Page 42 of The Specialist

“I’ll DoorDash. My fellow night nurse, Karen, has an account. I think she’s their best customer. I won’t leave the hospital.”

“I want someone with you when you do errands.”

“Egan,” I said patiently. “If they are watching this building and suddenly see me with bodyguards, won’t they assume I’m someone special? I think I should just go about my life. I’ll be careful. I’ll use Amazon Prime. I won’t go out without your knowing. You can put a tracker on me—more than one, if you want. Add one to my phone like Damien did years ago.”

“He did?”

I nodded. “I assume it is still on it. He always wants to mess around with my new phones, so I assumed that was why. It made him feel better, so I didn’t care.”

“I would feel better if you had someone watching over you for a while,” he said slowly. “Much better.”

“Nice try. I will agree to the driving. I will agree to a tracker or two. I will check in with you, and I will be careful.” I held up my hand before he could argue. “If something happens and I get nervous or you think they know about us and will use it against you, I will go to Damien. I won’t jeopardize you or us.”

He huffed out an impatient noise, breathing heavily through his nose like a discontented bull. I tried not to smile. I wrapped my arms around his shoulders and snuggled close to him. “Don’t make me leave you, Egan. I would miss you too much.”

He held me tight. “For now,” he agreed. “But if anything happens and I am worried…”

“I will go.”

“No arguing.”

“No.”

He stood. “I will hold you to that, Sofia.” He walked to the kitchen and set me on the counter. “Now, I will make breakfast.”

“More like lunch.”

“Whatever. I will cook and you will eat.”

“So bossy.”

“You like it.”

I caught his arm and kissed him. “Maybe.”

He met my gaze and grinned. In a second, he had me tossed over his shoulder and was heading down to the bedroom. “You need to be reminded of who is boss,” he muttered.

I held on to his ass, enjoying gripping the firm flesh.

He wanted to show me he was boss? I didn’t object.

* * *

EGAN

Sofia smiled at me, contented and sleepy. I enjoyed seeing her in my bed. Watching her sleep. Knowing she was protected and happy. Sated. My favorite part of the day was when she woke, still drowsy and sweet, her defenses down. Then she was simply my Sofia.

I had to grin. I supposed I was every inch the caveman she told me I was.

“What?” she asked, covering a yawn with her hand.

Chuckling, I dropped a kiss to her head. “Nothing. I was thinking I love having you here.”

“I’m only here for the sex and food.” She paused, pulling the blanket over her shoulder. “And this bed. It’s really comfy.”

I began to laugh. “Okay, iubirea mea, whatever you say.”

She smiled again, taking my hand and kissing it. She curled her fingers around mine and held it to her chest. For a moment, neither of us spoke, yet the quiet was filled with silent words that passed between our gazes.