“I thought you hated me when we first met,” Monica whispered, still trying to wrap her head around what was happening. It was all so unexpected, but since meeting this man, all he had done was turn her world upside down more than it already was.
He shook his head, giving her a sad smile. “I think I knew the moment I saw you walking toward me in that bar that you were different from any other woman, and to be honest, it terrified the shit out of me.”
Monica actually snorted at that. “I don’t think anything could terrify you, Kane.”
“Well, that did, and so I was a little harder on you than I intended to be.” Kane cupped her cheek. “And the more time Ispent with you, the stronger those feelings intensified. Then I met your family, Theo and Knox?—”
“So, Knox is what sealed the deal for you?” Monica said, trying to hide her grin.
“He is a pretty awesome dog,” he replied without a smile, but then broke out into loud laughter at her frown.
Monica punched him in the stomach, but laughed with him. Once they stopped laughing, she glanced up at him. “You were right.”
“I usually am.” He countered with a grin. “About what?”
“Something is off with Farrar.” Monica’s smile had faded, all teasing gone. “I’m sorry I messed this up, but I’ve been doing this for so long, and well, I just didn’t want to lose the chance to get Griffen. Now he’s dead, meaning it’s a dead end...again.”
“First of all, in this line of work, things change on a dime. And most of the time, nothing works out. There have been so many times I’ve had to change strategies to make it work. I’m good at what I do, Monica.” Kane said, turning serious. “But my main concern is to keep you safe. Just because Farrar hasn’t called you back doesn’t mean this is the end. It just means we are back to the drawing board. It’s part of undercover work.”
Monica nodded as she took his hand in hers, rubbing her thumb against his. “I trust you, Kane.” Monica’s gaze left their hands to look up at him. “I just want whoever is responsible for Beverly’s death to pay, and I guess if it was Griffen, then he did pay in the end.”
“I think Farrar is more involved, which is something we are going to find out.” Kane pulled her into his arms and huggedher tight. But tomorrow is another day. “For now, let’s go get my buddy from Theo.”
Smiling into his chest, she chuckled. “I knew it was Knox that changed you.”
“He’s grown on me,” Kane laughed when she pinched him. They moved toward his bike, but he stopped before getting on. “Listen, this wasn’t a conversation I wanted to have in the driveway of our meeting place.”
Monica frowned, then tiptoed and kissed him. “I’m glad we did, Kane.”
Before he could say anything, someone came out of the house. “I thought you guys left already,” Raven said as she walked past them, heading for her bike.
“We’re leaving now,” Kane said, getting on his bike. “Where are you off to?”
“The compound,” Raven said with a frown. “My shift starts in half an hour.”
“You ever regret leaving the Guardians for the VC?” Kane asked as Monica climbed on behind him.
“Nope,” Raven got on her own bike. “You guys are assholes.”
“Wait a minute,” Monica frowned. “You used to be a Dark Guardian?”
“Yep,” Raven nodded.
“Now you’re a Warrior?” Monica looked at the beautiful woman in awe. “That’s pretty cool. You can fight and everything.”
“I can kick his ass,” Raven grinned, nodding toward Kane.
Kane just snorted, shaking his head. “Watch your ass out there, Raven.”
Raven didn’t respond; she just gave Monica a wink then flipped Kane off as she passed them. Monica chuckled, glancing at Kane. “She’s something else.”
“Something else is right,” Kane snorted, but she heard the respect in his tone.
“I still can’t wrap my head around the fact she’s a Warrior,” Monica said as she wrapped her arms around Kane, ready to get home. “She looks like she belongs on a runway modeling the latest fashion trends.”
“She’s like a little sister to me,” Kane replied, then started the bike. “Pain in the ass and all.”
Monica smiled and tightened her hold as Kane took off. The bike surged forward, smooth and powerful beneath them. When he turned out of the driveway, she leaned into his back, already settling in for the ride. She’d always loved being on a motorcycle. The speed, the freedom, and the way the world blurred until nothing existed but the road and the moment always soothed her.