Page 60 of Matthew
She took a step back and pressed her hands against her hips. “I signed off on that shipment.”
Matthew’s voice gentled. “You didn’t pack it. And you flagged it. That’s what matters.”
She didn’t answer right away. The warmth of the sun suddenly felt too sharp on her skin.
“It’s not only my business,” she said finally. “It’s my family’s. I can’t let this kind of thing use it as cover.”
“You won’t.” He stepped close and set both hands on her shoulders, his gaze never wavering. “Not while I’m here.”
The words shouldn’t have made her feel anything, but they did.
It wasn’t only what he said, it was how he said it.
Like a promise. One he intended to keep.
She was so grateful to this man but wasn’t ready to say it out loud. Not yet. That would involve exposing vulnerability, and right now, she couldn’t afford it. Not with everything that was going on at the nursery.
Still, she shifted forward to rest her forehead against his cheek and smiled when his arms automatically slid around her back and he held her quietly. He deserved at least a little acknowledgement of her appreciation because she did appreciate the amazing man.
So much.
Matthew’s steady presence and unending strength fed her resilience, and Callie needed it, now more than ever. But it meant her burgeoning feelings for him had to take a backseat.
Standing firm.
Staying strong.
Those were her priorities now, because the fight had found her, and no one was going to use her home—herbirthright—for anything illegal.
Period.
Chapter Thirteen
The garage door rumbled closed behind him as Matthew stepped into the bay workspace of ESI. Fluorescents hummed overhead. The smell of old coffee, machine oil, and Carter’s leftover carnitas filled the air.
The flagged box from the nursery had already been unpacked. Twelve bags ofHerbal Blisswere lined up across a steel worktable in some twisted farm-to-felony display.
Carter stood at the end, typing into a tablet, then looked up. “Morning, sunshine. You look well-rested.”
Matthew grunted and dropped his keys into the tray by the door.
“Didn’t expect to see you until morning.” Caspian leaned against a workbench, arms crossed, a smirk on his face. “Thought maybe you were on a sabbatical. Or a victory lap.”
Bennett, nursing a cup of black coffee, lifted a brow but remained silent.
Matthew didn’t dignify that with a response. He headed to the lockers to drop his bag.
Carter’s sly grin tugged at his mouth. “You’re walking like a man who enjoyed the storm. Or was it the company?”
Matthew turned to give him a look. The guy knew full well what had taken place. They’d already had this conversation via text, and if he pushed it, Matthew wouldn’t hesitate toshowhis disapproval with his fist. After a weighted beat, he continued to the locker room to stow his gear, then returned in a better frame of mind.
“Hey, we’re just saying,” Caspian chimed in. “We’ve all been there.”
Bennett shrugged. “It’s the shift. You’ve got that post-mission, still-smiling-but-won’t-admit-it vibe.”
Matthew didn’t smile. Not exactly. Although, the corner of his mouth twitched. “You done?” he asked, pulling a stool up to the edge of the table.
“Not even close,” Caspian said. “But I respect the hell out of it.”
