AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Killion slammed his fist against the desk. “You’re sleeping with the enemy, Ash. You’re fucking smarter than this.”
“The enemy?” Relay said with surprise. “We’re your enemy?I’myour enemy?”
“No,” Killion deadpanned. “It’s not the same. You’re not… one of them.”
“One of them. Got it. I’m not one of the infamous Dirty Dozen?” Relay put a hand on Ashlyn’s shoulder and offered a consoling look before she turned to Killion. “I am very much one ofthem,and you knew that when you kissed me.”
“What? You kissed her?” Ash jumped in, but Relay cut her off before she could take a swipe at him.
“I got this, Ash. Thanks,” she said. “I’m one of them. Hen’s one of them. And you didn’t seem to have a problem with us or consider us the enemy when we were helping save your ass, Killion O’Reilly. If you can kiss the enemy, she can sleep with the enemy. Enemy of our enemy, remember?”
Killion leaned back in his chair and ran his hands down his face. “I-I didn’t mean it like that. I just… sometimes say things before I really get to think about how it’ll be perceived. You’re not my enemy, Riley. You’re definitely not that. You’re…”
“I’m waiting.” Her hands were on her hips as she demanded an explanation.
“You’re great. Special. I don’t know how to explain it. I kissed you because I wanted to kiss you not because of who you are or who I am or who we work for.”
“And Ashlyn doesn’t kiss Hen for any other reason either.” She turned to Ashlyn. “I don’t mean to speak for you, but this double standard shit pissed me off.”
“No.” Ashlyn put her hands up in front of her, dismissing the apology. “By all means. Be my guest. You’re handling this… just fine.”
“Thank you. I appreciate that. When all of this is over, we should go out for coffee or something. I’m surrounded by testosterone, and you and Ayelish are…”
“Done. Coffee. Brunch. Whatever you want. We can plan that later, but can you get back to handing my brother his own ass? I’m rather enjoying it.”
“Right.” Relay turned her attention back to Killion. “I can put up with a lot of shit, but this I won’t. She may be your sister…”
“Little sister,” he corrected.
“Little sister. Fine. She may be yourlittle sister,but she’s all woman whether you want to see it or not. She’s actually a badass, in case you haven’t noticed. So before you start making enemies where they aren’t needed, I suggest you rethink your behavior, O’Reilly, or… Or…” Relay paused and looked at Ashlyn, who shrugged, offering her no help at all. “Or I won’t kiss you ever again.”
That caught Killion’s attention quickly. He was speechless, which was uncommon for him. Killion had an answer, backed by statistics and facts, for everything.
“I’m sorry.” Killion shrugged. “Sorry to both of you.”
Killion went back to work and didn’t say another word, and the women just smirked and shrugged it off, considering it a win.
Several minutes passed, and Killion paused his work and turned his attention to Ashlyn, who was working down a list of possible leads with Relay while they waited for the program they designed to deliver the information they needed to move their case forward.
“Ash, I’m really sorry. I know you’re not the baby anymore. I see you’re a woman. A badass one at that. I just understand the kind of danger our line of work brings, and I worry. I was surprised, and the first thing that crossed my mind was to protect you. It has nothing to do with Hen and everything to do with the idea that someone out there knows way too much about all of us, and it worries me. Especially when it comes to you and Aye. I’m sorry.”
Ashlyn stood behind her brother and wrapped her arms around his broad shoulders. “I know, big brother. I worry about all of you too. Half of our family walks into the line of fire constantly, and it isn’t easy, but you have to remember. We’re trained by the best –– you and Cane –– and have an angel watching over us at all times –– also you.”
“And sometimes Liam,” Killion said.
Ashlyn laughed. “Yes, and sometimes Liam. Well, a lot of the time, Liam. You two take care of us, all of us, and we wouldn’t go out and do what we do if it weren’t for the trust we have in you. Remember that, brother. Besides, you’ll like Hen. He’s a great guy.”
Cane and the rest of the group entered the Lair, having returned from the FBI field office.
“Why is Hen agreat guy?” Cane asked as he walked through the door having heard the tail end of the conversation.
“What do you mean, why am I a great guy?” Hen asked as if offended. “I’m great at what I do, kind to animals and small children, and a hell of a looker.”
He winked at Ashlyn, and Cane’s nostrils flared. “What the hell was that?”
“They’re sleeping together,” Killion announced pragmatically.
“They’re… what?” Cane spun on his heels to face down Hen.
