Page 56 of Unexpected Complication

“Harper was planted months ago, as well as another agent. Sean’s been working on small interruptions and problems, and the other agent pointed the finger in the direction of Harper. He also happened to have my contact information and brought me in, with Orson’s blessing. We worked it from there.” I snorted. “Orson hates for others to take credit he thinks should be his. And landing Tony Malone was something he wanted to take credit for.”

“Where is the other agent?”

“I killed him.”

Skylar gasped softly.

“I had to do it to prove to Orson I was for real. He baited me in front of Orson and tried to take credit for bringing me in. I took out my gun and shot him.” I pressed a kiss to her forehead. “It was another setup, Kitten. He fell off the cliff he was standing close to, and his body was swallowed up in the darkness. A few days later, a body washed up and was identified as being his. A local criminal well-known to the authorities—not a great deal of energy was expended to follow up on how he died. Orson found it rather…amusing…when I gave him the gold pen the man always carried.”

She shivered.

I rolled over so we were face-to-face. “Skylar, I’m going to see him—Orson—tomorrow. The storm has passed, and I have no more excuses. He’s already impatient.”

“Will he be angry?”

“No. I’m still useful, and he wants me with him. So my indifference to him is a challenge. But it’s time to make my next move.” I tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “I need you to listen to me. I’m going to be gone for periods of time. It might be hours, days…even longer. Sean will be as well. We have to.”

Her eyes got wide. “And me?”

“You have to stay here. I have to know you’re safe.” Wrapping my arm around her, I drew her close. “You have to promise me you won’t run. I’ll come back to you, I promise.”

“Will you lock me in my room?”

“No, MacGyver. I think those days are over.” I frowned. “Aren’t they?”

She nodded. “I was only running because of how I felt about you, Cian. I won’t run anymore.”

Brushing my lips across her forehead, I smiled. “Good. There’ll be lots of food and books in the house. I’ll leave a burner cell in case. You only use it for emergencies, you understand?”

“Yes.”

“You won’t be alone all the time. Sean will come and go, and I’ll get back as often as I can. One of us will get a message to you every day. It’ll be short, but you’ll know we’re okay. But I need you to promise me something.”

“Anything.”

“If you don’t hear from either of us at any time in a forty-eight-hour period, there will be a number on the phone labeled J. You call that number and say Tony is in trouble. Someone will come and get you.”

“What about you?”

“They’ll know what to do. But you have to swear to me you’ll stay here and do exactly what I say.”

A shudder ran through her. “I will.”

“Everything is going to be okay.”

“Don’t make me promises you can’t keep, Cian.”

I pulled her closer. “I will keep this one. I just found you, Skylar. I’m not losing you now. I’ll keep you safe, and I’ll take care of that fucking bastard. Then we’ll start.”

“Start?”

“A life together.”

“Where?”

“Wherever we decide.”

“Will you still be, ah, doing this? Being undercover? Catching bad guys?”