Page 34 of Herding Cat

“I’m not?”

“Goddamn it, Garrett. You know what I mean. You know damn well what our protocol is. That woman”—he jabbed a finger at the door—“is a target. Not your high school fucking crush. Pull your head out of your ass and get back on point.”

His hackles rose. She was more than that. So much more. “I’m perfectly on point. And I’m right. We can’t keep her safe here and you know it.”

“We can keep her as safe as she can be. And here, there or anywhere, if someone is hunting her, there’s a threat. See, but the odds have shifted in our favor, because now we know for certain they’re after her. And we know how many to expect. Her idea makes the most sense.”

“Changing hotels? Please.” That would fool no one.

“There are thousands of hotels in Hong Kong, Kowloon and the New Territories. It would take years to check each one. And if she’s not listed on the register, it’s an impossible task. We just need to make sure we’re not followed when we make the switch.”

Well, hell. That actually made sense.

He opened his mouth to respond, but Luke wasn’t done yet. “I don’t know what’s going on with you, buddy, but you’d better get it together.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Really?” Luke put his hands on his hips and glared at him. “Do you think I get laid so infrequently, I don’t recognize the smell of sex?”

“What?” He tried to look outraged. It didn’t work.

“Look, I know she’s a hottie, but fucking her will only screw up your head.”

Screw it up? It had made it right. “Luke—”

“No. Don’t. I don’t want to hear your excuses.”

“I wasn’t planning to give you excuses.” There was no excuse.

None was needed.

It had been the best night of his life.

“You know as well as I do what sleeping with the client can do to you.”

Ferocious. It made him ferocious. He wanted to rip Luke’s throat out. “I’m fine.”

“You’d better be. Because if Tate or I see you lose your concentration, we’re going to have to call it in.”

His blood chilled. He could not be pulled from this case. He could not. And it had very little to do with his career with Ryder’s Stone Hard SEALs Services and everything to do with her. It was a crazy thought—Luke and Tate were the best—but somehow he knew she wouldn’t be safe without him.

His once-friend crossed his arms and glared at him. “Are we clear?”

“As a fucking bell.”

“Good. Keep it frosty, Garrett.”

Excellent advice. Unfortunately, it was impossible to follow. As soon as they reentered the room and he caught sight of Catherine, sitting on the bed licking pastry icing from her fingers, a scorching flame blazed within his chest.

God, he wanted her. Again. Now.

But he had to keep his distance, at least for the moment.

He couldn’t dare risk being sent home.

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After Luke and Garrett came back from their little chat in the hall, things changed. First of all, they all agreed that staying in Hong Kong and changing hotels was the best idea, which was excellent, because it had been her idea.