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“That would be unfair to him,” her voice is pitched.

“You are very important to me, so a little discomfort to keep you safe wouldn’t be a problem,” I say.

“If you are sure, thank you, and only when Ice isn’t available, right?”

“Yes, Sprinkles.”

“Thank you.”

I nod, relieved to finally have an answer and a solution. Smith wouldn’t like it, but I can increase his pay when he’s working with her. That solves the problem of her being vulnerable when Ice is compromised.

I can’t leave her without full protection when I know I’ll be traveling soon. My friend Thunder reached out today saying he needs my help for a rescue mission. For missions like this, I usually take Ice with me, but I can’t this time. He must stay and keep Jola protected. When Thunder calls, I answer. We go way back and always help each other. I don’t like the idea of leaving Jola, but I have to take Thunder’s request.

Chapter thirty-two

Lexi/Jola

Bruce has traveled on a mission and I’m trying hard not to lose my mind. So, I have been working non-stop like an energized battery. Puzzling can’t keep my mind off the fear and anxiety I’m experiencing. Bruce told me that unless I was in danger, Ice would not reach out to him because it could be dangerous.

I nodded and smiled like everything was fine, but I was quivering inside. I know he can read my face. He squeezed my hand and I squeezed his back. First time, I gave a false signal. He kissed me and left. Five days now and the only way I can sleep is to take my pills and sleep in his room. Ice sleeps in my room. I go to work and return home late each day. I’d promised Bruce that I would go to work and return home daily, no stops or going out. He’d arranged lunch for the team every day just so that Ice and I wouldn’t leave the building unless it was closing time. Today is Saturday, and I’m going crazy. I fucking need Bruce, so I requested Ice to call him, and he wouldn’t. I pretty much drove him crazy to the point he took me to his unit just to change space. Soon as I enter the very bland room, I blurt out, “This unit needs a woman’s touch. I don’t think Tricia would like this.”

They are still pulling clandestine moves around each other, but I know Tricia really likes Ice.

“I have stuff in the storage downstairs, just didn’t have time to set up.”

“We got time now. I can help stage it and make it look good. Trust me,” I cheerfully say. He gives me a weird look. “Well, you want me to stop bothering you about Bruce, so you better keep me busy, because puzzles aren’t cutting it.”

“Fine, let’s go.”

I jump on him, hugging him.

We go down to the storage, move some of his stuff and start rearranging furniture. I advise him to donate some stuff, and we continue working until I come across a box with the name Sebastian Lange on it, and I know right away it’s Ice’s real name.

“So, your name is Sebastian,” I say.

“No, it isn’t.” He snatches the box from me.

“Come on, tell me. I can keep a secret, or don’t, and I’ll just hurt you when you aren’t looking, or hide somewhere you can’t find me.”

“You can’t possibly be serious.” He side-eyes me like I’m crazy.

“Wanna try me?” I challenge.

“Fine, my name is Sebastian, and if you say it out loud, then I might hurt you when you aren’t looking,” he warns and I smile.

“Can I pretty please call you Bash?” I ask in a honeyed tone, even knowing it doesn’t work with him.

“When you say it in that British accent that sometimes comes out, I can maybe live with it,” he says, and I laugh.

We stop for the day and return to Bruce’s unit. We have dinner and head to bed. Next day, I ask him to train me.

He didn’t want to.

“Think about it: if someone attacks me and I can’t fight back, I’m just a sitting duck. Amrit used to train me, and it helped when I kneed Eric,” I say, making a good case for my training.

“Fine, simple stuff, and we can go to the gym.”

“No, let’s use the kitchen. It’s a tight spot and if I can fight there, maybe I have a chance.”