“If you’re trying to make me feel better, stop. I let those assholes get away.” I tear myself away from her, pacing the room awkwardly.
All while my leg screams hellfire, more than I dare admit.
I hate looking weak. Especially in front of the woman I’m supposed to be protecting, who must smell it with every breath.
“I’m telling you the truth,” she whispers.
“You’re trying to make me feel better for a half-assed job. Thanks, but my ego will survive.” I stomp to the window and look outside.
The property is secure and the fog has lifted.
For now.
Ice cuts down my spine at the thought of what might happen next.
I lower my head, letting my forehead rest against the glass.
“Holden,” Cleo says behind me, closer now. “Nothing bad happened. You chased them out. We’refine.”
I bite back the urge to tell her hownot fucking fineit is.
She doesn’t need that.
What she needs is for me to snap the hell out of this haze and do my job just like I did when I was five years younger.
Like the time this punk who was upset over a real estate development in New York almost laid hands on Mr. Blackthorn. I had him on the ground just inches from the old man, tearing the knife from his hand.
I moved faster then. I neutralized threats swiftly and relentlessly. I didn’t leave loose ends.
“You’re so tense—and you really should get that knee looked at,” she says from behind me.
I say nothing.
I just stiffen as she slides her arms around my waist and presses her body against my back.
Damn.
She’s so small against me. If I were in a better mood, I might actually enjoy it despite knowing the risks with that very well.
“Cleo, what are you doing?” I whisper.
“Comforting you. What else?”
“Why?” I snarl.
“Because you’re stressed and tired and hurt.” She rests her cheek against my shoulder. “Because you deserve it for saving us.”
“I don’tdeserveshit.”
“Yes.” Her arms never loosen. “Yes, you do, idiot. You can’t be perfect all the time with how unpredictable your career is. They didn’t get away hurting anyone or taking off with the Hera Egg. They lost.”
She shifts again, pressing her ample breasts against my muscle. Even though we’re both fully clothed and not facing each other, lust stabs through my pain.
God-awful timing.
I don’t need to be blueballed and horny on top of everything else.
“I’m fine, woman. Really. Start thinking where you’d like to go to get out of here and I’ll see if it’s an option.”
