Page 65 of Killer Secrets (Tempting SEALs 5)

"At least he isn't lecturing you on your rants in Society again," Ian said as he stalked into the room, his eyes never leaving Diego. "Are you finished regaling her with my sterling qualities yet?" Savagery echoed in his voice.

Diego breathed out roughly. "I am finished. I will await your report in my office. Hopefully, you will arrive soon."

"Don't bet on it."

Kira could feel the torment echoing from Ian's pores. It wasn't in his face, it didn't show in his eyes, but she felt it. She knew it. It wrapped around her and had her heart clenching in response.

"Will I get a report, Ian?" Irritation was thick in Diego's voice now.

"When I know, you'll know. Until then, do me a favor and give me a while to get a drink and a shower. Being tossed around in my favorite limo isn't my preferred sport."

She heard the deliberate restraint in Ian's voice then. Violence shimmered in the air around him, glittered in his eyes, and tightened his facial features. His voice was a gritty growl now though, the broken quality to it thicker.

"We will get you another limo. I will make certain it arrives quickly." Diego moved quickly for the door, his expression placating, filled with hope. "Take your time, Ian. Rest. Sl

eep. I will take care of things. I am rather good at that. And I promise to have no fun in my efforts."

He wouldn't kill, in other words.

Ian's back was turned to Diego; the other man couldn't see the flash of dark rage in his son's face or the gleam of pain in his eyes.

"No bloodshed, pop," Ian ordered roughly.

Diego smiled and nodded toward Ian's back as Kira glanced to him.

"No bloodshed, son. I promise this. Find me when you are finished. I will make certain all is well until then."

Ian nodded.

Diego lifted his hand in farewell to Kira with an almost thankful smile before leaving the room and closing the door behind him. She shuddered once the room was secure again. It was like watching an alligator cuddle a baby. One just knew the child would become a snack within seconds, but the sheer shock of the vision was freezing.

As the door clicked closed Ian turned and stalked to it, securely locked it then moved to the locked bureau drawer. The hardware drawer. God, she would love to get her hands on some of those electronic toys he was holding in that drawer.

"Room is secure," he said, his voice carefully controlled.

His body was carefully controlled. His voice, his actions, everything about him was restrained.

"Is Deke really okay?" Kira asked.

"Deke's fine." His fingers went to the buttons of his shirt. Kira's heart went to her throat.

Oh yeah. Adrenaline. She could see the dominant arousal in the flush beginning to mantle his cheekbones now, in the hard definition of muscles that he revealed as he shed his shirt.

Hard body. That was what he was. Corded muscles gleamed beneath richly tanned flesh. They rippled with power, flexed with force at each movement.

"What were you and Diego discussing?" Predatory awareness filled his voice. He watched her like a wolf watching the poor little rabbit destined to be its next meal.

"You," she answered. "He seemed a bit upset that you wouldn't let him wreak blood and death in retaliation for today."

"And you told him what?" His hands dropped to his belt. Kira's eyes followed. She had to swallow, hard, because her mouth was watering at the sight of that bulge beneath the dark slacks. He was hard. Aroused. Intent.

"Um." She swallowed again, nervously, because she had a feeling he was not going to like this. "I told him you might be trying to protect him too."

His lips flattened. "And you based that on what?"

"Well." She pursed her lips carefully. "I might have told him that you wouldn't let me have any fun either because you wanted to protect me. It seemed to go with the image." She clasped her hands behind her back as she watched him, waiting for the explosion. When none was forthcoming she tried to explain. "You know, that whole SEAL persona thing. You can take the boy out of the military, blah blah—"

"Take your clothes off."

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