. “If I hurt Ronnie, you’ll kill me. I got it.”

David narrowed his eyes at the man. “Why are you smiling?”

“Because that threat means you’ll still let me see her, and I’m telling you, sir, I’m really happy about that. I’d hate to try to sneak around to date her because she’s an amazing person, and you couldn’t keep me away from her. I don’t care how wrapped up in security you are; sooner or later, I would’ve found her.”

“Do you love her?” The question wasn’t any of his business, but he asked it anyway.

Con didn’t answer right away, and for that, David gave him props. Making a joke out of the question would have gotten him decked. He’d figure out a way to apologize to Gabby and Anna after the fact. He was good at groveling.

Finally, Con nodded. “I think it’s heading that way. For me, at least. She’s got some concerns. Her father intimidating me seems to be one of them, and I think she’s scared of trusting me. But, yes, sir, my feelings for her are real, and they’re big. Mighty big.”

David stared at the man for a moment. “I need a drink. Would you like to join me?”

“I would, sir, but I have about ten more slides before I can let my guard down for even a second.”

“Then do them. I’ll have a drink waiting for you in the kitchen.”

“Thank you,” Con said and dropped down into the chair. He popped right back up. “Were we done here?” Con’s eyes were wide, and he motioned his finger between them.

David lifted an eyebrow. The man was comical. He wasn’t sure if it was an act or if he was actually that way all the time. “We’re done. Go back to work.”

“Yes, sir.” Con gave him a mock salute and dropped to his chair. His fingers flew as he worked.

David strolled out of the library and into the study, where the liquor he preferred was located. He poured four drinks. Three bourbons and a glass of dry red wine. He’d drop an ice cube into it for Anna in the kitchen. He stacked them all on a tray and headed toward the wonderful smell coming from his wife’s cooking. If there wasn’t the threat of Abrasha Molchalin destroying the world as he knew it, he’d be happy.

CHAPTER 18

Anna glanced over at her daughter when she walked into the kitchen. She was putting bread into the oven. Because there wasn’t any in the cupboard that would work for dinner, she’d whipped up a batch using what she presumed was left from when they lived in that place after the Siege. Thankfully, the yeast was still alive. Gabby could cook, but she wasn’t much of a baker. Her boys, though? They would bake like crazy, and Charley was good at both. “When I said I’d like a hug, I had no idea we’d be coming over.”

Gabby smiled. “I think the world has conspired to have Dad and Con in the same room at the same time. I don’t think anything could have prevented this from happening.” Gabby looked around her. “Smells delicious. What are you making?”

“Just pot roast. Could you peel those potatoes?” Anna pointed with a nod of her head toward the potatoes she was talking about.

“Sure.” Gabby went to the sink. “What do you think of Con?”

Anna smiled as she washed her hands. “He seems like a nice young man.” She grabbed a towel and wiped her hands. “Your dad and I took a walk near Buckingham Palace yesterday.”

Gabby stopped peeling the potato in her hand and turned to look at her mom. “Is that so?”

Anna nodded. “It seems to be a popular place for … oh, I don’t know … people who like to skip and ride piggyback.”

Gabby dropped her head back and looked at the ceiling. “Did Dad see?”

“Yes. We didn’t want to interrupt your day. You looked like you were having a wonderful time.” Anna grabbed a paring knife and started peeling potatoes, too.

“We did. Mom, he’s … I don’t know how to explain it.”

Anna waited for a moment before asking, “Does he make you happy?”

Gabby chuckled. “Happy? Yes, definitely. He’s so smart that sometimes he doesn’t see the obvious.” Gabby chuckled, and then she quieted for a moment. “Mom, he’s special.”

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