Page 44 of Killer Secrets (Tempting SEALs 5)

Ian felt a warning itch just beneath his flesh. How much blood had he shed in the past year? How many animals had he already killed? Terrorist spies and cartel enemies were a dime a dozen, there were so many now.

Suddenly, his skin felt coated, oily with blood and guilt and the slime that came from dealing with slugs. And the head slug stood across from him, watching him as though he were proud of him. As though he had said something to be praised for. For God's sake.

Diego nodded slowly and seemed to release a sigh of relief. "I worry." He swiped his hand through his salt-and-pepper hair. "You are strong and they know this. To kill you would be a great source of pride for them. To succeed where Sorrell's agents have failed."

"Stop worrying." Ian rubbed his hand over the back of his neck to dispel the primal sense of foreboding he could feel gathering inside him. "I'll take care of the Misserns. And Kira."

Diego nodded. "Yes, you must take care of Miss Porter. She is known for her reserve and refusal to take a powerful lover. Many will look at you with awe for succeeding in capturing her interest. You are a son to be proud of." He nodded decisively.

Ian barely contained his disbelief. "For God's sake," he muttered. "This is insane. She's a woman, not a trophy."

"Ah, you defend her honor." He chuckled. "Perhaps she will be around a while, yes? Maybe babies one day?"

Ian blinked back at Diego. The old man was going senile.

He shook his head. "I'm going to bed."

Diego chuckled. "I do not doubt there will not be much sleep for you this night. Try to rest a little, ah? The Misserns, they are wily. You will need all your senses in the morning."

"Sure. I'll take care of that," Ian said, shaking his head.

Diego was still chuckling like a rabid clown as Ian left the office and headed toward the stairs. Just in time to watch the entry doors open and Daniel and Cristo step inside. They were carrying Kira's luggage and several carryalls. One rather large duffel bag. He was betting he knew exactly what resided in that duffel bag.

"I only brought her essentials." Daniel Calloway's voice was cool, distant. "I'll take those up to her then you can show me a room close enough to hers to make certain she's not murdered in her sleep." His hazel eyes clashed with Ian's.

Master Warrant Officer Daniel Calloway had been a SEAL himself before his retirement from the navy at age thirty-eight. He had immediately taken the position with McClane as K

ira's bodyguard.

He was still in peak fitness five years later, though there was a dusting of gray at his temples. Ian bet Kira had given him each one of those gray hairs.

"Cristo, bunk him in with you," Ian ordered. "We'll go over the rules of this little game in the morning."

"Is his room close to hers?" Daniel appeared unwilling to let that bone go.

Ian shot him a mocking smile. "It's close to my room actually. And since that's where she'll be sleeping, I think it will do."

Daniel's lips thinned in disapproval. "For now. That will do."

Deke cleared his throat. "Let's go, man," he urged Daniel. "The boss is still wearing his piece. I'd hate to see him pull it."

They went, but not before Daniel shot him a quiet, warning glare.

Ian pinched the bridge of his nose and strode quickly through the foyer to the living room. There, he headed straight to the wet bar and the bottle of Crown Royal he kept for emergencies.

Slamming the glass to the bar, he filled it halfway, brought it to his lips, and swallowed with a desperation born of a hunger he couldn't explain, even to himself.

Ian snarled, held back the curse sizzling at his lips, and stalked from the room. He knew, knew she was going to be trouble. The moment he saw her, five years before, he had known.

And by God, he was right.

* * *

Thirteen

IAN HIT THE STAIRS, TAKING the steps two at a time, and passed his bodyguards without so much as a word.

He entered the sitting area of his suite and closed the doors with deliberate restraint.

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