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“She needs to be prepared,” Duke says, tightening even more.
When breathing actually becomes difficult, my mind shuts down the little fuse that holds back my reflexes, and my hand shoots up between the stupid gap he’s left between our bodies.
A pained yelp leaves him as the heel of my palm connects with the soft tissue of his throat, and he falls backwards, choking on air as my senses slam back into me.
Ah, shit.
Logan smirks then recovers, banishing the reaction as Duke heaves for air. I don’t think I hit him hard enough to collapse his windpipe.
I hope.
“Sorry,” I say with forced contrition. “I panicked.”
Duke coughs and then a loud sound of an inhale resonates in my ears as he slowly stands. Thank goodness he’s breathing.
He rubs his throat, his cheeks flaming with a blushing hue.
“Good instincts,” he says, swallowing hard. “Just do that if he comes at you.”
Plemmons won’t leave that large space between our bodies. He’s an experienced choke-artist. Detective Duke is not. If you’re going to choke someone face to face, you give them zero room between your bodies.
But I obviously don’t point that out. A good, sane, non-stabby girl wouldn’t know that.
I move to Logan, wondering if he suspects anything, but he looks like he’s more amused than anything as he tugs me to his body, wrapping an arm possessively around my middle.
“You must be SSA Bennett,” I hear Duke say from close behind me, but I don’t turn around as Logan keeps me pressed to him.
With one arm still around my waist, Logan reaches over with his free hand, and I look over my shoulder as Duke shakes it.
Logan’s hand that’s on me slides down to my spandex-clad ass, and he rests it there, as though he’s proving a point. He’s cute when he’s jealous.
“I wasn’t aware homicide could spare someone to help watch after my girl,” Logan says, though I hear the edge he tries to hide.
A slow, calculated grin curves over Duke’s mouth.
“We’re taking the possible threat very seriously, SSA Bennett.”
“I’m sure it’d be a dream come true to get an arrest this high profile, especially in a field that is always overshadowed by the FBI, since we’re just down the road and all.”
Logan is taunting. Duke is arrogant. And I’m worried there’s about to be a sword fight in my living room. And not with actual swords.
“You mean arresting a man you brought to DC? A man who is killing high class residents because the FBI slipped up and let him get away, even after figuring out his name?”
Logan’s jaw tics, and I internally curse Detective Dipshit.
“Logan, I’m sure you’re exhausted. I’d rather not waste what little time I have with you so you can throw down the gauntlet in a pissing match.”
Duke snorts, and I turn and glare at him. “You shut up.”
He grins and walks down the hall, heading to his guestroom.
“Remove him from my house, and that will solve the problem,” I tell Logan, but he shakes his head and runs a hand through his hair.
“I have Donny running a thorough check on him, but if he’s as clean and decorated as his file suggests, then he’s the best option for keeping you safe.”
I’m the best option for keeping me safe. I think it’s adorable that he believes Duke to be more capable than me though.
I start tugging at his arm, pulling him toward my bedroom. “You look exhausted. Stop worrying about me and get some sleep.”
