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“Good guess.”
“You had no way of knowing that Enoch had infected you with something. None of us knew for sure until Vivian confirmed it. I highly doubt Ciaran or anyone else blames you.”
“They’d have been better prepared to deal with Enoch if I’d said—”
“No, they wouldn’t have. Not unless the people you mentioned it to were Knox or Levi, because no one else knew what those black orbs really were. Even if they had known, your lair still would have gone after Enoch.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead. “I could happily spend the rest of my days torturing that fucker.”
“We all could.”
“I wish you’d called out to me earlier. I know why you didn’t, but I wish you had.”
“It’s not like you could have teleported to my side or anything,” she pointed out.
“A member of my Force is a teleporter. He could have taken me to you.”
And then he’d have been smack-bam in the middle of a battle during which he could have been badly hurt—that wasn’t an appealing thought. “Ever think that your sudden appearance would have been a distraction we didn’t need?” she asked as they rinsed off the soap.
He tilted his head, his eyes sharpening. “You didn’t want to drag me into a dangerous situation, did you?”
Busted. “Why does that make you smile?”
He brushed his mouth over hers. “Because it’s nice to know you care.”
“Hmm, well, let me just remind you that I didn’t call on anyone. I didn’t need to. I already had several powerful demons with me.”
“Today you did.” He turned off the shower and stepped out of the stall. “But Enoch could try to get you alone next time, and it worries the shit out of me that you’d face him and his armies alone before you’d risk the safety of people you care for. It has my gut all tied up in knots.”
“God, you worry like an old woman. I already promised Jolene that I’d call for help if anything happens. I won’t break it.”
He held open a towel in invitation, so she exited the stall and let him wrap it around her. “I’d like you to adjust the conditions of that promise.”
“Adjust the conditions?”
“Yes. I’d like you to call out to me if something happens. It would be a lot easier if I could shadow you at all times, but you’ll never go for that.”
“I don’t need a bodyguard. An attractive male to perform household chores while naked? Now that I need. Interested?”
He framed her face with his hands. “Give me this, Khloé.” She frowned as she sensed something. “It hurts you that I don’t rely on you.”
“Yeah. It’s a kick to my pride too—I won’t lie about that. I might not have a gift that can wipe Enoch off the face of the Earth, but I make pretty powerful back up. I have gifts that you don’t know of.”
Her demon hummed, intrigued. “Really? Do tell.”
“I’d rather show you.”
“But you’re not going to unless we’re fighting side by side, right?”
“If that’ll help persuade you to call on me, yes.” He sobered. “You know Enoch wouldn’t simply kill you.”
“He’d resurrect me and use me as one of his minions, I know.”
“And sic you on someone you care for. All of that plays on my mind far too fucking much.”
Her demon sniffed, confident that it didn’t need such over-protection, but it was prepared to make the concession. As he’d pointed out, he’d be powerful backup—that was never a bad thing. Khloé exhaled heavily. “If you’ll cease with the moaning, I’ll agree to call out to you if I need help.”
Relief blew through Keenan. He rested his forehead on hers. “Thank you.” He wouldn’t have functioned well without knowing she’d call on him. The only person he truly trusted to protect and defend her was him. “Will your grandmother give you any shit over it?”
“Now that we’re together, no.”
“Good.” He pressed a kiss to her temple.
“And you’ll call out to me if danger comes knocking on your door, right?”
He hesitated. That hadn’t been part of his plan at all. “Well—”
“Right?” she repeated, her tone empty of negotiation.
Shit. His demon was fine with the idea, since it considered the imp to be its equal and liked that she’d want to fight at its side. Keenan … no, he wasn’t so at ease with the idea of placing her in danger. But he’d be a damn hypocrite if he tried using that excuse. He’d also be a piece of shit to not make the same concession she had.
He sighed, conceding, “Right.” But he didn’t like it.
She gave him a pointed look. “Don’t think I won’t hold you to that.”
“I’d expect nothing less.”
“Now can we move on from the subject of Enoch, please? I’ve had enough of him for one day.”
Yeah, so had he. “I’m all for that.” But it wouldn’t be so easy to put it out of his mind. Not when his insides were all knotted up. And not when he worried that she’d suddenly declare, feeling rightfully vengeful, that she wanted to go hunting for Enoch. If the bastard hit her with another orb, he might just kill her on the spot, given she was already infected. The thought was enough to steal the breath from his lungs.
