Page 47 of To Keep

He snorted. “But she still started out as an actual hit. You wouldn’t have been any the wiser if you’d pulled the trigger seconds before Viko made that call.”

Galen didn’t want to think about it. He had been about to pull the trigger. Skye had been nothing but a hit, and now, he’d fucking die for her.

“What game do you think Viko is playing?” Galen asked, attempting to change the subject.

“The one he has always played. He wants to win.”

Galen ran a hand down his face. “This doesn’t feel right.”

“We’ve taken out nearly twenty assassins in the past few days. Trust me, none of it sits well. I don’t know why they’re so fucking invested. Could you imagine if they were from the Killer of Kings?”

This made Galen laugh. “There’s no way they’d take the hit.”

Galen had been approached by Boss many years ago. Boss was the leader of the Killer of Kings, which was a rival group, like the Circle of Monsters, only there was a slight difference. Killer of Kings had some morals, while the Circle of Monsters had none. Galen had turned them down. He wasn’t interested in playing a game where there were rules. Especially ones he had no intention of following. It had been the easiestnohe’d ever said.

“That’s true. Petrov was more than likely to get hit by the Killer of Kings. Boss wouldn’t have taken a deal with a scumbag like him.” Slash clucked his tongue. “But you do see that having a woman makes you a liability. Never seen you this close to death, man. Is she worth it?”

“She’s worth it.”

He didn’t even hesitate.

Galen spotted Kensington approaching. The guy was humming to himself and shoving fries into his mouth. The whole picture was too casual.

“What did I miss?”

“A heart-to-heart,” Slash said. “Galen’s in love.”

“You didn’t figure that shit out yet? The guy’s a loner and a giant pain in the ass. Trust me, it doesn’t take a genius to see he’s got feelings right now, otherwise we wouldn’t be helping him.” Kensington turned toward him. “How is it anyway?”

“How is what?” Galen asked.

He didn’t like to be the main lead in their conversation.

“You know, being with one chick? Having feelings besides wanting to kill.”

“It’s not like some foreign concept.”

“It is to me. Well, fucked-up and weird. You won’t see me falling for a piece of pussy, that’s for sure.”

Galen reached out to take the food. “Are we done discussing my personal life?”

Both men hesitated like they were going to take his question seriously. What the fuck had happened to these guys?

He grabbed the food, glared at each of them, and stepped into the hotel room to find Skye on the bed completely passed out. She was dressed in a pair of sweatpants and an old t-shirt. She looked so fucking beautiful and sweet. He wanted to wrap his arms around her, hold her close, and never let go, but he couldn’t do that … or could he?

Galen glanced down at the food and put it on one of the dressers, then he climbed on the bed. Skye must have been exhausted because she didn’t move a muscle.

****

Another day, another hotel room, but this time, Skye winced as Galen cursed. They had been chased through an old, abandoned town. Slash and Kensington were nowhere to be seen.

Skye had fallen on shards of glass. Several pieces had imbedded into her palms and knees. Galen looked seriously pissed. He hadn’t spoken since they’d gotten clear. One of the guys had gotten too close to them, and if Galen hadn’t reacted fast enough, Skye knew they’d be dead now.

“Are you okay?” she asked.

“I’m fine, Skye.”

She wanted to dispute that, but instead of saying a word, she kept her mouth closed. It seemed to be the safest of options to her now.

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