Page 105 of Guarding Bristol

“Yeah.That’s the plan.As long as you want me to.”After what she’d gone through, he wouldn’t blame her if she wanted him to go.But he desperately hoped she would give him a chance.

“Really?”The hope on her face squeezed his heart.

“Yeah, really.Because I want to get to know you too.Every single thing that makes Bristol Moreau tick.For instance, why you don’t seem to curse.”

“I do, sometimes.I think Jordan Leandro is a fucking asshole, for instance.”

A laugh burst out of him.He hugged her close, unable to stop chuckling.“God, you’re precious.”And adorable.And sweet, and brave, and loyal.And kind.So damned kind he wanted to make it his mission to protect her from the rest of the world.

“And to be honest, I’m not so keen on your old buddy Nico, either,” she continued as he chuckled more.“Even if he does love his wife enough to commit heinous murders for a cartel.”She sniffed, then her lips curved in a tender smile that had his whole chest tightening.“I wouldn’t have believed it was possible, but you’re even more gorgeous when you smile.”

What was this woman trying to do to him?She was already wound tight around his heart.“I haven’t had much to smile about until you came along.”

“Good to know I amuse you.Would hate for you to get bored this early on.”

“Oh, I don’t think boredom’ll be an issue.”

“Yeah, you’re probably right.”She was quiet a moment.“So, what happens now?”

He kept stroking her hair.“It’ll be a few weeks before I can clear everything up on my end with the investigation and the agency.But I already told them I’m done with undercover.”

“You did?”She sounded surprised and relieved.

“Yeah.To be honest, I’m not sure I want to go back at all.”This assignment had taken a huge toll on him.He was exhausted and ready to make a big change.

“That’s understandable.”

“Maybe I’ll apply at CPS.I hear it’s an okay company.”

“I heard that too.”

“Cassie would love to work with me.”

Bristol chuckled.“I think you’d grow on her over time.And Crimson Point’s a great place to live.”

“Oh, completely.Super safe.Absolutely no drug lords or traffickers or hitmen of any kind for hundreds of miles.”

“None.Well, not after today.”

He grinned, then sobered.It felt like he’d just been given a second chance at life.He didn’t want to waste a day of it.And he wanted to spend it with her.“Come away with me for a while.”

“Where?”

“Wherever you want, just as soon as I can get everything wrapped up.The agency owes me a shitload of vacation time.”

She made a thoughtful sound, drawing a pattern on his chest with one fingertip.“I’ve always wanted to go to Europe.”

A familiar ring tone broke the cozy little bubble they’d been in.He groaned.“I gotta answer that.”

“Yeah, answer.”She eased away.

He dragged his jeans off the floor, fished out his phone.It was Diana.“Hey,” he said.

“Sorry to call, so I’ll get right to it.Leandro’s dead.”

Whoa.He sat up, swung his legs over the edge of the bed.“How?”

“Looks like he intentionally overdosed on pain meds after emergency surgery at a private clinic in Bellevue, just outside Seattle.Oh, and also your old pal Nico is gone.”

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