Page 5 of Ranger's Honor
“Is that a tiny lie detector or are you just happy to see me?” I ask.
He shoots me a look. “This device checks for embedded malware, tracking beacons, remote access signatures. You’re not funny.”
“I beg to differ. Most of my readers say I’m hilarious. And charming. And occasionally devastating.”
He doesn’t smile. But something in his jaw twitches.
I call it a win.
The scanner beeps.
Dalton removes it and looks up. “Your laptop’s compromised. Full remote access. And not amateur hour, either—this was embedded deep. Whoever did this knew what they were doing.”
A knot twists in my stomach. “Military-level deep?”
He nods once. Grim. “Could be ex-agency. Could be cartel. Doesn’t matter. What matters is someone wanted access without being noticed. And they got it.”
“So I wasn’t hallucinating.”
“No. You were being warned.”
Dalton stands and moves closer. He’s not touching me, but his presence feels like a wall. Solid. Immovable.
“You’re not staying here alone.”
“Excuse me?”
“You heard me. I’m not asking.”
“You’re not staying here,” I shoot back. “I didn’t invite you in. This isn’tTwilight, and I don’t care if your inner wolf thinks I’m a chew toy, this is my house.”
His eyes flicker. Not with amusement this time. With something darker.
“You think this is a joke?” he asks quietly.
I hate the way my throat tightens. “I think I’ve been underestimated my whole life. And I’m tired of it.”
“I’m not underestimating you. I’m telling you this ends one of two ways—either I stay here and protect you or we relocate you to a secure site until we neutralize the threat. Gideon thought you'd prefer to stay here.”
“So I get to pick between prison and a prison with coffee.”
His jaw flexes. “You get to pick between alive and not.”
I go still.
His voice drops another octave. “He knows who you are, Kari. He’s already in your system. If we don’t act now, it’s not a matter of if but when.”
I want to argue. I really do. But then I remember the blinking cursor. The words. The chill crawling up my spine, and the fact that Maggie is here. If the Reaper makes a move on me, he won't leave behind witnesses.
I nod, once.
Dalton exhales. "Rush and Cassidy are en route. They'll be here in ten to pick up Maggie and get her to their place. You and I are staying put."
I blink. "Excuse me?"
He shrugs one shoulder. "You’re not budging and I’m not letting you stay here alone. So I’m moving in."
"You could’ve at least brought a bottle of wine and a pizza if we’re shacking up."
