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“Not everyone can accept it.”
“Before you left, I told you that I believe the decisions you make are the best ones given the circumstances of the situation you’re in. Is there truly anyone you’ve killed that you regretted later?”
He thought it over for a minute. There really hadn’t been anyone. Like with his father, it was a matter of protecting the innocent from the evil.
“Were you afraid I would think less of you, Monk?” Saylor shook her head and looked away. “Believe me, I’m in no position to judge.”
“I don’t tell everyone that story. It isn’t everyone’s business, but I had to tell you.”
“Can we go back to the house now, Monk? I don’t like being so far away from you.”
He smiled. He could reach out and touch her, and she could do the same, but it was nothing like skin-on-skin. He put the Jeep in gear and backed out of the parking area. As they drove back to Saylor’s place, a feeling of dread settled over him. It wasn’t about her reaction. She understood the decision he’d made that night.
This was something different. He had no idea what was coming, but whatever it was, wouldn’t be good.
19
“Hi, Aine. What brings you over?” Saylor asked when Ava’s sister knocked on her open door. “Come on in.”
“Do you know Stuart Anderson?”
“The plumber?” Saylor regretted her question the second she asked it. She’d known Stuart most of her life, and he wasn’t just a plumber. “I’m sorry. Yes, I know Stuart.”
She felt even worse when Aine’s cheeks flushed a bright red.
“We’ve gone out on a couple of dates.”
“That’s great,” said Saylor, trying her hardest to recover from her previous gaffe but fearing she sounded insincere.
“I think Razor totally intimidates him. I was wondering if maybe you and Monk might like to go to dinner with us sometime.”
If Razor intimidated Stuart, Saylor doubted Monk would make the man feel more comfortable. Heads didn’t turn when her brother walked into a room. Well, women’s heads turned, but in a way that said they wanted to get to know him better. Monk, on the other hand, seemed to attract attention wherever he went. While he was oblivious to it, Saylor noticed it from the first time he found her and Poppy at the bar in town.
“I think that’s a great idea. I’ll run it by Monk and get back to you.”
“Thanks,” Aine answered, looking everywhere but at Saylor.
“Look, I’m sorry if I came across badly. It’s just that everyone kind of knows he’s a plumber.”
“It isn’t that.”
“Have a seat, girlfriend, and tell me what it is then.”
“You know I was seeing Striker last year.”
Saylor wondered about that. They’d seemed hot and heavy, and then there was nothing.
“He and Stuart are very different.”
“I may be overstepping here, but the spy life isn’t as glamorous as some people think it is. Razor is still my irritating little brother who’s always been so full of himself that I’m surprised his neck will hold his big head. Don’t get me wrong, I love him, but the truth is, for many years, he was gone more than he was home. I think your sister changed that, but that doesn’t mean they’ll all change. Every one of them—Monk, Striker, Gunner, my brother—they all chose the life they lead. I’m sure they get off on the danger as much as they tell themselves it’s their calling.”
Whoa. Where had that come from? Her subconscious talking much? Who was she talking to—herself or Aine?
“Thanks, Saylor. I needed to hear that.”
“Anytime.”
A WEEK LATER, she and Monk went to dinner in town with Aine and Stuart. As Saylor expected, Stuart didn’t seem the slightest bit comfortable. In fact, he seemed a lot angrier than the guy she’d known most of her life. She hoped that at some point Monk and Aine might leave the table at the same time so she could ask Stuart what the hell was up his ass. She didn’t get the chance, and it was probably better that way.
