Hook (A Hitman's Bait 2)

“Talon, you need to find something to do,” Javier said. “You’re fussing like a wife.”

Talon stilled, hurt burning in his expression. “I’m taking care of you. If the situation was reversed, wouldn’t you do the same? That time I took a bullet meant for you, didn’t you hover over me twenty-four seven? If I’d let you, you would still be wiping my ass right now.” He got to his feet, his teeth clenched. “I’m going to take a breather.”

He gathered the plates on my desk. He had taken his breakfast with Javier instead of sitting with us.

“Tal, discúlpame, mi amor.”

Talon nodded. “It’s okay. I know you don’t mean to be a mean husband to your wife.” He smirked as he walked away with the dishes, Javier scowling at his back.

I chuckled and sat on the edge of my desk. “Javier, why are you giving him grief? He’s worried about you.”

“I know. I’m trying to get him not to worry.”

“How’s that working out for you?”

“Are you just here to point out the obvious?” He rubbed his stomach.

“The doctor will be here in the afternoon to check you out. Do you need to see him sooner?”

“No, I’ll live. To your disappointment, no?”

I shrugged. “I won’t lie. If you’d been killed last night, our situation would be much improved.”

He scowled. “Don’t you mean your situation?”

“Well, there’s your family to think about. What are they going to say about what happened last night? Have you spoken to anyone yet?”

“Tal did. He got someone we both trust to clean up what we left behind.”

“And?”

“And what?”

“How have you explained what happened?”

“I haven’t. Just said enough for them to spread the news that I was attacked last night by some of our own and spending some time healing from my injuries.”

“Will they buy that?”

“It’s the truth, isn’t it?”

“And what about after?”

“I honestly don’t know. Should I take Tal and live the rest of our lives somewhere away from all this? Or fight to put the family back together?”

“And where do I fall into the latter plans?” I gripped the edge of the desk. “I gave Kit my word that I wouldn’t kill you while you’re here mending, but that deal is off if you persist in going after the people I love.”

“Your boy reminds me of Tal. They’re both very different physically but have the same bullheaded temperament. You know he asked me to kill him rather than torture you into thinking I’d give him back alive?”

I clenched my hands into fists. “You really think now is the time to remind me of that?”

“What are we going to do? Pretend it never happened?”

“So, what do you propose?”

Javier shrugged.

“Kit has the strangest idea we could call a truce.”