Page 122 of Traitor

I feel my nostrils flare. "Why the fuck not? I deserve to know!"

"Temper," he exhales, his voice tired, like he's barely holding onto his patience. "I know your protection officially ended almost three years ago. Of course, your new identity remained, but the U.S. Marshals have been gone for a long time. You dismissed them. But with the new trial, someone might contact you. They may want new testimony, more details. If they call you, I need you to be credible. To not raise any suspicion. That's why you can't know the details. If they call, just say yes to anything they want. By the time they're ready to arrange something, it will be too late."

I grit my teeth. He makes sense.

I hate that he makes sense.

Good for him that he now believes I can't fucking act to save my life. It would've been really fucking helpful if he thought that four years ago.

I'm tangled in my own thoughts, my rage simmering under the surface, and I don't see him move. Not until his big hand cups my cheek, fingers brushing lightly, reverently.

My breath catches.

"I thought he was going to hurt you," he whispers, his voice raw, broken in a way I don't recognize. "When Tank called to tell me Luca came to you... I thought I was going to lose you, my fiery Temper. Again."

His forehead touches mine, and for a single second, I almost let myself sink into it. Into the warmth, the familiarity, the ache in his voice that tugs at something deep inside me.

But the past slams into me with the power of a thousand suns.

I step back fast, and his hand drops from my face like dead weight. "I'm not yours to lose, Bones." My voice is quiet but firm. Final.

His face twists into something that looks too much like grief, and I hate it. He has no right to look at me like that. He lost me. He fucking broke me. He doesn't get to mourn that.

He swallows hard, dragging a hand down his face before speaking again. "You need some security here." He looks around, eyes scanning the perimeter like he's already strategizing. "Cameras, alarms. For a woman on the run, it's actually disturbing how little security you have in place."

I deadpan. "I have guns all over the house."

"Good. But it's not enough. I'll call someone. And until the Jinx problem is settled, someone will be watching you constantly."

My lip curls. "Oh, just like someone has been watching me constantly up until now? Apparently, you really have gone beyond creepy stalker. You've gone completely insane."

His expression doesn't change. "I'm not insane... yet." He folds his arms across his chest, unapologetic. "I do what I can to keep my sanity. And being near you, even at a distance, is helping. Now, you really do need security measures in place. Please don't argue with me on that."

I sigh. "I'm not going to argue. I'm not stupid. I'll ask Griffin to help me choose a company to install cameras and all that shit."

His entire body tenses. "Griffin?" His voice is sharp, lethal. "Why the hell would you ask that fucker?"

"Because I trust him."

I don't say it to be cruel. I say it because it's the truth. But I watch the devastation flicker through his expression before he masks it.

He breathes heavily for a few moments, then takes a deep, shuddering breath, like he's holding back a wild beast. I raise my brows.

I've never seen him try this hard to rein in his rage. Like a bucket trying to contain a hurricane.

It's almost impressive.

"I understand," he finally says, his voice quiet, wounded. "I do want to pay for the security system, though. I'm the one who brought Luca to your door. And someone will keep watch on you, at least until everything is settled."

I shake my head. "First of all, I'm paying for my own security. I don't need your money. Second of all, this isn't just about Luca. With the new Jinx development, I'll feel safer with security in place. But I don't accept your little stalkers following me around." I narrow my eyes. "What would they even do? Luca was inside my house, and Tank was nowhere."

Bones smirks and points at my kitchen window. "Actually, Tank was under your window the whole time Luca was here. Listening for trouble. He was ready to jump in at any moment."

I blink. Well... shit.

"Fine. Your minions can keep watch," I say begrudgingly. "At a distance. A far fucking distance."

He exhales, resigned. "Whatever you need, Temper. You make the rules."

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