Page 38 of Torment

“This is how it is, Ace. There’s no working around him being there.”

Hunter looked at James. “There has to be another way.”

James shrugged. “Unfortunately, there isn’t. Believe me, I’m not thrilled about him being there either.”

“Are you going?” Hunter asked him.

James shook his head. “I can’t. I can’t risk him seeing me. He’s already established some very good connections, and—”

“He can’t see your face,” Hunter sneered. “I get it.”

“She’ll be safe, Hunter. Riggs will go with her.”

“What?” Hunter peered at Riggs and then at James. “Him?” He pointed at Riggs, and James nodded.

“Riggs will take care of her. I trust him.”

“Well, I don’t. If he goes, I go.”

Colton moved closer. “I’ll take care of her.”

“Baxter, I do not trust soldier boy here. Let me go with.”

Colton held up his hand. “I’m right here, you know that, right?”

“Shut up.” Hunter didn’t even glance in his direction.

Scarlet huffed. “Ace, calm down. I got this.”

“I’m going with. I don’t care if the fucking president of the United States orders me not to. I’m going.”

“Fine.” James tossed his arms in the air. “Fine. You can go with.”

“Sir.” Colton walked up to the desk. “I can handle this. Your daughter will be safe with me. There is no need for him to go too.” Colton glared at Hunter. “I don’t need to babysit his ass as well.”

“Ha-ha. Why don’t you just go fuck yourself, soldier boy?” Hunter sneered.

Colton straightened. “Or maybe I should finish what I started the other day.”

Hunter stepped forward and came within inches of Colton’s face. “Go ahead. Give me a reason to rip your fucking head off.”

“Okay.” Scarlet moved herself between the two men, facing Hunter. “Let’s just calm down. I think enough punches have been thrown the last twenty-four hours.”

Hunter and Colton kept glaring at each other like they were already telepathically beating the shit out of each other’s faces. They were both about the same height, although Hunter definitely had the weight advantage with muscle—and probably balls too.

Colton placed his hand on Scarlet’s shoulder and urged her to turn toward him. Even though he was no threat, the touch felt wrong somehow. Like her skin rejected it.

As she turned around he said, “I will keep you safe, Scarlet. I failed you once. I won’t fail you again.”

There was something in his eyes as he stared her. Something pure, a kind of softness Scarlet wasn’t used to. Even with Hunter, his hauntingly green eyes always somehow mirrored the pain he carried around on the inside. But with Colton, his dark brown eyes didn’t seem as stormy or as raging as Hunter’s.

It was just strange since she heard Colton’s story about looking for his sister. There had to be some deep cuts, a kind of torment that fueled his need to find his sister by delving into this world with James. But you would never be able to guess it by looking into his eyes. He looked like the regular guy next door. The good guy. The type of guy Scarlet had once—years ago—imagined falling in love with. Thesafekind of guy.

“Riggs, I swear to God if you don’t remove your hand right now, you will lose it,” Hunter threatened from behind her.

Naturally, being a typical male, Colton didn’t remove his hand immediately. He had to grin at Hunter like he was wondering how far he would be able to push him. And knowing Ace, this was the worst possible time to test his patience.

Scarlet shrugged Colton’s hand off her shoulder and stepped away, plopping down on the couch. “I just want this over with.”

---