Page 132 of Always

That’s my cue. I walk toward them, sailing past the unmanned reception desk.

I go directly to Skye, take her hand, and pull her off the chair and into the protection of my body. “Are you okay, Skye?”

She nods. “Yes.”

“And I suppose there’s a good reason why my doorman isn’t at his post?” I eye Beau and then Peter.

“He wasn’t there when we arrived,” Beau says.

“Nice try. I got a text from him after you threatened him. Knowing Skye would be home soon, I cut my meeting short.”

“Mr. Black,” Beau says, “I assure you that—”

“Stop it. Stop it right now. You thought you could get to me through Skye. You have no idea who you’re dealing with. Skye has more intelligence in her right hand than the two of you have together.”

Skye’s neck reddens. Have I embarrassed her?

“She is formidable,” Beau agrees, “but does she have this?”

Skye sucks in a breath when Beau pulls out a pistol. I go rigid as I try to examine the gun. It appears to be a Glock 17, a high-capacity semi-automatic commonly used by law enforcement. Beau holds it with a familiarity that suggests he knows what he’s doing.

Fuck.

My heart slams in my chest, wild and erratic. I can’t think straight, can’t breathe right—each inhale is too shallow, too fast. My hands shake as I clench them into fists, nails biting into my palms, but I don’t feel it. The world narrows, sharp and blurry at the edges.

All I see is Skye.

I need to move, do something, but my legs feel like they’re stuck in cement.

The thought of her hurt, or worse… I can’t even let myself go there. My throat tightens like a noose.

I swallow hard, forcing down the fear clawing its way up my throat, trying to stay steady. But I’m not steady. I’m not okay.

I breathe in. Cold plunge. Forced meditation.

I have to be steady. I have to be okay.

For Skye.

Breathe in. Cold plunge. Force everything else out.

I’m in control. So very in control.

“Put that away, Beau,” I say, my voice remaining steady. “You and I both know you’re not man enough to actually use it.”

I’m bluffing, of course. The man knows how to use it. I’d bet he’s fired it many times—and not just during target practice.

I keep Skye shielded behind me.

I can’t let this turn ugly.

I can’t lose Skye.

I don’t want to die, but I’ll give my life for hers in a heartbeat. Easiest decision I’ve ever made.

I don’t think.

I only move.

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