Hook (A Hitman's Bait 2)

I tapped my foot on the floor. “If I wanted to kill him, I would’ve thrown you both out. I gave my boy my word. I wouldn’t harm him. Not unless I was attacked first.”

Seconds ticked by, but then his shoulders sagged, and he sighed. “I just need to use the bathroom. Then I’ll be back.”

“Have something to eat too. Check the fridge. I’m sure I have leftovers in it.”

He slowly climbed to his feet, then got up in my face. “I don’t trust you, but thank you for everything you’ve done. For giving him medical care.”

“Don’t thank me yet. I’ll be sending him the medical bill when he’s back on his feet. My doctor doesn’t come cheap.”

A tired smile forced its way to Talon’s lips. He gave a nod, then trudged out of the office, rubbing the back of his neck. His dedication to Javier was admirable.

I pushed back the chair he’d been sitting in and dragged the long couch next to the bed. Talon would be much more comfortable sleeping there when he was back. With a sigh, I stretched out on the sofa with my feet propped up on the arm and waited.

“I don’t know how you did it, Javier,” I said, staring up at the ceiling. “Although you kidnapped him, my boy seems to like you. That should bother me, but here I am, keeping you company instead. Love for sure changes us. You, for example. I can’t help wondering why you risked so much to keep Kit safe. Did love soften you too much?”

“Love doesn’t make you weak. It makes you strong enough to do what’s right.”

I jerked up to a sitting position and stared at Javier, who was looking back at me. “You’re awake.”

“Your melodramatic soliloquy pulled me away from the light.” He chuckled, then gasped. “Fuck. Everything hurts.”

“That’s a good thing. Means you’re not dead. For a minute there, I thought I’d wasted precious resources on you.”

He licked his lips and glanced around. “Where am I?”

“My home.”

“So hell, yeah?”

I laughed and crossed my arms, cocking my head. “I think Kit’s right. There’s a lot more to you than you let on, isn’t there, Javier Grimaldo?”

“Your boy’s annoying.”

“And you think yours isn’t?”

He frowned. “Where is he?”

“I sent him to get something to eat. He wouldn’t leave until I promised I would sit with you. I figure any minute he’ll be back, though.”

He closed his eyes. “Is he in any danger here?”

“That’s up to you. I brought you into my home at the request of my boy to spare your life. Is my household under any threat from you and your man?”

“From us? No. I can’t say the same for the rest of my family when they find out what happened.”

“No one will know you’re here. My people can be trusted.”

He nodded but didn’t open his eyes. “Are we calling a truce?”

“Maybe. We’ll see how that turns out.”

The office door opened, and Talon walked in.

“That was quick,” I said.

“Yeah, I didn’t want to…” He rushed over to the bed. “Javi, you’re awake. Why the fuck do you insist on scaring me like this?”

“You thought I wouldn’t make it?” Javier said in a teasing tone. “Were you worried about me or about that promise you made that you’d never love another if I go first?”