Mine to Keep (Mine 2)

Noah would have to be careful. Trace planned to catch the man alone at the earliest opportunity. Noah would understand—as many couldn’t—just how important some secrets were.

He hadn’t realized that Noah was already back in town. If he had, Trace would’ve talked with him sooner.

It was just a little slip. Skye believed what I told her.

Lying to Skye wasn’t something that Trace enjoyed doing. She had so much faith in him. The lies he told her ate at his soul.

But he wanted her protected.

I have to make sure she doesn’t find out.

The music ended. Because he knew that she liked it, Trace dipped Skye. Her cheeks flushed. More of that sweet, wonderful laughter slipped from her.

He eased her back to her feet, keeping a light grip on her. He hadn’t noticed any weakness in her injured leg, but, when it came to Skye, Trace didn’t want to take any chances.

The band announced that they’d be taking a short break.

Trace glanced over and saw Melanie Petrie, the organizer of the charity event, as she talked quietly with two of her staff members. “Can you excuse me for just a moment?” Trace asked Skye. “I need to speak with Melanie.” Because he wanted to make a substantial donation, one that would be in Skye’s name. He’d tell her later, when they were alone.

He couldn’t wait to be alone with her again.

“Of course.” She gave him an easy smile. “I wanted to step out on the balcony anyway. I’ve heard the fountains in the courtyard are quite incredible.”

They were. Trace also knew that they were well guarded. The event had a ton of security in place. And I have my own men here, too.

“I’ll join you there,” he promised her.

Trace watched her walk away. He couldn’t take his gaze off her back. All of that beautiful, silken skin.

“You’re one lucky bastard.”

He inclined his head at Noah’s words.

“Is there a particular reason you were giving me a go-to-hell look earlier?” Noah asked him.

“You mean other than the fact that your eyes were looking at Skye far too damn much?” Trace turned toward him. His back teeth had clenched, and Trace had to force his jaw to relax. “She doesn’t know about my past. I want it to stay that way.”

Noah whistled. “You’re marrying her, and she doesn’t know?”

“How many women know about your past, Noah?”

Noah’s brows climbed.

“The last thing I want is for her to fear me,” Trace said. “Especially after everything that happened.”

Noah nodded. “I’m sorry. I…I read the stories. Was it as bad as they said?”

For an instant, Trace remembered the basement. The darkness. The fear that had eaten at him.

She’d looked so beaten. Skye hadn’t even believed that he was really there, not at first. She’d thought that she was seeing a ghost. He’d had to convince her…

I found you. You’re going home with me. You’re going to dance, and we’re going to fuck and laugh and be happy. Do you understand?

Trace cleared his throat. “It was even worse.”

Noah swore.

“Skye doesn’t need any more fear,” Trace told him, needing Noah to get the message.

His old friend nodded.

Noah started to walk away. Trace moved, blocking his path. “I want you to come to my office tomorrow. We have to talk.”

“Look, I said—”

“Ben Sharpe was murdered.”

Noah’s lips parted in surprise. “The hell he was.”

“He died right after he came to visit me, telling me that the past was coming back.”

“The past is dead.”

“Yes, that’s what I said, too. Then Sharpe wound up butchered in an alley.”

Noah backed up a step. “I’ll be there, man.”

Good. Because Noah had been in on the mission that went to hell. A mission that cost a teammate his life.

And taught them all the truth about just how deadly an innocent face could be.

Chapter Six

The fountains were amazing. The water flew into the air, twisting and turning in a rhythm that perfectly matched the soft tunes that drifted from the outdoor speakers.

Lighting effects drifted over the water. Soft pink, light blue.

Beautiful.