Monica swallowed hard as she stared up at him, but she refused to move.
He leaned in, his lips close enough that the warmth of his breath brushed her skin. “My job as aGuardian…” His brow arched deliberately. “is to protect the innocent.”
Her throat locked. The words she wanted to throw at him... ‘Then why wasn’t my sister worth your protection?’ but she kept those words to herself. That wasn’t fair. Even she knew it wasn’t fair. It didn’t even make sense because this man didn’t even know her sister, but grief didn’t give a damn about fairness or reality. Nope, it just wanted to blame someone at this moment; he was standing before her, making it easy for her to place her blame.
His phone buzzed, sharp against the thick silence. Kane didn’t answer it right away. He stared at her a moment longer, something unreadable moving in his gaze—anger, maybe restraint, Monica didn’t know him well enough to read him. He finally pulled the phone out, turned away, and took the call.
Monica exhaled shakily, realizing her hands were trembling. She watched him walk—broad shoulders, purposeful stride, the kind of physical presence you felt even after he was no longer in front of you. Her gaze dipped lower toward his ass.
“Hey.”
She jerked so violently that Doug actually stepped back.
“Jesus, you okay?” he asked, startled.
“You scared the shit out of me,” she muttered, pressing a hand to her chest.
“It’s not my fault you were ogling the Guardian’s ass.” Doug grinned, eyebrows bouncing like he was auditioning for “Annoying Brother of the Year.” “And honestly? Can’t blame you. He’s got that lethal-sexy thing going.”
“I was notoglinghis ass.” Her face heated traitorously as annoyance flared. “I was glaring daggers at him because he’s a pain in my ass.”
Doug’s grin faded into something gentler. “Maybe so. But… I feel a hell of a lot better knowing someone like him is watching your back.”
Monica looked toward the doorway Kane had disappeared through, a knot twisting tight in her stomach. She didn’t answer. She couldn’t. Because the truth hit her like a cold shot of reality, she didn’t trust anyone. Not anymore. And yet, Kane unsettled something in her. Something raw and dangerous. And the scary thing was...she wanted to trust him.
She had the sinking feeling that whatever was between them, whether it was resentment, attraction, fury, or fate, was only starting to spark. Glancing to where Kane had disappeared, she saw him walking toward them. Their eyes met, and her heart fluttered in her chest. Damn, she was definitely screwed. Hearing her brother chuckle, she snapped her gaze to him.
“I will stab you,” She growled before walking away to let her brother deal with the....Warrior. Her grin was evil as she disappeared deeper into the house.
CHAPTER 8
Sloan stepped into the kitchen, ignoring the dozen curious eyes that immediately swung in his direction as if everyone was waiting to see who he was going to bitch out. He didn’t bother correcting the assumption. Let them wonder.
His gaze locked on Becky at the sink, sleeves rolled up, elbow-deep in what looked like a poultry massacre. He headed straight for her.
“I was looking for you,” Sloan murmured as he came up behind her, bracing one hand on the counter and nudging her gently forward. He pressed a slow kiss to her neck, not giving a single damn that half his men were probably watching.
He glanced into the sink. “Why does it look like you murdered a flock of chickens?”
Becky shot him a grin over her shoulder and leaned in to kiss his cheek. “Getting ready to show Sid how real fried chicken is supposed to taste.”
“Sid challenged her to a fried chicken cook-off,” Jared called from one of the tables. “I’m taking bets. You in, boss? It would look pretty bad if you don’t put up for your woman.”
“I’m a guaranteed win,” Becky declared loudly, holding up a dripping piece of chicken like a trophy.
Sid rounded the corner at that moment, arms full of plastic containers stacked up to his chin.
“Becky,” Sid announced dramatically as he set them down with a thud, “do you know what is most requested in my kitchen?”
“Yeah,” Becky said without turning. “Reservations somewhere else.”
A ripple of laughter went through the room. “Damn, she got you on that one.” Damon’s deep chuckle cut through the room.
Sloan glanced at Sid, who was staring at Becky, and narrowed his eyes as if daring Sid to say anything nasty to Becky.
“Okay, fuck,” Sid finally said with a growl. “That was a good one. I’ll give you that, but you are going down, Becky. And Sloan, this is serious shit. If you can’t take seeing your woman lose or me giving her shit to mess with her without killing me...please leave.”
“And shit just got serious,” Jared said, whistling, as everyone waited to see what Sloan would say.