Page 36 of The Reluctant Wife

"It’s been a long day." I rub the back of my neck. "I need you to help me find who’s behind the shooting. My team has come up short, and the king’s security has nothing on it either.”

"On it already. I’ve reached out to the best investigators who’re part of Karina Beauchamp’s team."

"Karina…?"Where have I heard that name before?The realization kicks in. "She’s connected to Sinclair Sterling…" Who’s our friend, and someone who Arthur trusts—something which is a rarity.

"That’s right." He nods. "She has a highly specialized team who’re working with Cole and Brian. I should have something for you in the next forty-eight hours."

"Make that twenty-four. I’ve bought us a little time by bringing her here, and keeping it secret to minimize any chance of leaks. This place has the best security possible." I know, because I put it in. "But whoever is posing a threat to her life is not to be underestimated." I gave in to her pleas. I broke my own rule of not taking her anywhere where her security could be compromised. And I lost my focus, so enamored with her, I forgot to be vigilant for any attacks. And look what happened?

It almost cost me her life. It’s because I’m attracted to her. I’ve lost perspective, and that’s what I feared most. I’m unable to keep my infatuation with her separate, and it’s beginning to affect my decisions.

Only… It’s too late to walk away from her. I won’t be happy handing over this assignment to anyone else. I can’t trust anyone else to protect her. Which means, I’m going to have to shadow her even more closely, until the threat to her life is neutralized. I won’t be able to get out in the field and track down whoever shot at her. I’ll have to rely on my team and Tyler. If there’s anyone I’d trust with my life, it's him.

I love all of my brothers, but Tyler is the one who feels emotions as deeply as I do. Perhaps, because he’s the only one of us has a child?

"You did the right thing by taking her away, but it’s a temporary measure,” he cautions.

"It is." I blow out a breath. It would make my job much easier to tell her to cancel her appointments so I can keep her in one room and, preferably, lock the door behind me so I can make sure no one else enters. But that’s counterintuitive to what having a protection detail is about. I wouldn’t be doing my job if I made her compromise on her lifestyle.

I need to fold into her comings and goings and be as nonintrusive as possible, while protecting her. Of course, with the awareness flaring between us, it’s not like I could simply blend into the background. No matter how inconspicuous I try to make myself, I'm too aware of the attraction between us. And she seems to know exactly where I am at any point. The more I try to avoid looking at her directly, the more she insists on trying to get my attention. I notice it all. Every twitch of her lips, every exaggerated sway of her behind, every time I have to pass by her and a whiff of her scent leaves me with an enormous hard-on that's unseemly. It’s why I’ve given her a wide berth. But I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to take her out to dinner, could I? "I’m going to keep her here for as long as I can, but until the threat against her is neutralized…" I shake my head. "Damn, I’mso pissed off. I bent enough rules that I gave that the gunman the perfect opportunity to shoot at her."

"But you got her out of harm’s away."

"And I can’t afford to put her in his crosshairs, again," I say grimly.

"Don’t be too hard on yourself." Tyler half smiles. "Though I should say, it’s a relief to find you back in the land of the living."

"What do you mean?"

"After Jane, you appeared to bury your feelings and hide away."

"I didn’t hide. I was living my life," I snap. And yes, I spent time withdrawing into myself, not speaking much to anyone while I tried to come to grips with what happened. Not that I’m going to admit to that aloud.

"Were you, though? You were pissed off with Quentin for his role in the attacks on her. You got into fights with him, in your compulsion to make him pay."

All of which is true. "I needed to blame someone. Quentin fit the bill. I held him responsible for what happened to Jane’s battalion when, really, he was only doing his duty."

"It’s understandable that you were so grief stricken you weren’t thinking straight. In fact"—his brow furrows—"it’s why I was surprised to find you were joining the security agency."

"It seemed the lesser of the two evils." The other being joining the Davenport Group. Which would have meant more contact with my grandfather, which I'm keen to avoid at all costs. "I was beginning to realize that I couldn’t hold Quentin responsible for something that was out of his control."Or perhaps, I got tired of being angry and alone and decided I needed to move on with my life.

"It’s good you took up the mission. The best way to heal is to feel needed, to know you're valued. To contribute to something larger than yourself."

I head back inside the kitchen, reach for the bottle of whiskey on the shelf over the counter and pour myself a drink. "Is that why you decided to join the Davenport Group?"

It’s his turn to wince. "I joined because I need stability for Serene. I’d be lying if I said having her in my life didn’t force me to grow up and face my responsibilities. Plus, being the CEO has perks. I can set my hours, and I can work from home when needed.

"Still having nanny problems?" I snicker.

He arches an eyebrow. "Glad you find that amusing. I’ll have the last laugh, though, considering I’m witnessing you falling in love."

I give him a strange look. “You do realize I was married once?”

Tyler inclines his head. “Are you telling me you were in love with Jane?”

When I don’t reply, he merely nods. “I rest my case.”

“How did you guess?” I give him a strange look.

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