When He's Bad (Walker Security - Adrian's Trilogy 2)

My brows dip. “Rescuing? Is he dangerous?”

Her gaze cuts away. “I think they’re all dangerous,” she murmurs, and when I catch her chin and direct her gaze to mine, she adds, “But you’d be close.”

“Pri,” I say softly.

“We need this to end. And no, he may not say anything that helps, but maybe he will.”

“Like what?”

“Maybe he’ll say enough for me to get my father out of the picture. I hate him right now, but unfortunately, I still love him, too. I need to get him out of the line of fire.”

I hesitate, but how do I say no to such a plea? Why would I even try? “Then do it,” I say. “Wind him up and then record him. I’ll keep you safe.”

She arches a brow. “You’re going to let me meet him in person?”

“With me within reach,” I say, “Maybe.”

His lips curve. “Maybe?”

“Maybe,” I concede. “Call him back.”

“We want to wind him up. He needs to call me again. Then I’ll do it.”

My hand slides to her purse. “Is your gun inside?”

“Always,” she says.

“Good,” I approve. “We both need to know that you can blow a hole in someone’s shoe, someone who might or might not be named Logan, and back him the fuck off if you need to.”

Her lips curve, a smile in her eyes. “In his shoe?”

“Losing a toe freaks a person out. Never forget that.”

“I’d laugh,” she says, “but I don’t think you’re joking.”

“I’m not,” I say, motioning her toward the door and grabbing her briefcase as we pass the stairs.

The front door is open as we approach, and side by side, we step outside onto the porch. Lucifer is standing in front of a black convertible Mercedes, his ankles and tattooed-up arms crossed, his blond hair longer than usual.

He’s a ladies’ man, a player who showed those true colors the minute he was on scene but that’s the way of a wounded warrior, with emotional baggage. That isn’t what bothers me about Lucifer.

The truth is that I don’t know why I resist Lucifer as a part of the Walker team when Walker accepted me freely. On paper, Lucifer’s a better man than me, a pilot, ex-military, an agent of good, not evil. He’s also the man who’ll stand by my woman’s side today.

My woman.

She is my woman, mine to protect.

Today that means it’s time to trust Lucifer or reject him outright. And for once, where he’s concerned, rejection feels wrong.

Blake trusts him and I trust Blake.

That means I need to trust Lucifer to keep her safe.

Good thing I plan to do just what Pri assumed I would: stay close to her, no matter what the risk.Chapter Twenty-NinePRI

Lucifer is wearing jeans and a T-shirt, and somehow his attire, and that fancy Mercedes behind him, is meant to be a statement. I’m just not sure what. Adrian and I head down the front steps of the house toward Lucifer. “What’s with the fancy car?” I ask, glancing over at Adrian, who has an edge about him that I’d call unusual, but perhaps it’s not. How can he not have an edge? He just found out he has a warrant out for his arrest and that my father was involved.

I probably have an edge as well.

“I assume Blake wanted to make a statement,” Adrian replies, confirming my suspicions. Lucifer and the car serve a bigger purpose than looking pretty. “One that says you’re not alone,” Adrian continues. “You have muscle and money behind you.”

My brow furrows. “Does that matter to people like Deleon and Waters?”

“Until now, Waters believed you and I were just two lone warriors, surrounded by traitors, all of whom were loyal to him. Now he’ll know we're surrounded by loyal, skilled, fearless soldiers.”

Lucifer and Adrian exchange a look and Lucifer seems to take a cue and rounds the car, heading to the driver’s side.

Adrian opens the passenger door and sets my bag on the backseat. I move toward the vehicle, even stepping behind the door, but I pause and face Adrian. “I’m thinking of our exchange a few minutes ago, about us not even knowing where this all ends or even how.”

“Right now,” he says, his hand settling warmly on my hip, “you focus on getting your family out of the way. Then I’ll handle Waters.”

Unease bristles inside me, and I narrow my eyes on him. “What does that even mean? You’ll handle him?”

“It means I’ll handle him.” His hand falls away and I’m suddenly cold with his withdrawal, despite the hot day.

“What’s going on with you, Adrian? What’s in your head right now?”

“Funny thing is, Pri, for once, it’s more about what’s in my heart.”

He means me. I see that in the warm chocolate of his eyes, but there is something more there, and that something more feels like a problem.

A white sedan pulls up behind us and he motions with his head. “That’s my ride. Don’t worry,” he says. “I’m staying off the radar.” When I think he’ll turn and walk away, he steps into me, and then he cups my neck and kisses me. It’s a wild kiss, a hungry kiss, a tormented kiss filled with secrets.