Hook (A Hitman's Bait 2)

I opened the door and got out, then helped Kit. When Liam didn’t move, I tapped the window, and he wound it down. “You not coming in?”

“Not this time. I’m drained.”

“Don’t leave just yet. Let me get Kit inside.”

“You don’t have to follow me in,” Kit said.

I swung him up in my arms, and he wrapped his arms around my neck. “Shush. You’re barefoot.”

“Don’t think this will get you out of treating me to a day at the spa.”

“You can go to the spa every week if you want, kitten. Take the key from my pocket and unlock the door.”

He shoved his hand down the side of my pants but made a detour. “Oops. That’s definitely not it.”

I chuckled. “We can use that one later.”

He took the key out and unlocked the door. Inside, I set him on his feet and kissed his cheek. “Disarm the alarm and go take a shower. I’ll be back to rub your feet.”

“And use your magic key to open me up. Don’t forget that part.”

I patted his butt. “I won’t.”

When the door closed behind him, I returned to the car and sat in the front seat. Liam said nothing, just drummed his fingers on the steering wheel.

“This isn’t your fault, Liam. Don’t beat yourself up about this. We know each job is a risk.”

“But we never had these things happening until lately.”

“So what? We’re having a bit of tough luck right now. We’ll get through it like we always do.”

“It’s never been this bad before. I’m surprised you’re not asking me if I had anything to do with these.”

“What?”

“I’m the one who handles the cases. If my judgment is suddenly screwed where our work is concerned, maybe I’m setting you up. You can’t tell me it hasn’t crossed your mind.”

“It hasn’t.”

He scoffed.

“I’m serious. It hasn’t. And from your reasoning, I should suspect Kit of double-crossing us. Things changed when he came into our lives.”

Liam swung around. “You’re thinking it too?”

I scowled. “Good god. No, man. I’m not thinking that because I trust Kit.”

“We barely know him. He was a…”

“A what?”

“Nothing.”

“I was serious about you bringing up his past and using it to judge him, Liam. No more of that shit. He proved himself to both of us the last time when he stayed by my side and fought with me. I won’t stop trusting him when he’s given me no reason to.”

“Of course. You’re right. I’m an idiot. I don’t think Kit’s behind anything either. This whole fuckup is just making me jumpy.”

“It might be a good idea to lay off accepting cases for a while,” I said. “I’ll have no choice with what Pinelli wants me to do, but I’ll talk to him about it and see if he can get someone else to do his dirty work for a few weeks.”