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“She was elusive and pretty much inside that estate all the time. I didn’t have a plant on the inside.”
Bitterly, I snap. “Well, you should have.”
After a beat, he says, “I’m sorry, brother. I wish I knew more. But I don’t. You’re just going to have to play this out and see where it goes. However, I do not suggest confronting her about this now. Actually, I’m ordering younotto tell her you know, yet.”
Barely stopping myself from yelling, I bark at him, “Then why the fuck did you tell me?”
“Because… because I just wanted to save you from any heartbreak I could.”
Fucking. Fuck.
As if. Gripping the edge of the counter where we made breakfast together less than twenty-four hours ago, ugly images from the damned video play out in my head. “I want to see the footage.”
“I’m driving to meet you in Chicago. I’ll send it to you as soon as I stop. The only thing I have handy is a screenshot on my phone. I’ll send that when we hang up.”
When I know who the bastard is, I’ll track him down. But I don’t say that when I ask, “Did you find out who the man is?”
“Turns out he’s hard to identify.”
“You’re the fucking feds. Use the NSA or whatever.”
He listens to me, pauses, and says, “I think you need to take a breath.”
“Fuck. You. Stone.”
“I look forward to seeing you too.”
“Just send me the damned screenshot.”
He grumbles, pauses for a long time, then says, “I’m not sure I should.”
Upstairs, the water turns off. I clench the mug again and drink the dregs of the gut-cauterizing coffee I made. “Just send me the image. And the fucking video.”
“You won’t hurt her?”
“Jesus Christ, Stone. You know my life better than I do. All the fucking intel you have on me. Have I ever laid a hand on a woman?”
“No. But you’re under a lot of pressure.”
“I’d never fucking hurt her.Never.Especially not her.”
Max quickly counters, “Not with your fists. But there are lots of ways to hurt someone.”
A chill sweeps over me. Tightening my skin. It’s a stark contrast to the burning unrest inside of me.
I’m deep in the game now. Men crack under far less pressure than this.
Not me, though. I won’t. Carra’s endured enough in her life. I’d die a thousand painful deaths before I let anyone lay a finger on her. Myself included.
The front door of the house swings open. Cal yells, “Boss. There are three guys here asking for you.”
“Gotta go,” I say and disconnect, but I’m pretty sure Max is already gone. Leaving me with his last, gut-punching words.“Not with your fists. But there are lots of ways to hurt someone.”
Like not telling him about having a child.
CHAPTERTHREE
When I dress and descend the stairs, I don’t feel Kieran’s bristling energy. Instead, I find the young guard named Cal waiting for me in the foyer.
