Page 119 of Nuclear Option (Owens Protective Services)

“Would you shut the fuck up?” Rae snapped. “You’re making me want to stab myself just so I don’t have to listen to you.”

I opened my mouth to try again, but the same grunting noise came out. Luckily, the door opened and a man walked through with Eli right behind him. As I stared into those eyes, I knew in an instant the man was her. I could only assume she was wearing a disguise so no one knew she was here. Her face lit up when she saw me. Rushing over, she shoved a cup into Fox’s hand and grabbed mine.

“You’re awake! I didn’t think you were going to wake up,” she said, her eyes filling with tears. Then she sucked them back and scowled at me. “What the fuck is wrong with you? I know I’m not the best at protecting myself, but if you ever step in front of me again and take a bullet, I’ll…well, I don’t know what I’ll do, but it won’t be pretty!”

My lips tipped up at the corners. I squeezed her hand, then tried to speak again. “K—k…n”

“Holy shit. They fucked something up. He can’t speak,” Fox said, running a hand over his face.

Eva spun around and glared at him. “Would you shut your face? The doctor said he might have trouble talking when he first woke up. Give him a fucking minute!”

“Geez, you know, you’re kind of mean.”

“You haven’t seen mean yet.” I grabbed her hand again, not wanting her fighting with Fox right now. I just wanted her. Unfortunately, that wasn’t going to happen. I had some singularly focused people on my team, and they were more interested in filling me in on what was going on than giving me a fucking minute to just wake up.

“We caught the shooter and have him in our custody,” Eli said, getting down to business. “He was working with Hensley’s team. So far, we haven’t been able to trace the money back to the governor, but I think Dash is coming close. As for Hensley, he’s in the waiting room. I’ve made him wait out there since he arrived. He’s eager to talk to you about how we get Eva back on the stand.”

“N—n,” I protested, not wanting to take that chance again, especially when I couldn’t be there with her.

“I already told him the only way she would testify is remotely. We’re still not sure if the judge is going to approve it or not. But right now, that’s the only way we can secure her safety since they won’t allow us to secure the perimeter.”

“Bullshit,” Eva snapped. “I’m testifying. Let him come at me again.”

I nearly flinched, my eyes wide as I stared at the woman beside me. I squeezed her hand and she finally turned to look at me. I moved my eyes side to side, hoping she would understand that I didn’t want her to do it.

“No, I’m sorry, Cash. I understand that you don’t want me to do this. I didn’t even want to testify in the beginning, but they shot you. This isn’t just about me anymore. I’m not letting them get away with this.”

I couldn’t have been prouder. She was absolutely amazing, growing stronger and bolder with every fucking day. I always knew deep down that she had it in her, that my kitten would grow those claws and become so fierce no one would dare mess with her.

But she still wasn’t fucking doing it.

I smirked at her, making her frown. “What does that mean?” she asked Rae.

“That means he thinks you’re awesome.” A smile lit Eva’s face. “And you’re still not testifying.”

Eva’s smile fell and she turned those fierce eyes on me. “You don’t get to tell me what to do. I could walk out of here right now and go testify.”

“Technically, court has to be in session,” Eli answered, trying his best not to smile.

“Then I’ll talk to the prosecutor and set up my own time to testify. You can’t stop me.”

“He can’t,” Eli said. “But I can. And I have the whole fucking building surrounded, so unless you want to jump out a window with New Guy, you don’t really have a choice.”

Eva turned to me in annoyance. “Tell them to stand down.”

I knew I couldn’t speak, so I just stared at her.

“Cash, I’m warning you. If you don’t let me do this, I will walk away. You won’t ever see me again.”

Still, I just smirked at her.

“And what does that mean?” she asked Rae.

“That meansgood luck trying.”

“And you just happen to know all his looks?”

“There’s really only two,” Fox answered. “Hisdon’t fuck with melook and hisgo ahead and try itlook. Well, I guess there’s also hislovey doveylook that he reserves for you,” he nodded, then snapped his fingers. “Ooh, and then there’s also the—”

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