Page 41 of To Keep

“I’m an investment?”

Slash scoffed. “Not you, big boy. Your girl is collateral. As long as she’s breathing, Petrov has to play nice or Viko will use what’s in her pretty little head to set him straight.”

He was glad Viko saw more benefit in keeping Skye alive rather than killing her, but this new revelation didn’t keep her safe. If they stopped one attack, there would always be another waiting in the wings.

“When is this unwelcome visit supposed to happen? No one should know about this location,” Galen said.

Kensington paced the kitchen. “One of them put a tracker on your car at a restaurant. They followed you home. You were tailed here. You’re getting sloppy in your old age. Or is the pussy fucking with your head?”

He took an aggressive step forward but stopped himself. “Watch your fucking mouth, Ken.”

The other man whirled on him. “You’re never supposed to call me that,” he said.

“Well, don’t disrespect my woman and we won’t have a problem.”

Slash shifted in his seat. “Seriously though, Galen. A woman? You wouldn’t have to spend your life on the run. Women are the ultimate weakness. I’m pretty sure you preached the same thing last time we worked together.”

“Things change,” Galen said.

Slash shook his head. He could feel the disgust and disapproval from both men. Hell, he could hardly believe it himself. If someone told him he’d fall in love and do anything for a woman last year, he never would have believed it. He’d called men pussy-whipped for much less. Everything changed since that day. He was supposed to end her life and now she was all that mattered to him.

“Let’s not worry about my private life. What intel do you have?” Galen asked.

“Viko said it’s a three-man unit. They’re on the way.”

“I can handle three men.”

“They’re not like the last ones. Those were just suits he had on hand. The ones on their way are highly trained. Viko doesn’t want to risk his toy,” Slash said.

“What the fuck did you say?”

Slash rubbed a hand down his face. “I mean thegirl. He doesn’t want anything happening to the girl.”

“You can’t babysit us forever. Tomorrow is another day. I really don’t like either of you for a long-term relationship.”

Galen had had enough. He could take care of Skye. In fact, he’d never enjoyed anything more. Sending two hit men to watch his back for a night was a drop in a barrel. It meant nothing because Petrov would never stop chasing. Galen needed to smoke the motherfucker. But if he went that route, he’d alienate the Circle of Monsters and Viko would have his head. He couldn’t win either way.

Kensington opened his jacket and pulled out one of his guns, checking the clip, then returning it into place. “You know you love us. It’ll be fun, just like old times.”

Galen returned to the control panel and reactivated the alarm system and turned on his perimeter guards. He wanted to know exactly when someone came near the house. If their enemies were on the way, they needed to be ready for anything at any time.

“Galen?”

He turned around to find Skye standing there near the wall. She was fully dressed, her long red hair out and gorgeously disheveled.

“I told you to stay in the room.”

“I was worried,” she said.

As soon as she saw Slash and Kensington, she clung to his side. The fact she sought him for protection and comfort gave him a high stronger than any drug. He instinctively wrapped an arm around her.

“Everything’s going to be okay. Think of them as extra security,” Galen said. “But for the rest of the day I need you to stay upstairs.”

She looked up at him, her eyes pleading. He knew she had a lot of questions, but she kept quiet. He led her to the staircase and privacy from Viko’s men.

“I’ll order food,” he said.

She pushed his chest. “I don’t care about food right now, Galen. What’s going on?”

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