Copyright © 2022 by A.V. Asher

All rights reserved. Published by Winter Zephyr Press.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

Ebook ISBN: 978-1-7365439-8-6

Paperback ISBN: 978-1-7365439-9-3

Hardcover ISBN: 978-0-578-28561-0

Cover design: Cat at TRC Designs

Editing: Gail Delaney

Proofreading: My Brother’s Editor

Note from the Author

This book is an interconnected stand alone. Declan and Cressida appear in the Truth & Lies Duet, but this is their story. They are two of my favorite characters, and I’m so pleased to share who they are and what they mean to each other. Please enjoy.

Content warning:

I always want you to enjoy organically, but some topics can be quite triggering. My goal is to always protect readers first. Please find an extensive list of triggers on my website. www.avasher.com

This book is intended for a mature audience and contains strong language, explicit sex and graphic descriptions of violence which some readers may find disturbing. Reader discretion is advised.

Ae fond kiss, and then we sever;

Ae fareweel, and then forever!

Robert Burns, Ae Fond Kiss

Contents

Part I

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Part II

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

Chapter 40

Chapter 41

Chapter 42

Chapter 43

Part III

Chapter 44

Chapter 45

Chapter 46

Chapter 47

Chapter 48

Chapter 49

Chapter 50

Chapter 51

Chapter 52

Chapter 53

Chapter 54

Chapter 55

Chapter 56

Chapter 57

Epilogue

Thanks for Reading

Books By A.V. Asher

Acknowledgments

About the Author

Where to find me!

Part One

One

Cressida Bennett chewed on her lip as she paced another maddening lap between the living room and the kitchen of her cramped flat. It was an endless trek, and one she’d repeated often, especially over the last few months. How she hadn’t worn a hole clean through the shaggy rug was a mystery.

Crossing to the balcony door, she swung it open and stepped out into the morning air. A touch of daylight seeped into the blanket of night over the London rooftops. The dawn was fresh and cold, filling her senses with a mixture of earthiness and rain. She closed her eyes, counted her breaths, and silently sent a few affirmations out into the atmosphere.

All will go as planned. Nerves are normal. This is the best work you’ve ever done.

The restlessness in her blood finally settled, reviving her energy. Securing the balcony door behind her, she returned to the sitting room and checked the time on her mobile.

“Shake!” she called down the short hallway. “Are you nearly finished?”

“Oy, just a tick,” Shake tossed back, his voice muffled by the door. He’d been in the loo for well over thirty minutes, styling his already perfect hair. Normally, she wouldn’t care about his morning beauty routines, but today wasn’t a normal day.

Cressida let out a deep sigh she hoped he could hear. “If you make me late, I swear I’ll throttle you.”

“We aren’t going to be late.” Finally, the door opened and her twin brother, Lysander ‘Shake’ Bennett, graced her with his presence. He framed his face with his ringed fingers and flashed a brilliant smile. They had such similar features. The same deep-caramel hair and wide, dark eyes that complemented their smooth olive skin.

“What do you think?” He fluttered his long lashes at her.

“Aww. So handsome,” Cressida teased, reaching up as if she were going to muss his perfectly styled hair.

“Hey! Sod off.” Shake dodged her fingers with a scowl.

She laughed. “The goal of today is to blend in, not stand out.”

Shake dragged his gaze down her body, an impish grin tugging on the corner of his mouth. “I see you’re well on your way.”

Cressida clicked her tongue in annoyance. Today’s selection was purposeful. A simple button-up shirt and grey wool skirt paired with sensible shoes, exactly what a young corporate computer tech might wear to an industry conference.

“Do you have everything you need? Our Uber should be here any time.”

Shake checked his watch. “We don’t need an Uber. If we leave for the Tube now, we’ll still be early.”

“Not early enough.”

“What?” Shake’s eyes narrowed suspiciously. “Why?”

“Because.” Cressida winced. “I need to get there before Declan does.”

Suspicion dropped to exasperation. “Are you serious?”

“Very.” Her mobile chimed, letting her know their driver waited outside. Cressida picked up Shake’s jacket and shoved it into his arms. “I swear to god if I have to owe that man one more drink at the pub, I’ll lose my mind.”

“Well, maybe stop making wagers with him, then?”

“What’s the fun in that?” Cressida scoffed at the ridiculous suggestion. “You ready?”

“Yeah, let’s go.” Shake sighed, pulling his keys to lock the door as they left.

Competitiveness aside, the harmless bet she’d made with Declan McKinley was a much-needed distraction from the weight of today’s events. Given enough downtime, she could overthink herself into madness.

The early morning traffic had yet to take to the streets, and they had a smooth journey to the conference center. A blast of icy wind coming off the Thames made her tighten her scarf around her neck as they walked into the building. Overhead, the glass pyramid entrance welcomed the visitors to the Digital Transformation Summit in London, an international collaboration of some of the hottest and most innovative tech designs from across the globe.

And she was the lead security liaison for it all.

Just the thought of it kicked the butterflies in her gut back to life.

That Declan and Alec McKinley had taken a chance on her to run the whole bloody thing was huge. Although she and Shake had worked for the McKinley cousins for years, this promotion was a proper first step in becoming a cyber security expert.

If only she could get her fluttering nerves under control.

Still subdued by the early hour, their steps echoed on the tile floor and a murmur of voices carried around the expansive outer hall. Over the past six months, she’d memorized every room, every exit, and the placement of every camera.

“Well, I guess hurrying here was all for nothing. He still beat you in,” Shake grumped.

“What?” Cressida scanned the room until her eyes landed on Declan McKinley.

The man was hard to miss. Tall and broad shouldered, with dark hair that complemented his fair skin and vivid blue eyes. The black shirts she’d ordered for this week were a tight fit across his chest and a hint of a blue-and-green tartan tattoo inked on his bicep peeked out from under his short sleeve.

Declan caught her gaze and his mouth turned up in amusement.

“Well, shit,” she murmured.

“You know he’s probably been here for hours, right?” Shake snarked.

“Yeah, I know.” Cressida sighed and strode toward where Declan was waiting.

Declan nodded his goodbye to the coworker he was chatting with and turned his attention to her, that shit-eating smirk playing on his lips. “You’re late.”

“Bloody hell, Dec,” she snapped without heat. “I’m forty minutes early. Did you get here at three a.m. to beat me in?”

He shrugged. “Eh, I might’ve.”

Cressida bit back the urge to smile, doing her best to be annoyed at his stupid, handsome face. That was until he picked up a paper takeaway cup and held it out to her as an olive branch.

“Oh, brilliant. Thank you.” Cressida took the steaming cup gratefully. “I didn’t have time to make my own.”

Shake let out his breath in a huff. Cressida wrinkled her nose in a silent apology to her brother. Clearly, there’d been plenty of time to make tea.

“I’m going up to the security room for setup.” Shake accepted a second cup of tea, which Declan offered him, with a salute of thanks. He shot her one more grouchy look before striding away.

“Mmmm.” Cressida took a sip and hummed a sigh of pleasure as the flavor of the sweetened Earl Grey hit her tongue. “I thought I was the one buying drinks today?”

“Och, aye.” Declan leaned toward her and murmured. His beautiful Scottish accent sent a shiver down her spine. “And I look forward to collecting that whisky at The Carriage this evening, sunshine.”

Using the little nickname he’d bestowed on her more than a year ago was enough to earn him a scoff. He’d only given it to her to needle her when they were alone. She’d never admit it, but she rather liked when he called her that, even when he was being an arse.

Declan stepped back and the comforting scent of bergamot and cinnamon swirled the air. She had no clue what he wore, but whatever it was should be made into a candle and burned at the holidays.

The teasing expression cleared, and he tilted his head. “Are you ready for today?”

There it was again, the uneasy energy driving her insane. “As ready as I can be, I suppose. What about you? Prepared to be the muscle, are you?” Cressida couldn’t help but run her gaze over the tight shirt again.

Damn, sometimes it was hard to be around all the man candy she worked with.

“Aye, I’m always ready for that.” Declan grinned, not seeming to notice her roving eyes. “Need help to set up?”

“Yup. I’m going to put you to work, boss man.”

“Aye, let’s get to it.” He laughed, falling in step with her across the exhibit floor to one of the hall exits. The corridor was slowly filling with exhibitors, adding a hushed echo throughout the room.

A rambling swirl of protocols and potential missteps took over her thoughts.

“Do you think I should have one more man outside the food court?” she asked Declan.

“Nah.”

“You sure?” At his nod, Cressida pressed. “How are you so sure?”

“Because you told me so.” At her look of confusion, he supplied, “You cleared the cameras in the food court last week and decided the manpower was better suited inside the hall.”

“Right.” Her brain was definitely in overthinking mode.

At the meeting room, he unlocked and held the door for her. Cressida flipped on the lights and walked to the media podium at the front, dropping her bag on a chair. Silently, they began setting out equipment the operatives would need on the tables organized by their team assignments. Then Cressida hooked up her computer to project a large map of the floor plan on the wide board at the front of the classroom.

Leaning against the table, she scanned the enormous facility. Declan sidled up beside her, studying the map as well. He crossed his arms over his chest, looking relaxed as hell. She wished she could borrow a touch of his confidence right now, but the warmth of his presence was enough to calm some of the jitters.

“You’re nervous,” he said as a statement rather than a question.

Sometimes it sucked to have a friend who was so good at reading what you were trying to hide. “What makes you say that?”

“You haven’t stopped chewing on your lip since you got here.”

“Oh.” She made a mental note to put some lip gloss on before the meeting to keep her from gnawing on it. “I didn’t think anyone would notice.”

“I noticed,” he murmured. “But I didn’t think you ever got nervous.”

Cressida scoffed. “Oh, I do. My impostor syndrome is having quite a go at me right now.”

“Impostor syndrome?”

Cressida brushed her hair behind her ear. “Yeah. You know . . . ”

A dark brow rose, waiting for her to explain.

Of course, he didn’t know what that was. He had traveled the world as a secret intelligence service officer for years before leaving to start the security firm with his cousin Alec. This event was a walk in the park for a man like Declan.

“It’s a little voice in my head that tells me I’m a fraud, and any day now you and Alec are going to realize it.”

The confusion slipped from Declan’s face, and his jaw tightened. He shifted to stand in front of her, the sincerity of his expression pressing her to listen.

“I want you to hear me. There’s no fraud here. Just a brilliant woman who knows her shit. You understand?”

Cressida nodded, her heart skittering unexpectedly. She forced herself to inhale deeply to slow its pace.

Good lord, it’s a compliment. No need to get excited.

But the longer he held his gaze on hers, the harder it was to catch her breath.

Her mobile chimed like a siren, making both of them jump. “I should get that.”

Declan nodded, his attention returning to the map. Cressida dug through her bag until she located her mobile. When she saw who’d sent the message, she bit back a groan.

Griff: Just thinking about you. Come stay the night tonight.

She pursed her lips and texted the same message she’d sent last night and early this morning.

Can’t. It’ll be too late. Have to be back early.

Griff: I don’t mind.

Griff: I’ll make it worth it.

Griff’s idea of “worth it” and hers were vastly different. If he’d guarantee the sex would be mind blowing, she might consider it. But anything less than toe curling would be work, and she already had plenty of work on her plate this week. She’d have a quicker and more satisfying experience with her little silicon friend in her drawer. And since Griff wasn’t the type to cuddle, she’d rather sleep alone.

Her dating life had been a mixed bag over the past year. Either the men were charming to start and then blocking her number before she’d even gotten her knickers up, or needy as hell, wanting her to meet their mums and pick out the perfect neighborhoods to raise children.

Blayne Griffin had seemed like the former but was quickly pivoting into the latter. He hadn’t brought up having the holidays with his family yet, but he was heading there. She wanted nothing to do with that, from any man. Casual was all she needed.

Leaving his messages unanswered, she tucked her mobile into her bag in time to see Declan’s eyes flicker away from it. He said nothing, which was good. She didn’t need his grumpy disapproval today.

Not that he ever said anything. They had an unspoken rule, no remarking on each other’s dating lives. They’d tried it once, and it had only led to the two of them bickering. Besides, it didn’t matter if Declan ever met Griff. He would hate him.

She didn’t particularly like any of the women Declan brought around, either. Most of them were shallow, seeing him only for his looks. None of them were interested in the man he really was.

And every single one of them tried to unravel Cressida from his life.

She dreaded the day Declan got serious with anyone.

Like a deep, stomach-churning kind of dread. The kind she could never tell him about, or he’d think her mad.

“You alright, lass?” He tilted his head, concern filling his expression.

Her heart performed another unruly somersault. Declan had a way of drawing her in, making her think about things she shouldn’t. She couldn’t very well tell him she’d been foreseeing the day someone stole him away from her.

Instead, she cleared her throat. “Yeah, it’s going to be a crazy couple of days.”

“You know I’m here if you need anything, right? You only have to ask.”

“I know, I appreciate it.” Her voice came out softer than she’d intended, and their gazes locked together, rooting her to the ground.

A key turning in the door snapped her out of it and she stepped back to arrange her notes on the podium.

Alec, Declan’s cousin and business partner, appeared in the doorway, propping the door open before striding across the meeting space.

“You’re late,” Declan called out with a grin.

Alec frowned at his watch. “I’m ten minutes early.”

“Aye, and while you were sleeping in, we’ve already prepped everything.”

“Och, aye?” Alec’s brow lifted. “Well, if you don’t need me, there’s a nice warm bed waiting for me at home.”

“No, I need you,” Cressida said. A major part of their security model required both of the McKinley cousins.

But Alec’s challenging gaze was all on Declan, who pursed his lips in defeat. He could no longer tease his cousin for being tardy when Alec was doing it on purpose. Now that he and Mercedes were engaged and living together, Alec was less likely to work the hours he used to.

It wasn’t long until the operatives filled the room, chatting quietly while they waited for the briefing to start. Cressida riffled through her notes, waiting for everyone to settle into their seats.

Shake, who had entered along with the others, crossed the room and leaned into her ear. “I’m going to say one more time, those shirts were a bloody brilliant choice.”

She followed his gaze to their newest agent, Noah Ramirez, the primary reason Shake spent so much time in front of a mirror lately. Noah, a former US Marshal, had only joined the team a few months ago, leaving California to start over. He was certainly easy on the eyes, but it was his gentle charm and dimpled smile that made him so lovable.

Noah talked quietly to Mason Wright, a handsome Black man who had joined McKinley Security at its inception. Trained in the United States military, he was a brilliant medic whose skill and calm demeanor had seen them through more than one life or death situation. Without Mason, neither Alec, nor his fiancée Mercedes would be alive today.

Declan’s deep laughter rippled through the air, and her attention swiveled to him. Alec must have said something hilarious because they were both grinning from ear to ear.

God, she loved the spark that alighted Declan’s face when he laughed. She could absolutely lose herself in the warm shivers spiraling through her.

Damn it.

The unchecked thoughts she’d been having all morning were unacceptable. These men, all of them, had taken her in and become her family. The few people she’d ever let herself trust.

She’d do anything to keep them.

Inhaling deeply to center her mind, she focused on the notes in front of her. Maybe she needed to take Griff up on the offer after all.

“Aye, if you can have a seat, we’ll get started,” Alec said as he stepped to the front of the packed room. “Cressida has a few words and then we’ll send you on your way.”

Cressida’s fingertips tingled until Alec turned the room over to her. Squaring her shoulders, she took the reins of the meeting, the nervous energy dissolving at last.

Two

Nothing impressed Declan McKinley more than watching Cressida transform. He had to force himself to examine the back of the room rather than openly admire her in front of this lot.

She was born to be on the stage, literally, and she adapted that skill whenever she needed to. Her body language shifted into a confident, self-assured leader with a deep understanding of every aspect of this complicated case.

That hardened shell was what the world got, the one she presented to people she kept at a distance.

But only minutes ago, in the quiet of the room, Cressida had let him see the vulnerability that lived beneath the surface.

When she told him she thought she was a fraud, he’d nearly come out of his skin. Those liquid pools of charcoal and embers gazed up at him with uncertainty, making him want to gather her up and hold her against him. If she saw what he did, she would know nothing could be further from the truth.

It had taken years of friendship before she let that barrier down when they were alone, and Declan never took those moments for granted.

Cressida brushed her dark hair behind her ear and pointed up at the map on the wall. “We have designated no-photography areas. Keep an eye out for anyone who may have a hidden device in their hands that could record the prototypes on the floor. If anything seems off, call it in.” Cressida turned to Declan and touched his shoulder, making his muscles fire in response. “We’ve stationed some of our team in black polo shirts like this. This is deliberate. We want to show a security presence on the floor.”

“Other team members are dressed less conspicuously, like me. Our goal is to keep a closer eye on the attendees and call in anything that looks suspicious. Do not attempt to engage with anyone on your own. That’s what the muscle gets paid for. Surveillance teams will monitor closely from above and can dispatch team members to your location if needed. Any questions?”

A few operatives asked clarifying questions, which Cressida handled swiftly. A silent groan played out in Declan’s head when Phillip Rancine, a senior tech, raised his hand. “Yeah, I want to know why I have to be in the auditorium listening to boring speeches when it’s clear all the potential action will be on the exhibit floor.”

Prick.

Cressida tilted her head, offering Phillip a tight smile. “As I explained in our conversation last week, the auditorium is an important venue for the companies showcasing their tech. It may not seem like the obvious place for IP to be stolen, but it’s still a risk.”

Phillip shot a look at one of his mates as if he couldn’t understand the answer. “All the more reason for less skilled agents to take it on and let the more qualified men handle the higher risk. Why would you put your best operatives where they aren’t as likely to be used?”

“Because that’s where your lead wants you,” Declan said, adding a warning to his voice.

Phillip’s gaze met with Declan’s icy stare, and he snapped his mouth shut.

Cressida shot Declan a grateful look before moving on. “I don’t have to tell you all that cyber espionage is rampant during these events. We are protecting billions of pounds of intellectual property that may walk right out the door. If we catch someone in the act, we’ll detain them and turn them over to the authorities. Any further questions, you can find me on the showroom floor.”

Once the meeting ended, the operatives filed out of the room to take their positions. Cressida straightened up her notes and shoved them into the folder, annoyance furrowing her brow. Her expression softened when she saw Declan approach.

“Thanks for the backup.”

“Always,” Declan said. “He’s good at his job, but sometimes he pisses me off.”

She opened her mouth to say something when the chime of her mobile went off again. Declan’s jaw clenched as he caught sight of the name Griff on the screen before she swept it up and began typing.

The wanker of the month was at it again.

Declan didn’t even need to meet the little fuck to know he didn’t like him. Red flags flew all over the place with this one. The number of times he’d seen her mobile light up with his name blazoned on the screen gave him stalker vibes.

As much as Declan loathed it, he kept his tongue. It wasn’t worth the rift that came between the two of them the few times he’d commented on the men she went out with.

Inhaling deeply to cover his irritation, he stepped away, letting her have a bit of privacy.

Her face was unreadable as she finished her text and tucked her mobile in her pocket. She walked up to Declan and tugged her bag off the table next to him.

“Hey, sunshine,” he said, quiet enough that only she heard him. Cressida paused and turned to him, her warm sable eyes pulling him in like gravity. “You’ve got this.”

A soft smile played on her lips, showing off those incredible dimples. “Thanks, Dec. I always feel better knowing you’re nearby.”

Declan’s heart picked up, but he did his best to remain impassive as she walked to the door and disappeared into the hall.

“You need to do something about this.”

He turned to find Alec leaning against a table, watching the exchange. Declan didn’t have to ask what his cousin meant, but he wasn’t up to chatting about it now.

“Bugger off, aye.”

Alec chuckled and stood up straight. “Whatever you say, mate.”

Cheeky bastard.

Declan grabbed his badge and looped it around his head. Alec fell into step with him as he locked the room and walked to the showroom.

His thoughts may be all over the place, but he was damn good at keeping them off his face. Except when it came to Alec. The two of them had always been that way, even as lads. Alec was his inner thoughts, putting to words the tough things Declan didn’t want to hear.

It was payback, really.

During the roller coaster from hell Alec had experienced a few months ago, Declan hadn’t been shy about calling out shit when he saw it. Now Alec was returning the favor in spades.

On the showroom floor, Declan caught sight of Cressida, noting how she’d already slipped into the role of an enthusiastic tech employee. But that business casual outfit did nothing to dim the glow that radiated off her.

Declan forced himself to look away, pushing back all the feelings he’d gathered for her over the years. She was one of his most treasured friends and a vital employee. He never wanted that to change.

But she had no idea… No clue what she was to him.

And chances were, she never would.

Three

Cressida strolled along the maze of booths, taking a moment at each one to chat with the vendors and collect information about their companies. Her favorite leather and canvas tote was quickly filling, most of which was destined for the rubbish bin as soon as she got home. But it wasn’t all for show. Some of the tech was really exciting.

She was so entranced by a robot delivering takeaway food that she walked right into a solid mass of a man.

“Oh, shit.” The impact toppling her backward. A steady hand slipped around her waist, keeping her from landing on her arse. “Bloody hell. I’m so sorry.”

Cressida looked up into the man’s face, and her heart dropped. Hazel-brown eyes sparked with open amusement attached to an incredibly attractive face. She clutched his arm, toned muscles hid beneath the fine cloth of his three-piece suit.

The man grinned at her, his hand holding on to her waist. He seemed to realize this at the same time she did and righted her on her feet.

Well, at least he’s not a creep.

“No, that was my bad,” he said in an East Coast American accent. “I wasn’t watching where I was going, and I ran right into you.” A soft flush grew over his fair cheeks that only added to his attractiveness.

“Well, I think I stomped on your foot, so I guess we’re even.” She held her hand to him. “I’m Cressida Bennett.”

He took it and squeezed tightly. “Jack Weston.”

His eyes trailed to her chest and lingered on the white button-up shirt.

Okay, maybe a creeper after all.

“So, you’re not presenting anything. What is it you do?”

She flushed when she realized he’d been checking out her badge and not her boobs. “I work in cyber security. Are you with an exhibitor?”

Jack flashed a wide grin. “I am. I’m a senior vice president of CloudShore Tech.”

“Oh, cloud storage facilities with a focus on green energy, right?”

“That’s right. Our latest storage model is more compact and draws less energy than the current products on the market.” Jack tilted his head. “You should come over and check it out.”

A smile tugged at the corners of her lips. “Lead the way.”

Cressida followed Jack through the maze of displays to one of the larger exhibits on the floor. A rainbow of light and the quiet thump of techno music pounced behind a table. A tall, lean man dressed in a lime-green shirt was the only worker there.

When the employee saw Jack, his eyes widened, and his body went rigid. “Mr. Weston,” he stammered. “I thought you were in a session.”

“I was, but I wasn’t learning anything new, so I bailed early.” Jack’s eyes narrowed. “Is everything okay, Neil?”

“Uh, yeah.” Neil shifted his feet. “We’ve had quite a few people stop in.”

“Good.” Jack turned to Cressida and put his hand on the small of her back. “Come on over and check out the latest model.”

Cressida scanned the surrounding booths before she turned her attention to the prototype. It wasn’t much larger than the standard computer tower, a fraction of the size of current cloud storage servers. The case was opened, allowing visitors to see the components inside.

“This is the entire system?” At Jack’s nod, her gaze dropped back to the device. “Well, aren’t you the sweetest little thing,” she cooed at it.

Jack chuckled. “She’s tiny, but she packs a lot of punch. The internal drives need less cooling, so the thermal systems pull less energy than anything else on the market. Couple that with some of our other services and we can change the impact of data storage around the world.”

“That’s amazing. I’ll take a leaflet in case my company wants to change how they store their data.” Cressida reached to take a brochure.

“Now’s the time to jump on it. We are the future in green data storage.”

She flipped through the pamphlet, then added it to her tote. “I should be off. They sent me here to look into a new security system. If I come back empty-handed, I’ll never hear the end of it. It was nice to meet you.” She flashed him one more smile before following the carpeted path out of the exhibit.

Jack followed her out. “Wait. Can I buy you a drink sometime?”

“I’m not—” A movement over Jack’s shoulder caught her attention, and she stammered.

Neil, the employee working the booth, was standing at the end of the CloudShore Tech display. Something about the way he was holding his body set off warning flags.

Nervous shifting. Eyes flitting from Jack, down the corridor of exhibits and back.

And a tight hand gripping a small object.

Shit.

Jack took her pause to mean she was considering the drink. “I’d love to chat with someone who knows about our system. It’s refreshing, actually.”

“Oh, um. Yeah, that sounds great.” What the hell had she agreed to? She reached for her mobile and checked the screen, turning it away from Jack’s eyes. “Oh, damn. I’ve missed a few calls from my supervisor. I need to ring him back.”

Jack stepped back. “Of course. Take your time.”

Cressida moved out of earshot, giving her a better view of Neil in the booth. He was getting ruddier by the second. The beads of sweat dripped down the side of his face, pooling on his lime shirt.

A man in a dark-blue suit ambled up to the table, his head turning to look down the corridor. When Neil caught sight of him, the shifting of his feet intensified, and his fair skin blazed to a near scarlet.

Cressida’s heart rate rose. It could be totally innocent, and Neil was having some kind of social anxiety crisis. But every nerve was telling her something was off.

She touched the button hidden in her earpiece and placed the mobile to her ear to cover it. A hushed white noise sounded before her brother’s voice broke over the line. “This is Apollo.”

“This is Artemis. I need a private channel with the floor leader. Do you copy?”

“Copy, connecting now.”

“This is Rebellion.” Declan’s voice came through the earpiece. “What on earth are you doing, Artemis?”

“Well, I was chatting up a smart executive.” She ignored Declan’s grunt of disapproval. “But I think I might’ve stumbled onto an exchange in booth seven forty-six. Remain stealth. Targets are sweeping the floor for security.” Her eyes darted to the potential exchange. “Do you see the man in the blue suit near the booth?”

“Aye.”

“I see him too,” Shake said, confirming that he was monitoring from above.

“The employee may have a flash drive in his hand. Both have their eye on the VP I’m chatting with.”

“Matrix has mobilized to your east side,” Shake said, letting her know Mason was in position nearby.

Jesus, was she about to unleash two very large, very skilled operatives on an innocent conference goer?

No, everything in her told her this was all wrong.

“On your order, Artemis.” Declan’s calm voice steadied her. He would wait all day until she was sure.

Cressida’s heartbeat thundered as her eyes swept the show floor. Declan and Mason were close, but they wouldn’t show themselves until they were ready. She watched the booth with her peripheral vision until Neil reached out to shake Blue Suit’s hand.

The flash drive changed hands.

“Exchange confirmed. Go.”

Declan appeared out of the crowd, blocking the man in the blue suit as he tried to leave. “Excuse me, sir, I’m going to need that device in your hand.” His imposing frame cornered the man against the table.

Neil’s eyes widened in shock when Mason slipped in from the east side of the booth. He looked too stunned to run for it.

“What the fuck?” Blue Suit’s brow furrowed in irritation. He was a large man, but a few inches shorter than Declan. “How fucking dare you put your hands on me.”

“I haven’t touched you . . . yet.” Declan’s warning made the man step back, but his expression remained obstinate.

“What the hell is going on?” Jack burst out, his eyes darting between Neil and Blue Suit. His eyes landed on the logo on Declan’s black shirt. “What . . . ?”

Cressida stepped forward, holding out her hand. “If you don’t mind, sir. We need that flash drive.”

The man’s hostile gaze swept the group of them until it landed on Cressida. “I don’t have to do anything, you little bitch.”

Declan stepped forward, but she stopped him with a hand on his chest.

“No, no, there’s no need for that.” This nasty shit was testing her patience. “You’ll be handing that drive over on your own, or my friend here will take it from you.”

The man’s face went purple with fury, and he took a step toward Cressida, but she held her ground.

“Go fuck yourself.” He reached out to swat at her hand.

He never got the chance.

A sickening thump rang out through the space, followed by a choking gasp. Blue Suit fell to his knees, clutching his throat. Before she could process what Declan had done, the man was face down on the carpet, his hands being flex cuffed.

Declan bent over and grasped the man’s chin, the muscles in his forearms straining.

“You don’t get to touch her,” he growled.

Declan’s heated gaze shot up to Cressida, stormy eyes raking her body.

Cressida’s heart rate rocketed, and she sucked in air to slow its pace.

“I’m okay.” She wasn’t sure why she said it, but it seemed to be what he needed to hear.

Declan’s attention returned to Blue Suit, digging the memory drive from his tightened fist. Pulling himself to his full height, he walked toward her, holding it in his hand. He offered it to her, and she took it, letting her fingers brush his palm.

“What the hell is going on? Do you know these men?” Jack said, breaking through her moment of ridiculous hero worship. She’d nearly forgotten the man was there.

Cressida cleared her throat. “Sorry, Jack. Yes, I know them. I work for McKinley Security and Risk Management. We’ve been hired to run the security for this event.” She held up the drive in her hand. “It appears your employee may have been exchanging your company’s intellectual property.”

Jack looked at Neil in disbelief. “What the hell’s on that?”

“It . . . it’s nothing.” Neil looked like he might have shit himself at least three times. “I-I was just doing what I was told.”

“What you were told? Jesus.” Jack ran his hands through his hair. “Great. May I have it please?”

“Afraid not,” Cressida said. “As stated in your vendor contract, all potential cyber security matters have to be turned over to PIPCU.” At Jack’s confused frown, she added, “That’s the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit here in London.”

“Fuck,” Jack murmured, the tips of his fingers massaging his brow. “Can I at least be there when you go through it?”

Cressida nodded. “You can follow me whilst I take a look, but if it’s evidence of a crime, we have no choice but to turn it over.”

“Alright, yeah. That makes sense.”

Declan scowled as he sized up Jack, distrust coating his expression. “Hey, mate,” he said to Mason. “I’m going with Cress. Will you see to it that these two get to the holding room, please?”

“Yep.” Mason nodded. “Apollo, call for backup in detaining these two.”

“Copy,” Shake said in their ear. “Hunter on his way.”

They only waited about one minute before Noah pushed through the crowd. He and Mason dragged the man in the blue suit to his feet and forced him forward. Neil looked like he might vomit and didn’t even try to resist the flex cuffs that bound his hands.

Once Mason and Noah had the suspects in hand, Declan returned to her side.

“Thanks for having my back,” she murmured to him.

“Always.” It was the second time he’d said that to her today, and the skip of her heart was just as intense.

But Jack was waiting for answers, and she couldn’t sit around ogling Declan all day. “Why don’t you follow me, and we’ll have a look.”

Cressida led the way to their designated room, well aware of the punctuated silence between the two men with her.

Thankfully, Shake met them there, holding the door open for them. “I have a safe terminal all set up for you.”

“Thanks. This is Jack Weston of CloudShore. This is Shake Bennett, one of our tech specialists, and my brother.”

Jack politely shook Shake’s hand while Cressida took the drive to the safe computer. Designed to keep their internal systems safe, it wasn’t tied to any network and was programmed to find any malware.

When the screen lit up with the files, Jack sucked in a quick breath of air and leaned closer to her. “Damn. It has everything our company has been working on this last year, including the source code for all the new programs that’s nearly through development.” Jack leaned back in his chair, his fair complexion washing out. “Neil’s not some computer whiz. How the hell did he get all that without our own security and firewalls detecting it?”

“I would imagine that he either had help or he has a lot more skill than he’s letting on,” Cressida said.

“Just a heads-up, mate,” Declan said. “When the PIPCU investigators arrive, they’ll need to speak to you as well.”

Jack turned to Declan as if he was seeing him for the first time. “I’m sorry. Who are you?”

Cressida flushed. “Oh, I apologize. This is Declan McKinley, one of the partners at my firm.”

A tight smile that held none of Declan’s normal warmth pulled up on his lips as he shook Jack’s proffered hand. “Just curious. How much do you think this information would have cost you if it had walked away?”

Jack let out a deep exhale. “Just the cloud prototype plans have been valued around a hundred million dollars. If you add in the other projects that were with it, it could have well been over half a billion.” He let out a breath, like the gravity of what had nearly happened had finally hit home. His gaze turned to Cressida, and he crossed the distance to stand before her. “I don’t know if I can ever thank you. You really saved my ass.”

There was an intensity in the room that made her feel like she was under a microscope. Not from Jack, but from the brooding Scotsman whose silence filled the air.

“You’re welcome. Now Dec and I should get back to the show.” She ejected the device and placed it into a plastic bag, handing it to her brother. “Shake will take care of delivering this to the authorities. They’ll assign you a contact to keep up with the case and will handle things from here on out.”

Cressida picked up her tote from the floor by her feet and strapped it over her shoulder.

“Oh.” Jack seemed to be surprised by this. “I thought maybe I would get to see you a bit more.”

Declan loudly cleared his throat, forcing a flush up her cheeks.

“Afraid not.” Cressida dug a business card from her handbag and gave it to him. “Here’s my number if you have any questions.”

“Well, I guarantee you, I have questions.” Jack took the card from her with a spark in his eye before he turned and followed Shake out of the room.

Cressida caught Declan’s dark look as he watched Jack leave. But when his gaze returned to her, the surliness evaporated, and the corner of his mouth twitched.

She bit back a smile. “You really throat punched a guy.”

“Aye, I did.” Declan chuckled.

She huffed out her breath incredulously. “Can you believe that happened?”

“I knew you’d be bloody brilliant.”

She swallowed back the sudden lump that had formed in her throat. “And I knew I was safe.”

He nodded, his expression grew more serious. “You were.”

Forcing air into her lungs, Cressida dropped her gaze to the floor, freeing it from his. “We should get back to the hall.”

“Aye,” Declan said softly. He was the first to move, holding the door for her as she gathered the last of her sanity and followed him out.

As she fell into step with him, her mobile chimed a text. She pulled it out of her pocket without thinking.

Griff: I mean it. Let me take care of you tonight.

Cressida stole a quick glance at Declan, but he didn’t acknowledge that she was on her mobile. Her roiling emotions made the choice for her, and she typed up a quick response.

When they reached the door to the hall, Declan gave her a tight smile. “Ready to do it all over again, sunshine?”

“Only if you are.” She stepped into the showroom, the thrill of lasting adrenaline coursing through her veins.

Four

Impatience and fear crawled up Jack Weston’s spine. He needed to get the fuck out of this room. Fires needed to be extinguished all over the place and he was sitting here waiting.

Fucking Neil.

Talk about being blindsided.

Today of all days.

God only knew which of their competitors had paid for the tech to be stolen. There were several to choose from. CloudShore Tech was pioneering a new dawn in digital storage and multiple entities wanted it.

But that wasn’t all CloudShore had in the works. If their competitors really knew what the company was developing, they wouldn’t have gone for the cloud-based storage designs. CloudShore had something much more valuable stashed away.

And now a competitor’s greed may have fucked up the entire project.

A cold tendril of fear swept through him. What if he couldn’t deliver?

When the last developmental deadline had been late, they’d been warned. No more extensions. Without Benjamin to work the program, he was lost.

That sexy little security girl came to his mind and a twinge of hope formed in his gut. He would have to see her again, especially since he’d panicked and left her with something he needed back. But she might be good for more than one thing. Watching her nerd out over his software programs made his heart lurch.

Benny would’ve liked that one.

It had only been two months since he’d buried his brother, and every day would bring on unexpected reminders of him. Reminders of how brief life was and what was at risk.

Jack picked up his phone and dialed. Oscar Shepard answered with a grunt.

“I’m still waiting for an investigator. They’re taking their sweet ass time. I want you to secure the penthouse for the rest of the month.”

“What?” Oscar grumbled. “We don’t have time to hang out in London. ”

“Yes, we do. I think I found someone who can help us with our problem and perhaps buy us a little more time. Until then, we can work from the London office.” He pulled the business card from his pocket. “I need a full history on a woman named Cressida Bennett from McKinley Security ASAP. And find out if she’s married or seeing anyone.”

Oscar muttered under his breath but took down her information.

“Call me back when you’re done.” Jack hung up the phone and sat in silence, trying to map out his next course. He was dug in deep this time. How could he smooth things out with the vultures picking at his bones? Especially now that today had become an utter shit show in more ways than one.

The door opened, and a man in a neat suit and a handheld tablet stepped inside. Jack wiped his clammy hands together and stood.

“Mr. Weston,” the investigator greeted him. “I’m George Fillmore. I’ll be managing your company’s case.”

“Nice to meet you.”

With pleasantries out of the way, Fillmore got down to it. “Your employee, Neil Monteny, along with a man named Terrence Mitchell, have been detained on corporate espionage charges and theft of IP.”

“I can’t believe it. Neil always seemed like a good guy.”

The investigator nodded. “Sometimes you never know.” He leaned forward. “Do you know the other man?”

“No, I’ve never seen him before,” he said honestly.

Fillmore lobbed more questions at him. What programs were they working on? How long had Neil worked at CloudShore? What would anyone gain by taking it?

The questions turned to Jack’s personal and business connections, wanting to know his salary and what investments he had in the company.

Fillmore listened to the answers, studying Jack’s face with each response. Jack forced himself not to squirm under the attention. “I have to say, I’m a little surprised the questioning has turned this direction.”

The investigator nodded, tapping his pen on his notepad. “We need to be thorough. This sort of espionage can wreak havoc on the industry.”

“Oh, I’m aware. I’m one of the people who would suffer if someone else got a hold of our prototypes and programming.”

“Be that as it may, I’m going to have to search you and your belongings to make sure you have nothing on you that might be considered evidence of theft.”

Maybe he hadn’t panicked after all.

Jack stood and held his arms out. “You can certainly check for yourself. I have nothing to hide.”

The investigator made quick work of patting him down and running his hand through the pockets of his suit jacket. When it was clear no devices were on him, the investigator sat back down. “I understand you’ve been staying at a short-term rental while you are in London.”

Dread swept through his heart. “I have. It’s a penthouse in Westminster.”

The investigator’s head bobbed. “We’ll need to perform a search of that property as well.”

“I’m sorry, what?” Jack’s mind raced at what they might find. The worst of it had been passed off minutes before the police arrived, but remnants could be found if they weren’t careful. “Look, I’ve done all you’ve asked and I want to cooperate, but that’s a little out of hand. You can talk to my lawyer first.”

Jack held his breath while the investigator skimmed his notes. Finally, his dark eyes swept up to Jack’s. “Alright. We’ll want to speak with you again before you go back to New York, but for now, you can go.”

The tension in Jack’s body eased, but he hid his relief. Instead, he pushed his chair back and walked out the door.

Pure adrenaline carried him outside the convention center to the concrete promenade along the Thames. Once he found a quiet space against a stone barrier on the river, he pulled out his phone and dialed.

Oscar answered immediately. “What the fuck is going on? A bunch of cops just showed up at the penthouse.”

Fuck, they worked fast. “Did you let them in?”

“No, told them to fuck off. Do you have the—”

“Jesus, don’t fucking say it.” Jack took a deep breath to cool his temper. “No. I had it, but I got rid of it.”

Silence came over the line. “Is it . . . recoverable?”

It wasn’t like he’d had enough time to destroy it. “Unfortunately, yes.”

“So what do we do?”

Jack’s grip on the phone was becoming painful. “Why don’t you tell me what you found on the girl.”

Five

The space was clearing out and Declan made one final pass for stragglers before they locked up and turned the site over to their designated night crew.

Alec was doing a last sweep as well, and when he saw Declan, he changed course and walked toward him. “We’re all going to The Carriage for a bite after. Sadie’s going to meet us there. You in?”

“Och, aye. I think I’m about to waste away here.”

“That wouldn’t make it different from any other day, now would it?”

Declan grunted his response, not listening as much anymore. His gaze had fallen on Cressida, who was talking on her mobile. Her slender arm hugged her waist, and the distance masked her hushed tones.

Not a business call.

Griff. What the fuck kind of name was Griff?

Cressida clicked off the call and walked toward them, her lovely face creased with weariness.

“Hey, we’re all going to the pub. You ready to pay up on that drink?” Declan said, watching her roll her head from side to side. He resisted the urge to reach out and massage the muscles of her slender shoulders.

“That sounds fab, really. But I’m heading over to Griff’s for the night.”

Declan hadn’t been ready.

The image of her wrapped around some faceless arsehole assailed him, knocking the air from his lungs. Thankfully, Cressida’s attention was on her mobile, calling for a car.

“Aye, maybe tomorrow night.”

“Absolutely. You know I’m good for it.” Her lip curved up into a crooked smile, showing off that dimple. “I’ll see you in the morning?”

“Aye, in the morning.”

She offered one last smile before she walked away, taking her spark with her.

Declan closed his eyes and let the ache roll through him. There wasn’t much he could do other than move on from it.

Alec was silent beside him. Declan didn’t have to tell him what he was feeling. Alec knew. The two of them had somehow survived loss, abandonment, divorce, major injuries, and more loss over the years.

This was nothing compared to all of that. Didn’t mean it didn’t tear him apart.

The pub had plenty of seating at this time of night. The group settled around the large community table near the back. Declan pulled out a chair between Mason and Alec, the ache of his feet catching up with him as soon as he sat down.

The Carriage Crest was only down the way from the office, so it had become a favorite after-work spot. Most of the team lived within walking distance as well, so it was a natural place for gathering. Their food was delivered quickly, and everyone tucked in with enthusiasm.

Alec had left a vacant seat next to him and his gaze kept shooting to the door, worry creasing his face.

“She’s okay,” Declan murmured.

Alec huffed out his breath before taking a sip of whisky. “Aye, I know. I just don’t like her being out at night on her own.”

Alec and Mercedes had lived through a hell storm of pain. For years, outside forces separated them. When they had finally found each other again, the world had torn them apart once more.

And it was some rough shit.

The aftermath of those traumas ran deep, and it had taken them months before they would go anywhere separately. Mercedes, an American attorney, was settling into her new life here, but every once in a while, their past caught up to them both.

“So, tell me about the setup for the wedding,” Declan said. “Did Sadie get the band she wanted?”

Alec gratefully latched on to the distraction. “Aye, she got ’em. And she’s talked them into teaching her to play the bagpipes. She’s going to meet with them the next time we’re in Scotland.”

“That sounds like Sadie.”

Alec chuckled. “Aye, that woman will be the death of me.”

The woman in question chose that moment to breeze through the door, and Alec visibly relaxed. Mercedes wore her long chestnut hair down, waves of it brushing her shoulders as she walked.

“Look at this ragged group. Long day for you all,” she said as she came around the table greeting each of the seated men with a peck on the cheek.

Alec pulled her to his side, giving her a soft kiss on her forehead. “I missed you today,” he murmured. Mercedes tucked her head into his shoulder. The softness of her smile as she gazed at Alec warmed Declan’s heart.

Then she scanned the table. “Where’s Cress?”

“With Griff,” Declan snarked, not hiding the irritation in his voice. He glared at his plate, as if it held the answer to what she saw in that arsehole.

“Ah.” Mercedes and Alec shared a look before she covered it by stealing a chip from Alec’s plate.

“I’m surprised she went over there tonight.” Shake popped off in between bites of his burger. “She was looking forward to coming out with us. Then he rings her, and she runs off to bring him food.”

“She worked this late, and she had to bring him food?” Declan couldn’t keep the disdain from his tone.

Shake shrugged. “That’s what it sounded like to me. She wasn’t too keen on that part of it, but it’s probably better than hearing him whinge about it later.”

Declan took a drink of his beer to wash away the bitter irritation. Any man that could look at a woman like Cressida and not want to spoil the hell out of her was a fucking moron.

“Where does she find these guys?” he muttered.

It was his own damn fault, really.

Their lives seven months ago had been very different. Alec and Mercedes had gone through hell and back and Declan was doing all he could to right the world for them. He’d spent months away from home looking for the answers they needed. Later, he’d taken over the running of the company while the two of them spent some time on their own, first in California and then in Scotland.

When the dust settled, Declan had hoped to talk to Cressida, to let her know things had changed for him, to explore the idea of more between them. By the time he had worked up the nerve, it was too late. She came to work talking about a new douche nozzle she’d matched with on a dating site, and he let it go.

That was four fucking months ago.

Maybe it was better this way. As much as it pained him to think of her with another fuckboy who didn’t know her value, Declan wasn’t about to screw up his friendship with her. Plus, there was the added concern that he was her boss. It was better if he didn’t make a mess of the balance between them.

It wasn’t like he didn’t have options. There were a few women he saw casually from time to time. Some he’d spend the evening with here and there, just to keep his nights from being so damn dismal.

If only one of them could make him laugh the way Cressida did.

“What does Cressida see in this guy?” Alec asked Shake.

Declan’s lips turned up into a smile at his cousin’s gentle prodding, knowing it was on his behalf.

“Who the bloody fuck knows,” Shake grumbled. “He’s hot, and occasionally charming, but I don’t see it lasting. She’s way too smart for him.”

Declan stared at his glass, trying not to read too much into Shake’s words. If it wasn’t a bloke like Griff, then it would be a millionaire playboy like Jack Weston who looked at her like she was the best dessert he’d ever laid eyes on.

Fuck.

Jealousy wasn’t his style, and it hadn’t been for many years. Not since his ex-wife had ripped him apart, and he learned to keep women he was seeing at a distance. That was, until Cressida had worked her way into his heart.

They were wrapping up their meal when Ivy, their server, asked if there was anything more she could get them.

“Aye, can I get your sticky toffee pudding to take away?” He shot her a smile which made a grin spread on her face.

“Sure thing, Dec.”

Only a few moments later, Ivy returned with their checks and the small container for the dessert. Declan flipped the booklet open to sign for his meal and noticed a slip of paper in with his receipt.

It was Ivy’s phone number, and a message telling him her shift was up at ten. It wasn’t the first time she’d shown him she was interested. She hadn’t been shy about it.

Ivy was attractive and sweet, but not at all what he was looking for. He scratched a gentle note on the scrap of paper and left it with his signed copy.

Gathering up the takeaway container, he followed the others out onto the pavement. A blast of chilled breeze swirled around them as the group lingered to finish their conversations.

“Hey, Shake,” Declan called.

Shake raised his brow. “What’s up, mate?”

He held out the container. “Can you make sure your sister gets that?”

Shake hesitated, his dark-brown eyes studying Declan’s face as he took the container. “Sure. She’ll love it.”

Declan knew she would. She had a voracious sweet tooth, and sticky toffee pudding was her favorite.

Alec watched the exchange and approached Declan once Shake was out of earshot.

“Hey, you okay?” Alec asked, his brow creased in concern.

Declan took in a deep breath of night air. “Aye. Not much I can do about it, is there?”

“Oh, I think there is.” Alec stuffed his hands in his pockets. “You ever thought maybe she doesn’t know you’re a choice. Maybe if she did, she wouldn’t look at you like you’re her big brother.”

Declan hated that analogy. He wasn’t her fucking brother. But Alec wasn’t wrong in saying she might think that’s all he would ever be to her.

He pulled in a breath of night air, trying to cool the burn these thoughts had in him. “I know. But I can’t fuck it up. I’d rather never know.”

Alec nodded. “I hate seeing you like this.”

“I’ll be fine. I’ve been through worse.”

“I know you have.”

Declan said his farewells and headed for home, his chest heavy. On impulse, he pulled out his mobile and shot off a text to Cressida. Chances were, she wouldn’t see it until the morning.

Goddamn, that thought was like a knife to his gut, but this was where they were.

If he thought for sure it would work out, he would take the risk. But not knowing the outcome kept him in his lane. Losing her wasn’t an option.

Six

A deep ache had worked its way from the bottom of Cressida’s feet to the base of her spine by the time she knocked on Griff’s door. The scent of battered fish and fried potato wedges filled the air, making her stomach protest its emptiness.

The door swung open and Griff swept her into his apartment. An uttered greeting barely left his lips before he pressed her against the wall and kissed her.

“I’m so glad you could come over tonight,” he murmured.

“Me too.” She put her hand on his chest. “Let’s eat before it gets cold.”

Griff slipped his hand up to cup her breast. “Mmm, sure, babe.” Cressida bit back an annoyed sigh as he ignored her and went in for another kiss.

Seriously, man. Food.

Cressida let him have about ten seconds more before wriggling out of his hold.

“I need to eat and get some sleep, Griff. I’m not up for anything else tonight.”

Annoyance crossed his face, and he finally stepped back. “Fine. But I already ate, so I’ll just nibble.”

He already ate? He had her trudge all the way to the chippy to get food he didn’t even want. If she’d have gone with the others, she’d probably be home right now.

Cressida took a cleansing breath as she walked to his table and sat. Maybe once she ate, she’d stopped being so pissy.

Griff sat with her, taking a few chips as he watched her. “How was the show?”

“Crazy. I stopped an exchange that would have cost millions. My team had to do a takedown, but we secured the data.” She gave a brief overview of what had gone on.

When she was finished, Griff sat back, regarding her with an amused look. “Well, you didn’t really keep it from being stolen. Your team did.”

Cressida was about to take a bite when his words hit her. “What do you mean?”

“It sounds like whoever jumped on the guy was the one who stopped it.”

Cressida tossed the chip back into the paper and stared at him. “The team moved when I gave the order. That’s not nothing.”

Griff’s lips turned up. “Sure, babe, but you’d never be able to stop a grown man who wanted to get away from you.”

“You’re right, which is why I utilized my team.”

“Your team.” He rubbed her leg. “You’re so damn cute.”

Cute? A multimillion-pound theft stopped on her orders and she was fucking cute to him?

He moved in on her, shifting to kiss her neck, leaving a trail of wetness on her skin. When his fingers trailed up her thigh to massage her crotch, she’d had enough.

Jumping to her feet, she stepped away from the table. “I need to use the loo.”

“I’ll be here waiting for you,” he said, blatantly adjusting himself.

Cressida went to his washroom, leaned against the closed door, and rubbed her brow.

Was she PMSing or was Griff being a dick? Something about his touch irritated the hell out of her skin, and he wasn’t catching the hint that she wasn’t feeling it tonight.

Honestly, she should have known better. Griff wasn’t the type to let her fall asleep in his arms. Everything was transactional. She knew this. He wouldn’t leave her be until he got off, and she wasn’t in the mood for it. His track record of finishing her wasn’t the worst she’d ever had, but it wasn’t stellar either.

By the time she’d used the toilet and washed her hands, she’d made up her mind. Sleeping alone was far more preferable to fighting off his advances.

“Hey, Griff,” she called as she returned to the kitchen. “I think I’m going to take—”

“Who the fuck is Declan?” Griff’s voice snapped through the air.

“What?” Cressida stopped, the shift in his demeanor throwing her off. “What about Declan?”

He held out his hand, her mobile was gripped tightly in his fist. “You just got a fucking text from him? Who is he?”

What the hell?

“He’s my boss.” Cressida strode up to him and snapped the mobile from him. Thankfully, the lock screen only showed the name Declan McKinley and not the message. Most of the time, Declan sent her funny videos or memes he knew would make her laugh. Not that she owed Griff an explanation. That wasn’t the kind of relationship they had.

“Are you trying to read my private messages?”

“Maybe I should be. Why are you hiding it if he’s just your boss?”

Jesus. “He is my boss and we’re working on a huge project together. But honestly, it isn’t your business who I’m texting. You and I aren’t exclusive, remember? I can chat up anyone I like.”

Griff ignored this. “Your boss, huh? He’s texting you at ten thirty at night. What does he need from you this late?”

“I work a lot of odd hours and he can ring me whenever he likes. And again, I don’t owe you an explanation as to why anyone messages me.”

“So, you’re saying if I had a girl ringing me this late, you’d be fine with it?”

“More than fine. Do what you like.”

“Wow.” His voice shook as his injured expression deepened.

Oh, piss off. She wouldn’t be manipulated into a deeper relationship with this man.

“You know, I’m going to head home.” Cressida picked up her jacket and shrugged it on. “I’m knackered, and I want to sleep.”

“Are you serious? You’re okay with leaving things like this?”

What exactly did he think they were doing here? Cressida had been clear from the beginning that she wasn’t interested in more than a strings-free physical relationship.

“I don’t have the energy for this tonight, Griff.”

Anger pinched his handsome face, but she was already picking up her handbag.

“I’m sorry,” he finally said, the pain shifting to remorse. He blocked her way and gently took her arm. “Cress, I’m sorry. I just love being around you and was hoping you would want to see me, too.”

“It’s okay.” Irritation subsided enough to let her relax. “But I’m still going to go.”

Griff pursed his lips, and it was clear he was trying to keep his annoyance to a minimum. Before she opened the door, he hauled her against him and kissed her. His lips were harsh and punishing, his hands roving her backside, pulling her into his erection. He was trying so hard to turn her on so she’d stay, but it was doing the exact opposite. Now, she was dry as a desert and a headache formed behind her eyes.

Cressida pulled back and smiled. “I’ll be busy tomorrow, so please wait for me to call you, alright?”

Griff sighed. “Sure, babe.”

She firmly closed the door to his flat and strode down the staircase.

The freaking audacity.

First, Griff minimized her at her job and then assumed he had any right to know about Declan. He would’ve read through every text message if he could have unlocked her mobile.

The irritation carried her all the way to the underground station, where she plopped onto a bench to wait for her train. Pulling out her mobile, she swept her finger across the screen and typed in her passcode.

The single message glowed up at her.

Declan: Definitely not a fraud. We made the right choice when we made you lead.

A soft heat slipped through her veins, easing her annoyance. No pompous chest beating or talking himself up. Just a simple message letting her know she’d done well.

Her train arrived, and she took a spot in the back of the mostly deserted car and rang Declan’s number. He answered almost immediately.

“Cress?” Concern ladened his voice. “Are you alright?”

Shit, she hadn’t meant to worry him. “Hi, yes. I’m fine. Sorry. I didn’t think of the time.”

“No problem, you can ring me whenever you like.”

Something about the gruff depth of his voice sent a delicious shiver through her. “Are you still at the pub?”

“Nah, we ate pretty quickly and headed home.” There was a pause before he continued. “I’m surprised you’re ringing me tonight. I thought you and your man had plans.”

“Yeah, I just wanted to go home,” she hedged. She couldn’t tell Declan that Griff’s plan was to drag her to bed and that it seemed like more work than it was worth. “I got your message. Thanks for saying that.”

“I meant every damn word. Alec and I reviewed the footage. Still not sure how you saw it.”

A warmth spread through her body, lightening the weight of the day off her shoulders. “I think I just got lucky.”

“No, you could have missed it completely, but you didn’t.” There was a soft rustle as if he had lain back in bed. “Where are you now?”

“On the Tube, I just arrived at my stop.” She stood and waited for the door to open.

“Did you eat?”

The abandoned fish and chips came to mind, and she grimaced. “I had a bite, not much.”

“Ah, well, The Carriage had sticky toffee pudding, so I sent one home with Shake for you.”

“Oh, my god, that sounds amazing,” she groaned. “Seriously, you’re the best.”

Declan exhaled deeply. “I try.”

They chatted amicably while she hurried across the street and up to her flat. Once inside, she went straight to the refrigerator and pulled out the container of dessert waiting for her. “Oh, this looks incredible.” She hunted down a fork from the drawer.

The first bite was absolute bliss, and a soft sound of ecstasy escaped her. “Damn, Dec, it’s so good. How did you know this was exactly what I needed?”

Declan cleared his throat, seeming to have something lodged in it. “Instinct, I guess.”

“Mmm, it’s perfect. Thank you for sending it on.”

“Anytime, sunshine,” he said. “I’ll see you in the morning?”

“Yeah, but don’t expect me to compete with you on getting there early. I’ll be hitting the snooze button more than a few times.”

Declan chuckled. “Aye, get your rest. I’ll see you at seven.”

“Night, Dec.”

“Night, sunshine.”

She set her mobile on the counter and took another bite. The weight of the earlier irritation had been soothed by talking to Declan. He had a way of doing that.

A rustling came from the hall and she glanced up as Shake pattered into the room. His hair was mussed from his pillow and his eyes were heavy with sleep. “I didn’t think I would see you for the rest of the night.”

Cressida replaced the lid on her treat. “Eh, I wanted to sleep in my own bed. Besides, Dec told me about the pudding and I couldn’t resist having some.”

Shake made a noncommittal grunt. “But you didn’t want to stay over at Griff’s?”

Cressida grabbed a towel and cleaned off the toffee syrup from her fingers. “No. Not tonight.”

“Did you two have a row?”

“Yes, and no.” She lifted her shoulder. “I didn’t want to deal with him.”

Shake raised a brow. “So, when are you breaking it off already?”

Cressida paused, her gaze catching her twin’s. “That obvious, huh?”

“Oh yeah,” he said with a scoff.

She wrapped up the second half of the dessert and returned it to the refrigerator. “You know what he said tonight? That I wasn’t the one who took down the thief because I didn’t physically hold the men down. And that without the big, strong men I work with, they would have gotten away with it.”

“That’s complete and utter shite.” Shake rolled his eyes. “And how were the big, strong men to know to take them down without your eye?”

“Hell if I know,” Cressida muttered.

Shake shook his head. “He’s not for you, Ressa. But you already knew that, or you’d be at his place right now.”

Cressida frowned. Shake had never warmed to Griff, even though he’d made an effort to get to know her twin. He hadn’t said exactly what it was, but Cressida knew her brother well enough to know that he hadn’t been impressed. This was the first time he’d ever verbalized his thoughts.

Their casual relationship had been like standing on shifting sand, leaving her unbalanced. What had started out as a bit of fun was turning more serious than she’d ever wanted.

“Cut him free before he gets too far into you,” Shake said, his lips pulled into a grimace. “It worries me how much he calls you during the day.” Cressida nodded as Shake leaned over and kissed her forehead. “Night, Ressa.”

“Night, Ly.” She watched her brother walk away with a tinge of worry. Maybe it was better to get this over with.

Picking up her mobile from the counter, she dialed Griff’s number, knowing he would be awake.

“Hey babe, I knew you’d change your mind. You didn’t have to call. Just get that fine arse back here.”

“Yeah, that’s not why I was calling. I think it’s time we ended this.”

Seven

Radio traffic crackled in Declan’s ear as their agents began their morning check-ins. Vendors set out their wares for the final full day of the conference. Thankfully, the show was closing the following afternoon.

His gaze swept the room until it landed on Cressida, catching him off guard. Today she’d dressed in tight jeans, an oversized knitted jumper and suede boots that laced up to her knees. Little wisps of caramel hair fell loose from her high ponytail, framing her delicate cheeks.

So damn beautiful.

Even from a distance, he could tell something was off. Her tightly drawn brows held none of her normal sunniness. When her gaze caught his, a soft smile smoothed the lines of her face. She adjusted the tote over her shoulder and crossed the room to him. “Hey there.”

“Morning. How many times did you hit the snooze?”

Cressida grimaced. “Way too many times, I’m afraid. I was up much later than I’d planned last night.”

Damn. He sent a silent prayer that she wasn’t about to tell him she’d gone back over to Griff’s. He’d slept easier, thinking she was at home and not in that undeserving fuckwit’s arms.

“Rough night?”

“Something like that,” she muttered. Her mobile buzzed in her pocket, and she sighed as she pulled it out.

The fucking tool was at it early.

A scowl flashed across her face and she punched out a message.

“Everything okay?”

“Yep.” Her thumbs were pressing entirely too hard on her screen. “Griff doesn’t know when to fucking quit.”

“What do you mean?”

A text pinged again, and her mouth tightened in anger. “I mean, I ended things with him last night, but he clearly thinks I wasn’t serious.”

Declan stiffened in surprise, trapping the air in his lungs.

She’d ended it last night?

Cressida lifted her gaze to him and shrugged. “I called him after you and I spoke. It wasn’t working out, but he seems to think he’s the only man I can get.”

Declan’s mouth dropped open, releasing a choked laugh. “That’s the stupidest fucking thing I’ve ever heard.”

Amusement lit up her face. “Tell me what you really think.”

“Don’t tempt me, sunshine.”

Cressida’s gaze locked with his, forcing heat through his veins. Her lips parted, and he thought she was going to ask him to break their unspoken rule and speak his mind. But the buzz of her mobile cut her off and she let out a groan. Griff had switched to calling her.

Declan reached over and plucked it from her hand. Cressida’s eyes widened in surprise for a beat before they shimmered with amusement. He swept his thumb over the answer button and immediately hung up. Then he maneuvered through her contacts, selected the bastard’s name, and blocked it.

He handed it back to her with a wide grin. “There you are. You’re welcome.”

“Yes, thank you.” Cressida giggled, those soft dimples coming out to play. “On to better things, right?”

“Absolutely.”

She shoved her mobile back into her handbag. “Oh, I was going to ask you. Are you going to make it to our bash this weekend? Please say yes.”

Her deep-sable eyes made his heart jump. Declan hadn’t committed to coming to the twins’ birthday party and until today, he’d been on the fence about going. If he was being honest, the thought of seeing Griff hanging on her nauseated him. But Griff being out of the picture changed everything.

“Aye, I’ll be there.”

“Really?” Her expression lit up, and she grabbed his arm. “Oh, that makes me so happy. I can’t wait.”

Jesus, the ache in his heart was suffocating.

She checked her watch and gave his forearm one more squeeze. “I have to check on the surveillance team. I’ll see you soon.”

“Of course. Call me if you need me.” Declan watched her walk away with a lightness he hadn’t seen in a while.

Declan spent the next few hours putting out the fires that kept springing up. First, a solar panel company had discovered an unauthorized data tracking device hooked to their prototype. Then a couple of blokes returned from an extended lunch, pissed out of their minds and started harassing women.

By the time the two men were escorted from the convention hall, exhaustion was pulling Declan down. Only a few hours to go. He started the walk back to the exhibit hall when a voice called him from behind. “Mr. McKinley! Hold up.”

Declan turned to find Jack Weston striding toward him. “Mr. Weston.”

Jack caught up to him, his breath coming in short bursts. He extended his hand, which Declan took without hesitation. “I wanted to thank you and your team for what you did yesterday. Really saved my ass.”

A polite smile pulled up on Declan’s lip. “You’re welcome. I’m happy we were there.” Declan didn’t feel like shooting the shit with this guy, so he shifted as if to continue on his way.

“Actually.” Jack’s voice stopped him. “I was hoping you could help me further.”

“Oh, how so?”

“This incident has proven that our security is lacking. Our own employee could steal our designs without raising a brow.” Jack let out a sigh, his expression darkening. “For years, my brother was in charge of our security systems, but unfortunately, he passed away a couple of months ago.”

“Very sorry to hear that.”

“Thank you.” An echo of sadness crossed Jack’s features but was gone as rapidly as it had come. “I was wondering if it’d be possible to meet with your team to see about making the necessary changes to our system.”

“Of course, we’d be happy to help.” Declan reached into his pocket, pulled out his wallet, and handed Jack a business card. “If you contact our main office, you can make an appointment with me or my cousin Alec. We can schedule a consultation from there.”

“Would it . . .” Jack hesitated, as if weighing out his next words. “Would it be possible to request Cressida Bennett work on our system?”

A harsh wave of distrust slithered through Declan’s veins. “We would have to confirm her schedule, but if she isn’t available, we have other project managers that will be a good fit.”

Jack nodded and tucked the card into the inside pocket of his suit. “I was impressed with Ms. Bennett’s professionalism and would prefer her to be the one to take us on.”

Of course he would.

Declan drew in a breath, hoping to cool his next words into something professional, when Cressida came into sight. She spotted the two of them talking and her eyes lit up. “Mr. Weston, it’s nice to see you again.”

Jack’s expression shifted. The beaming smile he gave her forced a pang in Declan’s gut. “There you are. We were just talking about you.”

Cressida’s brow lifted in surprise. “Were you?”

“We were discussing an update to our system. I was hoping you might help with it.”

Her uneasy gaze flicked to Declan and back. “If you set up a consultation, we’ll be able to run our schedules and see what’s available. I have some other projects I’m tied to this month.”

Jack’s gaze lowered to the ground. “I understand. Are you free this week to discuss it?”

What part of ‘schedule a consult’ do you not fucking understand?

Cressida offered a grimace. “Oh, sorry. I can’t do it this week. After we finish up the show, I’m taking a couple of days off.”

Jack’s eyes lit up. “Well, how about you fit me in for that drink we talked about?”

A soft flush rose over Cressida’s cheeks. This man had some giant bollocks for coming on to a woman in front of her supervisor. But Jack didn’t seem to know or care how awkward his invitation was for her.

Cressida shook her head. “A friend of mine is getting married and her family’s flying in to go dress shopping. I promised the entire day to her.”

Declan cleared his throat. “As I was saying, we can certainly have a conversation next week about your security system and help you get on track.”

Disappointment crossed Jack’s face, but he relented. “Well, that’s no problem. I’m going to be in London for some time. So I’ll call your office and set up an appointment.”

“Perfect,” Cressida said, relief washing over her face. “I’m sure we can get everything sorted out for you. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to check on the seminar rooms. Have a great night.”

Jack’s eyes followed her as she strode away, and Declan could practically read what was in the man’s mind.

When Jack finally noticed Declan studying him, he leaned toward him. “I couldn’t help but notice that Ms. Bennett doesn’t wear a wedding ring. Is she seeing anyone?”

What the fuck?

The confidence in which this arsehole spoke about her made Declan’s fist tighten at his side. They weren’t mates, and he wasn’t entitled to know shit about her.

Declan blazed a steely look at Jack. “I don’t discuss my employees’ personal lives.”

Jack’s fair cheeks flushed under Declan’s sharp gaze. “Of course, of course. I didn’t mean any disrespect. I was kidding anyway.” The awkward laugh that erupted from Jack’s chest irritated Declan even more. “I’ll give your office a call next week.”

It was a struggle to keep his face impassive. “We look forward to helping you with your security needs.”

Jack offered another tight smile before he shuffled away.

Declan watched him leave, a range of emotions seething under the surface.

The idea of Jack Weston touching her rushed through him, and he punched it back. It had only taken half a day for a new man to make an appearance. A half a day of peace before a new threat wormed his way into her life.

That was the problem with the choice he’d made not to tell her.

There was always going to be another man. A man who didn’t fear the things he did. One who didn’t suffer at the thought of fucking it all up and losing her. To men like Jack, she was just a beautiful face and hot body. If it didn’t work out, he could happily move on to the next woman who caught his fancy.

Declan’s world would crumble without her.

Alec’s voice played in his head. You ever thought that maybe she doesn’t know you’re a choice. Maybe if she did, she wouldn’t look at you like you’re her big brother.

She didn’t always look at him like a brother. There had been more than a few heated glances between them. Perhaps he wasn’t the only one masking how he felt.

There was only one way to find out.

Eight

A cool wind blew through the streets, forcing a chill through the opening of Cressida’s jacket. She tightened the wool fabric around herself but loved the feel of the brisk air on her face.

The convention madness had finally come to an end, and she reveled in the calm that had settled back into her life.

Cressida walked up the steps to one of the finer wedding shops in the city, excitement dashing through her. A chance to go shopping with her girls and not have to spend her own money? Yes, please!

A soft chime rang as she stepped into pure elegance. Cream and ivory gossamer gowns shimmered against the soothing lavender and sage of the Georgian decor. Violin music played in the distance, accompanied by the heat of a fire.

A woman in a stylish pantsuit greeted her with a smile. “Good afternoon. Can I help you?”

“Yes, I’m with the Elliott-McKinley party.”

“Of course. Welcome.” She gestured with a manicured hand to a tray of refreshments. “May I offer you some champagne?”

“Oh, that sounds lovely.”

Cressida took the fluted glass from the woman and followed her through the brick archway. Mercedes, Charlotte, and Katie sat around an enormous fireplace, their quiet conversation murmuring through the air.

A wide smile broke over Mercedes’s face, and she stood to pull Cressida into an embrace. “I’m so glad you’re here. I’ve only seen a few designs and I’m already overwhelmed.”

“You’d look gorgeous in a potato sack. I’m sure we can sort something out for you.”

Cressida greeted Mercedes’s sister, Charlotte, with a hug and did the same with Alec’s sister, Katie.

“Where’s the little one?” Cressida asked Katie, looking around the room. Katie’s toddler daughter, Isla, was a source of sweetness overload, and Cressida adored the little blue-eyed monster.

“Alec has her, so she’s in heaven.”

The idea of Alec babysitting his sassy potty-training niece was hilarious.

From the corner of her eye, a tall figure stood in the corner, forcing her to do a double take. He resembled Declan and Alec so much she thought one of them was hanging about in the corner. Charlotte’s husband Luke McKinley turned, bouncing a gurgling dark-haired baby in his arms.

“Luke! It’s so good to see you.” Cressida gave him a kiss on the cheek.

“Hey, Cress, you too.” He grinned, keeping up the steady motion to soothe his daughter. “Watch out, this lassie’s up to no good today.”

As if on cue, Clare wriggled against her father, determined to snatch a lock of Cressida’s hair. Cressida laughed and offered the baby her finger instead. “Are you gown shopping with us today?”

“Nah. Clare and I are waiting for our ride.” When the attendant came into the room with a stack of tablets in her hand, Luke stepped toward the door. “Pretend we’re not here, aye?”

Cressida settled with her drink on the settee and listened to the woman’s instructions on how the selection and sizing worked. “We have a variety of styles on the floor you might like. Others we would have to order for you.” She handed a tablet to each of the guests.

Mercedes’s eyes grew wide as she read the list of designers. Cressida reached for her hand. “Don’t worry, Sadie. That’s why we’re here. We’ll divide and conquer.”

“And thank god, I’ll never get through all of this.”

Thus began the endless screen swiping and champagne sipping, each of them filtering styles they knew Mercedes preferred.

Katie glanced up at Cressida, a shy smile tugging at her lips. “So the last I heard, you were seeing someone you met online. How’s that going?”

“It’s not. I broke it off with him a couple of days ago. Now he won’t leave me be. So not worth the effort,” she ended with a mutter.

“Damn. I was hoping it would get better,” Katie sighed. “I’ve set up profiles on three dating sites and it’s only brought about some real arseholes. Some of them seem to find it offensive that I dare have a child.”

Katie McKinley was stunningly gorgeous and insanely kind to everyone she met. Her ex-husband had done a number on her and she was slowly healing from it all. Hearing rubbish like that was the last thing Katie needed.

Cressida wrinkled her brow in disgust. “Yeah, well, most of those men wouldn’t know how to find the clitoris if they were drawn a road map.”

A chorus of snickers burst out over the group. “Oh my god, Cress.” Charlotte laughed. “I love you so much.”

“It’s true.” Cressida grinned at them, the champagne making her cheeky. “And forget the G-spot. Even a GPS couldn’t guide them there. Trust me, I know.”

“Tragic,” an amused voice said from behind her.

Every head spun to find Declan leaning against the archway, amusement twinkling in his eyes. His gaze locked on Cressida’s, forcing the room to tilt, leaving her breathless. A deep, heated flush sprinted up her cheeks, and she turned back in her seat to hide it.

Fucking hell.

Her friends were all wide eyed with held-in laughter as Declan came around and greeted each with a kiss on the cheek, the triumphant smirk never leaving his face.

Cressida dragged in a deep breath, gathering what snarky dignity she could. “Well, you’re not wrong. It is tragic. They should offer classes at university or something.”

Declan’s smirk fell away, the storm of his gaze searing into her. “Some of us don’t need a road map drawn for us.”

Oh, damn.

The air of the room shifted, the others going silent as Declan’s eyes held hers, challenging her to respond.

She had nothing. Instead, she put the glass to her lips and drank deeply, hoping it would cool her down. If he didn’t knock off that sinful look, she was going to need to fan her knickers.

Thankfully, Luke picked that time to return with the baby. He diverted Declan’s attention by handing Clare over to him, while Luke gathered her things. Declan bounced Clare on his hip, talking softly to her. He lifted her up over his head and gave her a gentle wiggle. Clare broke into the sweetest laughter.

Oof. What was it about hot men holding babies that made her weak in the knees?

Luke gave Charlotte a kiss goodbye before the three of them walked to the door. Just as he was about to leave, Declan shot Cressida another look, this one filled with a sexy humor that sent a flutter deep into her core.

Then he winked.

He fucking winked.

He’d gotten the better of her and he knew it. She didn’t have enough cheek in her to combat him like that.

The door clicked shut and the room remained silent for a beat

“Good lord,” Katie burst out. “I feel like I need a shower now.”

Mercedes and Charlotte burst out laughing.

Katie’s eyes widened. “Are they always like that?”

“Uh, yeah, all the time,” Mercedes said, chuckling. “Although he seemed to be in rare form today.”

Cressida looked between them. “Like what?”

“Oh, come on,” Katie said. “If you and my cousin are gonna have a go at each other like that, I’d appreciate a warning first.”

“We weren’t having a go,” Cressida scoffed. “He just likes to get a rise out of me, that’s all.”

“Bet that’s not the only thing that got a rise,” Charlotte popped in. Mercedes and Katie erupted into a fit of giggles.

“Oh bloody hell. The last thing I need is for rumors to start.”

“Whenever I’ve seen you working, you’ve been careful.” Mercedes dabbed at her eyes. “I’ve only ever seen you guys flirt like that around us.”

Flirt? She’d always seen it as banter.

Of course regular banter didn’t dampen her panties like he just had.

Shit.

Thank all that is holy, Declan didn’t say things like this at the office. She wouldn’t be able to hide how flushed and turned on he’d made her around the likes of Phillip Rancine. Her career couldn’t withstand that.

The shop attendant returned with a few dresses for Mercedes to try on. Cressida sat back to think while they waited.

She’d been so sure she’d overcome her schoolgirl crush on Declan years ago. Apparently not.

But it didn’t matter. There was no way he saw her as more than a kid who was fun to be around sometimes. Even if he did, she didn’t want anything serious with anyone, especially one with that sort of power over her. She’d made that mistake once and her life had never been the same. She couldn’t let it happen again.

Once Mercedes emerged in the first gown, she cleared away the chaos simmering in her mind to give her friend her undivided attention. They critiqued dress after dress, each as stunning as the last.

Finally, Mercedes emerged from the changing room, her face aglow. “This is it, you guys.” There was a little tremble in her voice. “This is the one.”

And it was. Mercedes had never looked more beautiful. The ivory dress hugged her waist and bloomed out into an elegant chiffon with a midlength train. Delicate embroidery and beads decorated the soft edges and her chestnut locks contrasted the fine fabric.

Katie brought out the blue-and-green McKinley tartan to show what the dress would look like after Alec pinned on the colorful sash that would match the kilts the men would wear.

Mmmm. Dec in a kilt.

Cressida winced. Her imagination was absolutely out of control.

When Mercedes returned to the changing room, Katie leaned over to her. “Hey, do you want to grab a drink with me? I could use a little more grown-up time and I’m sure Alec and Sadie won’t mind watching Isla a little longer.”

“Absolutely.” Cressida grinned. “But only one or I’ll be staggering after all this champagne.”

Nine

Cressida gave Mercedes and Charlotte each a kiss on the cheek before she and Katie stepped out of the bridal shop. Katie wanted to try out a new high-end restaurant a few streets away. It was Friday night, but early enough they should be able to get a spot at the bar.

Katie fell in step beside her. “You know, Declan gives you shit, but he thinks a lot of you, right?”

Cressida chuckled. “I know, I think a lot of him, too. We like to throw each other off-kilter. He won that one.”

“You shouldn’t let him win. He’s insufferable when he does.”

Cressida snorted. “I know. But it’s fun to let him think he has an advantage.”

Katie laughed and was about to say something else when a man stepped into their path, jamming his shoulder into Cressida’s chest. She fell back, unable to cry out, as the impact stole her breath. Pain rushed up her bones as her arse struck the pavement.

In the distance, Katie’s shouts of alarm echoed off the buildings, but all she could focus on was the man standing over her, and something jerking at her shoulder.

It was the strap of her bag.

She clutched at the straps, knowing she should let the damn thing go. But she’d be damned if she let some tosser take her favorite leather tote.

Cressida tried to scramble to her feet but was knocked back by the man once more. Her body throbbed from the second impact on the pavement.

A filthy blond head loomed over her, the smell of booze and cigarettes filling her nose. “Let go, you fucking bitch,” he screamed. “They need it. I have to have it.”

“Fuck off,” Cressida said. Rearing back, she kicked, striking solidly on his knee. He grunted and stumbled, but somehow stayed on his feet.

His ruddy glare turned deadly as he stalked toward her. Cressida scooted herself backward, but there was no way to outrun him on her arse. The blow cracked across her cheek, spinning her vision.

“Give me the fucking bag,” he shrieked.

Just let the damn thing go.

A figure swept over her from behind and tackled the man to the ground. She sat up to find Declan straddling the mugger, the muscles of his biceps straining as he pummeled the man’s face with his fists.

The man arched against Declan and swung at his face. Declan easily dodged it and struck again. The corded muscles of his forearm tensed for battle.

“Cress, are you okay?” Strong hands squeezed her shoulders from behind. Alec was crouched next to her. “Answer me, lass. Are you alright?”

“Yeah,” she managed with a shaky voice, but her eyes were on Declan and the mugger. He was unleashing on the man’s face.

When the man’s head bounced on the cement, Alec muttered, “Fuck.”

Alec strode to his cousin and snatched up his wrist in midswing. He strained against Declan’s powerful momentum, and it took a beat before Declan stilled his fist.

“I can’t let you kill him, Dec,” Alec growled.

For a second, she thought Declan was going to give Alec the same beating, but Alec leaned down and murmured something she couldn’t hear. The tension in Declan’s shoulders lessened and Alec released him. Declan’s chest heaved as he stood, leaving the man on the ground, he lay still below him.

His storm-filled eyes searched until their gazes met. Cressida’s breath caught at the heat that burned in those blue depths.

Declan crossed the distance between them, pulled her to her feet and into his arms, holding her tight against his chest. Cressida melted into him, her trembling body clinging to his solid frame.

“I’ve got you, lass,” he murmured into her hair. “Are you okay?”

I am now. “Yeah, just a few scrapes.”

Declan pulled back and examined her face, his finger trailing down her cheek, which smarted from the hit the attacker had doled out to her. The muscles of his jaw tightened in anger, and he looked like he was going to return to the mugger and finish the job.

“Hey.” Cressida cupped his face, her thumb stroking the softness of his scruff. “I promise, I’m okay.”

Declan froze, his arms tightening around her waist, his gaze locked on hers.

Cressida snapped her hand away as if he’d burned her.

She didn’t touch Declan that way.

There was a very good reason she didn’t touch Declan that way.

Police sirens blasted through her chaotic mind, and she looked around to where the man was now face down on the pavement, Alec’s knee digging into his back. The mugger wiggled but clearly wasn’t trained in how to escape a hold.

“How did you know?” she asked Declan, her voice shaking with adrenaline. “Where did you come from?”

“We were picking up Sadie and Charlotte when we heard Katie shouting.”

Cressida scanned the pavement, searching for Katie. “Is she okay?”

“Aye, she’s fine. He was after you.”

Anxiety shimmied around her body, and she leaned against Declan’s chest. His hands stroked up her arms soothingly.

She should put an end to it, but the security of his embrace kept her from stepping away.

Cressida let out a deep exhale, trying to manage the thundering of her heartbeat. “I know I should’ve given him my bag, but I couldn’t think at that moment.”

“Aye, it happened so quick. But at least you got one good kick to his knee before I got to him.” Amusement coated his words, but she knew he was angry as hell.

A police officer had taken over for Alec and he strode back to them.

“Are you okay?” Alec asked her again.

Cressida nodded. “Yeah, I think I’m okay. My arse and elbows are going to hate me tomorrow.”

Alec nodded and turned his eyes on Declan. “You good?”

Declan’s eyes shot to Cressida before he responded. “Aye.”

“The police will need to take your statement,” Alec said to Cressida. “Did he say anything to you before he attacked you?”

Cressida pulled in a breath and shook her head. “He called me a bitch and told me he needed my bag. They needed it. It was weird.”

“It could have been so much worse,” Declan murmured. “We should put a detail on Cress until we know if this was a one-off or if he had a reason for going for her. It’s strange that he did this right in broad daylight.”

“I don’t think that’s necessary,” Cressida said. “I think it was a random mugging, a man who saw two women and a bag he thought he could get.”

Declan glanced at the man being pulled to his feet by the officer, murder in his eyes. “Are you sure? We can have someone on your flat.”

The idea of having one of her coworkers reluctantly trudging behind her everywhere she went was far from appealing. As shaken as she was by this, she wasn’t about to let it change her life.

“No, it’s okay. That would be an overreaction. He wanted money and I’m a pretty easy target.”

The muscle of Declan’s jaw tightened, and he looked like he was about to protest.

“I’m okay, Dec. Let’s go talk to the police and get our statements out of the way.”

The statements took the better part of an hour, so she and Katie decided to take a rain check on the drink. Katie left with Alec and Mercedes, her daughter riding on Alec’s back as they walked away.

Declan stayed with her until the police were finished speaking with her, then he put his hand on the small of her back. “Come on, I’ll walk you home.”

“You don’t have to do that, Dec. I’m fine.”

“Aye, but it’ll make me feel better if I go with you.” Declan’s expression told her there was no arguing with him. She had to admit, she felt safer with him at her side. She was doing her best not to show how rattled she was by it.

They walked to her flat together, Declan quieter than usual. When they got to her apartment, his large form loomed in the hall as she unlocked her door. Clearly, he was planning to come inside and check things over. She was thankful she’d had a cleaning bug hit her the night before and it was tidier than it had been.

Shake was sitting on the sofa, a game controller in his hand. “Hey, Mum rang. She wants to have tea tomorrow.”

“Okay, I’ll call her later.” Cressida’s voice must have been a little off, because Shake looked up from his game with a frown. Then he spotted Declan and his brow furrowed deeper. He looked between them in alarm.

“Hey Dec. What’s going on?”

“Your sister was attacked on the street.”

“What?” Shake jumped up from the sofa and walked to Cressida, his eyes scanning her for injuries. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine, Ly,” she said, hoping to assuage his fear. “Just a mugger who wanted my bag.”

Shake let out a breath. “Did they catch him?”

“Aye, I beat the shit out of him,” Declan growled.

“Well, thank fuck for that.” Shake reached out to rub Cressida’s arm, his brown eyes brimmed with worry.

Declan scanned the small living room. “Have you been home long?”

“No, only about fifteen minutes.”

“I’m going to have a look around, if that’s okay?”

“Yeah, sure,” Cressida said, hanging up her jacket. Declan walked down the short hall to the bedrooms, and Cressida felt a pang of gratitude that Declan had been where he was. There was no telling what might have happened if she and Katie had been on their own.

“I’ll see if I can find the first aid kit,” Shake murmured, disappearing down the hall.

Cressida went to the kitchen, her hands trembling as she reached into her freezer, pulling out a tray of ice. Then she went about making an ice pack.

When Declan returned, he seemed a little more at ease. “I think everything is okay. Nothing looks disturbed.”

“Good. Now come here.”

Declan frowned at the pack she’d made. “You need that more than I do.”

“No, I don’t. I got slapped, it’s not likely to bruise.” She ignored his scowl as she gestured for him to come into the kitchen. “Your knuckles are a different story. Now, gimme.”

He grunted, but came around her counter and leaned against it, holding his right hand out. She took it gingerly, studying the scrapes and deepening bruises appearing across his knuckles. She kept his hand in hers as she placed the ice pack on the swelling.

Why was her heart racing?

When she dared a glance up into his eyes, she was stunned to see a darkened expression had overtaken his features. She inhaled sharply, unable to look away. Declan curled his fingers around her hand, and she tried to ignore the tender stroke of his thumb against her skin.

There was a fight raging inside her. One that could imagine this man’s hands roving her entire body. The other part of her resisted that image, wanting to hide from it before it destroyed her.

It had to be the aftereffects of the adrenaline rush. Who would have thought getting attacked would make her randy as hell? Once she’d calmed down, this raging need would settle, too.

She broke the moment by removing the pack, checking his hand again. “Thank you,” she said, softly. “I’m grateful for what you did.”

Declan swept a stubborn lock of hair off her face, his warm fingers lingering on her cheek. He tilted her chin up to look at him. “Anytime, sunshine.”

And just like that, the nickname was no longer a playful tease.

It was a caress, an endearment meant only for her.

Her breath hitched, and she stepped away, letting him go.

This was absolute madness.

She couldn’t let these feelings loose. If she did, she’d end up dragging him to her bedroom and having her way with him.

Declan cleared his throat. “I should go.”

It was the last thing she wanted, but she swallowed hard and nodded. “Take the ice with you.”

“I’ll be fine.” Declan flexed his fingers a few times as if to test them out. “I want you to call me if anything else happens, aye?”

He pulled her into his arms, his hand laced in her hair. Damn, it felt good when he held her like this.

Get it together, Cress.

She nodded against his shoulder and pulled away, the scent of him clinging to her clothes. “I’ll be alright. I’m going to stay home and take a nice hot bath.”

Declan’s brow furrowed a little deeper. “I mean it. Call me if you need me.”

Cressida promised she would and walked him to the door. He seemed reluctant to leave, but there wasn’t a reason for him to stay.

When she closed the door behind him, she turned to find her brother wearing a look of amusement. He sure had taken a long time to find the first aid kit.

“What?”

“What do you mean, what?” he scoffed. “You mean to tell me you didn’t get all swoony over Dec’s alpha brooding over you? ’Cause I know I did.”

“Ugh, not you too,” she groaned. What is it with everyone? “Dec helped me out because he could. Any of the others would have done the same.”

Shake rolled his eyes and handed her the kit. “You can be blind as hell sometimes.”

Cressida sighed and carried the kit to the bathroom and set it on the counter. She leaned over to run steaming water into the bath. Washing the grime of the incident off her was her first priority.

She thought of what Shake had said and the way her friends acted over her and Declan’s banter. There was nothing to it other than the teasing the two of them always did. And Declan’s protectiveness was rooted in who he was. He would have responded the same way if he’d come upon a stranger getting attacked.

Shake was reading way too much into it. They all were.

Cressida returned to her bedroom to gather up a fresh set of clothes. The random assortment of makeup and jewelry on her dresser caught her eye. They looked a little out of place. Shake wouldn’t come into her room, and she doubted that Declan would have touched anything. He’d only been gone for a second.

Shaking her head at her paranoia, she finished getting her things together. She was being hypervigilant because of what happened, her mind was skewing reality.

But an uneasy qualm skittered up her spine. Who might want to go through her things? Griff was the only one she could think of, and she doubted he would take the time or have the skill to enter her flat undetected.

As she gathered her things for her bath, a touch of fear invaded her mind.

What if she was wrong?

Ten

Jack stared out the large windows as twilight blanketed the city. Streetlights were beginning to flicker on the pavement below his penthouse. The solace should have soothed his fractured nerves, but he couldn’t contain the anxious energy flowing through him.

He had one shot.

Only one chance to make it right, and it was in the hands of Oscar and some junkie who owed him money.

What the hell would he do if this didn’t work?

Any other plan he could concoct would be trickier to pull off. Trickier and much more dangerous. It could completely expose him and everything he’d been working toward for years.

A burner phone rested on the table next to a long pour of scotch. When it finally buzzed to life, his heart kicked up its pace.

He shifted to the table, his fingers tingling as he answered it. “This is Jack.”

“Hey, it’s me,” Oscar grunted in his ear. “Our dude fucked up.”

Jack’s gut churned. “Goddammit. What happened?”

“We went to her place and waited for her to leave. Our guy followed her while I went through the flat. It wasn’t there.”

“Fuck.” Jack ran his hand through his hair. “Okay, what happened?”

“We waited outside this wedding shop for hours. When she came out, she only had one other chick with her. Our man decided it was worth the shot to take her on. She’s a little slip of a thing, so we thought it would be an easy snatch and run.”

Jack’s stomach gave an uncomfortable flop. Sanctioning a woman to be assaulted on the street wasn’t something he reveled in. How the fuck did he get here?

“And then what happened?”

“It turns out she wasn’t as alone as we thought. Both McKinley men showed up and took him down.”

“Fuck, fuck, fuck.” Jack’s fingers trembled as he massaged his brow. “Where’s your tweaker now?”

“Well, after they treated him at the hospital, the police transported and booked him.”

Alarm filtered through him. “The hospital?”

“Yeah, one of those big motherfuckers beat him to a pulp.”

Jesus. That was something he hadn’t considered. He’d thought they were just coworkers. How close were these men to her? If it was too close, it could put a wrench in any other plans they might come up with.

He’d have to put more thought into that later. Right now, he needed to address the current entanglement this botched robbery had caused.

“Is the asshole able to talk to the cops?”

“I dunno. He might. He’s off his rocker, so they may not pay attention to his nonsense.”

“Nonsense or not, we have another loose end to deal with.”

Oscar let out a heavy sigh. “Yeah, it looks like it.”

“Well, since this was your fuckup, I expect you to take care of it.”

Oscar didn’t miss a beat. “I’ve already got something in mind for that. He should get out soon, and he won’t be talking to anybody after that.”

“Good. Make sure he doesn’t.”

“What do you want to do about the girl?”

“For now, nothing. She hasn’t accessed the information, so she probably hasn’t discovered it yet.”

“That could change at any moment.”

“I know that,” Jack hissed, irritation sparked in his tone. “I can find the drive for myself.”

“How are you going to do that?” Oscar scoffed. “Ask her for it?”

“No, but it’s pretty easy to go through somebody’s things when they’re sleeping next to you. Especially if I give her a little something to keep her out for a while.”

“I think we should break in there while she’s home and take it. I certainly wouldn’t mind having a little taste of that one.”

Fire curled in Jack’s gut. “We have bigger problems to deal with. We don’t need one more. Keep your hands to yourself.”

“Just saying it’s an option,” Oscar huffed.

“That’s not an option. That’s a last resort.” A jab of pain worked behind his eyes, forcing Jack to inhale deeply. “Let’s see how this plays out in other ways.”

“Whatever you say, man.”

“I have the weekend to come up with something. I expect you to keep me updated on the tweaker.”

“Will do.”

Jack jabbed at the end button and tossed the phone on the bed. With everything going sideways, the uneasiness of it all was blinding him.

He had to get back what he’d lost.

And it didn’t matter how he had to go about it.

Eleven

The rain had thankfully let up when Cressida and Shake made it to the nightclub that would host their party. Cocktails and dancing were exactly what she needed to unwind after the whirlwind week she’d had. Dancing was her therapy, a way to unleash tension.

It didn’t hurt that she’d been born with her own partner. Their mother had wanted both of them to join her in the theater, so they had spent their childhoods taking every singing and dance class she could get them into.

Not that she didn’t miss the theater. The rush of adrenaline it brought her was unmatched. But her life had taken a sharp turn, and she’d given it up.

When the guests filtered in, Cressida got lost in the room’s energy. It was like worlds colliding. Theater kids meet security team tech world. Shake roamed the room as well, saying hello to everyone that came in.

Mercedes and Alec arrived, and she made her way to greet them.

“Holy crap, girl. Where’d you get that dress?” Mercedes said. “It’s stunning.”

Cressida smoothed her hand over the cream dress with light pink and silver beads. It had a low neckline and was short as sin. She struck a little pose and grinned at her friend. “Isn’t it fab? I know it’s a bit much, but I fell in love with it.”

“Gorgeous,” Mercedes said. “I’m taking you shopping next time I go out. Clearly, you know all the best places to shop.”

“You got it, babe.” Cressida gave Mercedes a kiss on the cheek. “I’d best mingle, but make sure you and Alec are at our table.”

Cressida stepped back and found herself whisked away by Skyler Burris, a gorgeous blonde who’d come up with her in the theater.

“Happy birthday, babe,” Skyler said, giving her a quick kiss on the cheek. “Looking gorgeous as ever.”

“You as well. Thanks for coming.” They fell into a comfortable conversation about Skyler’s work in the West End and how she was waiting for word if she’d made the cut for a movie starting later in the year.

Cressida expected a tinge of envy to hit her, as it did when she heard about the career she’d always thought she’d spend her life in. But it didn’t come. For once, she was content with the life she’d fallen into.

Skyler grabbed her arm. “Oh damn, who is that?”

Cressida’s eyes followed Skyler’s and saw Alec, who was grinning at Shake as he entertained him with one of his exuberant stories. “That’s one of my bosses, Alec. And don’t even think about it. He’s engaged.”

Skyler smirked. “Engaged isn’t married.”

Cressida shook her head. Jesus, some of her friends were vipers. “Trust me, you haven’t a chance in hell with that one.”

A disappointed pout crossed Skyler’s face and her eyes continued to rove around the room, looking for a different target. “Oh hello. It looks like Mr. Yummy over there has a twin.”

Cressida followed her gaze, and a jolt of heat hit right at her core.

Declan had arrived and holy hell, did he look amazing. He had on a dark-blue dress shirt, unbuttoned at the top, dark jeans and a black wool jacket.

He was positively delicious.

The light of appreciation in Skyler’s eyes made Cressida’s blood simmer. Skyler chatting up Declan was unacceptable. She should’ve let her crash and burn on Alec.

“Shit, not that one either. The last thing I need is to have you shagging someone I work for. I don’t want the fallout when you ditch them for your next kill.”

“Yeah, but is he single?”

“Skyler,” Cressida said in warning, but her friend was already in full come-fuck-me mode.

Skyler had no filter when it came to sharing the details of her nighttime escapades. Normally, hearing about her friend’s love life didn’t bother her. But hooking up with Declan was entirely different. The idea churned her stomach into knots.

Declan looked up at them. He did a double take, and Cressida’s heart sank.

Shit, here we go.

But his eyes weren’t on Skyler. They stayed locked with hers. A soft smile played on his lips, making her heart flutter. His eyes roved her body, his brow rose in a delicious tease.

“I’m going to chat him up,” Skyler said with the confidence Cressida would kill to have. She was more of a fake-it-till-you-make-it girl.

Before Cressida could manage a protest, Skyler strode his way. Declan’s eyes flicked in her direction, his smile shifting to one of polite friendliness.

Cressida wanted to hide under a table, dreading the endless descriptions of his prowess in bed when Skyler rang her with all the details.

Unable to watch anymore, Cressida nearly turned away. But Declan slipped his arm out of Skyler’s grasp and walked through the crowd to her. Her breath locked up in her chest as he approached.

“Happy birthday. I wanted to come by and say hello before you were overrun with your friends.” Declan gave her a gentle hug and his lips brushed her cheek as he pulled away. “You look amazing tonight.”

Cressida bit her lip, hoping the flush on her cheeks was covered by her makeup. “Thank you. I decided to splurge on the dress.”

“Worth it,” he said, the warmth in his eyes making her feel as if she’d done something right. But there wasn’t any teasing in his expression like there usually was. Cressida didn’t know what to make of it.

She reached up and tugged at his collar. Not that it needed straightening. “You clean up pretty well, you know.”

A grin broke out on his face. “Is that a compliment, sunshine?”

There was that nickname again, completely altered from the way it used to sound to her ears.

Normally, she would shoot off a snarky comment to keep his ego in check, but tonight, she could only offer him honesty.

“It is. You look incredible.”

The grin faltered, his face softening at her words. Energy cracked through the air, and she held back a shudder.

Somewhere in the distance, the band was taking to the stage. Cressida looked away, reorienting herself with the space around her. Cocktail hour was ending and her guests were spreading out, finding places to sit when they weren’t dancing.

Cressida reached for Declan’s arm. “You should come sit with us.” She indicated to the wall lined with bench seating, arranged with cushions and tables.

“Are you sure? I don’t want to keep you from your friends.” He took a step back, but she tightened her hold on him, the muscles of his forearm tensing under his jacket.

“You are my friend,” she breathed. “Come on, I want all of us together.”

The band was just getting started, the horns blaring through the club as she led Declan to the bench she and Shake had already claimed. She saw Mercedes and waved her over, her grip never loosening on Declan’s arm.

He sat on the cushioned leather, surprise crossing his face as Cressida took the spot next to him. She gave a valiant tug on the hem of her skirt to keep it from going rogue.

A smile played at his lips. “And I get to sit next to you as well? This is my lucky night.”

She raised her brow and tossed a saucy grin his way. “You bet your arse it is.”

A rumble of laughter broke from his chest and she bit her lip to hide how the sound affected her. Instead of skittering off, like she normally did, she leaned into it, staying right by his side, no matter how much turmoil it created.

When Shake led Mason and Noah to the table, everyone moved closer together to make room. She pressed against Declan, fully taking advantage of the opportunity she was being given. He didn’t move to shift away from her, remaining solid by her side.

Maybe it was a bad idea, but it felt really damn good.

The group carried on a lively conversation, their voices rose to be heard over the band. Shake was leading the pack, as usual. His arms circled wildly as he went on about something or another.

Cressida had lost track of it all. The only sensation she knew was the feel of Declan’s heat against her.

They listened to the music for a while, the group of them talking over the noise of the band. Declan leaned toward her. “I know you said no gifts, but I didn’t listen to that.”

He was so damn close to her, it came off like a dark murmur. She ignored the drumming of her heart and admonished him instead. “You didn’t have to do that. Really, I have everything I need.”

“I know, but I saw a pretty and thought of you.” He pulled out a small jewelry case decorated with blue paper and white ribbon. “I actually think it’ll be perfect for you tonight.”

Thank all that is holy that it was dim in the club. Otherwise, he would see how much she was burning up.

She unwrapped the gift, another protest forming on her lips. Inside rested a delicate double-chained bracelet with a solitaire diamond sparkling up at her.

Cressida stared at him, her breath completely gone. Electricity pulsed through her veins when he took her wrist and clasped the bracelet around it.

Her mind was so stunned that she wasn’t thinking it through when she wrapped her arms around him and said. “It’s so perfect. Thank you. I love it.”

When he put his arms around her, she melted into him. Damn, he felt so freaking good, like a solid mass of heat and strength. She wondered how soft his hair was and what he might do if she ran her fingers through it.

Shit, this is why we don’t touch him.

Cressida was well aware that they were holding each other for too long and a lot of her coworkers were milling about. The last thing she needed was to fuel the rumors. But in a stolen moment like this, she would selfishly take his warmth and let her feel what she so often suppressed.

She forced herself to pull away, but he still had his arm around her shoulder. She reached for her drink on the table in front of them to cover the wild emotions taking over.

Declan’s gaze shot to his lap. “There was something I wanted to ask you. You’re absolutely free to say no.” Cressida lifted her brow, pulled in by his unusually uncertain demeanor. She rarely saw Declan when he was off-kilter. A world of possibilities opened up, and she watched him while holding her breath. “I was wondering if you would—”

“Cressida?” An unexpected voice broke through her insane fantasy, cutting off whatever he was going to say.

She turned her head and gasped. “Griff?” He was standing in front of the small table, a half dozen red roses in his hand.

Silence fell over the group as every eye turned toward him.

“Who the fuck is this?” Griff snapped, his eyes roving over Declan and then back to her in disgust. The intimacy between the two of them would make anyone think they were together.

The solid body next to her stiffened. “I’m Declan. Who the fuck are you?” A hint of warning lay below the surface of his words.

Griff’s eyes grew wide in accusation at Cressida. “This is Declan? This is the guy you’ve been getting messages from?”

She shot a glance at Declan whose brow arched.

Cressida’s pulse thundered in her veins. Griff was really going to stand here and accuse her of cheating with her boss in front of everyone she knew.

“Excuse me,” she murmured, not able to meet Declan’s eyes as she jumped up from her seat and grabbed Griff’s arm. He followed her without a fight to an empty corner of the bar.

She’d be damned if she’d let this fucking guy insult Declan and embarrass her in front of everyone.

“What the hell are you doing here?” she snapped when they were out of earshot of the others. “I ended it with you and specifically asked that you not come tonight if you were going to make a scene.”

“A scene?” His face reddened with fury. “You said that Declan was just your boss. Clearly you’re full of shit.”

“He is my boss, and you just embarrassed me in front of him and everyone else.” She crossed her arms in front of her chest. “I’ve been very clear. I told you we were done that night on the phone and I showed you we were done when I didn’t take any of your calls. So you coming here and being a goddamn prick is ridiculous.”

“Jesus, you females are all the damn same. I try to do nice things for you, be there for you when you need it, and you shit all over me for a guy who looks like that.” He nodded his head toward the table.

“Don’t use female as a slur against me, you shit-for-brains nothing. And don’t you dare talk shit about Declan. You aren’t fit to hold his drink,” she hissed.

Griff’s hand reached out to grab her arm, but she swatted it away.

“Don’t put your hands on me,” she warned. “You won’t like what happens.”

She could sense them, all of them. It had become second nature to her to know where each of her operatives was. Griff didn’t know it, but her team was closing in around them.

Cressida backed away. “Now get the hell out of here before I have you removed.”

“You don’t get to tell me what to do.” Griff lunged for her, his fingers digging into her flesh as he jerked her into his body. “I’ll leave when I’m ready.”

Without warning, Griff released her, and she stumbled back into a solid, warm body. She looked up into Mason’s dark eyes. “You okay?” he asked, steadying her in his arms.

She tried to answer him, but all she could see was Declan at work again.

Twelve

Declan’s nerves tightened as he watched the bastard crowd Cressida’s space. She was so small compared to Griff, and he was intentionally using his size to intimidate her. But, she wasn’t backing down, her dark eyes flashing as she told him off.

A gentle hand touched Declan’s arm, and he glanced at Mercedes. Her eyes were on the pair of them. Mercedes’s brow was furrowed in concern and the color had washed from her cheeks.

“Dec,” she whispered.

Shit.

She was seeing what he was seeing. If anyone knew what a man looked like when he was poising to strike, it was Mercedes.

“Aye, I’m on it.” He was already on his feet.

Sliding between the press of partygoers, Declan advanced, staying out of Griff’s line of vision. He caught Alec’s eye as he leaned against the bar, waiting for a drink. He motioned with his head and Alec followed his gaze. Alec frowned and pushed away from the bar, taking cautious steps toward the corner. Mason and Noah had also drawn closer, positioning themselves at a better vantage point.

Griff wasn’t aware of them, his focus solely on snarling at Cressida.

As long as Cressida had it in hand, they would wait. She could handle herself to a point, but once that point was breached, her backup was waiting.

Declan heard her warning to leave and was relieved when she moved away from him.

But then Griff jerked her into him, and Declan saw red.

Griff let out a yelp as Declan crashed into him. They slammed against the wall, Griff’s mouth falling open in confusion before his expression twisted in rage. His fist moved to strike out, but Declan blocked it with his elbow. A second punch flew at him. Declan caught his wrist, twisted it, and wrenched it upward. Grabbing a wad of hair, he slammed Griff’s head into the wood paneling.

“Fuck!” Griff tried to jerk his way out of the hold, but Declan dug his thumb into the nerve on his wrist. Using the wall to secure him, he dropped his hand to Griff’s throat and squeezed until no sound came out.

Declan lowered his voice to a growl. “Listen to me, you little fuck. Cressida doesn’t want you. She told you to get the fuck out of here. You should listen or the next breath you take’ll be through a tube. Am I clear?” He squeezed the fucker’s throat a little tighter to make sure the message got through.

Griff nodded, his wide eyes blinking rapidly. Declan shoved him away and Griff landed on his knees, gasping for air.

The bouncers had finally awoken to the drama in the corner and joined the fray. One brawny man wrenched Griff to his feet, while the other approached Declan, wide shoulders squared for a fight.

Declan took a step back and raised his hands, his chest heaving from the adrenaline rush pulsing in his veins. If they tossed him out, so be it. As long as Griff was away from her.

Cressida pushed through and stood in front of Declan. “Hey, hey, Tony. Not this one.”

Vaguely, her explanation filtered through his consciousness, but his focus was on tracking Griff. Shouts pealed through the barroom as Griff launched a wave of protests as the unperturbed bouncer led him out the door.

Declan shot a glance at Alec, who nodded and followed them out.

The older man in front of Dec watched this exchange with a raised brow, then turned back to Cressida. “Alright, this one can stay. But if he gets out of line again, I’m calling the cops.”

Cressida flashed a smile. “Thanks, Tony.”

Tony grunted and ambled toward the door to help his mate.

A gentle touch to his arm brought Declan around. Cressida was looking up at him, her dark-brown eyes wide. “Are you okay?”

“As long as you are.”

“Yeah, I’m good.” She brushed her hair behind her ear. “He got pretty worked up this time.”

The fucker was more than a little worked up. Declan’s gaze skimmed down her reddened arm, cursing himself for not acting faster. Without thinking, he caught her hand.

Cressida’s expression softened as her fingers curled around his, and he nearly pulled her into him. The gravity toward her was sucking him in, gripping him with a deep need to hold her. To keep her in his arms where nothing else could touch her.

Goddammit. Fighting this was exhausting.

Cressida dropped Declan’s hand as if she’d realized they weren’t alone.

Shake pushed through the crowd and wrapped an arm around Cressida’s shoulder, hugging her close. “Good lord, I can’t leave you alone for a second, can I?”

“I know. I’m a menace,” she quipped, her voice showing the slightest hint of a tremor.

“Yeah, you are.” Shake’s tone was jovial, but concern coated his expression as he looked her over. His gaze shifted to Declan. “Thanks, mate. I’m so fucking glad you were here.”

The adrenaline hadn’t cooled in his system, so he could only offer a gruff, “Me too.”

Shake turned Cressida toward him, his eyes locking with hers. “There’s no way we’re letting that tosser ruin the rest of your night, yeah?” At her nod, he smiled. “Good. Now, we’re going to get you a drink, and head over for a little dance-floor therapy. What do you say?”

A genuine smile spread across her face. “Sounds perfect.”

“Great! Get my baby sister a shot!” Shake announced. A few whoops came up from his friends.

Cressida wrinkled her nose. “No shots,” she protested as Shake led her away. Before the crowd enveloped her, she looked over her shoulder at Declan, her dark eyes lighting him up again.

What he wouldn’t do for that woman.

Declan inhaled deeply to keep his mind in check. It was a battle, and he was losing every round.

A hand brushed at his shoulder. He turned to find the little blonde Skyler at his side, a smile playing on her pouty lips. “That was something. Do you do mixed martial arts?”

She was a distraction from the chaos burning through him, so he grabbed onto it. “Aye, something like that.”

Skyler tilted her head and gazed up at him through her long lashes. “That’s fantastic. It definitely keeps you in shape.”

There wasn’t a lot of subtlety with this one.

A gentle letdown formed on his lips when the music shifted. The soulful jazz tune gave way to the heavy thrum of a tango.

Shake had taken off his suit jacket and rolled up the sleeves of his white dress shirt. He had Cressida’s hand as they took to the wooden floor in front of the stage. Shake spun her into his arms, their frames straightened in a hold.

As soon as they began the first steps, Declan was mesmerized. Their feet moved at a rapid pace, touching out each step in sync with one another. That sinful dress she wore showed off the strength of her dancer’s legs, and the delicate beads shimmered as she spun.

They missed a step, and her head fell back with a radiant laughter.

Bloody hell.

He’d been fighting back his arousal all night, and he thought he had won control. But his cock was painfully aware of every move Cressida made. This woman was going to fucking kill him.

Skyler leaned into him. “Aren’t they incredible?”

“Aye, I’ve not seen them dance before.”

An expression of affection softened Skyler’s face. “Really? It’s their favorite way to let off a little steam.”

“So you’ve known them a long time?”

Skyler nodded. “Practically since nursery school. Their mother was an absolute queen in her day, and mine put me through every class she ever held.”

“Aye, I know Gemma. She’s come by our offices a few times.”

“She’s amazing, right?”

He thought of the powerhouse woman that shared the features with her twins and smiled. “She is. And you and Cress worked together a lot?”

“Yeah, we used to go to auditions together until . . .” She stopped as if she realized she was revealing too much.

“Until?” Declan pressed gently.

Skyler’s eyes darted to his. “Um . . . it’s not my story to tell. I’ll just say Cress got shit on and left the industry.”

Declan knew Cressida had shifted careers when she was young, and that Shake had been the one who had encouraged her into the computer tech field. But she’d never said why she had made that change.

“I could use a drink,” Skyler said, clearly wanting to move away from the topic. “Care to join me?”

Declan offered her an apologetic smile. “Perhaps another time. It was lovely to meet you.”

Disappointment clouded her face, but she didn’t protest as he stepped away from her. He walked back to the table, his attention drawn again to the dance floor. The lines of tension had cleared, leaving Cressida with a stunning glow.

Exhaling slowly, Declan pushed back the war in his mind, but his restraint was nearing a dangerous end.

Thirteen

The birthday crowd had cleared, giving way to the regular club clientele. Cressida thanked her friends as they popped by to say their farewells. Her mood had lightened considerably since Shake had taken her to the dance floor, but a feeling of dread hung around. Griff wouldn’t give up easily. Tomorrow, she would have to think out how to get herself out of the predicament she’d gotten herself into.

Mercedes touched her arm. “We’re heading out.”

“Thanks so much for coming. Sorry for the drama.”

Her friend shook her head. “Not your fault. Just stay safe, okay?”

“I will.” Cressida pulled her into a hug. “Let’s have lunch soon.”

As Alec led Mercedes out of the club, Cressida took stock of her remaining friends. Most of the people she’d invited had already left, and the pressure of playing the host waned.

Declan had returned to the table, his arm stretched casually over the back of the leather seat. His gaze caught hers and his lips turned up in a smile that sent a lurch through her heart. Thank god Skyler had already gone home alone. She’d never recover from it if he’d taken what her friend was offering on a platter.

Cressida walked to their table and dropped into the seat next to him. “You’re quite a night owl tonight.”

“It’s not as late as you think, sunshine.” He chuckled, spreading warmth through her core. “I’m not quite ready for the evening to be over yet.”

She bit her lip, hiding the little thrill of excitement that jumped to life. Settling back against the cushion, she tried to ignore the energy that vibrated between them.

Declan leaned in. “I forgot to tell you, I received the computer kit this week. I think I put it all together correctly. Would you mind popping by this weekend to take a look?”

“Oh, my god yes! I’m so excited to get my hands on that system. Have you played any more of the Sorcha Valley map?”

His rumbling chuckle made her smile. “Nah, I’m waiting for you. I didn’t want to risk playing without my sorceress. Besides, I have no idea what I’m doing in that game without you.”

“You’ve been getting so much better in the last few months. I only had to rescue you from the orcs a few times.”

“Bloody fucking orcs,” he grumbled, which made her snort.

Declan might look like a dark-haired, blue-eyed Viking god, but he was a complete nerd at heart. She’d introduced him to her favorite open-world fantasy game, and he’d taken to it like a fish to water. When he upgraded to a true gaming PC, she helped him pick out a system she’d kill to have herself. Her fingers itched to play it.

Shake strode up to their table and plopped in the seat next to her. “Hey, Noah wanted to check out the new club in Chelsea. Do you want to come with?”

Being the third wheel between her brother and his crush held absolutely no appeal. “No, you go ahead.”

Concern crossed Shake’s face. “Are you sure? What if Griff comes back?”

“He’s not coming back. Alec watched him leave,” Declan cut in. “And I’ll be here if he does.”

Shake’s uncertain gaze flitted between the two of them. “Are you absolutely certain? We can go another night.”

“Absolutely certain. I’ll hang with Dec and call a car when I’m ready to leave.” Noah came up to the table, so Cressida leaned into her brother. “I’m a big girl. Go have a good time. I’ll see you at home.”

He gave her a smacking kiss on her cheek. “Love you.” He grinned at Noah and the two of them sauntered to the door.

And just like that, she was alone with Declan.

It shouldn’t feel so intense. They’d been alone thousands of times before. But over the last few days, her emotions had been in a tailspin, erupting with feelings she shouldn’t be having. It was a silly infatuation. She’d get over it, like she had before.

The music shifted, and the slow melody swirled throughout the club. A deep croon took up the lyrics to “All My Tomorrows.”

“Oh, I love this one.” Cressida sighed.

Declan scanned the room thoughtfully. “Dance with me?”

Cressida’s eyes widened. “You can dance?”

“It’s a slow song. I think I can manage to walk in a circle.” The twinkle in his eyes made him even more beautiful.

“That’s because you haven’t danced with me.”

“I’ll try to keep up.” Declan chuckled as he stood and offered her his hand.

She laughed as she took it and let him lead her to the dance floor. Declan wrapped his arm around her waist and drew her close enough for them to brush against each other as they moved. She rested her hand on his shoulder, the heat between them making her entire body thrum.

Without warning, he whipped her around, spinning her away from him. The beads on her dress flared and shimmered around her. He pulled her back and caught her in his arms.

A giggle escaped her lips. “Well, look who’s a hidden Fred Astaire.”

Declan grinned. “Aye, but that’s about the best of it. Unless you wanted to dance the Gay Gordon. Then I’m a pro.”

“The Gay Gordon? I don’t know how to do that.”

“Well, I’ll have to teach you. No doubt we’ll all be dancing it in Alec and Sadie’s wedding. It’s a lot of fun.”

“Sounds like it.”

His eyes softened. “Did you have a nice birthday?”

“I did. Thank you for the gift. It’s beautiful.”

“You’re welcome.” The way he was looking at her was throwing her off balance.

“And for your help with Griff. That’s three times you’ve had to help me in a week. Not usual for us.”

“I know. You’re becoming bad for my health.”

“I am.” She smiled up at him, the entire world escaping her consciousness. “Can I tell you something?”

“Of course.”

“I’m glad that you didn’t hook up with Skyler tonight.” Her confession made her pulse race. “She was definitely on the prowl for you.”

“Aye,” Declan scoffed. “A little warning would’ve been nice.”

“Sorry.” She laughed. “She can be determined when she sees what she likes. I’m glad you didn’t fall under her spell.”

His smile faded, his expression growing serious. “Why would I want her when I can dance with you?”

Cressida sucked in a sharp breath. He couldn’t possibly mean that the way her brain was hearing it. She covered her mixed feelings with a quick laugh. “Well, I mean, have you seen her?”

“Aye, she’s quite attractive.”

Her stomach knotted, and she silently cursed her reaction. What the hell was wrong with her? Why should she care what he thought of the woman he didn’t go home with?

Declan’s fingers gently lifted her chin, his gaze steady on hers. “But no one can touch how beautiful you are.”

The words gripped at her chest, making it impossible to breathe.

He thought she was beautiful? Like actually beautiful?

He studied her, his brows drawn together. “Is it possible you don’t know?”

“Know what?”

His eyes darkened as he brushed her hair from her face, his fingers lingering on her cheek. A craving shivered through her, centering a deep ache between her thighs.

“That I think you’re one of the most beautiful women I’ve ever seen,” he said gruffly.

Words faltered in her throat. He had to be fucking with her. Right? This wasn’t what they did.

She had to defuse this, otherwise she’d never recover from it. “Good lord.” She laughed, trying to salvage their usual banter. “How much whisky did you have? Are you drunk?”

There was a stagnant pause as he studied her. His lips curved into a soft smile. “Aye, but not on whisky.”

She stilled when the smoldering gaze of his deep-blue eyes didn’t change.

He wasn’t playing.

“Dec . . .” she breathed, unable to say anything else.

His arm tightened around her waist, closing the gap between them. An expression of indecision was warring across his face. She could see the moment the war ended, and he’d made up his mind.

“Aw, fuck it,” he growled.

Declan leaned down and captured her mouth with his. She inhaled sharply, and then sank into it, opening to his searing kiss. His tongue swept across hers and she responded, appealing for more. She matched the tempo, letting go of his hand to dive her fingers into his soft hair.

Jesus, he was delicious.

She wanted this. No, she needed it. Declan was drawing every hidden desire to the surface, exposing the raw thirst that she’d kept to herself.

Surrender was all she had left.

Cressida tilted her head, coaxing him deeper, and a soft moan broke from his throat. The sound sought out her core, an ache for him now screaming through her body. Their kiss was becoming desperate and greedy, each of them exploring the other.

Disappointment crawled through her as he ended it, his panting breath gently grazing her cheek.

She wanted him to kiss her again. If she were braver, she’d do it herself.

But this had to be a one-off. They’d always held a firm line between them. If they were to cross it, she would be the one to suffer. Declan didn’t play games, and she trusted he wouldn’t do anything to hurt her, but that didn’t mean the risk wasn’t real.

The world snapped back into place, reality crashing all around her.

Shit.

They were standing in the middle of a bar, kissing each other like nothing else existed. And for a second, it hadn’t. But if anyone from work saw them, she’d be screwed.

Her gaze whipped through the bar, taking in all the forgotten people in the room. No familiar faces stood out to her.

“Everyone’s gone,” Declan murmured, as if he’d caught on to her sudden panic. “It’s just us.”

Relief washed over her. What the ever-loving fuck was she doing?

She needed a moment. Her brain was muddled up right now and making any sort of decision would be stupid as hell.

But instead of listening to her internal screaming, she curled herself against him, resting her head on his chest. Declan gathered her in his arms, encompassing her with his strength.

This was such a bad idea. She shouldn’t want any of this, but her body had reached a level of intoxication she’d not known before.

She wanted more, craving him even as her good sense told her to run.

The soft song ended, and the drums broke through the moment like a hammer. Cressida pulled back to study his face.

Uncertainty filled his expression, but his mouth quirked up into a teasing smile. “Well, that was interesting.”

Cressida didn’t know if she was relieved or disappointed that he seemed as stunned as she was. Perhaps he’d gotten caught up in the moment, too.

She laughed, trying to cover the flush in her cheeks. “It was. Just a touch on the crazy side.”

“Aye, maybe you’re right.” His face broke into a grin. “I should get you home.”

“Wait,” she said. Don’t do it.

Declan turned back to her, a look of hope and longing in his eyes.

“It’s early. Why don’t I pop over and check out the system now so we can play tomorrow?”

What the hell was she doing? She should let him go.

Declan hesitated, and a qualm of doubt coursed through her. Maybe he really wanted the night to be over. “Unless you’re tired. I can come by some other time.”

She was giving him an out, and part of her hoped he wouldn’t take it. As insane as it was, she was drawn into him in a way she never let herself be before. She wanted him to herself a little longer.

“Let me close out my tab.” The little smile he shot her as he walked to the bar made her heart skip.

She could only hope she wasn’t making a mistake.

Fourteen

So much for asking her to dinner.

What was he thinking?

It had been stupid as hell to kiss her. Especially in front of a club full of people.

Not that Declan regretted it. She’d spun his fucking world sideways with that kiss. He hadn’t been able to think of anything but her soft mouth since.

Now he just needed to know that he hadn’t blown his whole shot.

It was hard to tell how she felt about him when she kept up the wall of friendly humor. Why she’d let it down for him tonight, he couldn’t be sure.

But she had let it down. He hadn’t imagined her kissing him back.

The chilly night air swirled around them and the little sweater she’d pulled over her exposed arms wasn’t much cover. He shrugged out of his jacket and laid it across her shoulders.

“Thanks,” she said, sliding her arms through the sleeves and tightening it around her waist. If only she had any clue how adorable she was, swimming in all that fabric. “It’s a good thing you live close, or I’d turn into an ice lolly.”

Nothing about her tone revealed her feelings. If the feel of her lips weren’t still burning on his, he would never have known it had happened. He went with it, grateful that he hadn’t screwed everything up with his impulsive move. By the time they reached his street, it felt like their normal banter had returned, easing the unsettled feeling in his stomach.

He led her up the stoop of his terraced house, where she stood shivering while he opened the door.

“I’ve always loved this neighborhood.” Her gaze swept around the entryway as he flipped on the light. “It’s so quiet compared to mine. It has a garden, doesn’t it?”

“Aye, come take a look.” He led her through the sitting room to his kitchen dining area. Double doors led out to the small garden patio, with a private gate to the larger shared park.

“This is amazing.” She’d only been to his place a few times, never staying long enough to see it. “I have to have an outdoor space, even if it’s a small terrace. Otherwise, I feel caged in.” She returned to the dining room and shrugged out of his jacket. “You must have gotten a great deal.”

“I did, although it looked like a 1970s strip club in here. I’ve done a lot of remodeling over the years.”

She followed him back into the sitting room, her eyes roving the room. The small talk they were making was killing him. Her eyes caught the new gaming system, and she pulled in a breath.

“Oh look at you, you sweet baby,” she said, walking over to the alcove where he’d set up his workstation. She pressed the power button and waited for it to load the desktop.

“Can I get you a drink? I have wine, beer, whisky, rum . . .”

“Water.” Cressida’s gaze shot to his. “Water would be great.”

Water would probably be best. Apparently, their inhibitions were already on the floor.

By the time he’d gotten her drink, she was already diving into the installs. Declan brought over another chair and placed it next to his desk. They’d sat like this so many times in the past, but this time, the electrified air was overwhelming his senses.

After the last install was complete, she opened the game and sat back as he logged on. The title screen popped up, and she grinned. “There you are. Easy enough.”

“You’re so bloody brilliant,” Declan said, his eyes all on the screen.

She scoffed. “It’s not that hard. You probably could have done it yourself.”

“Aye, but now I know that it’s done right.”

They were so fucking close. He ached to run his fingers through her gorgeous mane of hair and kiss the hell out of her. The smile slid from her face, and her deep-brown eyes studied him.

Declan cleared his throat and looked away. “I think I have the perfect payment for your services.”

“Oh yeah? What’s that?” That teasing smile brought out her dimples again.

He leaned toward her conspiratorially. “Mrs. Downey may have given me the last of your birthday cupcakes from the break room.”

Cressida’s mouth popped open in exaggerated surprise. “Please tell me there’s a chocolate one left.”

Declan grinned and nodded. “I’ll even throw in some tea for you.”

“You know me so well.” She stood and followed him into the kitchen.

He rummaged through his pantry, eventually handing her the container of cupcakes. Then he picked up his electric kettle and took it to the sink.

“My feet are killing me. Do you mind . . .?” she asked, gesturing to the island countertop.

“Knock yourself out,” he said, filling the kettle with water. “I need to buy some barstools for this room.”

Cressida hoisted herself up on the counter, adjusting her dress to cover her thighs, and his cock decided at that moment to completely misbehave.

He focused on making the tea, trying to keep his desire for her reined in. But she looked so fucking beautiful, perched up on his counter, her bare feet kicking every once in a while was so damn endearing. He wanted her here every night.

She took a bite of the cupcake and fucking moaned. “I’m so glad I don’t live near this bakery or I would be there every day.”

Declan could barely get the words out. “Aye, they’re delicious. Mrs. Downey knows where all the best treats are.”

Cressida made a throaty sound of agreement as she took another bite, licking the fluffy frosting off her fingers.

Tea. You’re making fucking tea.

He went back to it, desperately trying not to think about all the ways he could make her moan that way.

“So, are we not going to talk about it?” she said from behind him.

Declan set the container of loose-leaf tea down and froze. They were treading into dangerous territory.

He turned back to face her and leaned against the counter, crossing his arms. “We can certainly talk about it.”

Cressida’s deep-brown eyes held his, making him so goddamn hot for her.

“Well, it was a moment of insanity, don’t you think?”

“It was a little impulsive on my part.” Declan ran his hands along his jaw. “But I don’t think it was insanity.”

“Wasn’t it?”

“Nah. We got caught up in a moment, but I was thinking quite rationally.”

“Were you?”

“Absolutely.”

He waited for one of her cheeky quips that would pull back on the reins. But Cressida’s gaze swept to the floor. “I didn’t think you saw me that way.”

“Didn’t you?” Declan stepped toward her, his pulse racing as he placed his hands on either side of her.

She looked up through thick lashes and shook her head. The rise and fall of her chest quickened, but she didn’t lean away. The deep-sable gaze surveyed him, as if this were the first time she was seeing him.

“Well, then it must have come as a surprise.” His heart raced to have her so close and not have her push him away.

“A little,” she breathed, her gaze dropping to his mouth. “I shouldn’t have liked it, but I did.”

“Aye?” Before he could stop himself, he leaned in. Cressida’s breath hitched as she lifted her chin, tilting to meet him. But he only grazed her, giving her lips a gentle nip before pulling away.

It was only a fraction of the kiss they’d shared before, but it was tearing desire through his entire body. He clenched his fists against the edge of the counter and fought the urge to let it all go and show her exactly how much he needed her.

The almost-kiss cast a glimmer in her eye. “Tease.”

“You have no idea,” Declan hummed. He brushed her hair away from her face, running his fingers along the soft curve of her jaw. “Do you want me to kiss you, sunshine?”

Cressida shivered against his touch, but her expression toyed with him. “I mean, we might as well. What’s one more?”

“That’s not really an answer.” Declan backed up to look into her eyes. “I asked if you wanted me to kiss you.”

Humor dropped from her expression and she studied him, both of them seeming to hold their breath. The silence nearly broke him. She offered a slight nod and whispered, “I do.”

Declan ignored the sway of the room as he kissed her lightly, his tongue stroking hers softly before he pulled back again. Most of his control had completely spun away, leaving only fragments for him to cling to.

Cressida’s lips curled up in a mischievous smile. “You know you’re confirming something I’ve always known.”

Declan ran the pad of his thumb across her lips, lust running straight to his cock when they parted for him. “And what’s that?”

“That you’d be good at it.”

“Am I now?” He brushed his lips against hers with a playful smile. “I’m barely getting started.”

Cressida tossed her head back and laughed. “Oh, my god. Now you’ll be an insufferable arse at—”

Declan laced her hair in his fingers and claimed her mouth, cutting off her words. The teasing was gone. He kissed her roughly, tilting his head to deepen it further.

A moan broke from her throat as she matched each desperate lash of his tongue with her own. He clutched her hips and tugged her to the end of the counter, drawing her heated core against him. She curled into him, her legs wrapping around his waist.

This gorgeous woman, who’d stolen his heart long ago, was running her hands through his hair as he kissed her the way he’d always wanted to. His cock jumped when she sighed out a moan.

He needed this to last. He didn’t know if he could give her up after this.

Fifteen

Cressida was lost.

Her hands explored Declan’s body, running through his soft hair and down his neck to his shoulders. The feel of his kiss and the strength in his arms made her hot with every new touch. His tongue played a wicked game with hers, stroking her until she was burning for more.

There was a dominance in him he’d kept below the surface, and now he was letting it go. It was so bloody intoxicating.

Declan gripped her hips and pulled her body into his. She not only went willingly, but she craved it. Craved him. She wrapped her legs around his waist and drew him to her, the hem of the dress gathering up on her hips. Cressida bucked, her core screaming from the pressure it created.

She should put an end to it.

He was her boss and their friendship meant the world to her. There were deep consequences to crossing this line.

But he hadn’t just crossed the line. He was burning the whole fucking thing down and taking what he wanted.

And she didn’t want him to stop.

Declan broke from her lips and trailed kisses along her neck. Each gentle pull of her skin into his mouth was followed by a fiery lick of his tongue. He was leaving her panting. His touch consumed her as he spun her further and further from reality.

“This is bloody madness,” she whispered. But her nails dragged along his scalp, encouraging him for more.

Declan slipped his hand up her ribs, brushing his thumb against her taut nipple. She sucked in her breath and tightened her hold on his hair. His dark eyes met hers as his thumb swept the peak again. It only took a slight arch of her back for him to spread out his fingers and cup her, caressing her nipple through the weighted dress.

“Jesus,” he rasped, his blue eyes dark and hungry. “You feel so goddamn good.”

Cressida brought her lips to his throat, gently sucking on his tender skin. His body tensed and a rough moan escaped his lips.

It was the sexiest fucking thing she’d ever heard.

“My god, Cress,” he murmured in her ear. “If you don’t want this, you need to stop me now, before . . .”

“Before what?” she whispered back, running her tongue over her swollen lips.

Declan laced his fingers through her hair and tugged it gently to gaze into her eyes. His other hand stroked her throat. She tilted her head up, offering it up to him.

He closed his fingers around it and growled. “You need to stop me now. Before I make you come so hard, you’ll forget the name of every little boy who didn’t know what to do with you.”

Oh, my fucking god.

She only hesitated a beat before she squeezed his forearm and pressed it so his grasp tightened around her throat. “Good Christ, Declan. If you stop now, I’ll never speak to you again.”

The rumble he made as he crashed his lips onto hers pushed her further. Her fingers flew to the buttons of his shirt, shaking as she worked down his chest. His mouth scorched hers, teasing her until the painful ache in her core had become unbearable.

Once she’d unbuttoned the shirt, she slid her hands up his bare chest, the solid muscles twitching under her touch. She moved down his shoulders, slipping off the shirt. A tattoo of blue-and-green tartan intertwined with Celtic knots laced up his arm and across his shoulder and chest. She traced the design with her fingers, his muscles flexing under her touch.

Damn, he was as gorgeous under his clothes as he was in them.

Declan worked the zipper on the back of her dress, his mouth never leaving hers. Cool air hit her skin as the dress fell away, exposing her hardened nipples to him. He leaned down, capturing one with his mouth. Cressida cried out, pleasure surging as his tongue toyed with her. She rocked her hips, the pressure playing a delicious game against her core.

“Do you know how much I want you?” he murmured against her skin. “I think about you all the time.”

The words swirled in her brain, breaking through the fog of pleasure. Did he really think about her or were these lust-induced words in the heat of the moment?

Cressida pushed away from that call to reality. She didn’t want any part of it.

His hand trailed up her thigh, his thumb swiping against her soaked knickers, and every doubt in her mind left her.

“Holy hell,” he moaned, massaging the damp lace. She bucked against his touch, whimpering as she rode against his fingers. “You want me, don’t you?”

She could barely breathe, much less respond, needing him to finish her and give her an ounce of relief.

Suddenly, his hand was around her throat again and he forced her to look at him, his fingers rubbing harder against her. “Answer me, Cressida. Do you want me?”

“Oh god, yes. I want you.” She looked into his eyes and knew it was more than just want. “I need you, Dec.”

His breath huffed out as he took in her words. Then his fingers shifted under her knickers. A cry tore from her throat as his heated touch assailed her clit.

Declan gave a deep moan. “There’s my good lass.”

Cressida whimpered, unprepared for the flood of hunger that roiled inside her. She arched, unable to mask her reaction. Awareness of her response burned in Declan’s eyes and a smile curled up on his lips.

Did . . . did he just unlock her praise kink?

Just for him. Only him.

He deftly hooked the edge of the lace underwear and pulled them down her legs. Barely missing a beat, he sank two fingers inside her, shuddering against her. “Fucking hell. You’re so beautiful.”

The steady rhythm of pressure on her clit drove her to the edge. She clutched his shoulders, her nails digging into his back. “Jesus, Dec, I’m so close,” she moaned. How had he gotten her there so quickly?

“Aye. You’re going to come for me?” he murmured, the thrust of his fingers unrelenting.

“Yes,” she whispered, hardly aware of the words escaping her. “Oh god, yes.”

“Come for me, sunshine,” he commanded softly, his lips brushing hers. “Let me hear you.”

Her body shuddered, the intensity of her climax blazing through her. Her cries were stuttered with breathless pants.

His voice strained and gruff as he murmured, “Jesus, yes. Holy shit.”

Cressida buckled, collapsing against him as the last waves licked her core. Declan gathered her up in his arms, the feel of his naked skin on hers making her shiver. Every nerve was on overload as she recovered against his chest.

“You’re so beautiful.” Declan’s fingers massaged her neck. “So perfect.”

She nuzzled against him, drawing warmth from his embrace. A soft shiver, half-replenished desire, half chill from the air escaped her and she curled into him.

“You’re cold?” The soft murmur broke through her thoughts. “We should go upstairs, where it’s warmer.”

Cressida knew damn well what would happen if they went upstairs.

Lines they could never get back would be crossed. It was a bit late for that.

She wanted to cross them all.

When she looked into his eyes, she could see all the barriers were down for him, too.

His body thrummed with a power she’d never seen. Every muscle was tense, displaying the strength he carried in him. A strength that turned her on, but she had tried to stuff down. Now that he was there, she was craving the idea of making him come.

He was giving her an out. She could slow this all down and keep the last boundaries in place before they went too far.

But she didn’t want to.

“Take me upstairs.”

He didn’t need to be told twice.

Her legs tightened around him, so he picked her up off the counter and carried her to his stairs like she weighed nothing. As he navigated them up the steps, she trailed kisses down his neck.

Anticipation sang in her veins.

It outweighed the warning in her mind that she and Declan would never be the same after this.

Sixteen

Declan climbed the stairs, his hard-on pulsing painfully with each step.

Cressida was fucking magic. Her soft body wrapped around him was everything he’d ever wanted. She had no idea how incredible she was.

She was kissing his neck, and he nearly tripped on the last step. “Shit,” he hissed, catching himself on the rail.

A giggle escaped her, and she tightened her hold on him. He chuckled too, grateful they hadn’t tumbled down the stairs.

Declan shouldered open his door, set her on her feet and caged her against the wall. She kissed him deeply, her tongue playing with his. Her fingers tugged on his belt, making quick work of unbuckling it before she moved onto the buttons and zipper. Once she had freed him, she clasped her fist around his length.

Pure need wrapped around every sense. Declan closed his eyes and moaned as her thumb swirled the tip of him. “Fuck.”

She hummed a little sound of approval and gripped him harder, each stroke teasing the fuck out of him. “Is this what you like?”

It was sheer heaven, his entire body taut in response to this incredible woman’s touch. He shuddered. “Aye, Cress. Bloody hell.”

Cressida purred in his ear. “I love the way you sound. It’s such a turn-on.”

Goddamn this woman. She only had to whisper in his ear, and he was getting close.

Way too close.

He gripped her wrist, stopping her soft strokes.

Uncertainty gathered in her eyes. “I want it to be good for you, too.” Her fingers stroked him, stealing the air from his lungs.

He strengthened his grip, halting her hand again.

Declan chuckled. “Oh, it will be. But it’s still your turn.”

Cressida’s eyes widened. “But I just . . .”

“Aye.” He kissed her softly. “You didn’t think I meant just once, did you?”

Her breath left in a rush as he claimed her mouth again. His tongue toying with hers as he tugged the dress the rest of the way off her. When it was gone, he stepped back to take her in. The streetlight cast a glow across the room, bathing her in its light.

She was simply stunning.

He ran his hand up her body, wanting to memorize every curve. When his caress reached her breast, a little sigh escaped her lips. Her responses to his touch sent an ache straight to his cock.

Cressida tugged on the waistband of his trousers. “Take these damn things off.”

He chuckled. “My eager little lass.” He kissed her one more time before he stripped off the rest of his clothes. Her deep-brown eyes raked over his body, drinking him in.

Apprehension filled her expression. “Dec . . .” she whispered.

God, please don’t make me stop now.

He would if that was what she needed, but fuck, it would hurt.

“We don’t have to do this.”

Her gaze shot back to his. “No, I want to. It’s just . . . I never thought I would see you like this.”

Declan cupped her cheek. “And I always hoped you would.”

“I didn’t think that was possible.”

The insanity of her words made him realize how good he’d been at masking his feelings for her. “When I told you I thought you were the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen, I meant it.”

Cressida rose up on her tiptoes and kissed him. Relief that she hadn’t changed her mind coursed through him.

Declan pressed her toward the bed, breaking the kiss to toss back the blankets before easing her onto it. His body covered hers, the tips of her fingers dragging over his shoulders. His chest heaved as he broke from her mouth and trailed along her neck. Cressida whimpered and drew him in closer to her.

“Jesus, make that sound again.” He captured her nipple in his mouth, swirling the peak with his tongue. She didn’t just whimper, she cried out, the sound radiating need through his soul. “There’s a good lass. Show me what you like.”

Cressida’s fingers tightened on his shoulders, her nails biting into his skin. He moved down her body, trailing kisses across her stomach.

“Dec, please,” she whispered.

He didn’t think he could get any harder but hearing her beg for him surged desire straight to his cock. The need to feel her come apart against his mouth consumed him and he dove his tongue into her heat. Her head fell back against the pillow, a satisfied groan escaping her lips.

Fingers intertwined in his hair as she drove herself against him. He laved at her core, finding a rhythm that made her shudder. Slipping two fingers inside her, he curled each stroke to match his pace. When he sucked her clit into his mouth, her thighs pressed on his shoulders.

“Please don’t stop. Please.” The words came out in a raspy whisper. “Jesus, I’m going to come.” The soft whimpers had become stuttered in between the breaths captured in her chest.

Declan deepened the pull on her clit, and she cried out, her hips lifting off the bed to meet him as she came. Her cry nearly sent him over the edge with her. He rode the waves with her until she lay panting.

Kissing his way up her body, he drew her nipple into his mouth, sucking softly while she ran her hands through his hair tenderly. So in sync, like they’d done this a thousand times.

She met his gaze, eyes soft. “That was . . .”

He shifted above her, his hard cock dragging across her clit as he moved and captured her lips. She moaned again, and he gave her a gentle thrust, driving himself mad at the feel of her slick heat against him.

“What was it, Cress?” he murmured.

She pulled back and studied him through lidded eyes. She brought her hand up to cup his cheek, caressing his jaw gently with her fingers. “That was beautiful.”

He couldn’t help the smile that curled up on his lips. “Aye, it was that.”

“Don’t get too full of yourself.” Cressida grinned at him, the gorgeous little dimple showing in the dim light.

This woman was his world, and she didn’t even know it.

Need for her had become overwhelming, and he thrust against her again, the smile left her face and desire replaced it.

“Hang on a second.” Declan shifted away from her, feeling the loss of her heat. He tugged open his night table drawer and rummaged through until he found a condom. Cressida’s eyes were on him as he opened it and rolled it on.

He was so bloody hard he thought he would lose his mind. Every carnal need he’d ever had for her blazed through his body. Declan kissed her again, moving his hand between them to find the nub of her clit again. She gasped and deepened the kiss. He worked her, letting her body tell him what she needed.

Soft moans broke from her chest, and she trembled the way that told him she was close. “Oh god, Dec. Holy shit.”

Without warning, he softened the touch, denying her the release. Her body slackened and she groaned. He did it again, stroking her until she was close, careful not to take it too far. When he calmed his hand, she let out this sweet sound, half frustration, half whimpering with need. It was so bloody hypnotizing.

“Jesus, what are you doing to me?”

“Just teasing you, my sweet lass.” Declan chuckled and shifted, fitting himself against her, the heat of her core casting her energy to his cock. He pushed against her opening, and she groaned, lifting her hips, inviting him into her.

“I need you. I need all of you,” she gasped. “Please.”

He’d wanted to take his time, savoring her body as he took her for the first time. But her words undid him, and he couldn’t hold back anymore.

“My god,” he cried as he buried himself inside her. Pleasure raced through him, every nerve tingling with pure bliss.

Cressida whimpered, bringing her lips to his in a heated kiss. Then they were moving together, her hips rotating to meet his.

So fucking perfect.

He lifted himself up, catching the headboard of the bed with his hand. The light cast a glow over her body as she writhed under him, and he watched her in awe. Her cheeks were flushed, her swollen lips parted as she moaned. Every thrust burned pleasure through his body.

No matter how many times he’d ached for her, nothing could have prepared him for this moment. When her gaze met his, he saw his feelings echoed in her eyes. An intimacy he’d never known connected them, and he knew she felt it too.

“God, Dec,” she whispered as her legs tensed around him. Her breath shuddered and became frantic.

“Let me feel you, sunshine,” he growled. “I need to feel you come.”

He was losing every ounce of control but held off to feel the ecstasy of her climax. Without breaking his pace, he slipped his other hand around her throat and squeezed. Her eyes widened, but she didn’t pull away, instead it seemed to spur her on.

When the orgasm hit her, his heart nearly stopped. Her core clenched around his cock, tearing his release from him. He cried her name as he spilled himself inside her, pulsing so hard he thought he may not recover. There was nothing left in him. His body collapsed on hers, his heart thundering in his chest.

The blinding fog cleared. Cressida caressing his back was the first sensation that returned. He gathered her against him, her quivering breath brushing against his neck.

Declan made to move off of her, but she drew her legs around him to keep him in place. “No. Stay with me,” she murmured. “Just a minute more.”

An ache spilled through his chest. For this one minute, she was his. They held each other, his pulse sang out his need to keep her. His heart had been tethered to hers and neither of them wanted it to end.

His mouth grazed hers, and she opened to his gentle kiss. When her arms relaxed, he pulled out of her and shifted to her side. He gave her one more kiss and left the bed to dispose of the condom in the bin. When he returned, Cressida was curled up, the sheets tucked against her, locks of dark-caramel hair spilling all around her.

Declan wasn’t sure how he’d gotten so lucky. The most beautiful woman he knew had come to his bed, and had let him love her the way he’d wanted to for years.

He leaned across the mattress, sweeping a curl from her cheek. Her eyes fluttered open and a soft smile played on her lips.

“Hey,” she said. “I’m sorry, I’m dozing off.”

“I didn’t mean to wake you. Can I get you anything?”

Her smile deepened, but she shook her head. “No, I’m good. I’ll go use the loo in a second, but I don’t think I can move yet.”

Declan stroked her hair and chuckled. “Stay right where you are. I’ll be just a tick.”

She closed her eyes and cuddled against his pillow. Walking out of the room, he went down the stairs to his sitting room, still in numb disbelief.

Cressida Bennett was in his bed, sleeping off the post-sex bliss.

Checking every door and window as he did every night, his mind fully lost in her, replaying every touch over and over in his head.

He found his mobile and hunted down hers as well. The screen lit up when he turned it toward him, and he could see she had missed eight calls and fourteen text messages from an unknown number. He didn’t know what the messages said, but he had a pretty good idea they were from Griff.

Stupid fucker.

Declan was glad her phone had been nowhere near her when they’d moved to the kitchen, or the evening might have played out differently.

He took her mobile up to his room, along with an extra cord. She didn’t stir as he plugged it in next to the bed and made sure it was on silent.

She roused when he crawled in next to her, clearly startled. Her eyes landed on him and her face softened. “Dec,” she whispered sleepily.

A stuttered beat in his chest pulled away his air. Once he settled, she tucked her body against him, curling her legs around his. Heated arousal spiraled through him, thickening his cock.

How could he already want her again?

Now that he’d gotten a taste of her, he wasn’t sure he’d ever know enough. She was pure addiction.

Goddamn, she was everything he’d ever needed.

Seventeen

Cressida awoke with a start, her vision blurred from sleep adding to her confusion.

It took a moment before she recognized the dark room she was in and the feel of a strong arm around her.

Declan was deep in sleep, his arm tucked around her body. Her hand splayed across the indentions of the muscles on his abs.

She’d slept with Declan McKinley.

Not only had she slept with him, but it’d been the best sex she’d ever known had existed. He’d picked up the bar out of the depths of hell and hurled it into space. There weren’t a whole lot of men that would effortlessly get her off more than once and barely break a sweat.

An unbelievable lover. A thoughtful friend. Declan was the perfect man, all wrapped up in a beautiful package. She should feel like she’d hit the lottery.

A sinking feeling, one she’d pushed away since he’d kissed her on the dance floor, was rapidly catching up to her. There was only so long she could put off reality. By Monday, it would slam into the both of them and she would be devastated when she had to let him go.

Her dickhead coworker, Phillip, came to her mind and panic swirled in her chest. Not that she usually cared what that jealous fuck thought of her, but if he ever found out she’d slept with one of the McKinleys, he’d make sure the entire office knew it. Her word around the company would be shit.

History had a way of repeating itself.

She’d be nothing more than the little slut who fucked her way up the ladder. She could literally lose everything. Her position, the respect she’d earned. Everything.

And she could lose Declan forever.

That she couldn’t have.

Terror at the thought of Declan turning against her reared up. Holding her career hostage was something he’d never do, but the awkwardness if they tried a relationship, and it didn’t work out, was enough to destroy everything.

She had to walk away while they could salvage what they had been.

Cressida slid from the bed, her heart racing at what she had to do. Plucking her dress and bra off the floor, she shimmied into them. She noticed her mobile on the table next to the bed and stopped.

Declan had plugged it in for her.

Her throat tightened. Why did he have to be so incredible? And why did she have to be so damned scared of something real?

She walked to the table and picked it up. A stream of messages lit up the screen. The number was unknown, but they were clearly from Griff. Each text ran through various stages of anger and remorse, swinging between accusations that he’d always known the truth, to asking for her forgiveness for losing his temper.

Guilt that she’d proven Griff right flooded her.

That was ridiculous, of course. She hadn’t planned on jumping into bed with Declan. But when he kissed her, she lost every ounce of logical sense.

It could never happen again.

Could it?

She shook her head at the longing that curled around her heart. No, it couldn’t. No matter how much she ached for him.

Flipping open her ridesharing app, she hastily called for a car. One was only five minutes away. Her pulse crashed in her ears as she quietly padded from his room and down the stairs.

Searching for her discarded knickers, her brain muddled through the fog of roiling emotions.

What if she was overthinking all of it? Maybe it didn’t have to be such a big deal. This could totally be a one-off and it didn’t have to change anything. She hadn’t even known she was on his radar until tonight.

Her frantic heart stopped. That wasn’t entirely true. There had been signs. A few heated glances or banter that was a bit past friendly. The way he’d always grow quiet when she would talk about her relationships with other men.

But that didn’t mean he wanted her.

She spotted a bundle of black lace on the floor of the kitchen. Averting her gaze from the counter that stirred up too many memories, she snatched up the knickers and slipped them on.

Now what?

Cressida paced a few frantic steps around the room.

She couldn’t skulk out of here like he was nothing more than an online hookup. Declan meant the world to her and she could never treat him like a throwaway. But if she went back upstairs and said goodbye, her heart would convince her to crawl back into his arms and to stay there.

“Cress, is everything okay?” Declan’s deep voice stopped her crazed pacing.

Shit. She’d been so caught up in her spiraling thoughts, she hadn’t even heard him come down the stairs. He was naked, the curve of every muscle on full display in the dim room. Her core fluttered, and she looked away.

“Oh, hey! Uh, yeah. I’m fine.” She located her handbag and slipped the strap across her body.

“Are you sure?” A vulnerability she hadn’t expected laced his words, and she stopped. Her gaze met his and the fracturing of her heart burned in her chest.

“I’m fine. I mean, I’m not fine,” she stuttered out, sounding like a complete prat. “But it’s fine.”

His gaze swept down her body, taking in the haphazard way she’d thrown on her dress. “You don’t have to leave.” His voice was soft, like he was speaking to a spooked horse. “It’s nearly morning. Stay with me.”

What she wouldn’t give to stay, to take the risk and let the cards fall where they might.

But there was much more at stake than a sweet post-sex cuddle in his arms. Everything she’d built was on the precipice now. She had to step back from the ledge or lose everything. Again.

“It’s okay. I already called a car. They’re only a minute away.” She found her stilettos and stepped into them, balancing on the nearby table.

“Did I do something wrong?” Everything about him was tense, and she stopped to look him in the eyes.

Did he do something wrong? No, he’d been bloody perfect. So perfect, she’d lost herself in the dream of what could be.

“No,” she whispered. Clearing her throat, she tried to find her voice. “I’m just inside my own head a little.”

Declan took a step toward her. “Well, let me drive you home, then . . .”

“No, that’s okay.” She backed away. He couldn’t touch her or she’d lose her will to do what was right.

At his crestfallen wince, she added, “I’m sorry. Can we talk tomorrow? Please?”

Declan’s brow furrowed, but he nodded. “Aye. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

It took every ounce of her strength to pull open his door and walk away. The frigid blast of night air made her eyes sting as she hurried to the car that had arrived. She climbed in and tightened the belt around her just as the first tear fell.

Shake was still awake when Cressida opened the door to her flat. He was planted in front of the telly, his headphones on his ears.

“Hey,” he said, not turning around. “I’m playing Shadow Storm with some crazy Americans. You want in?” He said, not looking away from the game.

“No, I’m good. I thought you’d be out with Noah.”

Something in her voice must have triggered her brother’s alarm because he ripped his headphones off and stared at her. “Where have you been?” he said through narrowed eyes. “Please tell me you didn’t have a run-in with Griff.”

Cressida shook her head. “No, I haven’t seen Griff.”

“I fucking hope not. That guy is the worst. I thought Declan was going to tear him apart. Wish he would have,” Shake muttered, picking up the controller. “So, where ya been?”

It was pointless to lie to him. “With Dec.”

“Mmm,” Shake murmured. Then he glanced up and took in her appearance. She had to look a disheveled mess. “Oh. Wait.” He jumped out of his seat, the controller forgotten. “Like . . . with Dec?”

Cressida swallowed back the tightness in her throat and nodded.

“Oh damn, Ress! When you go for your birthday treat, you splurge.” Shake chuckled like a loon until he saw her face and his smile faded. “What’s the matter? Are you okay?”

She shook her head, biting back a fresh assault of tears.

“Oh, honey.” Shake pulled her into his arms and nestled her cheek against his shoulder. “I’m only teasing. What’s wrong?”

“I shouldn’t have let it happen. I know better.”

“I mean, you could do much worse. Dec’s pretty awesome.”

Cressida pulled away, her heart heavy. “Yeah, he is.”

“So, what’s the problem?” Shake tilted his head. “Was it bad?” He brought his hands to his mouth and sucked in his breath. “Oh, god. It couldn’t have been bad, right?”

“Don’t be stupid,” she scoffed. Of course, it wasn’t bad. Nothing about Declan McKinley was bad.

“Okay. So why are you here?”

Cressida’s gaze landed on his. She needed someone to understand this with her. “It was a huge mistake. Staying with him would have only made it worse.”

Shake pursed his lips and nodded.

“What?”

“Oh nothing. I’m just trying to figure out if you’ve gone fully mad or if there’s still hope.”

Cressida rolled her eyes. “You don’t know what you’re talking about. It would be a disaster.”

“A disaster? To be with Dec?”

“Yeah.” Cressida rounded the corner to the kitchen and pulled a glass from the cabinet. She filled it with water and gulped it down. Her mouth had turned to sawdust.

“Dec?” He frowned, crossing his arms over his chest. “The one who brings you your Earl Grey without you asking? Or the one who beats the piss out of anyone who touches you.”

“That doesn’t mean anything. He’s—”

“Or the one who calls you his sunshine?” He interrupted, tilting his head. “That Dec?”

Her eyes widened. “You know about that?”

“Yeah, I know about that. It’s adorable,” he quipped. His gaze raked over her face and he shook his head sadly. “You’re thinking of Jacob, aren’t you?”

Cressida turned away, the stabbing pain in her chest nearly unbearable. Shake knew her too damn well to lie to him about where her head was at.

“If you think Declan is anything like that fucking tosser, I’ll throttle you.”

“God, Ly.” A sob built up in her throat. “What would you have me do? Fall all over him and forget all the risks?”

Shake’s mouth dropped open. “Uh, yeah. You should be calling another car and hightailing your arse back to his house. Immediately.”

“I can’t,” she whispered. “I have to end it now before we make a mess of it. He means too much to me.”

“For fuck’s sake,” Shake sighed and pulled her back into his arms. “You have gone fully mental.”

Despite herself, a little laugh broke through her tears. Shake’s sarcastic wit was hitting a little close to home tonight. Everything was a mess and she couldn’t make sense of it.

“It’ll all work out,” he soothed, planting a kiss on her head.

She’d give anything to know that was true. “It’s been a long night. I should go to bed.”

Shake grunted and released her. She put her glass in the sink and walked toward her room.

“Ressa,” Shake called. She turned and met his sad expression. “You have to let go of what happened. Declan’s nothing like Jacob, and you know it.”

“I know.” Cressida wiped a stray tear from her cheek. “But it scares me. I can’t let it happen again.”

The next morning hadn’t brought any more clarity. Cressida was as lost as she’d been when she went to bed, tossing and turning throughout what was left of the night.

It didn’t help that the memories of Declan’s hard body sliding down hers made her hot as hell. When he’d promised he could make her forget everyone else, he wasn’t kidding. She could barely remember her own name.

No matter how amazing it had been, she would make sure he knew there was no hope for them. He needed to move on.

The unwelcome image of Skyler’s fair hand stroking over his arm filtered into her mind and her stomach clenched. Could she watch Declan with other women and feel nothing?

Hell no.

Where had this jealousy come from? Normally, she’d brush those thoughts off and go on with her day. But there it was, curling in her as she thought of him in bed with anyone else.

There was no hope for it. She couldn’t be with him, and she couldn’t ask him to stay single for the rest of his life.

God, what a bloody mess.

Cressida trudged to the kitchen, where she set the electric kettle into the sink and filled it. Shake came out of his room and watched her prepare her morning tea.

She could feel his eyes on her. He thought she was being an idiot. He wasn’t wrong, but there was no good way to handle the chaos in her head without the devastating consequences.

He cleared his throat and said casually, “So, are you really not going back over there?”

Cressida’s heart rate rose, and she shook her head. “It’s better to let things cool down at the moment.”

“It’s not gonna go away just because you don’t talk to him.”

As much as she wanted things to go back to the way they were, she wasn’t under any illusion that she could avoid discussing it with Declan. “I’ll call him this afternoon. I need a little time to think it all out.”

Shake furrowed his brow. “Do you really believe he’s like Jacob?”

Cressida shook her head. “No, he’s not like him at all. But it’s all too much. Imagine if the office found out? Arseholes like Phillip? Even if Dec did everything right, it would give them ammunition to use against me. You know they would. I’ve already had to remake my entire life because I fell for the wrong man. Why would I put myself in the same situation again?”

Because he’s not the wrong man.

Shake didn’t respond. He’d watched when it happened the first time, and there were no guarantees it couldn’t happen again, even with a man like Declan.

A knock came at the door and they both froze.

Oh shit.

Panic welled, and she switched off the kettle. “If that’s Declan, you can not let him in. I look like shit.”

“What the hell am I supposed to do?” Shake scoffed. “Restrain him? Have you seen the size of the man?”

Oh yeah, she’d seen the size of him.

But her hair was a wreck, and she’d scrubbed her makeup off. The mask she wore to keep herself sane was gone.

Another knock sounded, making her jump. “Seriously, I’m not ready.”

Shake went to the door and looked through the peephole. “Well, you need to get ready, cause it’s definitely Dec.”

“Shit.” Cressida ran to her room, hoping to salvage a little of her dignity before she faced letting this man go.

Eighteen

Declan had wanted to run after her the second the door closed behind her. But her panicked expression and his bare arse kept him in his place.

How the hell had things gone so sideways so fast?

One minute, he was in heaven, her soft body sleeping against him, the next she was throwing her clothes on and sprinting off in the middle of the night.

Fuck. He’d pushed too hard. The moment things shifted from teasing kisses to an all-consuming inferno, he should have stopped it. Taken a step back to give them a second to catch their breaths.

Hours had been spent in the darkness reliving the night’s events. The scent of Cressida clung to him and his sheets, driving him mad. Memories of her touch ignited fire through his body. He grew hard with need for her again, so sleep hadn’t been in the cards. More than once, he’d picked up his mobile to message her but stopped himself. She clearly wanted some space.

Somehow, he managed to wait until morning before he showered and dressed. The brisk walk to her flat cooled the heat running through him. Not knowing if she was okay was killing him.

His heart thundered as he climbed the steps to her apartment. What he might say rolled through his mind, but by the time he knocked, he was no closer to knowing what it was.

After his second knock, the locks shifted. When Shake opened the door, Declan did his best to remain neutral.

“Hey, Dec, what’s up, mate?” Shake leaned against the frame and smiled politely.

Too politely.

“Um . . . I—” He stopped himself. Something in his friend’s expression told him a ruse would be pointless. “So you already know, huh?”

Shake lifted his shoulder. “I mean . . . I might know a few things.”

Damn.

“Is she here?”

“Yeah, she is. But her makeup’s not on, so I’m supposed to restrain you if you try to come in.”

Declan frowned and tilted his head. “Restrain me?”

The twinkle of amusement flittered over Shake’s expression. “Yeah, she’s not thinking straight. Come on in, mate.”

Shake pulled the door open and let Declan pass by him. “She’s in her room. You can go on back.”

“Are you sure?” Maybe this was a mistake. He should back off and give her more time.

Shake rolled his eyes and nodded. “I’m sure. She wants to talk to you. She’s just being weird about it.”

Great. Declan inhaled deeply and headed to her room. He knocked gently, hoping he wasn’t about to make everything worse.

At her soft call, he opened the door and stepped inside. She was standing in the center of the room, her arms crossed over her body.

Jesus, she was breathtaking. Her hair was spilling out in a messy bun and her face was clean of her makeup. Even in a threadbare jumper and leggings, she was so beautiful.

But it was the fear in her eyes that struck at his heart. He didn’t know what he’d done to put that there, but he wanted to hold her until it left her. She had to know he’d do anything to keep her from hurting.

“Dec,” she whispered, tucking a wisp of hair behind her ear. “I . . . I’m sorry I ran off like that. I just freaked myself out.”

Relief coursed through his veins, but he made no move toward her. She looked like she wanted to bolt. “Are you okay? I didn’t hurt you, did I?”

Cressida’s eyes softened, and she shook her head. “No, last night was amazing.”

“It was,” he choked out.

“The thing is, um . . . It was a mistake. We have too much to lose by trying out a friends-with-benefits relationship.”

“Friends with benefits?” he asked, taking a step toward her. “Is that what you think it was? Just a casual one-night stand?”

She blinked at him and shrugged.

A deep ache hit his chest like she’d punched him. “Cressida, if all I’d wanted was a meaningless shag with a warm body, you are the last person I would have chosen. I wanted you.”

Cressida’s gaze shot to the floor, her brow furrowed.

“Is that all it was to you?” He could barely say the words. “Just meaningless sex?”

“No!” She sucked in her breath, her sable eyes wide as they shot to his. “No, it was all the things I didn’t know I needed.”

“Then I don’t understand . . .”

Cressida’s eyes filled with tears, and his heart nearly broke. He’d never seen such vulnerability in her eyes.

“It’s just . . . It’s a really bad idea for it to ever happen again.”

Declan’s heart fell. “Why is that?”

“Because I can’t be involved with someone from work. Especially not one of the partners of the company. If things go wrong between us . . . I-It’s best if we let this go now, before we lose everything.”

Declan knew what she was saying. The risk was all hers. He was secure in his position. But Cressida was his subordinate. He wasn’t so dense as to think they could carry on without anyone noticing.

“Fuck. This sucks so bad,” he said, interlacing his fingers in hers. She didn’t resist, her thumb stroking his knuckles.

She was ending this before it even began, and this was the last time he would be able to touch her.

“I’m so sorry, Dec.”

Another tear slipped down her cheek, and he couldn’t help but pull her into his arms. “Don’t cry. I’ve never wanted to make you cry.”

She wrapped herself around him, clinging to his shirt. He held her tight against him, his hand cradling her head against his chest. The ache in his heart nearly suffocating him.

“Please don’t hate me,” she whispered. The words made him tighten his arms around her.

So that’s what was lighting her face with fear. She thought he wouldn’t understand. That he would hold it against her, that he would resent her for backing away.

He did understand. It broke his fucking heart, but he understood why she couldn’t be with him.

“I could never hate you. God, I hope you know that.” She pulled back and looked up at him. Her beautiful eyes filled with worry and hope. He cupped her face, his thumb tracing across her cheek.

“You’re one of the most important people in my life. That’s not going to change because of this.”

She closed her eyes and turned her cheek into his palm. “I feel the same way about you, which is why this is for the best.” She swiped the tear away with the back of her hand. “We’ll be okay, right?”

“Aye, we’ll be fine. No one needs to know. We can put it behind us.” The admission gutted him.

The relief that crossed her face was like a dagger to his soul. She was terrified people would find out, and it stung.

Declan dropped his hand and moved toward the door. Her fingers tightened around his forearm and his heart rate kicked up. There was a hesitation in her eyes just before she stood on her tiptoes and pressed her lips to his.

Need poured through his veins even though his heart was breaking. This was her goodbye, and it was killing him. He deepened the kiss, flattening her body against his. She let out a gentle moan and ran her hands through his hair. Her tongue was a soft caress against his.

Their kiss became heated, dragging him further into the hole of misery. God, he didn’t want this to be their last kiss.

But it was.

He ended it and put his forehead against hers.

“I’m sorry, Dec,” she whispered.

“I know. I am too.”

Taking in as much air as he could, he placed a gentle kiss on her head and let her go. It was too hard to look back, so he focused on the door. He stepped out of her room, shutting the door behind him. A piece of him had been carved away, leaving it behind.

Shake was in the sitting room when Declan passed through. He caught Declan’s expression and furrowed his brow in sympathy. “Sorry, mate.”

“It’s alright.” Declan swallowed hard and walked to the door.

“Hey, Dec,” Shake said, coming to stand in front of him. “I can’t get too much into it, but I wanted you to know it has nothing to do with you.”

It sure as hell felt like it had to do with him.

Shake must have been reading his mind, because his frown deepened. “All I can say is that Cress has been in this situation before. And what happened afterwards changed everything about her life. She cares about you a lot, but she has good reason for being scared.”

“Thanks.” He offered a single nod and pulled the door open. “See you at work.”

Declan stepped onto the landing and took in Shake’s words. What could have happened that would have made Cressida not want him? She clearly felt something for him, too.

But as much as he wanted her to be his, he knew there was nothing he could do but move on and hope it didn’t crush him later.

Part Two

Nineteen

Cressida got through the weekend by binge-watching rom-coms and drinking large amounts of black tea. Her nerves fluttered with anxious energy and, more than once, she had to stop herself from picking up her mobile to ring Declan.

What would she say to him?

That she couldn’t get him off her mind? Or that more than once she’d gotten lost in the memories of that night?

Each time she was tempted, she would curse her lack of control. She’d been the one to set the boundary between them, and it was the right decision, even if it felt like her chest would collapse with regret. He could never be hers.

That single thought tore at her heart.

By Monday morning, Cressida was determined to return things to the way they had been. Her stomach clenched as she pulled open the glass doors to McKinley Security. Anticipation at seeing him charged through her as she strolled through the reception area. Pretending her world was normal was already proving to be a challenge.

Unfortunately, she would have to wait a little longer to end this torturous anxiety. Declan’s office was empty and she was told he and Alec were in a closed-door meeting and would be for another hour or two.

Cressida made her way to her office and laid her laptop on her desk. She tried to convince herself that the gentle tremble of her fingers was from lack of sleep and an overloading of caffeine. It couldn’t be the fear that Declan would resent the hell out of her.

Scanning through her calendar, she reviewed her day’s schedule, searching for anything that could take her mind off of the painful strain of waiting. Finally, selecting a client portfolio review, she dug into it, pouring her focus into the task at hand.

Her mobile rang, and an unknown caller appeared on the screen. She sighed and sent it directly to voice mail. Even though Griff’s calls from anonymous numbers had slowed over the weekend, she wasn’t going to risk it being him. Her nerves were already frayed enough. She didn’t need his whinging today.

After about a half an hour, she sighed and pulled up the message.

“Hello, Ms. Bennett. This is Sergeant Stroy of the London Metro Police. They’ve assigned me to your case regarding the incident last week when a man attempted to take your bag. We have an update for you, so please call me at your earliest convenience.”

Cressida cursed Griff for making her have to screen her calls as she jotted down the officer’s number. She dialed him back, another wave of anxiousness skittering up her spine.

Once she was patched through, and the pleasantries dealt with, Sergeant Stroy got to it. “The reason for my call is that I have some unfortunate news. The man who was arrested for your assault was found deceased in his home yesterday afternoon.”

Cressida’s mouth dropped open. “Oh my god. What happened?”

“We don’t have a toxicology report yet, but we believe it may have been an overdose. We can’t be sure, but he had a history of drug use and they found a syringe in his hand.”

Shock filtered through Cressida as she processed the information. They had suspected he was high on something when he attacked her, but it was stunning all the same.

“Since he was the only suspect, we’re going to have to close out your complaint. Unless you can think of anyone else that might be involved?”

“Um, no. Like I told you when we spoke last, I didn’t know him and I don’t think there was anyone else with him when he came after me.”

“Very well. If anything comes up, please don’t hesitate to contact me directly.”

Cressida assured him she would, and they disconnected the call. She sat back against her chair, her pulse thumping in her ears. It wasn’t justice, but it was the only closure she would get from the situation.

Declan’s rich laugh filtered down the hall, and the jackhammering of her heart increased. When he finally came into view of her glass partition, she inhaled deeply to cool her reaction to him.

Why the hell did he have to look so damn good?

He had on a dark-blue button-up shirt and slacks, much like the night of the party. And like that night, he’d casually rolled up his sleeves to under his elbows, the muscles of his forearms teasing her as he gripped a tablet in his hand.

Memories of that hand squeezing her throat as he tore an orgasm from her assailed her senses, shooting a deep heat between her thighs.

Bloody goddamn hell.

Cressida inhaled sharply and shifted in her chair from the sudden arousal. She turned her attention back to her computer, hoping the boring client review would cool the burn of lust that had taken hold.

“Morning, Cress.” His warm voice filtered into the space. She turned in her chair to find he’d paused in her doorway. “Do you happen to have the floor layout for the Leechfield file ready?”

The what?

Somehow, her brain had taken a complete holiday on her. She pushed through the internal chaos and focused on his question.

“Um, yeah, I’ll email it over to you now.”

Declan gave a quick nod. “Great. Thanks. I’ll see you at the meeting.”

And then he was gone.

Cressida let out a shaky breath as she maneuvered through the client files to the one he wanted and sent the email. She leaned forward, massaging her brow with the tips of her fingers.

Not a great first interaction, but not bad either. His face had been completely unreadable, but at least he was still speaking to her. Hopefully, it would get easier as time passed.

She had to bat down her libido first. Imagining the things he could do to her when they tried to have a normal conversation wasn’t going to work.

Cressida pushed herself, focusing on her file until it was time for their ten o’clock meeting. She followed her coworkers into the large conference room and took a seat next to Shake.

Declan was seated at the head of the table, quietly talking with Alec. She was torn between wanting him to acknowledge her, and the fear that if he did, the entire room would know what they’d done. She couldn’t trust her reaction, so she kept her eyes locked on her tablet’s screen. Her notes app was open, but the words were blurry and unrecognizable.

“You all right?” Shake murmured in her ear.

His dark-brown eyes were filled with concern as he studied her face. “Yeah, everything’s fine.”

Shake’s brow deepened its crease as if he didn’t believe her, but he sat back in his seat and waited for the meeting to start. The indistinct murmur of the office staff increased as others found their places around the table. Once they were settled, Alec began the meeting.

“Alright, a bit of housekeeping first.” He shifted his notes around on the table in front of him. “We’ll be closing out the job listing for the cyber security team this week and interviewing candidates. If you know of anyone who might be interested, please make sure they fill out their online form and get their CV to us as soon as possible.”

Cressida made a note on her tablet to reach out one more time to an acquaintance she thought would be perfect for the job. Olivia Sutton was not only a badass with computers, but she was an experienced security officer in her own right. They’d crossed paths many times over the years. The company Olivia worked for was filled with twats who had less than ethical ways of doing business. Although Olivia was careful not to talk trash about her employers, Cressida could read between the lines. Bringing her on board would be a win-win for everyone.

Alec moved on to a review of the tech convention, detailing the stats from the event and congratulating the team for their diligence and professionalism.

“A special thanks to our lead, Cressida Bennett, for running a tight ship.” Alec turned his smile toward her. “I don’t think we could have asked for a better job in coordinating such an enormous event and I’m pleased to say the organizers have already contracted our team for next year’s conference.”

A murmur of approval worked through the room, forcing a heated flush to travel up her neck.

“Show-off,” Shake muttered to her, with a twinkle in his eye.

Cressida bit her lip to hold back a laugh as her chest swelled with the praise. She braved a glance at Declan. When their gazes caught, her breath tumbled from her chest. From all outward appearances, his expression was one of passive encouragement, not much more than the one his cousin offered. But there was a silent message he was sending her. He was proud of her and the work she’d done.

Alec’s voice cut through the moment and she snapped her attention back to the meeting. “And apparently, you made a good impression with the people from CloudShore Tech. They’ve been in touch and would like to schedule a meeting to begin a diagnosis of their networks. Either Declan or I will accompany you when you set up the first meeting with them, but it’ll be your show.” Alec grinned at her as she took in this news.

Holy shit.

The conference had been a test run. Her job had always been to support the leads. She was damn good as an overwatch, which was why Alec or Declan kept her and Shake close to them. But to be fully in charge of a long-term, large account on her own was huge.

“Hey Alec, no disrespect to Cressida,” Phillip’s voice called out from the other side of the table and she knew he was gearing up to disrespect her. “But shouldn’t someone with case management experience be in charge of such a large client?”

Cressida inhaled deeply, biting back a response that would be less than professional.

A warning signal blared in her mind, followed closely by a nasty spell of self-doubt.

What if Declan had intervened, giving her the case as special treatment?

Goddammit.

She’d earned her promotion well before she’d landed in his bed, and he’d never given her a reason to believe he’d do anything of the sort. But a nagging heaviness pushed through the short-lived excitement. Would she never again know if she’d earned her accomplishments?

“Actually.” Alec narrowed his eyes at Phillip. “Cressida is quite ready for the challenge. Not only that, they requested she work the case personally.”

Phillip looked like he wanted to say more, but instead shook his head as if anything he could say would fall on deaf ears, anyway.

Alec’s gaze fell on Cressida again. “Reach out to them today to set up a meeting and let us know.” He gave her one more grin. “And nice work.”

Cressida smiled back, but the feel of Phillip’s occasional glare graced her consciousness, giving fuel to her already doubting thoughts.

The rest of the meeting rushed by in a blur, and it surprised Cressida when her coworkers rose to their feet and scattered back to work. She gathered her tablet and cup, forcing herself to keep her eyes off the front of the room and the man she could stare at all day.

Near the doorway to her office, a familiar voice caught her attention, and she followed it to the reception area. She stopped when the source of the melodic laughter came into view.

“Mum?”

Her mother, Gemma Bennett, sat primly in one of the waiting room chairs, a paper cup delicately held in her manicured hand. A beautiful smile graced her lips as she listened attentively to their office manager, Mrs. Downey’s, gregarious story. At Cressida’s call, her dark-brown eyes turned toward her and lit up with excitement.

“Oh, there you are, sweetheart.” Gemma stood and opened her arms for a hug. Cressida greedily stepped into them, holding on for longer than she normally would. Her emotions were on a roller coaster, and the warm comfort of her mother’s embrace was just what she needed.

She pulled away, ignoring the question in her mother’s expression. “What are you doing here?”

“Didn’t your brother tell you?” Gemma frowned, reaching out to fiddle with a lock of Cressida’s hair. “I couldn’t be with you for your birthday, so I brought you lunch.” She gestured to a takeaway bag set on the reception desk.

Of course, Shake had forgotten to tell her. He couldn’t remember anything unless he wrote it down, which he rarely did.

“Lunch is wonderful, Mum. I’m glad you’re here.”

Concern drew Gemma’s brows together, and Cressida hoped her mother wouldn’t start digging. Thankfully, something behind Cressida caught her mother’s eye, and she peered over her shoulder. “Declan!”

Cressida stiffened and turned slowly to find Declan striding across the room, a warm grin on his face. “Gemma, it’s a pleasure to see you again.”

Her mother stepped to him and had to stand on the tiptoes of her heeled boots to kiss each of his cheeks. “It feels like ages. How are you?”

“Right as rain.” Declan’s casual stance and amiable smile made Cressida wonder if she was alone in her emotional wreckage. “What brings you by?”

“Oh, I’m just trying to feed my children a belated birthday lunch.” Her mother laid a gentle arm around Cressida’s shoulder. “I should thank you. I hear you took good care of my girl on the night of their party.”

Holy fuck.

The shock of the innuendo knocked the wind out of her, and she pursed her lips to contain the gasp that pushed to the surface. Declan’s mouth fell open as his stunned gaze shot to hers.

Oh my god. Oh my god. Oh my god.

Her mind turned to white noise, and she lifted her brow, practically begging Declan to say something. Anything.

“Um . . .” he choked, the words seemed trapped in his throat.

Finally, the meaning of her mother’s appreciation seeped into her brain and she cleared her throat. “Ah, yes, Mum. Um, Griff showed up, quite unwelcome, and Declan, very kindly, tossed him out on his arse.”

Declan blinked as realization settled in his expression. A fight for composure played out on his face and the friendly smile returned.

If Gemma noticed, she said nothing. But her mother was a storied actress with a poker face that could take the tables in Vegas. Cressida would never know what her mother was thinking until she chose to share it.

“Well, thank you.” Gemma’s expression of gratitude never faltered. “You’ve always been such a gentleman.”

“Aye. That’s me,” Declan said it as a jest, but his eyes flicked to Cressida’s. “A proper gentleman.”

Memories of the ungentlemanly things he’d done to her screamed through her mind and she put her hand on the small of Gemma’s back. “We should go to the conference room, Mum. I’m sure Dec has things to do.”

“Of course, sweetheart. Good to see you, Declan.”

“You as well.”

Cressida let out a breath of relief as Declan said a quick farewell and strode away.

Gemma walked to the reception desk and gathered up the bag of sandwiches. “Do you know where Lysander is?”

Cressida shook her head, doing everything she could to appear unaffected by the conversation. They were pulling out their chairs when Shake appeared in the doorway, a chagrined look on his face. “Bloody hell, I completely spaced it, Mum.”

“Oh, that’s okay.” Gemma gave him a kiss on the cheek. “It worked out. Although your sister probably would have liked a warning.”

He winced as he met Cressida’s eye. “Sorry.”

Cressida could barely think of that, her mind trapped in reliving the absolute travesty of a conversation she’d just had with Declan. It was only lunchtime, and she’d had enough of this day.

Gemma dug into the plastic sack and handed her a wrapped panini. Cressida settled in the chair across from her mother and pulled the tape from the butcher paper.

“I got a call from your father,” Gemma announced, setting a napkin in front of each of them.

The crinkle of the paper halted as Cressida and Shake froze.

“What the hell did he want?” Shake demanded, his gaze landing on Cressida.

“It appears he wanted your phone numbers, so he could call you for your birthday.”

Jesus Christ, this day will never end.

Fury coated Shake’s usually amiable face. “Now he wants to talk to us?”

“He told me he’s trying hard to better himself and wants to reconnect with his older children.”

His older children. The castaways.

“I hope you told him to piss off,” Cressida snapped.

Gemma’s gaze flew to hers. “Cressida Satine, I did no such thing.” She primly sat and unwrapped the sandwich in front of her. “I told him to fuck off, because I’m a lady.”

Shake snorted. “Would have loved to have been around to see that.”

“I mean honestly,” Gemma huffed. “What a stupid prick for thinking he can ooze his way back into our lives.”

Cressida took a long drink of water, the bread of her ham and Swiss drying in her throat. Guilt and regret chased the anger that welled whenever thoughts of her father surfaced.

Too many men in her life had betrayed her. That one had been the hardest to take.

Shake and Gemma carried out the rest of the meal’s conversation, her emotions too volatile to add anything to the conversation. She was tempted to call out for the rest of the afternoon, craving a long bath and to sleep until morning. But she’d been given a major task to work on, and she needed to prep for her presentation to Jack Weston and his team at CloudShore Tech.

They picked up the remnants of their meal and cleaned off the table. Gemma came to stand in front of Cressida, pulling her chin up to look into her dark eyes.

“My sweet girl, what’s going on with you?”

Cressida’s eyes stung, and she blinked to keep the tears from gathering. Everything was a mess. With Declan. With Griff, who was only beginning to catch the hint. And now her father wanted to pop by and say hello, like nothing happened.

“I’m okay, Mum. It’s been a weird day.”

“I want you to drink lots of water and to get plenty of sleep. Things will look up. They always do.”

Gemma kissed them both goodbye, and Shake escorted her out to the reception area to see her off.

Cressida slowly walked back to her office, her stomach twisting. Rolling her shoulders, she sat in her chair and opened a file to start on the new CloudShore account.

It was the only thing that seemed to keep her mind off the spiral of anxiety that was eating her up. She was finishing up her preliminary work when Declan popped his head in through her doorway.

“Hey, can I have a word?”

Cressida’s heart jumped. She turned in her chair and stood, not wanting to have him towering over her when he delivered whatever blow was coming. “Of course,” she said, doing her best to keep a tremor from spilling out.

He stepped into her office and pulled the door closed behind him. When he turned back, he leaned against the door and an icy dread worked up her gut.

“I am so bloody sorry,” he rushed out.

“What?” Cressida widened her eyes in surprise. “Why are you sorry?”

“For that thing with your mum.” The facade he’d kept in place over the day had dissolved, leaving his expression open and honest. “I absolutely lost my mind for a minute. I didn’t know what to say.”

He ran his hand over his stubbled jaw, worry coating his expression. The absurdity of that conversation struck her, and laughter bubbled to the surface. She bit her lip to keep it in.

Worry pinched his brows together. “Did she say anything?”

For the first time since she watched him leave her bedroom, she didn’t feel so alone in the miserable turmoil that had upended her life.

“No,” she teased. “But your face was priceless.”

His lips turned up in relieved amusement. “Fucking hell. I wasn’t ready for that to come out of her mouth.”

A giggle broke from her chest and she let it out. Declan joined in, his rich rumble of laughter warming her heart. It had been mortifying at the moment, but now the ridiculousness of it all cracked through the awkwardness.

When their chuckles faded, Declan caught her gaze and held it, his smile soft. “We’re gonna be okay, right?”

Cressida’s stomach flipped, but she nodded. “Yeah. We’ll be fine.”

Her pulse climbed as Declan took a step toward her, as if he wanted to touch her. Cressida wanted nothing more than for him to pull her into his arms, to feel the comfort of his body against hers. But he stopped, his gaze flickering to the window.

She pushed away her disappointment and steeled her spine for the reality of their situation. Touching him would blow down the already fragile boundary she’d set.

Declan turned the knob on the door and cracked it open. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Yeah, I’ll be here.”

He gave her one last look before he pulled the door open and left. She watched him walk away. A pang of emptiness threatened to destroy what their laughter had rebuilt.

Counting breaths to slow the rhythm of her pulse, she returned to her computer.

They had to be okay. She didn’t know what she would do if they weren’t.

Twenty

Declan reared back his head, dodging the first blow, but the second strike hit its mark, catching him in the ribs. He grunted and returned the punch, his knuckles screaming under his fight glove as it connected with Mason’s gut.

“Fuck!” Mason grunted, pushing Declan away. The next attack came at him in quick succession, hitting Declan in the stomach. As Mason maneuvered away, Declan went for his abdomen, wrapping his arms around him and jerking him to the ground.

They landed hard on the mat, their limbs tangled as they wrestled. Mason’s strength matched his own and Declan strained to hold on to him.

Declan got behind Mason, hooking his legs around his and locking his hands around Mason’s neck.

“Goddammit,” Mason growled. His hand came up and tapped Declan’s forearm twice. Declan released him and lay on the mat, inhaling deeply from the exertion.

“You always catch me with that move.” Mason jumped up and held his hand out to help him up.

Declan grinned and walked to the corner of the ring where he’d left his bottle of water. He picked it up and took a long drink, his heart thumping hard in his veins.

“Aye, mate. One of these days, you’ll figure out how to get out of it. Then I’m fucked.”

“I got some good hits on you. You need to cover your middle better.” Mason snagged his own water and swished it in his mouth before drinking it down. “I’m glad you called today. It was fun trying to kick your ass.”

Declan chuckled, grateful Mason was free to meet up. The swirl of pent-up energy that strangled him at work for the last four days was sometimes too much to bear. He found coming to the gym was the only way to relieve the strain of seeing Cressida every day and denying everything that night meant to him.

The humor they’d captured after that disastrous conversation with her mother had gone a long way to ease them into a new normal. But the air felt different whenever they were in the same room together.

“Hey, do they know what happened to that guy that attacked Cress?” Mason asked.

Declan shook his head. “Not yet. The toxicology report won’t be in for another week.”

Mason picked up a towel and ran it over his head. “They figure out what he wanted?”

“Nah, they have no idea. He kept mumbling that he needed it and that they were coming for him if he didn’t get it.”

Mason scrunched up his face. “What does that mean?”

“I don’t know. As far as we can tell, he’s never met Cressida. Maybe he’s an addict who thought he could take down a little thing like her.” At least that was the police officer’s theory, but something didn’t sit right in Declan’s gut.

“That shit’s wild.” Mason stuffed his towel in his bag and swept the strap over his shoulder. “So hey, next time you want to hang out, why don’t we go get a beer instead? Letting you beat the shit out of me is fun, but we can try other things, you know.”

He grinned. “Aye, a beer is less damaging.”

Mason gave him a salute and headed out the door.

Declan dug his mobile out of his bag and saw that he’d missed a call from a number he didn’t recognize. He swiped to his voice mail and played the waiting message.

When he heard the voice from his past, the blood rushed from his face.

“Hi, Dec. It’s Lily. I’m in London and I heard this is where you are now.” There was a long pause before she spoke again. “Can we meet up? I know you don’t have any reason to want to talk to me, but I could use a friend. I’m running short on those. Anyway, I thought I would take a chance. Please call me.”

Declan pulled the mobile away from his ear and let his hand drop to his side.

Nine years.

It had been nine years since he’d lost everything. It was hard to remember the broken man he was then. Angry and bitter, he’d left Edinburgh to start over and escape the crushing pain of grief and loss.

But nine years was a long time, and he’d come to terms with everything that had happened between them. Most of it. Some of that anguish would haunt him for the rest of his life.

He slung his bag over his shoulder and walked out onto the pavement, barely noticing the bustle of the surrounding streets. It had only taken one voice message to throw him back into the past.

Why was she here? What did she want from him?

When Declan got home, he hadn’t decided if he should ring her back. Instead, he busied himself with making something to eat and cleaning up. Once that was finished, he settled on his sofa, pulling his current fantasy novel into his lap. But pages blurred and the magic-filled battle scene did nothing to hold his attention.

He should ignore her call. He didn’t owe her anything.

But the slight tremor in her voice made him want to protect her, like it had always done.

“Goddammit.” He picked up his mobile and called the number before he could rethink it. The line rang twice before she came on the line.

“Dec?” The familiar voice didn’t make his heart stutter the way it used to.

“Hey, Lily.”

There was a pause, as if she were trying to work out what to say. “Thanks for calling me back.”

“It’s no problem. What can I do for you?”

She hesitated. “I was hoping we could have dinner? Or I could pop over to your place for a chat?”

Neither of those would work for him. It would bring an intimacy he wanted no part of. “I don’t think that’s the best idea.”

“I understand.” She let out a breath. “I . . . It’s just that . . . I’ve been working on myself a lot lately, and that means making amends to the people I hurt in my past.” There was another stagnant pause before she continued. “I know I owe you so much more than a simple apology, but I wanted to start somewhere.”

Declan was quiet, fighting the storm of indecision swirling in his gut. “Lily—”

“I’ve cut my family out of my life,” she said, her voice tight with a held-back sob. “I’ve moved to London, and started from scratch, really. Who would have thought it’d take this long?”

That surprised him. Her family had been the catalyst for everything that had gone wrong between them. And she’d let it happen.

“Please, Dec?”

Resentment wasn’t screaming in his veins like it once had. Nine years had taken away much of the sting. It was one dinner, and he wasn’t the same young man he’d been when their marriage fell to tatters.

“Alright, how about dinner tomorrow?” Declan massaged his brow. “I have a meeting that should end around four. There’s a pub across the street from my office. I’ll meet you there when I’m done.”

Lily let out a breath of relief. “That would be perfect.”

Declan gave her the address to The Carriage and said a hasty goodbye. The silence of his sitting room closed around him and he buried his face in his hands, exhaling deeply.

Dealing with the fallout with Cressida was hard enough. Now he’d just opened up a nearly healed wound.

He only hoped he’d be strong enough if salt came pouring into it.

Twenty-One

Cressida was lost in the music of Slighted Razor blaring through her headphones. Ezra Coulter crooned a deep, soulful rock song in her ear, drowning out the office noise and letting her think about the task at hand. She rarely listened to alt-rock when she worked, but she’d taken to listening to Ezra more since she’d met him in San Francisco.

Ezra was Mercedes’s ex and Alec had come awfully close to losing her to her famous childhood friend. Even though Alec and Ezra had worked out their differences, she didn’t think he would appreciate his music barreling out of her office while she worked.

Besides, she was staring at a bigger problem Alec was going to have to deal with.

She restarted the surveillance video, stopping it in time to catch it where she wanted. Touching the key to move the image forward, one frame at a time, the figure of a man’s face came fully into view.

The dark-blue eyes of Timothy Barlow caught the camera, and an unmistakable sneer pulled up on his lips.

Shit. Shit. Shit.

Barlow, a.k.a. Adam Wilson, was a trained assassin, molded by the United States military as an elite fighter and corrupted by one of the worst men on the planet.

And he was in London.

Now that she had verified that it was him, she scoured the footage for any indications of what he was doing here. It wasn’t the first time her facial recognition program had pinged a sighting of him, but this was the clearest confirmation she’d had. Even with the graininess of the images, she saw his head tilt in the camera’s direction. In all the years she’d followed him around, he’d never done that.

It was deliberate.

A knock jarred her out of her thoughts. A woman stood in the doorway. She was beautiful, with dark-auburn hair flowing down her shoulders, and crystal-blue eyes that complemented her high, ivory cheekbones.

Cressida tugged the earpiece from her ear and turned off the music. “Oh, hello. Can I help you?”

“I’m sorry to disturb,” she said in a soft Scottish accent. “There wasn’t anyone at the front desk. I’m looking for Declan McKinley. Is he around?”

An unreasonable jealousy sprang up, and she tempered her reaction. “I think Declan’s in a meeting. Is there something I can do for you?”

The woman wrung her hands together, looking like she might want to bolt. “Oh, he said he might run late.”

Cressida could pinpoint the second her heart cracked.

Declan was seeing someone.

A beautiful someone. The crystal-blue gaze trailed around the room as if memorizing the space’s details. The only quirk was the nervous way she fidgeted with the wide button of her knee-length wool coat.

Cressida had known it would happen eventually. Declan had never lacked opportunities in the past and she had no right to demand anything from him.

She’d thought she’d have more time. Not that time would fix how she felt about him.

But she’d promised him they would be okay, and she’d meant that. It was time to make good on that promise.

Inhaling deeply, she offered the woman what she hoped was a friendly smile. “You’re more than welcome to wait for him.” She gestured to the empty chair in her office. “They should be finished any minute.”

“Oh, thank you.” The woman moved with a practiced grace as she took a seat. She smiled at Cressida. “I’m Lily McKinley.”

The second shock took hold and her eyes widened.

Lily McKinley? As in Declan’s ex-wife, Lily McKinley?

This woman was one of the few things Declan rarely opened up about. Cressida only knew that they had been young when they married and that he’d joined the Secret Intelligence Service not long after they separated.

“Oh.” Cressida looked out the door to see if Declan was coming, but the hall was empty. “You said he’s expecting you?”

Lily nodded. “We were supposed to meet at the pub across the way, but he said he was running late, so I popped by to see his office.”

The desire to bust into that meeting and drag Declan away from this woman grew until her pulse raced in her ears.

She did her best to moderate her expression. “I’m sure it will be good to catch up with him.”

“Aye, it will be. I’ve missed him. A lot.”

Then maybe you should have done more to hold on to him.

This uncharitable thought crept into her mind at the same time she recognized her own hypocrisy. She’d let the man go, too, choosing to hold on to her career instead of what they could have been. The shield of lies she told herself wasn’t enough to keep the deep ache from her heart.

The voice of their client boomed down the hall as the meeting they were having wrapped up. Alec emerged first, with the client at his side. They were deep in conversation and passed by her office without stopping.

Declan followed behind, his focus on the tablet in front of him. Then he caught sight of who was in Cressida’s office and did a double take, his eyes widening as he took in the two women sitting in the small office space.

“Lily,” he said in strained surprise. “Hey, I’m sorry I’m late.”

“It’s not a problem.” Lily smiled broadly, her eyes longingly roved his face. “Jesus, it’s good to see you.”

She walked to Declan and wrapped him in a hug. His arms went around her, pulling her into him. Cressida turned away from the sight of them embracing, wanting nothing more than to sink into the floor and disappear.

Thankfully, Declan made it brief and pulled out of Lily’s reach. “I see you’ve met Cressida.”

“I did. She was sweet enough to let me intrude on her day.” Lily’s eyes turned toward her, a soft smile on her face. “Thank you so much.”

“Of course.” Cressida kept her eyes averted, even though she could feel his gaze shift toward her.

“Just… Um. Give me a second,” he said to Lily. “I’ll get my things.”

Lily brushed a lock of her long hair behind her ear. A soft flush had crawled up her fair complexion. “Take your time.” There was a breathlessness to Lily’s voice that scrubbed Cressida’s nerves raw.

Cressida clicked through the images on her computer, not having a clue what she was looking at. She cast a glance at Lily, who ran her hands over her collar, straightening a nonexistent wrinkle from the fine fabric.

Footsteps padded on the carpet outside her office, and Alec returned to the hall. His gaze darted first to Cressida and then the woman who waited in her office. There was no surprise in his expression, so he must have known Declan was seeing her.

But a stiff smile pulled up on his lips, dimming his usual charm behind a mask of politeness. Cressida had seen Alec greet business acquaintances with more warmth than he was showing to his cousin’s former wife.

“Lilliana. You’re looking well.”

She didn’t seem to read the same vibe Cressida was because her face broke into a wide grin. “And you look incredible, Alec. It’s fantastic to see you.”

“You as well.”

Cressida lifted her brow at his tone. She turned in her seat, unable to stop herself from watching the exchange.

Lily twisted a button on her coat, clearly reaching for something to say. “The word back home is you’re getting married soon. And that she’s amazing.”

“Aye, she is.”

Lily’s perfect teeth shone as she tilted her head at Alec. “I hope to meet her soon.”

Cressida’s heart gave a lurch. Clearly, Lily was planning to be around for a while.

Alec’s faux warmth remained plastered on his face, but as he nodded an acknowledgment, he made no offer to introduce her to Mercedes.

Lily’s smile faded, and she looked at her hands. “I know you don’t want me here, Alec, and I understand why. But we used to be friends, I hope we can be again. You were always there for Dec when he needed you.”

All pretenses in his expression dropped, and his eyes turned cold and sharp. “Aye, I always have space on my sofa if he needs it.”

Even Cressida was taken aback by the harshness that had washed over Alec’s tone.

Lily’s gaze shot back to the floor, a flush coloring her cheeks. A thick silence fell over the room until Declan returned, shrugging into his wool jacket. “Ready?”

She recovered her composure and smiled at Cressida. “Thank you for letting me hang out with you.”

“You’re quite welcome,” she choked out.

Declan shot her one last look before he laid his hand on the small of Lily’s back and led her away. There was nothing Cressida could do but watch him leave and try to talk herself down from the ledge of her own making.

God, it was just dinner. Why did it matter so much?

The sound of the glass doors clicking shut echoed, and Cressida swallowed hard to ease the ache in her throat. Apprehension warred with utter jealousy. He was out with another woman, and she was struggling with that. But it was clear that particular woman had ripped him apart once and that made her worry for him. She didn’t want him to get hurt.

A shifting to her side reminded her that Alec was still in the room with her. She met his gaze and offered him a smile.

He was regarding her thoughtfully, his arms crossed over his chest. “Let’s both hope that whatever is going on there.” He gestured toward the doors with his head. “Is short lived.”

He turned to leave when the image on her screen caught his eye, stopping him in his tracks. His face paled as the muscles of his jaw clenched.

“Cress, what am I looking at?”

Cressida let out a breath, returning her focus to the job she was hired to do. “I was just about to bring it to you.”

Alec stared at the man in the image as he defiantly stared at the camera. “What the fuck is he doing here?”

“Not sure, but it’s definitely him.”

Alec ran his hand through his hair. “Is he working?”

“It’s hard to say, but it’s a risk to be in the UK after all he’s done.”

Timothy Barlow was a dangerous operative that was wanted internationally. Just his presence should have them ringing Interpol or the FBI in America. But Alec and Barlow’s shared experience in California had her hesitating.

“Do you want me to make the call?” Cressida prodded.

Alec stared hard at the screen. “No, not yet.” At Cressida’s nod, he added, “If he makes a move, I want to know about it.”

“You got it.”

Alec left her office, and she hated the silence that it brought. Too much time to be alone with her thoughts.

Picking up her mobile, she noticed a text from Jack.

Jack: Hey there, I hear we are going to be working together soon. Can I buy you a drink tonight? Just business.

Jack seemed nice enough, and they’d had interesting conversations at the conference. But she was still working on CloudShore’s security plan and wasn’t sure if she should meet up with its VP without first running it by Declan and Alec.

Then she remembered where Declan was, and her heart sank.

She could either sit at home alone, feeling sick about what Declan was doing with his ex-wife, or she could do what any of the other case managers would do, and have a cocktail with a potential client.

The former sounded like a nightmare, so she typed out a reply to Jack.

Maybe one? Where do you want to meet up?

She and Jack made arrangements to meet at a restaurant in Covent Garden that she’d never been to. When she looked it up online, she realized why she’d never been there. It was a good thing it was only one drink. She didn’t think she could afford a bowl of soup in that place.

After she said good night to Alec, she walked out of the glass doors to the lift. While she waited for the car, that night with Declan once again invaded her thoughts.

Memories made her ache for him. The way he’d touched her, the feel of his mouth on hers.

But it was the way he’d stayed wrapped in her arms, long after they’d both cried out their releases that had meant the most to her.

Safe. Wanted. Maybe even loved.

After all the years she’d spent rebuilding herself, her career was finally flourishing, and she was in charge of her own choices. With all that she’d been through, it felt good to make this life for herself.

She’d gotten what she wanted, so there was no use crying about it now.

Twenty-Two

Lily hadn’t changed much over the years. The insecure girl was hidden beneath the facade of wealth. Declan took a sip of wine, watching her as she ordered her entrée.

When they were alone, she smiled shyly at him. “So tell me about how you’ve been. I hear you and Alec are doing well and branching into the US.” Declan looked up at her in surprise. She gave a soft smile. “I may have asked around about you before I left Edinburgh.”

“Aye, we made a good choice to start the firm when we did. We both were tired of traveling so much. It felt good to settle in one place for more than a few months.”

“I’m surprised you didn’t go home. I’m sure your mum would have been thrilled.”

Declan shook his head. “Edinburgh wasn’t an option.”

Lily winced and was silent for a moment. “I’m sorry, Dec. I’m so sorry. I was in self-destruct mode and I took you down with me.”

“That time was hard on us both.”

“Aye, but I fucked up. I let them worm their way into our marriage. It was easier than fighting them.”

Regret and guilt coursed through him. “It’s understandable. You were grieving and vulnerable.”

The crease in Lily’s brow deepened. “So were you. You handled it all better than I could.” She took his hand and squeezed. “I think about him every day.”

Tears stung his eyes. “Me too.”

Nine years later and he felt the wash of grief as if it had happened yesterday. The pain of those days was still raw, tearing apart his carefully built defenses.

“Can you forgive me? For not being strong enough to fight for us?”

Lily had been his first, and for a long time, only love. They had been so young and impulsive, convinced all they needed was each other to be happy. He’d never been more wrong.

The world had come crashing down on them both.

But there wasn’t a point to holding a grudge against her for her part in it. He’d be a different man if he’d stayed in Edinburgh. The experiences he’d had after the fallout of their marriage were the core of who he was. He couldn’t regret that part of it.

Apprehension laced Lily’s expression, creating an ache in his chest. “Aye, we’re good.”

Relief washed over her face and she dabbed at her eyes. “Thanks, Dec. I don’t think you know how much it means to me to make things right with you.”

Declan smiled, wanting to shift the mood away from the past. “It’s worked out for us both, don’t you think?”

Lily’s gaze shot to her lap. “I guess.”

The stagnant pause was the only thing filling up the space. He narrowed his eyes at the loss of color in her cheeks. “Is everything okay?”

Her shoulder lifted, and her breath let out in a huff. “I’ve sort of mucked my life up right now, so I’ll have to get back to you on whether or not it’s worked out.”

“So what happened? I’m sure Fredrick and Dolina didn’t let you go easily.” It had been at least eight years since he’d seen his former in-laws. The last time was for the final sign-off on the divorce.

Lily scoffed. “They wanted me to marry this investment manager I’d started seeing. Apparently, they thought he was the right sort of man for me.”

Declan gave a wry smile. He certainly hadn’t been the right sort of man. This wasn’t lost on Lily and she rolled her eyes. “I know. They’re the worst.” She took a sip of water and inhaled deeply. “The thing is . . . I recently found out I’m pregnant.”

Shock made his gut drop. “How far along?”

“About three months. He knows, but since I no longer want to be in a relationship with him, he’s made it clear he wants nothing to do with the bairn.”

An ache formed in his chest. It wasn’t hearing that she was going to have a baby that forced it to the surface. It was that she was alone in it.

“You’re better off without the wanker, then.”

A smile of agreement pulled up on her lips. “Agreed.”

“So what happened next?”

“My parents kept riding me to get back together with him, to see the financial advantages he could provide for me and the baby.” Hurt laced her expression. “But why would I want a man like that? One that would only love his child on the condition that I married him?”

Her parents never cared about love. Love was transactional to them.

“So, I took the money I got from my grandfather’s estate and jumped on the train to London.” She took a sip of water and smiled ruefully. “I’ve found a temporary place to live, but I need to find a better flat and a job before the baby comes.” She tilted her head at him. “Is there any chance you could help? I have my degree in art history, but I’ve never used it. And I’m afraid I don’t have a lot of office skills, but I’m a quick study.” Her blue eyes widened to a pleading that used to melt him into a puddle.

But there was no way Lily could come to work for him. Alec would shit himself. He’d already expressed his displeasure at her return.

Not only that, but the idea of Lily occupying the same space as Cressida on a daily basis didn’t sit right with him. He couldn’t explain why, really. Cressida had been clear that she wanted nothing beyond friendship, but something in her eyes told him she would mind, even if she kept it to herself.

But he would never abandon Lily, the way everyone else in her life had. Even after all that had happened, he cared deeply for her.

“I don’t think we have anything that would fit you, but I can ask around with some other business owners. We have quite a few connections around town.”

“Any help would be great. I can’t afford to be picky.” Lily’s smile broadened, and she took his hand. “Thanks, Dec. I know I don’t deserve it, but I appreciate it so much.”

Her fingers feathered across the back of his hand. It was a touch he knew all too well. But instead of offering him comfort, it did nothing but hurt. Declan shifted away, hiding the sudden onset of emotions by picking up his wine and taking a sip.

It must have been an effective cover, because Lily didn’t seem to notice. “I don’t suppose there’s a new Mrs. McKinley in the picture?” Her voice was casual, almost teasing.

Declan chuckled at her lack of subtlety. “Nah, but you already knew that.”

Lily’s eyes widened in question. “How’d you know I knew that?”

“You told me so yourself.” He grinned at her questioning look. “When you said you’d asked around about me. I’m sure that’s the first thing they told you.”

“You got me.” Lily dropped her head. When she looked up, her smile faded. “But what they couldn’t say was if you were seeing anyone.”

Declan’s heart dropped. Every day he’d hoped for a sign that Cressida might change her mind. He knew she felt something for him. She’d said as much the next morning in her bedroom.

But it wasn’t going to happen.

Declan shook his head. “I haven’t been serious with anyone in a while.”

“Do you . . . do you think it’s possible for us to try again?” Her face flushed and she covered it with laughter. “I mean, I know I come with a lot of baggage now . . .”

If they’d have had this conversation years ago, he might have considered it, pregnancy and all. But the light didn’t shimmer the same around her. She just wasn’t who he needed.

“A bairn isn’t baggage. It’s a gift.” He shifted forward in his chair, hoping she could feel his sincerity. “But I don’t think we want the same things anymore, Lil. I’m happy to help you settle in London and I’ll be there if you ever need anything. But our lives took completely different turns years ago, and I’m not that man anymore.”

Lily pulled in a deep breath and nodded. “I get it.” She paused before another smile pulled up on her lips. “I’m grateful to have you back in my life at all. It’s more than I deserve.”

A server broke into their conversation to deliver their meals and once he left, Declan moved Lily away from the topic of a relationship between them. Instead, they shifted to their past, remembering some of the better times in their lives. Her prim little giggle always warmed his heart. She’d never been allowed a lot of laughter in her childhood. Hopefully, she would find it now that she’d broken free.

But when it moved toward the subject of her family again, the memories of what tore them apart caught up to him. It was good to find closure with her, but the ache it made in his heart weighed him down.

When their bill came, Declan insisted on paying. Lily gathered her jacket and pushed to her feet, a reluctance to end the evening clear on her face. He didn’t blame her. The transition she was making was huge, and it made sense that she searched for something familiar.

But he needed more.

Once they’d made it out to the street, Lily tugged her coat close around her. “Thanks so much for dinner. I’m so glad we did this.”

“Aye, it was good to see you. I’ll call if I have any leads on jobs.”

Lily leaned up and kissed his cheek. “Night, Dec.”

Declan gave her a smile, but the nagging reminders of past hurts followed him as he walked away. He wasn’t quite ready to be alone in his house. Even his novel didn’t sound like enough of a distraction.

Pulling out his mobile, he didn’t think twice before he dialed Cressida’s number.

Twenty-Three

Jack scanned the crowded restaurant for the little brunette. His gaze found her perched against the counter, a glass of water in front of her. When she saw him, her eyes lit up, her dimples deepened. She was a stunning woman, making his task a whole lot easier.

“There you are!” she called, waving him over.

When he approached, she stretched out her hand to shake his. He offered her a wide smile as he took it, even though he was disappointed that her greeting was so formal. “It’s wonderful to see you again. You look lovely, as usual.”

His attempt at charm didn’t faze her. “Thank you.” She brushed her hair behind her ear. “I’m glad I found a spot at the bar. This place is crazy on a Friday night.”

“Very crazy,” Jack agreed, catching the eye of the host. Recognition lit the man’s eyes, and he nodded. He gathered menus and hurried toward them. Jack turned back to Cressida. “Which is why I asked for a table. There’s too much noise here.”

Surprise widened her eyes. Pleasure that he’d impressed her swelled in his chest. This place had a waiting list that was months long and he’d had to wrangle the manager into accommodating his last-minute call.

Cressida gathered her things and followed him and the host to a table near the back of the restaurant. He noted that the purse she carried differed from the one she’d had at the convention. He wondered where she kept it. If things went his way tonight, he would soon find out.

The noise of the bar faded to where the tinkling sounds of instrumental music could be heard overhead. She seemed as comfortable in this environment as she had around the computers at the show.

The host handed each of them a menu. “Tonight’s five-course meal selections are listed for you on the front of the menu and our sommelier will attend to you shortly.”

Cressida’s eyes widened, and she leaned toward Jack to whisper to him. “I’m sorry, I thought this was only supposed to be drinks at the bar.”

“Well, it was, but I figured after a long day at work, you must be hungry. Sorry if I overstepped.”

“I mean, it’s lovely and all. But I wasn’t planning to stay long enough to have dinner.”

Her gaze was direct as hell. She wasn’t playing. She’d figured out his little ploy way too early, and now she was annoyed.

Damn, he should have realized that shit wouldn’t work on her. Now he needed to find a way to backpedal.

“I meant no harm, really. After all you did for me, I thought you might let me treat you to a night out. I think it’s the least I can do.”

Her expression relaxed. “Well, I appreciate that. But I don’t think I can make it all the way through a five-course meal.” She flipped the page of the leather-bound menu. “Oh good. They have a separate à la carte menu.”

“Well, that would be perfect, wouldn’t it?” Jack flipped the page, calculating ways he could draw out the night. Even if they only selected a few courses, this was certainly one of those sorts of restaurants that offered an experience for its diners, one that took its time.

Cressida’s dark-brown eyes roved the menu, occasionally glancing up at Jack over the top of it. His heart gave a little stutter each time, and he wondered if he was going to like her a little too much. That could be disastrous for both of them.

When the sommelier came to the table, she ordered a single glass of chilled chardonnay. Jack asked the sommelier to bring an entire bottle for them to share.

After the sommelier left, Jack leaned forward against the table. “So, do you typically work in IT for the McKinleys, or do you ever branch out?”

“I do a little of everything. Dec and Alec have me work on many of their special projects. But the tech show was the biggest thing I’ve done for them.”

He tilted his head, his fingers tracing the ornate design of the knife in front of him. “They must have a lot of confidence in you if they gave you the lead.”

Her lips turned up into a soft smile. “I hope so.”

So, she thinks highly of her employers. That might be a problem.

The sommelier returned with their wine and performed the usual act of opening the bottle, handing the cork to Jack and giving him a sample. Jack focused on her face while the man poured out the wine for each of them.

“I can’t tell you how grateful we are that you caught that exchange. I don’t know what would’ve happened if it had gotten out. It was impressive.” He met her gaze and held it, hoping she was feeling this chemistry as he was.

“You’re quite welcome.” Cressida bit her lip, and a gentle flush rose to her cheeks. “I imagine it’s been a bit difficult to deal with PIPCU.”

“It’s been a complete pain in the ass.” Jack laughed.

This was an understatement. The investigator at PIPCU still hadn’t returned the stolen data, and they wouldn’t share information about the ongoing probe of the exchange. At least the secret project was still locked down with the investigator being none the wiser.

Cressida picked up her wineglass and took a sip. “So tell me, what are you hoping to achieve with this new security setup?”

Jack didn’t like moving the conversation toward business, but she raised her eyebrows and waited for his response. He wouldn’t be surprised if she pulled a pen out of her purse and started taking notes on his company’s needs.

This wasn’t going the way he’d planned.

But he accommodated her gentle probe of questions, expanding on whatever areas of concern he could give her.

The server brought their entrées, and he jumped on the opportunity to switch the topic.

“So, why don’t you tell me about yourself?” He picked up the bottle of wine and poured a healthy bit into her glass. “Did you always want to work with computers?”

Her gentle smile held, but her eyes shadowed. “Not quite. I followed my brother into the trade. I had only finished tech classes, so the McKinley’s took a chance on me.”

“The one that handled our problem at the show, Declan, was it?” At her nod, he continued. “He seemed quite protective of you. That thief didn’t stand a chance when he tried to come for you.”

The wineglass paused at her lips, but her expression remained mild. “All the men on my team are well trained and any of them would have done the same.”

That might be a problem. Jack cursed himself for focusing his intel on her and not on the people surrounding her.

“I always figured security teams were comprised mostly of law enforcement officers. Cops and such.”

Cressida’s lips turned up at that. “We have quite a few former law enforcement officers in our ranks. In fact, that was where Declan started. Then he and Alec were intelligence officers in MI6 for several years, which is where the bulk of their training lies.”

A stone hit Jack’s gut. “MI6?”

“Yeah, MI6.” Cressida chuckled at his response. “They’re good at what they do. I promise you, they’ll do everything they can to keep your company and its data safe.”

She clearly thought he was appraising the company’s effectiveness. But keeping his headquarter doors locked at night was the furthest thing from his mind.

Why the fuck hadn’t Oscar mentioned this? Did the asshole even know?

They were going to need help to accomplish their goals. Professional help.

The server cleared their meal and handed them each a dessert menu. Jack was tempted to pour a little more wine for her but stopped when he saw her glass was still half full from his last topping off.

“The crème brûlée sounds fantastic. What do you think?” he mused.

She pursed her lips as her gaze roved the sheet. “Um . . . I don’t know . . .”

Jack held his breath, hoping to draw her in a little longer so he could take his shot with her. So far, his attempts to lead her in a more personal direction had fallen flat. Perhaps it had been a mistake to contact her company for a meeting. She clearly wasn’t the kind of woman that mixed business and pleasure.

A soft buzz pulled her attention to her purse hanging on the back of her chair. Cressida laid the menu on the table and shuffled through it to pull out her phone. She froze when she read who the caller was.

“Everything okay?”

“Um . . . I need to take this.” She shot him an apologetic glance. “Will you excuse me for a second?”

“Of course.”

She pushed back her chair and headed toward the bathrooms, putting the phone to her ear as she went. Jack watched her walk away, the curve of her ass showcased by the hiked-up sweater and black leggings she wore. His cock lengthened at the thought of her naked underneath him. There were a lot of things he dreaded when it came to all this, but at least that gave him something to look forward to.

Cressida breezed back to the table and pulled her wallet from her purse. “I have to take a rain check on the dessert tonight, I’m afraid.” She laid her credit card on the table.

Surprise and disappointment curled into him. “Oh, I was hoping maybe we could hang out a little more.”

Her gaze flitted down his chest, and he sucked in his breath. Jesus, she was turning him on so fast now, he could barely think straight. The last thing he wanted was for her to run off when he’d just worked himself up.

“Unfortunately, I was only planning for a quick drink, and something at work has come up.” The way she said it left no room for him to talk her into staying.

He held her gaze as he leaned toward her and pushed her card toward her. “That’s alright. I’m paying.”

“Are you sure? I feel awful about dining and dashing.”

“I’m absolutely sure. Can I call you?”

There was a hesitation before she smiled. “Sure. And thank you for dinner. It was delicious.”

“You’re welcome,” he said softly.

She gave him one last smile, turned, and walked away. Jack’s eyes trailed after her as she disappeared through the bar and out of sight.

His phone rang, and tension clenched his gut. He didn’t want to answer it, but he had to.

He put it to his ear. “This is Jack.”

“Why is she leaving?”

Fuck, he should have known they were watching.

“Someone from work called and she had to go.”

“You’re losing your fucking touch.”

Jack bit back a sigh. “I don’t know what you want me to say. She had to leave. I can’t very well hold her hostage.”

The other end of the line was silent. “Well then, maybe we need to separate her from her work so she’s all ours. I know a guy who has a thing against the McKinleys. Maybe he’ll come out of retirement for me.”

“I don’t want her harmed. We have already lost too much by being a part of this.”

“And time is running out. We need to deliver. I don’t care what we have to do to get there.”

The line went dead and growing fear in his chest squeezed him tight. How the hell did he get into this so deep?

Twenty-Four

He shouldn’t be calling her.

Declan knew it, but the urge to put the sunlight back into his life was so damn strong. Just getting to talk to her would soothe the ache that had overtaken him.

When Cressida answered, the sound of people and music filled his ear.

“Hey, you. Are you okay?” Her voice rose over the bustle of the background noise.

“Aye, where are you?”

“I’m at a restaurant in Covent Garden. Sorry, it’s sort of loud here.”

Jesus, was he calling her in the middle of dinner with someone else?

Nausea swam in his gut and he squeezed the phone until his hand ached. Thinking of her picking up some new bloke set his teeth on edge.

He cleared his throat. “I’m so sorry to interrupt your date.”

“It’s not a date. It was supposed to be a single drink that somehow turned into a full-blown meal.”

The tightness in his gut loosened. “I was calling to see if we could talk, but . . . I’ll let you get back to it.”

“No, it’s okay,” she said in a rush. “I’m glad you called. I was worried about you.” There was a hesitation before she continued. “If you need to talk, I’m here. Besides, I was hoping to have a reason to leave before Jack orders half the dessert tray.”

Jack? She was with Jack Weston? Fuck.

He shoved the jealousy down, hoping it wouldn’t pepper his tone. “You don’t have to leave your evening. I can catch up with you in the morning.”

“Trust me, it’s fine.” There was an earnestness in her voice that he couldn’t ignore. “I promise, I’d rather chat with you.”

It shouldn’t feel so damn good that she wanted to leave her evening to talk to him, but it did. “Well, I’m glad I could be of service.”

Cressida chuckled. “I’ve had my fill of loud restaurants. Why don’t you come to my place so we can talk in private? I can be there in about thirty minutes.”

Declan hesitated. As much as he wanted to see her tonight, meeting her in proximity to a bed wouldn’t be the best idea.

She seemed to sense his concern. “Shake’s at home, no doubt shouting into his headset at some teenagers in Canada.”

Declan laughed at the vision that created. Having Shake nearby to act as a buffer was a much better plan than her coming by his house. As amazing as the last time had been, he didn’t want her to think that was what he was calling for. He needed his friend tonight.

“All right, if you’re sure.”

“I’m absolutely sure. I’ll text Shake to let him know, in case you get there before I do.”

She said a quick goodbye and was gone.

It was exactly what he needed tonight. A friend who would listen and let him vent the turmoil Lily’s return had brought to him.

Declan’s nerves were running wild as he knocked on the door. Cressida must have sprinted home because she was the one who answered. His battling emotions had to be written on his face because she gave him a soft, sympathetic smile.

“Are you okay?”

“Aye, I’ll be fine.” Goddamn, she made his heart race. “Thanks for letting me crash your evening.”

Those little dimples in her cheeks appeared. “Anytime.” She stepped aside, allowing him into the flat.

Shake sat on the floor in front of the telly, a war campaign playing out on the screen. He directed his team on a headset as they stormed a dilapidated city. He gave Declan a quick “Hey, mate” and went back to it.

“I think he’s been playing for hours, and it’s getting tense.” Cressida grinned up at him and his heart gave another leap. “Can I get you a drink? I have scotch.”

“Aye, that would be perfect.”

She disappeared into the kitchen and came back with a bottle and two glasses.

Shake let out a howl of irritation. “Damn it! Now I have to regenerate back at the base. Someone needs to hit that bloody sniper!”

Cressida rolled her eyes. “Sorry. Not as quiet an environment as I thought.”

An awkwardness settled in the air between them. The flat wasn’t large, so her bedroom seemed the next likely alternative. That could be a dangerous choice.

“We can go outside, if you don’t mind. It’s not too cold right now.”

“I don’t mind.”

After grabbing a blanket from the sofa, she pulled back on the panel of long curtains to reveal a glass door opening to a small balcony. They stepped out onto the wood deck, shutting out the annoyed cries of her twin.

A graceful silence fell, and a tension released in his chest. The rain added a gentle patter, but the roof above protected the little space. Lights of the city sparkled over the rooftops, adding a soft glow all around them.

“This is lovely,” he said.

Cressida poured out the drinks, setting the bottle on the tiny table that accompanied the cushioned patio love seat. “It is. I come out here sometimes when it gets a bit much.” She held the glass out to him. “I love my brother, but he’s a loud flatmate.”

Declan chuckled as he took it from her. “Thanks.”

“Anytime.”

They settled next to one another on the love seat and she arranged the wide, heavy blanket over their legs. He wasn’t cold, but the comfort of its weight eased some of the tension swirling in his veins.

Cressida’s beautiful eyes met his. “So, do you want to talk about her?”

Declan nodded, swallowing a lump in his throat. “It was harder to see her than I thought. It brought up a lot of unresolved issues from the past.”

“Can I ask what happened between you?”

Memories assailed him, ones he rarely let out. But he wanted her to know, to let her into this part of him.

“Lily comes from money. Old money. And her family doesn’t operate like a family, they operate like a firm. She and her siblings were commodities to be brokered and traded with other wealthy families. So a young police officer, hoping to become detective someday, didn’t fit into their vision. Lily had a rebel streak and saw something in me she wanted.” Declan looked at the glass in his hand.

“We got married in secret because we knew they’d do everything in their power to stop it. But even after it was done, they controlled our lives. We were married for about a year when we found out she was pregnant. We hoped they’d come around for the bairn’s sake, but they didn’t budge.”

His throat tightened, and he wasn’t sure he could get out the next part. But telling her the worst thing that had ever happened in his life was all he could do. “Our son was born too early. He only took three breaths.”

“Oh, Dec. I’m so sorry,” Cressida murmured, curling herself up against him. She laid her head against his shoulder and laced her hand in his. But even her touch couldn’t remove the grief for his sweet lad.

“What was his name?”

“Sebastian.” Declan wiped his eyes, trying to keep the tears from flowing over. “Sebastian Ryan.”

“That’s a lovely name,” she whispered.

He nodded, swallowing hard to clear the lump that had taken hold. “Lily had some complications, so doctors were monitoring her. I went home to get a change of clothes and collect a few things for her. But my key didn’t work. I had to break into my own house. All of my things were in boxes. They’d come into our home while we were grieving for our son and packed up my things.

“I was so angry and raced back to the hospital, ready to have it out with them. But her father calmly told me that his daughter was no longer interested in our marriage and would file for divorce as soon as possible. Lily said nothing. I tried to talk to her, but she just sat there. I looked in her eyes and I knew she was going to let them cut me out of her life. And she did.”

“So I lived on Alec’s couch for a time and applied for the service at the same time he did. When I was accepted, I jumped on it.”

Cressida stroked the back of his hand with her thumb. “I’m so sorry. You didn’t deserve all that.”

Declan nodded and took a sip of the scotch, hoping the burn of the liquid would calm the tightness in his throat. “She seems different. Determined to make it on her own. And to set things right.”

“Well, she has a long way to go to do that.”

“Aye, that she does. But I’ll be fair to her. She was absolutely wrecked after our loss. Her family saw how vulnerable we both were and took the opportunity.”

Cressida gave a grunt of reluctant acknowledgment. “Are you gonna see her again?”

He nodded. “I am.” It wasn’t his place to share Lily’s pregnancy or the current situation with her family, so he kept it vague. “The next few months will be a struggle for her, and I won’t let her go it completely alone.”

She peered up at him, worry creasing her brow. “If she hurts you again, I’m gonna take her out.”

The sweet earnestness on her face made him chuckle. She narrowed her eyes, but her voice was filled with her usual humor. “You think I’m kidding. I’m small, but I’m scrappy as hell. And I take care of mine.”

A pang of desire laced up his spine. “Am I yours?”

Her gaze landed on his, her dark liquid pools softening. “You are. As much as you can be.”

Jesus.

This pull to her was electric, and he ached to kiss her. She had no idea, but the only woman who could destroy him now, was the one sitting by his side.

But his head wasn’t on right. He needed to put the distance between them, before he gave in and sought more.

“I should be going.” He stood and set his glass on the table next to the bottle. “I don’t want to keep you up too late.”

“Well, if it isn’t you, it’ll be the maniac I live with. I can hear him screaming about his campaign going tits up through my walls.”

Declan chuckled at Shake’s exuberance for gaming.

They went back through the apartment and Cressida walked him to the door.

“Thank you for letting me unload tonight. I feel a lot better.”

She tilted her head with a sympathetic smile on her face. “I’d stay up all night if you needed me to. You know that.”

“Really?” He raised his brow at the unintended innuendo. “I’m game if you are, sunshine.”

Cressida’s mouth dropped into a playful scowl. “I meant to talk, you arse.”

Laughter broke from his chest, easing the worry that had settled there. Her soft giggle stayed with him long after he said good night and left.

There had been so many times over the past week that he’d feared he was losing her. This was the first time he knew for sure he hadn’t.

Twenty-Five

One Week Later

A blustery wind swirled around them as Declan exited the car and walked to the pavement where Cressida waited for him. She gathered her long hair up to keep it from whipping her in the face and together they hurried into the corporate office of CloudShore Tech.

Cressida stepped into the lift and ran her fingers through her windblown hair. She turned to him, her eyes wide with concern. “Do I look alright?”

Did she look alright?

Everything about her was breath stealing. But he tempered his response. “Aye, your hair looks great.”

Cressida inhaled deeply and let it out slowly. The chime sounded, and the doors opened. A modern decor greeted them as they made their way to the reception area. The woman behind the desk welcomed them politely and let them know Jack Weston would be out shortly.

Declan caught Cressida’s gaze and offered her an encouraging smile. Since their talk on the balcony, most of the awkward wall between them had fallen, and normalcy had returned to their friendship. Every day, he was grateful he hadn’t messed things up.

Jack Weston strolled into the waiting area with a charming grin aimed at Cressida.

Fuckwit.

“Well, hello again,” Jack said, holding his hand out to her. “It’s so good to see you again. I’m excited to see what you have in store for us.”

Cressida’s smile was just as broad. “Thanks for the opportunity.”

Jack’s gaze subtly ran over her body and jealousy Declan didn’t have the right to feel curled in his chest.

“Of course. It’s long overdue to have a reevaluation of our systems.”

Cressida cleared her throat. “You remember Declan McKinley, one of the managing partners in our firm?”

Finally, Jack seemed to realize she wasn’t alone and shifted his gaze to Declan. A tic crossed Jack’s face and Declan wondered what the hell that was about. “Oh, yes. I’m so glad one of the McKinleys could join us. Thank you for coming along.”

“My pleasure,” Declan said, shaking his hand.

Jack’s eyes flitted back to Cressida. “We have a meeting room set aside for this. Shall we?”

They followed Jack to a conference room off the lobby. Once they had dispensed with the pleasantries, Cressida pulled her laptop out of her bag and laid it on the table. “I thought it might be good to start with your vulnerabilities and give you an idea of what McKinley Security can do for you. With very little effort, I was able to gain access to your system, change your passcodes and rearrange your preferences.” She flipped the computer to him. “See. Haven’t I made your desktop pretty?”

Declan bit back a smile at the ridiculous amount of purple flowers she’d plastered across the man’s secure portal.

Jack sat back in his chair, his breath coming out in a huff. “Are you fucking serious? That’s insanity.”

“It is, considering that it only took me a short period to break in and make all these changes. Seriously, I did this, this morning, before I had my first cup of tea.”

Declan watched her with the same awe that always struck him where she was concerned. She had no way of knowing how sexy she was when she showed off how badass she was.

Jack ran his fingers through his hair, his face turning a deeper shade of pink. “Well, that does it. I certainly want to make sure that someone like you can’t get into my system, so I better hire you directly to do it. How much would it cost for you to come and be on my payroll directly?”

The offer struck Declan in the chest. “I beg your pardon?”

Where the fuck did this guy get off thinking he could steal one of their best people from them? No way in hell was this tosser taking off with Cressida.

Cressida’s mouth dropped open, but she recovered herself quickly. “Sorry, mate. You want me, you have to hire the McKinleys.”

Relief coursed through Declan’s body. She didn’t even seem all that interested in leaving and working with Jack.

“We didn’t come here so that you could headhunt our cyber security manager,” Declan said smoothly, trying to keep the annoyance out of his tone.

Jack had the good grace to look chagrined. “I didn’t mean it that way. But I want to make sure my girl here is the one who works my system.”

His tone grated on Declan’s last fucking nerve. She wasn’t his girl and there would be no working of systems. At least not in the way Jack was implying.

Pulling this dickbag across the table and beating the fuck out of him sounded like an unreasonable plan, but he wanted to do it all the same.

Jack wasn’t done. He tilted his head with a flirty grin playing up on his face. “So what’s your price, Cress?”

She smiled back, her features unreadable. Was she flirting with him as well, or was Declan’s imagination taking over?

“Well, that depends on what price you settle with my boss over here.” She tilted her head toward Declan. “And if he is willing to give me up.”

Her words slammed into him. Never. Never fucking happening.

Jack turned his gaze to a more professional look and studied Declan. “I’m ready to pay one year’s salary to have her work with me for the next two months. But I’d like her to remain in-house during that time.”

Declan’s brows shot up in surprise. That rate was outrageous. Cressida stiffened at the number, her fingers tightening on the pen in her hand.

That was a lot of fucking money, and most of it would be hers. It would mean that she would be away from the office and out of his life for the time being. She may not work for CloudShore Tech, but it would be the same as working there.

“She is an irreplaceable member of our team. I’m not sure I can part with her.” He met Cressida’s eyes and could have sworn she shivered. “And I can’t see why you need her for that long. I’ve seen her work. She can get you sorted in a few weeks’ time. Two months may not be necessary.”

“Oh, I’m sure we can find a way to keep a smart woman like her busy for the interim. We are a tech firm, after all.”

Cressida’s eyes fell on Declan, and her brow rose. The money had to be a huge draw for her, and he’d promised her he wouldn’t let his feelings for her impede her career.

Would he object to any other tech getting the same offer?

But he knew without a shadow of a doubt that Jack was only looking for his opening, a chance to get her on her own and make her want to leave.

Declan inhaled deeply and conceded. “Cressida and I will sit down with my partner and discuss the terms. If she wants to go ahead, we’ll be in touch.”

They said farewell to Jack and walked to the elevator in silence. Both of them knew better than to talk about anything until they were free of the security cameras. They barely exchanged a word until they settled into the company car.

Cressida turned her eyes to him, concern furrowing her brow. “What’s the matter? You don’t think it’s a good deal?”

“It’s a very good deal, which makes me wonder what he really wants.”

Her shoulders slumped. “You think there’s more to this offer?”

“I do.” His face softened, and he leaned toward her. “You know as well as I do, it won’t take two months to sort out his system. We would be looking at a week, maybe two tops and then it’s just maintenance. It makes me wonder about all the other tasks he wants you to do.”

“It is rather unorthodox. But if he’s compensating us both for our time, and it’s work I know how to do. Why not?”

He drove back to the office, each lost in their own thoughts. Jack had blindsided the hell out of both of them, which was likely his plan all along. As Declan navigated into the office’s car park, he couldn’t keep away the nagging feeling that Cressida’s meeting would have gone much differently if Declan hadn’t been there.

Something in his gut told him this was about to get painful.

Twenty-Six

“What the hell, Dec?” Alec paced to the window, his hands running through his hair in annoyance. “You think he wants something more from her, and you’re willing to let her go?”

No, he wasn’t willing to let her go. But promises made needed to be promises kept.

“I don’t know what you want me to say. If she wants to go, we can’t stop her.”

The look Alec shot at him told him he was aware things between him and Cressida had changed.

“Do you think she actually wants to take it?”

Declan nodded, ignoring the ache in his heart. “It’s a fuckton of money for doing the same job she does now. Wouldn’t you?”

“Is this what you really think? We should make the deal with this Jack?”

Alec was giving him a chance to voice what he was keeping in.

As much as it tore him up, Declan nodded. “If she wants it, she deserves the opportunity. But I want our end to be generous to her. The full compensation package we give the seasoned field operatives.”

Alec paced the room until he stopped and studied him. “Is there anything you want to tell me? Anything that might influence her decision, one way or the other?”

He knew damn well what Alec meant, and it was pointless to try and evade the truth. His cousin was a walking lie detector, anyway.

Declan worked to unclench his jaw before answering. “If you’re asking if I did anything to hurt the lass, the answer is no.”

No, the hurting appears to be all one sided.

“And there’s no chance . . .”

Alec was his soul brother, the only man in the world who understood what this was like. “No, mate. I took my shot. She knows. But it’s not what she wants.”

His cousin winced and nodded his head sadly. “I thought you might fight harder for her.”

Declan looked away. “We aren’t you and Sadie. We have our work relationship to consider. And she doesn’t feel the way Sadie felt for you. There’s not much I can do about that.” He looked at Alec, his heart heavy. “I am fighting for her. I’m fighting to keep her in my life. If I take any other route, I’ll lose her. Even if Jack convinces her to stay on, which I think he will, I have to let her make her choices.”

“Well, on the bright side, maybe she’ll be a little more open to . . . things between you.”

Declan shook his head. “Nah. The job plays a big part in it, but I think she doesn’t want to ruin what we have. She doesn’t see me that way.” He ignored the frown that furrowed on Alec’s brow. “Can you handle the details? I think it’s best if you manage it.”

“Aye, I’ve got this. Sorry things went south.”

Declan nodded to his cousin and stood. “Thanks. Me too.”

As he walked to the door, he wondered if he wasn’t as bad as fucking Griff. Pining over a woman that didn’t want him. Of course, he’d spent the last few years pining over her. The only difference was, now she knew it.

He passed by her office and saw her caramel hair turned toward her computer. Normally, he would have stopped and chatted with her, but today he kept walking to the elevator, not wanting to be anywhere nearby when Cressida had that chat with Alec. He didn’t want to see the thrill of joy on her face when she learned they would make the deal that would take her away.

Cressida twisted her hands against the hem of her sweater, not sure what decision to make. She’d love to take on such an amazing opportunity, but Declan was right, Jack’s offer was a little too good to be true.

When Alec finally popped his head into her office and asked her for a word, her nerves were tingling. She looked beyond his shoulder to see if Declan was with him but was disappointed when Alec closed the door behind him.

“So, Dec told me about the offer and we’ve evaluated it. We both think that if you’d like the job, we’ll make the deal.”

“What?” she stammered, her heart pounding. Declan hadn’t looked like he wanted any part of it. She thought he had beelined to Alec’s office to protest the whole thing. “You think it’s a good idea?”

“I do. It’s a generous offer and it’ll give you a great experience to add to your already impressive skills.”

Alec tugged the extra chair out and sat in it, giving her a minute to take in what he was saying.

“And Dec’s on board?”

Alec’s face remained impassive. “He was the one who thought you should do it.”

Declan wanted her to go. It was completely unreasonable for it to hurt so much, but it did.

“We are both concerned that it may be something that you’ll want to make permanent.”

Cressida frowned. “It’s only for a couple of months. I’ll be back.”

Alec was quiet for a beat, his brow furrowed in thoughtfulness. “Dec’s not so sure about that.”

Her heart sank. If that was the case, why would he encourage this whole thing?

Alec cleared his throat. “He mentioned Jack was aggressively recruiting you right in front of him. With a tactic like that, there’s no doubt he’ll be even more persuasive without one of our partners attending meetings. If Jack made an offer for more than we could ever match, no one would judge you for taking it.”

“I like working with you and our team. I don’t know what Jack’s intentions are, but I’m not looking to leave here.”

Alec pursed his lips and ran his fingers through his hair. “On a personal note, if you did, I want you to know how important you would always be to Sadie and me. Without you, neither of us would be here. I don’t want you to go, but if that’s what you chose, nothing would change for us.”

A warmth spread through her heart. “I know, Alec. I feel the same about the two of you.”

He nodded and stood. “We’ll work out the details and let you know when it’s in writing. You’ll just need to let us know what you want to do.”

After Alec walked from her office, Cressida went looking for Declan. She wanted to talk it out with him, to reassure herself that he was truly okay with this.

He wasn’t in his office or in the conference room. Mrs. Downey was passing by her in the hall and Cressida stopped her. “Have you seen Declan?”

Mrs. Downey smiled pleasantly. “Oh, he called off the rest of the day.”

Cressida tried to keep her composure as she thanked their office manager and walked back to her office. Declan was fine with letting her leave and didn’t want to stick around to talk with her about it.

Goddammit. It shouldn’t hurt this badly. She was the one who’d decided they couldn’t be together. What did she expect?

Twenty-Seven

Three Weeks Later

Cressida sat in the temporary office she’d been assigned, aimlessly tapping her fingers on the computer. When Declan said it wouldn’t take more than a week to secure CloudShore systems, he wasn’t far off.

Three weeks had passed since she’d joined CloudShore and nearly two since she’d done anything important. Once all the protocols had been implemented, she was in a holding pattern. They were paying her a fortune, and so far she wasn’t sure she had earned a penny of it. Everything she’d done could have been accomplished from her office.

Not for the first time, she wished she could be back at McKinley. While she’d been gone, Olivia Sutton, the woman she’d championed to come on board, had accepted the position and was set to start work in the next week. Sitting here, twiddling her thumbs instead of training her new teammate, was irritating as hell.

She missed Declan. She hadn’t seen him since she’d come to work at CloudShore. Every once in a while, he’d send her a funny meme or a text, letting her know he was thinking of her. But neither of them made a move to see each other.

“Ms. Bennett,” Leslie, one of Jack’s assistants, broke through her thoughts.

She looked up from her notepad of doodles, trying her best to look extremely busy.

“Mr. Weston would like to pop in for a minute. I wanted to make sure you had time to see him.”

“Of course.” She had all the time in the world.

A few minutes later, Jack breezed into her office with a laptop tucked under his arm. “I’m so sorry. I know you’ve been waiting for a while, but we had some adjustments we needed to make. Are you ready to get started?”

Cressida frowned. “What do you mean, get started?”

“Well, we have a special project we would love some help on.” He pulled a chair out and sat, leaning toward her. “My brother Benjamin was the one who had all the knowledge of the program. When he passed away, I wasn’t able to finish it myself. But now that you’re here, maybe you can help.”

Declan was right. This was what Jack had wanted from her in the beginning.

But she smiled as he handed her the laptop. “This is Ben’s computer. He was working on a video delivery system. His goal was to increase the speed and clarity of certain streaming programs. We were hoping to include it with our cloud storage services, allowing users to upload incredibly clear videos with smaller files and less room needed. And we could also market it to some of the major players in the field.”

“The market is already inundated with streaming services and cloud storage companies. What makes this program so different?”

A warm smile spread across his face. “It has more to do with the way it works. We are trying to deliver the videos securely in a way that can’t be traced.”

Cressida tried not to let her expression say what was on her mind. That wasn’t just security to keep hackers from knowing who was posting what, this was going to cover up who sent it from anyone in the world. Something about that didn’t sit right with her.

“You don’t mind working on this for me, do you? It would go a long way to helping us finish this project and make our investors happy.”

Cressida ran her hand over the smooth surface of the laptop. “I guess I can give it a go.”

“Excellent. You have no idea how much you’re saving my ass.” Jack’s smile faded and his gaze dropped to his hands. “I don’t suppose you’ll reconsider my offer for permanent employment with CloudShore?”

The package he’d been dangling in front of her was more than generous, with a full range of benefits, travel opportunities, and a salary that had made her heart stutter. As tempting as it was, she felt like a fish out of water at this office. She wanted to return to her team that felt like family.

She shook her head. “Afraid not. But I’m happy to help with other projects until my time is up.”

Jack pursed his lips, disappointment filling his expression. “I understand, although I do hope you’ll change your mind.”

Not likely.

He stood and walked to the door, stopping at the doorframe to turn back to her.

“I almost forgot. I was wondering if you would join me for a party in a few weeks. It’s a fancy charity event for the mayor at The Littleton.”

She widened her eyes. “I don’t know if that’s a good—”

“Sorry,” Jack interrupted, his fair cheeks reddening. “It wouldn’t be a date, more of a business opportunity. Some of our investors will be there. They’ve expressed the desire to meet you.”

“Meet me?” Cressida tilted her head.

Jack gave a soft chuckle. “When I said you were saving my ass, I kinda meant you were saving all our asses. This project has been delayed far too long. I’ve mentioned that I was going to ask you to finish my brother’s work, and the investors were curious to meet the person who is helping us out.”

“Um, sure.” She shot Jack a smile. “I would love to join you.”

He bid his farewell and left her alone in her office. Jack’s attentions had ranged between strictly business and an uncomfortable flirtation. She could only hope that attending the party was because of the former, rather than the latter.

Twenty-Eight

Jack didn’t want to do this. Any of it.

He didn’t want to force a woman into doing the job for him. He didn’t want her to get hurt. And he sure as hell didn’t want to be in this dingy office space on the outskirts of London, meeting a man who terrified the fuck out of him.

But every attempt to lure Cressida Bennett into bed had failed. As time had gone by, the fear of her finding the device he’d hidden in her bag had lessened. Most likely, the information she carried had been tossed in the trash or stashed away where she’d never find it.

At least not in time.

The more immediate concern was getting her to agree to the job that had to be done. With any luck, she would be working on the task in the next week. And all he had to do was convince this scary motherfucker to help him.

Everyone who had ever known the late Marcus Cooper knew who his right-hand man was. He was ruthless. A killer trained by a government and used as a soldier by a man who took what he wanted.

This was what Jack needed, someone who could get things done. They had made contact through channels he’d rather not know about and a meeting was secured. Now all he needed was to offer the right price.

The echo of a door closing near the entrance made his pulse leap. A shadow of the figure passed by the window of the office, the darkened hallway hiding his features. The door opened, and the man stepped into the room.

Jesus, he was huge.

His muscular body moved in a way that an animal used to stalk its prey, and a cord of fear ran up Jack’s spine. He was taking a huge fucking risk being near this man.

The bill of a ball cap obscured the visitor’s face, and his thick facial hair hid most of his other features.

The cap tipped up and dark-blue eyes examined him as the man moved to a chair and sat.

Jack was in the presence of a wanted man. A man who could end him easily.

This meeting had to go well, or he was fucked.

“You wanted to see me.” The man’s gruff West Coast American accent cut through the quiet of the room.

Jack cleared his throat. “Yeah, I did.”

“Well, what the fuck do you want?”

Jack inhaled deeply to cool the nerves working through him. “I need help and I hear you might be open to providing a service for me.”

The man sat back in his chair and tilted his head, not saying a word. He was clearly waiting for the rest of the story.

“I have it on authority that you have a bit of animosity toward the McKinleys and their security team.”

The man’s expression didn’t shift. “You heard that, did you?”

Jack nodded. “My understanding is that you have a vendetta against them for killing Marcus Cooper, your former employer.”

The man’s brow rose. “What makes you think I give a fuck about that?”

The question threw him off. Could he have gotten bad information? “You worked for him for over five years, didn’t you? And you were friends, right? Must have pissed you off when McKinley did away with him.”

The blue eyes stared at him, contemplating what he said. “What makes you think McKinley was the one who killed him?”

Confusion hit Jack in the chest. “Didn’t he?”

The man looked away, his eyes glaring up at the ceiling. “Everyone has gotten so much of that shit wrong,” he muttered.

“Have they?”

The piercing glare returned to him. “I’m not here to have a discussion about Marcus Cooper with you. What the fuck do you want?”

“I need help to convince one of McKinley’s computer techs to do a job for me.” When the man said nothing, he continued. “We have a location where the work is being done on a specific program. I need somebody to . . . help this employee to the facility so that she can complete the job.”

“Why can’t you find another computer programmer to do it?”

“There isn’t enough time. And I know she can do the work.”

“And, what makes you think I can force her to do it?”

“I know what you got done for Marcus. I know a lot about what happened to his enemies. And you played a big role in that.” He hated to admit the next part, but he pushed on anyway. “I’ve made friends with her, brought her on board for a smaller, less . . . delicate job. But my attempts to talk her into long-term employment have failed. But even if I could convince her to join us, the work I need her to do might conflict with her . . . personal ethics.”

“So, what you’re saying is, you’re into some shady shit and you want me to force her to do the work for you?”

Jack’s breath rushed out of his chest. Hearing it laid out so bluntly was a shock.

“Essentially, yeah,” he conceded. “My current team is a less than strategic bunch. I need your experience to get this job done. And quickly. Some big players need this project completed, and we’re running out of time.”

A muscle worked in the man’s jaw. “Who’s this employee?”

Jack flipped open the file and slid a picture that he’d had taken the day before.

The man’s long fingers slid the picture across the table and he stared at it for a moment. He looked up at Jack. “You’ve got a fucking death wish.”

“Wh-what do you mean?” he stammered.

“This is Cressida Bennett.”

“I know that.”

“Then you understand that Cressida Bennett isn’t just an employee at their firm.”

Jack shifted in a seat. “Isn’t she?”

“Jesus fucking Christ, you don’t even know what you’re asking for.”

He slid the picture across the table and glared at Jack. “She’s in the inner circle of the McKinleys. She’s their overwatch and close to both of them. Taking her would bring hellfire on you.”

“Not if they don’t have any reason to think it’s me.”

A sneer pulled up the corner of his mouth. “You don’t have a clue who they are, do you?”

Jack shifted the folder around. “A little. But I have other things to think about.”

“Well, maybe you should think about it. There aren’t many people that I worry about. But those two? They would torch the earth for their people. I know because I’ve tangled with them before. So before you go around asking me to take one of theirs, you should probably know what you’re doing.”

For the first time, Jack contemplated what the two big Scotsmen were capable of.

The man shook his head and crossed his arms over his chest. “You should find another programmer to do what you need.”

“Mr. Wilson—”

A blue glare shot up. “I am not Adam Wilson. Get that fucking straight. He died the night Marcus Cooper met his fate.”

“My apologies.” Fear coursed through Jack’s veins and he nodded. “It’s just, I need her to work on this program.”

Wilson, or whatever the fuck his name is, stared at him for an agonizing moment. “If I decide to take the job, my price will be five million.”

“Five million dollars!” Jack squeaked.

“Five million pounds,” he corrected. “My skills come at a cost. And if I’m messing with those two assholes, you best believe that I’m going to need that money. That’s my price.”

Shit.

Jack was tapped out. He could probably come up with that kind of cash, but he’d have to involve the investors, and quickly. “I can give you a down payment of one million, but I’ll need time to get the rest.”

A sneer pulled up under his beard. “Well, you better come up with the rest of it pretty quick, sugar cube, because I won’t be doing anything unless I get paid. In full.”

Jack bit back his retort for the insult and tried to focus on what he’d have to do to get what he wanted.

“I’ll see what I can do.”

Wilson stood up, his chair making a loud screeching sound in the quiet of the room. When he got to the door, he stopped and turned, his eyes piercing into Jack. “What do you plan to do with her?”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, what do you plan to do with her when she’s finished the job?”

Nausea crawled through him at the idea of what they would have to do. “I won’t be able to hide who we are when she’s working on the program, so she’ll have to be . . .” He stopped, not able to finish his words.

Wilson’s back straightened, and the cords on his forearms bulged from his tight fist. “If you want that done, it’ll cost extra.” He jerked the door open and left.

Jack’s heartbeat raced as he listened to the footsteps retreating. He got up from his chair and peered down the darkened corridor. The man who “wasn’t” Adam Wilson had disappeared, like the ghost he was.

There had to be a way he could get the investors on board. Maybe he needed to try one more avenue before he bled the money the assassin asked for.

Twenty-Nine

One week later

“Do you think this one will work?” Lily turned her hopeful gaze toward Declan. He couldn’t help but to grin back at her.

“Aye, I think it’ll be the perfect size for you and the bairn.”

She touched his hand, and he took it, giving it a soft squeeze. The happiness on her face warmed his heart.

The last few weeks had been a whirlwind for Lily, and Declan was thrilled to see it. With the help of one of his connections, she’d landed a job as a project curator at the British Museum, the sort of job she’d wanted since she was a wee lass.

Today, she’d rang him with breathless excitement. A new coworker was letting a flat near the museum for a reasonable price. When she’d asked him to come along to view it, he happily obliged.

The dress she wore moulded against her body, and the tiniest sign of the bairn she carried was making an appearance. The soft swell of her belly should have brought up painful memories of when she’d been carrying his son, but it didn’t. He couldn’t be happier to see the glow of the woman he once loved return to her features.

“If this is the place you want, we can call your work friend and secure it.”

Lily’s eyes roved the small flat, clearly envisioning settling her life here. Her eyes sparkled as she nodded. “Aye, this is it.”

“Let’s do it then.”

They met with her new landlord and Lily signed her first rental agreement ever. Once all the paperwork was settled, they decided to walk to a nearby deli for an early dinner.

“Have you settled on names yet?” Declan asked, not minding when she wound her arm through his.

“Not as of yet. I was thinking maybe Morag, if it’s a girl.” He could tell by her impish grin that she was thinking of doing no such thing.

Declan scrunched up his nose. “Morag? Are you sure you want to name a little lassie Morag?”

Lily’s mouth dropped open, and she breathed out a quick breath of faux outrage. “What’s wrong with it?”

“Are you giving birth to a little old lady?”

Lily threw back her head and gave a throaty laugh. “Maybe! Newborns can look like little old ladies.”

Declan grinned back at her and was about to retort when he caught sight of a slight figure coming his way. His heart nearly stopped altogether as Cressida’s eyes landed on his and a smile broke over her face.

He drank her in. She had been gone for too damn long and the sight of her stole his breath.

By the time she reached him, he’d collected his composure. “Hey, what are you doing on this side of town?”

“I just left work and was on my way to meet Sadie for a drink.” She grinned up at him, showing off those adorable dimples. “It feels like forever since I’ve seen you.”

“Aye, it has.” That hadn’t been by choice. She was still working for that wanker. The few times she’d popped by the office to set up for the new security tech, he’d been tied up in meetings.

But he had made the choice not to call her or to invite her out. As much as he missed her, it was better if they didn’t spend a lot of time alone.

“Oh, I remember you. From your office, right, Dec?” Lily spoke up, a friendly smile pulled up on her lips. “Clarissa, isn’t it?”

For the first time, Cressida seemed to realize that Lily was there. “Oh, hello. It’s Cressida, actually. It’s good to”—Cressida’s eyes had caught sight of the swell of Lily’s bump as her words stumbled—“to see you again,” she finished.

Declan realized too late what must be going through her mind. Shit.

“You too. Dec speaks so highly of you.” Lily seemed unfazed by the current swirling around them. “Hey, we should all get together for drinks sometime. I can always go for a good mocktail and a chance to chat with new friends.”

He knew Lily was missing out on the social life she’d left behind and she was eager to make new friends here, but he held his breath to see how Cressida would receive such an invitation.

Cressida’s smile remained warm and friendly. “Mocktails sound fab. We’ll have to make a plan for that. Dec has my number.” She checked her watch, her expression dropped to one of apology. “I best be off. I don’t want to keep Sadie waiting.”

He didn’t want her to go, but there wasn’t any way to make her stay. “I’ll see you soon.”

Cressida nodded. “Yeah, we need to catch up.”

Lily’s gaze shifted between them, but her expression was pleasant as they said their goodbyes.

Cressida continued on her way, her heeled boots clicking on the concrete as she went. Declan couldn’t stop himself from watching her go.

Lily studied him with curiosity. “So that’s her, huh?”

His gaze met hers. “What?”

“That sweet little lass is the one you’re so hung up on.” She tilted her head. “Isn’t she?”

“What makes you think that?”

Lily scoffed. “Dec, I’ve known you a long time. Sometimes, you wear your heart on your sleeve.”

Declan usually kept that shit under control, but the surprise of seeing her had left him unprepared. “Aye, she is.”

Sympathy and regret crossed Lily’s face. “So I guess her coming across you and your pregnant ex-wife wasn’t exactly ideal.”

Declan chuckled and shook his head. “I don’t think that matters. She might’ve had a shock to see you’re expecting, but that’s about the whole of it.”

Lily nodded pensively. “I think it mattered more than she’s letting on.”

It would do no good to let in a glimmer of hope. Even if Cressida thought of him that way, she couldn’t have been more clear that it wasn’t going to happen.

“Come on,” he said, and laid his hand on the small of Lily’s back. “Let’s find some food and talk more about the ridiculous names you’re going to inflict on your bairn.”

Thirty

Cressida couldn’t get the stinging in her eyes to stop. She held on to the post on the train and dabbed at her lashes. Her chest felt like it was collapsing in on itself.

Declan was with his ex. And she was pregnant.

Even though Lily didn’t look that far along, the math wasn’t adding up. It couldn’t be his.

Could it?

No. Not unless he’d been seeing Lily for longer than he said.

Somewhere in her mind, she knew she was overreacting. Declan had never given her reason to think he would keep something like that from her.

But they might be back together. The way Lily had laced her arm in his, leaning into him as they spoke, told her they had moved on from their past.

The painful regret that swelled in her chest was nearly suffocating.

She’d had her chance, and she’d decided it wasn’t worth the consequences. Now she had to live with that.

The train ground to a halt, and she moved to the doors. She stepped onto the platform and made her way to meet her friend. Hopefully, it would take her mind off of it all.

The Carriage was bustling, and its bar crowded with patrons. When she spotted Mercedes sitting in a booth, she made her way to her, her heart aching from her run-in with Declan.

“Hey you,” Mercedes said, her smile broad as she stood and pulled Cressida into a hug. “It’s been awhile. How’s work?”

Cressida tossed her bag into the booth and plopped down across from her friend. “It’s going well, I guess. I finished the security side of things a week ago and now they have me doing some other type of programming.”

“Programming? I thought the whole point of them contracting you was to get their security up to speed. What are you programming?”

“It’s a digital streaming platform. Basically, it delivers videos in a higher definition at a faster speed and using little storage. It’s an interesting concept but . . .”

Mercedes tilted her head. “Is something wrong with the work?”

“No, not wrong. Something feels . . . off. I can’t explain it, but it seems like the only reason they hired me was to do this project, not to make their security systems stable.”

A server came to their table and took their order. When she left, Mercedes furrowed her brow. “Why wouldn’t they just hire someone to program for them, instead of coming to a security firm to give up their employee for it?”

Cressida looked at the table. “I think Jack has taken a personal interest in me. According to some of the other staff, he’s been around a lot more since I came on board. He checks in on me several times a day and he is always a little too chatty.” Mercedes’s brow lifted and Cressida added, “It sounds stupid to say that. He could just be an attentive boss.”

The conversation paused while the server placed their drinks in front of them. As soon as she walked away, Mercedes leaned forward. “I’ve found that when a coworker seems to be paying a bit more attention to you, instincts usually kick in.”

That hadn’t been true with Declan. She’d totally misread his cues as ones from a big brother sort, not having any clue that he was truly interested in her.

Mercedes drummed her fingers lightly on the table as she studied Cressida. “I know Alec and Dec are worried that you may not want to come back. That this Jack will make you an offer you can’t refuse.”

Cressida thought of the generous package Jack had made and shrugged. “Yeah, he’s been open about wanting me on staff full time.”

“So, he has made an offer?”

Cressida nodded, fiddling with the olive pick in her martini glass.

“Are you thinking of taking it?”

Cressida lifted her shoulder. She hadn’t been. The money would have been amazing, but she didn’t like being away from McKinley Security. But now that she had seen Declan with his ex, she was reconsidering. She’d known it would hurt to see him moving on, but this was intolerable. And if it wasn’t Lily, it would be someone else.

Concern filled Mercedes’s eyes. “It seems like there’s something else going on. Is everything okay?”

No one but Shake knew what had happened between her and Declan. And although she trusted Mercedes, she wasn’t sure if she wanted anyone else to know.

“I’m good. I ran into Dec on the way here and I haven’t seen him in a while. Looks like he and Lily have worked everything out.”

“I guess.” Mercedes’s brow creased at the change of topic. “He’s been a little tight lipped about it, but I know they see each other every once in a while. Alec says she seems to have changed, but he worries about Dec.”

Cressida thought her heart would shatter. When she spoke, she tried to keep her voice steady. “She must be excited about the baby.”

Mercedes had just taken a drink and must have sucked some of it up in surprise. She coughed to clear away the wine that had gone down the wrong tube. “She’s pregnant?”

Cressida’s eyes widened. “You didn’t know?”

Mercedes blinked and shook her head. “And I don’t think Alec has been told that. Is it Declan’s?”

“I don’t think so, but I didn’t ask. They seemed happy enough together, I guess.”

Mercedes opened her mouth to speak when someone interrupted her.

“Well, look who finally came back to this side of town,” a slurred voice rang out. Phillip sidled up to their table and glared at Cressida. “What? Your fancy new sugar daddy got tired of you and you’ve decided to slum it here?”

“Just go away,” Cressida said, not in any mood to deal with his shit.

But his gaze had been drawn to Mercedes, who was looking up at him with wide eyes. “And who is this pretty thing? You must be the new tech Cressida dragged on board.” He scooted into the seat next to Mercedes, despite her hiss of anger at his audacity.

“Phillip, this isn’t the . . .”

“Have you gotten some good tips?” he said to Mercedes. He gestured at Cressida. “This one here’s been spreading her legs for the McKinleys for years. Maybe she can give you pointers on how to get the best work. Or how they like it worked.” He threw his head back and laughed at Mercedes’s gasp.

Humiliation ripped through Cressida, knocking the wind out of her.

Phillip’s attention was on Mercedes, a leer pulled up on his lips. He was clearly drunk and had no idea who he was talking to. He was about to be chewed up and spit out by a woman who’d had her fill of bullshit from men.

It was like watching a train wreck in progress.

Mercedes narrowed her eyes. “Phillip is it?” At his nod, she asked, “Phillip what?”

“Phillip Rancine, baby. You interested?”

“Very.” Mercedes pursed her lips. “And you work with Cress at McKinley Security?”

“That’s right.”

“Good. Can you do me a favor, Phillip?”

His brow quirked up in interest, thinking he was about to score with a gorgeous American. “What do you need, baby?”

Fucking gross.

“I want you to slither back to the office,” she said smoothly, drawing him in. “And pack your fucking desk.”

It took a second for what she said to register. “What?”

“I don’t work for McKinley Security, but I am fucking a McKinley.” Mercedes propped her left hand on the table, showing off the diamond ring on her finger.

The fear that crossed Phillip’s eyes was glorious. He glanced at Cressida, looking for confirmation that he had said all that shit to the managing partner’s fiancée. “Don’t look at me, dumb arse. You should probably make sure your shit’s gone before Alec gets a hold of you.”

“Jesus.” Phillip’s face turned three shades of red. “I’m so sorry. I was having a bit of a go at Cress. She and I banter that way . . . she gives it back as good as I give it.”

Mercedes wasn’t having it. “Save your bullshit and get the fuck away from us.”

Phillip slid out of the booth, the stunned look in his eyes not diminishing as he walked away and disappeared around the corner.

“That was brilliant,” Cressida said, clearing the tightness in her throat with a sip of her drink.

Mercedes’s eyes flashed. “What the hell, Cress? You let that asshole talk to you that way? You? I’ve never seen you take shit from anyone.”

“He’s usually more subtle with his insinuations. I guess the booze made him a little more blatant.” Cressida looked down at the drink, unable to meet her friend’s eyes. “Normally, I do give it back to him, but . . .”

“But what?” Mercedes demanded.

When the tears stung Cressida’s eyes, she blinked hard to fight them back. Seeing Declan and Lily, learning about the pregnancy, and now Phillip had just dropped a trauma bomb onto her lap.

It was too much. A wayward tear gathered in the corner of her eye and she tried her best to cover it.

Mercedes missed nothing and her acting skill wouldn’t help her when she was too overwrought with emotion.

“Cress?” Mercedes’s tone had softened in concern.

It was no use. She needed someone to know, someone to help her through it all. She looked into Mercedes’s eyes. “I can’t fight back against him saying I slept with one of them because . . .” Her throat tightened and she couldn’t finish what she needed to say.

Realization dawned on Mercedes’s face. “Because it’s true.” She finished for her. “Oh, god. You and Dec?”

Cressida looked at the napkin she’d been shredding in her fingers and nodded.

“Oh, honey.” The heat had left Mercedes’s tone and she took her hand. “When?”

“After my birthday party.” The tear spilled down her cheek and she swiped it away with annoyance. “It’s fine. I’m fine.”

Such a fucking lie. She was so twisted up that she didn’t know what to do anymore.

“If Dec was an asshole to you—” Mercedes’s eyes flashed again.

“God, no. Not at all.” Cressida gave her friend’s hand a gentle squeeze. “He wanted more, but as you can see, the idea of us dating would’ve made work really tough. I just wanted everything to go back to the way it was between us. And I keep telling myself that we did, but it’s a lie, because we can’t.”

“So is that why you took the job at CloudShore? So you could be away from him.”

“No, it was for the money and the opportunity. I wasn’t seriously considering staying there, but I don’t think I can watch Dec in a relationship with Lily or anyone else. Maybe it would be best for me to start over there. Let him move on.”

Mercedes gave a sad laugh. “I’ve tried that too. You can talk yourself into more misery that way.”

“What should I have done? I couldn’t just take up with him. Everyone would think that’s how I moved up the ladder.”

“You know your close friends would never think that, and the rest of them can piss off.”

If only it were that easy. “Have you ever wanted something so much it hurts, but your past gets in the way and you’re too scared to take it?”

A shadow crossed Mercedes’s eyes and her expression filled with empathy. “You know I have.”

“That’s where I’m stuck. Heartbreak on one side, fear on the other. And right now, the safer thing is for us both to move on with our lives.”

“Denying what you feel will eat you up from the inside. And sometimes, the choice you think is safe, is really the one that’ll destroy you.”

Cressida inhaled deeply, desperate to collect her composure. “I’m sorry this evening took such a turn.”

“Not your fault.” Mercedes tilted her head. “Are you okay?”

Cressida nodded, trying her best to conjure a sunny expression. “Yeah, I’ll be fine. Thanks for listening. I appreciate it.”

It was clear Mercedes wasn’t buying it. “If you’re sure?” At Cressida’s nod, she got to her feet and shrugged into her coat. “In that case, it looks like I need to go take out the trash at McKinley Security.”

Cressida followed her out of the booth. “Thank you, Sadie.”

Mercedes gave her a hug. “Call me whenever you need to talk.”

They separated, and Cressida walked toward home, her mind spiraling a thousand ways. She’d tried to outrun how she felt about Declan, but it was catching up to her.

And either way she turned, destruction was imminent.

Thirty-One

After the early dinner with Lily, Declan walked to Alec’s to watch the rugby match. It had been a while since the two of them had a chance to unwind together. He’d just accepted a beer from Alec when the front door slammed shut. Mercedes strode in with fire in her eyes.

“Oh, good. You’re here, too,” she said to him as she tossed her handbag onto the hall table.

Declan raised his brow at Alec and said nothing.

“I’d like to know exactly how blind you both are when it comes to how your employees are treating each other.”

Alec frowned. “What do you mean? What’s happened, darling?”

“Well, what happened was, I was out with Cressida, and some piece of shit douchebag from your office thought I was your new hire and decided that he’d be a sexist pig to me. Then, he outright said Cressida had slept with the two of you to get where she is in the company.”

Declan’s heart bottomed out. “Who the fuck said that?” he growled.

“An asshole named Phillip Rancine. Apparently he’s only ever implied that to her before. But he was drunk tonight and decided that I should pick up some pointers on what sexual favors the two of you liked before I started.”

Blood drained from Declan’s face. This was what his own people were saying to her behind his back? What the hell kind of environment were all of his employees living with?

“And what did Cress say? Did she tear into him?” Alec asked.

“No, she sat there looking at her hands, barely saying a word.” Declan didn’t miss how her eyes darted to him.

Shit. Cressida had been afraid of this happening, and now it was.

“Imagine if I had been your new hire. A woman who left another company, excited to start at a new firm, only to be made to feel like a whore by one of your case managers.” Mercedes’s glare jumped between them.

Rage and guilt blazed through his chest. He thought he’d protected her. He told himself that if he walked away, she would be safe.

But he’d been next to useless. She was suffering before he’d even touched her.

That thought kicked him in the gut.

“Thanks for the beer, mate.” Declan set his bottle on the counter and snapped up his jacket. He needed to see her tonight.

The entire walk to her flat, Declan tried to coach himself on how to reach her. To let her know he was on her side. But when he approached her door, he wondered if he’d lost his mind.

He knocked anyway and waited for the footsteps that told him someone was home. When the door opened, Cressida peered up at him.

“Hey, Dec,” she said, quietly.

“Can we talk?”

She didn’t seem surprised to see him. “Yeah. Come on in.” Pulling the door open, she stepped aside to let him pass.

Unlike the last time he’d visited, the sitting room was calm. The telly was off and low music played through a speaker.

“Is he why?” Declan choked out, unable to keep the question contained.

He didn’t need to clarify who or what he meant. She already knew.

Her deep sable eyes burned with emotions as she shook her head. “Not completely.”

“Why didn’t you tell me he was harassing you?”

Her lips pursed as she made her way to the sofa and sat, her arms crossed over her body protectively. “Most of what he said to me was stupid bragging or little hints that I didn’t deserve the promotion. He never implied I was sleeping with anyone until tonight. For the most part, I could handle him.”

“Until tonight.”

She nodded. “He struck a little close to home this time, I guess.”

Declan ran his hand over his jaw, anger and disgust tearing through him. He hadn’t protected her, or any of the other employees Phillip had targeted, and it was eating him up.

“I wish you would have told me. Didn’t you trust me?”

Her brows lifted, and she shook her head. “That’s not it at all.”

Declan walked to the sofa and sat beside her. “Explain it to me.”

“When he started with his little barbs, Alec was so lost in his grief for Sadie that I couldn’t burden him with it. And you’d gone off to Ireland, trying to find anything that would have given Alec some relief from his pain. How was I supposed to tell either of you that Phillip had become insufferable? It would have made all of it worse.”

“I could’ve handled it, there was no reason for you or anyone to put up with that shit.”

“I know, but I tried to deal with it myself.” She lifted her shoulder. “Phillip being a prick wasn’t something I spent a lot of time thinking about. A job needed to get done, and I focused on helping Alec and Sadie. I won’t apologize for not rocking an already troubled boat.”

“You were never alone. I would have dropped everything to make sure you were okay.”

Declan would have moved heaven itself to make sure she was taken care of. But she hadn’t let him in.

“I know, but like I said, Phillip’s first overt shitty comments came tonight, and Sadie caught the brunt of it.” She fiddled with the cuff of her sleeve. “I hope you’ve dealt with him.”

“Aye, we’ll deal with him. It’s a damn good thing that Alec is ready to take him on now, cause he sure as shit doesn’t want to see what I’d do to him. He deserves to burn for what he said to you.” The question he’d never gotten the answer to swirled in his chest, and it was time he came right out and asked her. “So if Phillip isn’t completely the reason, what is?”

Cressida’s brow furrowed as her gaze dropped to the floor. An agonizing moment passed while she struggled with her words.

“This is really hard.”

Guilt strummed in his veins. She didn’t owe him her pain. “Shit, Cress. You don’t have to tell me. I have no right—”

“But you do, actually,” she cut him off, the little tremble in her voice hitting him in the chest. “You opened up to me and told me your painful truth. I want to do that too. Especially since it affects you.”

She shifted toward him on the sofa, her hand closed over his. The warmth of her fingertips roamed over his flesh, and he opened his palm to welcome her touch.

“What I’m going to tell you isn’t a reflection of you or that I think you will do the same thing. I don’t. But anxiety that comes from trauma isn’t always logical.”

Thirty-Two

Cressida inhaled deeply, apprehension racing through her blood. The only people who knew this story were the ones that didn’t have to be told about it. They’d lived it with her.

But she should have shared this with Declan long ago, even before she’d spent the night wrapped up in his arms. And after that night, when he’d asked why she couldn’t see him, he had to have known it wasn’t just because of their work relationship. It was much deeper than that.

“When I was young, I dreamed of the stage. I wanted to follow in my parents’ footsteps. You know who my mum is, but I don’t think I’ve ever talked about my father.”

“The only thing I know about your father was that he and Gemma had divorced years ago and he lives in California.”

Cressida nodded. “He’s a director. He did a lot of stage productions, some my mum was in. They were sort of a golden couple, really.

“They had a friend, who was a major producer of both the stage and film. And their friend had a son, who was our age. The three of us were good friends and our families used to go on holiday together. His name was Jacob.” Her voice strained to say his name, and she swallowed to clear it away. “When we were eighteen, Jacob and I started dating and everyone was thrilled. I was so in love with him. He treated me like he’d won a prize, and I ate it up.

“One day, I was sitting next to him when his mobile rang. The number came up as ‘the love of his life.’ He tried to hide it from me, but it all came tumbling out. He’d been screwing around. So, I ended it. He kept making excuses and trying to talk me into coming back, but I wasn’t interested. My mum was so supportive, but my father kept coaxing me into forgiving him. He said I overreacted and I should give him another chance. It was hurting his partnership with Jacob’s dad.”

Declan’s brow furrowed, as if he could sense how much she was struggling. The gentle caress of his hand along the inside of her wrist eased some of the panic that threatened to spill over. She clung to the sensation, letting her find focus in something other than the truth.

“One night, I was home alone, and I’d forgotten to lock the door. I was in my sitting room when the door burst open and Jacob came rushing in. He claimed he just wanted to talk to me. I said no and told him to leave, but he refused. When I threatened to call the police, he . . .” A sob choked from her chest. “He dragged me to my room and did what he wanted to do.”

“Jesus fucking Christ,” Declan hissed, his breath leaving his chest.

Memories flashed through her mind as if it were happening in real time. The pain as he violated her, the terror of not knowing if she might die when he was done. All of it rushed back. Racking sobs overtook her and before she knew it, she was in Declan’s arms. She let it out. He cradled her head against his chest, his fingertips swirling against her scalp.

“I’m so sorry, my love. It’s okay, you’re safe now. I’m so sorry.” The repetitiveness of his soft murmur broke through her awareness.

As the crying let up, her body relaxed, but she made no move to leave the safety of his arms. She curled herself into him and he tightened his hold on her.

“Shake was the one who found me and called the police. I went to the hospital, did all the exams. Waited for my parents to come.

“When my father arrived, he asked what I had done to make Jacob so angry or if I had led him on to make him think I wanted sex. No matter how many times I told him, he refused to believe his friend’s son had broken into his house and raped his daughter.”

Cressida pulled away from Declan. His blue eyes swam with sympathy, and she wanted to get lost in him. To let him touch her in ways that made her forget.

Instead, she stood and walked to a side table that held a box of tissues. Mopping herself up, she knew what a frightful mess she must look. But Declan seemed unfazed by the disaster, his gaze following her as she composed herself.

She tossed the used tissue in the bin and turned back to him, crossing her arms over her chest. “Once the rumor mill caught wind, it all spiraled out of control. Jacob’s father threatened to pull money from any production I was a part of. It’s a small community, so word spread that I had falsely accused a rich producer’s son of rape because I was angry they wouldn’t cast me.”

“But it wasn’t until my own father joined in that I knew it was done.” Declan let out his breath in outrage. “He took their lies as truth and discarded me like I was nothing. When Mum kicked him out and filed for divorce, Jacob and his father started in on her. Not only did they destroy me, but they tried to destroy her, too. Her fame is all that saved her, but she lost so much because of me.”

Declan came to stand in front of her and cupped her cheek, wiping a tear with his thumb. She turned her head into his hand, savoring his touch. “Not because of you, lass. It’s because your father’s a fucking coward.”

“My logical mind tells me that sometimes, but like I said, anxiety doesn’t listen to logic.” Cressida swept a lock of his hair off his forehead, letting her fingers trail down his cheek. “I would give anything to be the girl who hadn’t learned that lesson. To see this gorgeous soul in front of her and be able to give him everything she is.” Pain rippled through Declan’s expression and he closed his eyes, leaning his forehead against hers. “Maybe I was that girl once. But the woman I am is broken. And I can’t pretend I’m not, even when I really, really want to.”

Declan’s eyes opened, the storm in them pulling her in. He captured her hand against his cheek and brought her knuckles to his lips, trailing soft kisses over her skin. The ache he’d made with a single tender act threw her.

God, she wanted this. She wanted him.

“I can’t imagine what you went through,” he murmured. “But you’re not broken. You’re so fucking strong.”

Tears gathered in her eyes at his words. She wasn’t strong. If she were, she would push through all her fears and let him in. If she were strong, she would kiss him right now. Tear his clothes from his body and lead him to her bed, consequence be damned.

Instead, she wrapped her arms around him and nestled her head against his neck. He let out a deep exhale, his hands roving up and down her back. She fit so perfectly, right in this spot.

It was selfish, but she savored it anyway. It gave her the strength to let him go one more time.

Thirty-Three

Three Days Later

The scent of coffee permeated the air around her. Cressida sat at a small bistro chair, her laptop opened to the files she worked on. She settled her earbuds into her ears to drown out the hum of the cafe’s foot traffic. Even though she was supposed to be writing up this code, her mind kept wandering to the last time she had seen Declan.

She’d been so mentally drained from that conversation that she’d slept most of the weekend. That was a good sign. Confessing her painful truth to him had been therapeutic. She probably could’ve felt even better if she’d have stripped him down and ravished him.

Exhaling deeply, she focused on the program. The code wasn’t a hard one, but it was tedious. It was taking forever to finish up. Jack had so far been patient, but lately, he was getting antsy.

So was she. There was something about the way Jack had started hovering that sent her to working in coffee houses instead of at her desk. She preferred the energy of being around strangers over the helicoptering he’d been doing.

Just as she was taking a sip of her tea, a man in a business suit broke away from the line and walked to her table. There was a spark of interest in his eyes that made her internally groan.

Cressida didn’t acknowledge him, keeping her attention on her screen instead.

When he stood there for long enough, she sighed and took out one of her earbuds. “Can I help you?”

His mouth pulled up into an appreciative smile. “I couldn’t help but notice you were so intense over here and thought I could help brighten your day.”

Jesus and all that was holy. She just wanted a few minutes of peace from audacious men.

“No, thank you. I’m trying to finish up my project.” She made to put her earbud back in, but he stopped her.

“Aw, don’t be like that. Just trying to be friendly.”

She gave him another tight smile. “And I’m just trying to get work done. Have a nice day.”

Not only did he not leave, he grabbed the back of the chair opposite of her and was about to make himself at home.

Without warning, a large hand slammed on top of the chair, keeping it from moving any farther.

“Piss off, fucker,” a California accent growled in a low voice. “She said to leave her the fuck alone.”

The newcomer’s back was to her, and she couldn’t make out his face from his limited profile.

“Alright, mate, no problem.” The man in the suit backed away. “Sorry, miss.”

Her savior’s glare followed the man as he left the coffeehouse, his large, muscular body ready for a fight. There was something unsettling about him. Something familiar.

He turned his piercing blue eyes on her and she nearly jumped out of her chair and ran for it.

His dark hair had grown long enough to stick out of the cap and a thick beard covered much of his features.

But she would know that face anywhere.

She’d been tracking it for nearly two years.

He seemed to sense her reaction and swept the chair out and sat in it. Panic seized her, and she reached for her mobile. His hand clamped down on hers and she let out a little cry.

“No, no. There’s no need to inform the cavalry yet. I just want to talk.”

“What could you possibly want to talk to me about?”

Timothy Barlow, otherwise known as Adam Wilson, kept her hand as he leaned back in his chair. “Oh, there’s a lot I need to say to you, sweetheart.”

This man had worked for one of the most inhuman people on the planet. And even though he had been forced to do a lot of it, it didn’t make him any less ruthless now. He’d cut the throats of people who had crossed him or his client. Add to that, he’d nearly killed Mercedes and Alec more than once.

“I know you’ve been looking for me,” he said, his voice gruff. “And right now, I know you’re thinking I’m here to start shit. But you’d be wrong.” He let go of her hand.

Cressida glared at him. “If you’ve come here for Alec and Sadie, I swear I’ll give everything I have on your movements to the FBI.”

Barlow smirked. “I’m not here to cause them any harm. I came here for help. But now it looks like I can help you first.”

Cressida narrowed her eyes. “I’m supposed to believe you came here to help them? You played a big role in nearly destroying them.”

The blue gaze never left hers. “Look, I took a fucking risk coming to this country and a bigger one to talk to you. I think after all that happened, I would have at least earned a tiny amount of trust.”

The shit that had gone down was brutal as fuck and absolutely put him low on the trust factor. But if he wanted her dead, she already would be.

“So what do you want?”

“I need a favor from the McKinleys. And to get it, I plan to tell you what I know. And what I know has to do with you.”

“Me?”

“Yeah.” He leaned forward, and without thinking about it, she drew in closer as well. “The program you’re designing isn’t what you think it is. And the people you’re working for are using it as a stepping-stone to some sketchy shit.”

How the hell would this man know what she was working on?

“What kind of stepping-stone?”

“The kind that can change the world, and not in a good way.”

Cressida’s gut turned to ice. “How could a simple video delivery program be used to do something like that? It’s meant to make uploading faster and cleaner.”

Barlow pulled in a breath. “Look, I don’t know how it works. I can only do simple computer stuff, so this is beyond me. But let me say that my . . . services have been requested to get results faster. And your current project isn’t all they want from you.”

Blood drained from her face. Something had been wrong with the way Jack had brought her on board, but she never dreamed it would be something more than simple programming.

“How can I believe anything you say?”

Barlow lifted his shoulder. “You can’t. But like I said, I need help from the McKinleys. And that means I need to make sure the people they care about aren’t falling into the depth of it all.”

How noble.

“I was coming to you all for help anyway, but now I can sweeten the deal by giving them useful information.”

“So, how do I find you?”

Barlow had the audacity to grin at her. “You and I both know you can find me just fine. If they need me, you know where I am.”

And with that, he pushed out of his seat, lowered his chin, and sauntered away, leaving her with a racing heart and a whole hell of a lot of questions.

Thirty-Four

Declan yawned, his eyes watering enough to make the report he was typing blur on the screen. Security plans for a private art collector purchasing a large amount of paintings weren’t exactly riveting work.

A gentle knock came at his office door and he looked up to have his breath stolen from him. Cressida, her hair windblown, and her olive skin stained with a flush, stood in his doorway.

Get your shit together, man. “Cress, what are—”

“I need to speak with you and Alec. Is he here?”

The tone of her voice set off alarm bells. “Aye, are you alright?”

“I-I don’t know. I think so.”

Whatever had happened was rattling her pretty hard. Her breaths were coming out in pants, as if she’d run to their office.

“Okay, come on,” he said, falling into step with her. Alec was in his office, working on his computer. When Declan knocked, Alec’s brows rose, and he smiled at Cressida.

“Hey, stranger. How’s it going over at CloudShore?”

“It’s . . . interesting.” She plopped in the chair in front of Alec’s desk. “We have a problem.”

Alec’s face shifted to a frown. “What kind of problem?”

“Timothy Barlow paid me a visit.”

“The fuck?” The air rushed from Declan’s lungs. “When?”

“About a half hour ago at a coffee shop I was working in.”

Declan’s gaze landed on Alec, who had grown pale.

Cressida pushed a lock of hair away from her cheek. “He claims the work I’m doing for CloudShore isn’t everything they want me to do. And that his services have been requested to speed up the process.”

“What the fuck does that mean?” Declan said.

“I don’t know.” Her sable eyes shot to his, wide with worry. “But Barlow seemed to think it was bad enough that he could barter with the two of you.”

“Barter? What does he want?”

Cressida’s fingers trembled in her lap as she shrugged her shoulders. “He didn’t say.”

Declan wanted to beat the shit out of Barlow for scaring her. But first, he had to make sure what the man said wasn’t true.

“We need to pull Cress from CloudShore. Immediately,” he said to Alec. “If they’re hunting down Barlow’s services, she’s not safe.”

Cressida shook her head. “We can’t do that.”

“We absolutely can do that,” Declan snapped.

“Jack’s supposed to introduce me to some investors who say they want to meet me. Maybe I can figure out who they are and what they’re up to.”

Declan’s mouth dropped open. “We don’t need to figure anything out. This isn’t our problem.”

Cressida’s fingers clenched in her lap. “If CloudShore is up to some fuckery, my name is tied to it. So I would definitely say it’s my problem.”

“When are you supposed to meet the investors?” Alec asked.

“Tomorrow night.” She paused and shot a glance at Declan. “Jack’s taking me to the mayoral party at The Littleton.”

Oh, fuck no. Fuck, fuck, no. It was bad enough she was going to some swanky party with that daft prick, but with Barlow looming over was a step too far. “Not a chance in hell.”

“Well, I want to know what I’ve been working on.” Fury creased her brows together. “So, I’ll be going.”

Declan took a step toward her. “This isn’t a game, Cressida.”

“I’m not playing, Declan,” she shot back, her cheeks bright with heat. “This is my damn job.”

“No, it isn’t. Not even close.”

“Yes, it is. If they’re using me to do something dangerous, I have the responsibility to gather the evidence and send it to the proper authorities.”

“You can give them what you have now.”

“I don’t have anything now.” Cressida’s exasperation was making her voice rise. “Just the word of a trained killer whose motives aren’t known.”

Alec watched the two of them bickering with a thoughtful expression. His eyes shifted to Declan as if trying to silently figure out what to do. Declan returned it, pleading for his cousin to help him keep her safe.

“You promised.” Cressida’s voice shook as she glared at Declan.

Guilt tore through his chest as he took in what she meant. He’d sworn he wouldn’t let his feelings get in the way of her career. And they weren’t.

Were they?

Alec spoke up. “Cress, you’ll have a full team and protection from beginning to end. If this is important to you, we’ll help you manage it.”

Cressida’s gaze remained locked with Declan’s, hurt swirling in those brown depths. “Thank you,” she said before standing and wrenching open the door. Her footsteps were heavy as she stormed away from the office.

Declan felt her loss throughout his soul. He turned to Alec and shot him a glare. “Hey, mate, thanks for having my back.”

“I did have your back. You just don’t know how much you screwed up yet.”

“Goddammit. I can’t believe you, of all people, don’t get how I feel about this. I never would have sent Sadie into something this dangerous.”

Alec stopped and stared at him. “So it’s like that, huh?”

Declan realized too late what he was confessing. He didn’t care. “Aye, it’s like that.”

His cousin leaned against his desk and crossed his arms. “So you planning on keeping her behind her desk because you’re scared?”

“What do you mean? We don’t have to do this. She doesn’t have to take this risk.”

“She needs to for herself.” Alec tilted his head. “And you’re right, I would never let Sadie go into this situation. But Sadie isn’t Cressida. Cress has been training her entire childhood as an actress and the last five years training to be an operative for us. And what you just told her was you don’t trust her.”

Fuck.

That was never his intention. Of course, he trusted her. But Jack Weston had given him bad vibes from the beginning and now she was walking into a situation blind. No matter what her training had been, this was going to tear him apart.

Thirty-Five

Cressida had been precise in choosing her cocktail dress for the occasion. The crimson silk complemented her olive skin, fitting her curves perfectly. Its flared hem swept against her knees as she moved, and the deep neckline and generous slit up her thigh was an alluring touch. Her hair curled down her shoulders, adding a layer of security to the hidden earpiece made to look like an earring.

The mayor’s ball was the event of the year. Aristocracy mingled with politicians in a lavish show of wealth and charity. They stood at the entrance of the ballroom and took in the venue’s splendor. Tables overflowed with flowered centerpieces and wine bottles. The milling guests were drenched in all varieties of couture and designer suits that likely cost more than her yearly salary.

Jack was the essence of charm, introducing her to everyone they came upon. Cressida followed behind him, dutifully shaking hands and making small talk with the guests. By the time they found a place to sit and catch their breaths, Cressida’s cheeks hurt from smiling.

He leaned over her, bracing one hand on the table and the other on the back of her chair. “What can I get you from the bar?”

“I’ll have a vodka martini, dirty with an extra olive, please.”

Jack grinned as he walked to the bar, but her attention was all on Declan’s voice snapping through her earpiece. “Do not drink anything he brings you.”

Annoyance flashed through her. Of course, she wasn’t planning to drink it.

Jack returned to the table carrying two long-stemmed martini glasses. She took one and beamed at him, pretending to take a sip before setting it on the table.

“Are you enjoying yourself?”

“I am. It’s a lovely party.”

Jack sat back in his chair, a soft smile playing on his face. “You really are beautiful, you know that?”

The flush that crept up her face was real. Getting romanced while her twin, the new hire, three colleagues and whatever the hell Declan was, listened in on the other end was throwing her off her game. “Thank you. This dress is gorgeous, by the way. Thank you for setting up the private consultation.”

“I think the old line goes ‘It would look even better on your floor later tonight.’” His finger slid up her arm, caressing her skin gently.

Okay, so we’re jumping ahead to the bad pickup lines, then.

It was possible he’d already indulged in a drink or two before she arrived.

“I guess we’ll have to wait and see.” She held his gaze as he reached for his drink and sipped again.

He set the glass on the table and leaned toward her. “I’ve been trying to catch your attention for a while now. But until tonight, you didn’t seem to notice.”

“Hmm.” Cressida took another fake sip from her drink, spilling a touch of the clear liquid onto the tablecloth as she set it down. “I try to keep it business only. Especially since I work at your office.”

Jack’s lips pulled up into a smile. “You won’t be much longer. Unfortunately. But maybe we can get to know each other better tonight.”

The implication of how far he wanted to test her boundaries made her stomach flip. Once she was done with this contract, she had no intention of seeing this man again.

But she looked at him under her lashes and gave him a coy look. “Maybe.”

Jack leaned back again, resting his hand on her thigh. “You know I also haven’t been shy about trying to keep you on my staff, but I was hoping I could show you an exciting new program that will take the tech world by storm. People will fight over it, trying to get their hands on it.”

Her heart leapt at this information. Was he going to come out and tell her what program Barlow had warned her about?

“That sounds exciting! I wouldn’t mind dipping my feet into new, transformative tech.”

“The McKinleys aren’t using you to your potential. You shouldn’t be fetching them coffee or working up floor plans at conventions. You deserve to be at the forefront of technology, leading the way through the video delivery and cloud storage industry.”

Cressida resisted the urge to balk at his assessment of her duties. She’d never fetched anyone coffee. Despite her current irritation with Declan, she had never felt underutilized with her work. They’d trusted her with their lives and the lives of the people they loved.

And Declan was the one who got her tea, not the other way around.

The band began to play, and Jack turned his attention to the stage. Cressida used the distraction to dump a healthy amount of vodka onto the carpet.

“Again, I’d love to hear more. Sounds exciting.”

Jack rested his hand on her knee, a soft brushing of his thumb drawing circles on her bare skin. His dark-hazel eyes studied her intently.

Cressida bit back the dread working up her chest. This was going way faster than she’d expected. At the office, he kept his hands to himself and remained professional. But here, plied with alcohol and hidden in the corner of a lovely ballroom, he was definitely testing his boundaries.

She laid her hand on his to stop it from snaking up any farther.

“Jack. That’s not a good idea.” She smiled and tightened her fingers around his wrist as he resisted her push.

Bullocks. If he kept this up, she was going to have to give the signal early.

“No one’s looking, and even if they were, no one would care. This place is filled with people behaving badly under the table.” He raised his brow suggestively. “Want to test that theory?”

His eyes gestured to his lap, where an obvious erection strained against the fabric of his trousers.

The booze was making him brazen. And a complete arsehole.

She inhaled deeply, to resist telling him to piss off, and letting Declan have at him. But the meeting with the investors was her mission, and she had to make sure it happened.

“I think this is getting a little heated,” Cressida said coyly, running her fingers along his jaw. “I need to use the ladies. Order me another drink, will you?” She left a touch of promise in her tone.

Without waiting for a reply, she walked away from the table, taking her drink with her. She tossed one last look at him, knowing he was watching her leave.

Once she was in the ladies, she disposed of the olive and pick and dumped the martini in the sink. Only a few other occupants were about, so she selected the last stall and locked herself in.

“Artemis, checking in,” she murmured quietly.

“Artemis, this is Cameo,” Olivia’s voice said back to her. “Go ahead.”

Cressida inhaled sharply at the change in contacts. Olivia was only observing this operation, not taking part in it. “Where’s Rebellion?”

A touch of humor crossed into Olivia’s voice. “He’s been sent to . . . take a time-out. So I’ll be your second overwatch for a bit.”

A regretful pang hit her heart. She would rather jam an icepick into her ears than hear Declan chat up another, and Jack had laid it on thick.

“Any luck with figuring out the other players yet?”

“Negative,” Olivia said. “We’ve scanned the area, but nothing stands out. There’s too much money in the room to narrow out who we’re looking for.”

“Copy. Be ready to extract if needed.”

“Copy, Artemis. Extraction plan is in place.”

Declan might have been put in time-out, but she knew he’d be where she needed him to be.

When she returned to the table, Jack was texting furiously, but looked up and grinned as she sat.

“Is everything okay?” She gestured toward the mobile.

Jack chuckled and slipped it into his pocket. “It is. Just a few of the investors are getting antsy to meet you. Are you ready to head upstairs?”

Cressida froze, her heart catching in her chest. “Are we not meeting them here?”

Jack slid a full martini toward her. “They’re gathering in a private suite. We wanted it to be a little quieter when they met you.”

There wasn’t any way around it. She couldn’t demand the investors come to a bustling ballroom for an intimate meeting. But being alone in a roomful of strangers was dangerous.

It was her faith in her team that gave her the courage to pick up the delicate stem of the martini glass.

“Lead the way.”

Jack’s hand was on her lower back as they walked out of the ballroom and to the bank of elevators. Butterflies fluttered overtime in her stomach.

Declan will be there. That knowledge was the only thing that kept the smile plastered on her face and her feet moving into the lift.

Once inside, Jack’s hands roved her back and over the curve of her backside. “I was hoping after this we could go back to my place.”

It took everything in her power not to smack his hand away. But he was getting too tipsy, and drunk people could be volatile. Angering him would do nothing.

Instead, she smiled shyly. “We’ll have to see about that.”

Declan’s voice came over her earpiece. “This is too much, Artemis, you need to stand down.”

No way, she nearly had what she needed.

She looked up at the camera and gave a slight shake of her head, knowing their eyes were on her. Stepping off the lift, she followed Jack through the winding halls, leaving a trail of vodka on the carpet behind her. When they finally made it to the end of the hall, she laughed. “The King’s Suite? How fitting.”

His expression lit up as if she’d just figured out a hilarious jest. “Isn’t it though? Only the best for this crowd.”

He stopped at the door and turned to her. “I do have a favor to ask of you.”

Oh, here we go. Cressida dreaded the sort of kinky shit he was into.

It didn’t matter. He wouldn’t be getting any of it tonight.

“Oh, what’s that?”

“I want you to have patience with the men in this room. Having a woman computer tech may be a bit . . . unorthodox for them, even one who could fix our video system with her eyes closed.”

Bunch of misogynists. Got it. “I think I can manage that. How long will it take?”

“Only a few minutes. They wanted to say hello. Afterward, I have a short meeting planned with them. I’ll need you to step out for a bit, but when I’m finished, we’ll continue our night elsewhere.”

Jack punctuated that last line by running his hand down her shoulder.

“I swear to fucking god, Artemis. I’m not playing with you,” Declan said once again. “We need to get you out of there. Now.”

Not yet.

It was risky. But she needed to know who and what was waiting behind the door.

The door opened and a man in a tailored tuxedo stood before them, grinning at Jack. “Ah, there you are. We thought you might’ve gotten lost.” His eyes shifted to Cressida, and his smile widened. “And it’s a pleasure to meet you finally.” He held out his hand to Cressida, which she took. “I’m Francis Devereaux. Come in. Come in. We were just talking about you.”

Cressida stepped into the suite and entered a large living space that had several couches and sofas sprawled across the ornate room. Three white men, who seemed to be in their late fifties or early sixties, regarded her as she stood before them.

Jack stood next to her, his hand going to her back again. “Gentleman, this is Cressida, the lovely genius who solved all our video delivery problems.”

It felt as if they had cast a spotlight upon her, and she greeted the other two men, Martin Lester and Stephan Black, with a handshake. She repeated their names a few times, knowing Shake and Olivia would be taking note and figuring out who they were.

Once the pleasantries were out of the way, Cressida took her place on the couch, setting her nearly empty drink on the table next to her. “It’s a pleasure to meet you all.”

Francis and Martin peppered her with friendly questions. What did she do for a living? Where did she receive her computer training? Did she like working for Jack?

It all seemed pretty inane enough, almost like a job interview. They were assessing her skills more than thanking her for what she had already done.

The friendliest of the group, Martin, sat forward in his seat. “My goodness, I cannot tell you how much we appreciate all that you did with the streaming system. We were so behind schedule. And I know Jack especially has talked nonstop about you since he brought you in.”

A flush rose to her cheeks. “Thank you. It was my pleasure to help.”

The sullen one, Stephan, set his glass on the mahogany table. “Jack tells us you’ve been reluctant to take on a full-time position at CloudShore. Is there some reason you don’t feel up to that challenge?”

The condescension in his tone put her back up, but she smiled smoothly to cover her annoyance. “It’s not about the challenge. I’m quite content in my current position.”

Stephan arched his brow. “You mean, the offer hasn’t matched your expectations yet.”

So, now he was going to imply she was holding out to leech them for more. What a prick.

“Not at all.”

Stephan quirked up his lip as if he thought her full of shit. An eerie sense that she was becoming the prey in a roomful of privileged predators made her stomach flip. But she kept her face neutral, hoping she was pulling off a nonchalance.

Francis pushed to his feet. “Well, we’re not trying to be rude, but we need to continue our meeting with Jack. Unfortunately, this is more of a private nature.”

“Oh, of course, Jack told me that. I’ll rejoin the party downstairs.” She stood and went to the door, leaving her glass on the table. “You gentlemen have a lovely night.”

Jack stood as well. “I’ll walk you to the lift.”

“Oh, you don’t have to do that.”

“I want to.”

Cressida offered genteel pleasantries to the men as she made her way to the door.

Olivia’s voice said in her year. “Rebellion will meet you at the lift for an escort protocol.”

Relief washed over her strung-up nerves. Nothing about the men appeared overtly threatening to her, but there was a dark energy that wavered below the surface that unsettled her. Knowing Declan would have her out of the hotel before Jack’s meeting even ended was a solace. She would disappear and make her apologies later.

Jack led her out of the suites and down the long hallway that would take them to the lift. He was walking slowly, as if he didn’t want to let her go. Cressida’s mind shuffled through a contingency plan, in case Jack wanted to get on the lift with her.

“Listen,” Jack said, his alcohol-laced breath brushing her cheek. “I meant when I said I want to see more of you tonight. You’ll wait downstairs for me?”

“I will. I’ll catch another drink at the bar.”

The doors opened and she could feel Declan’s presence waiting for her.

When Jack leaned in to kiss her, she stepped back with a flirty smile. It would’ve been bad enough to be kissed when she knew Declan could hear it, but there was no way she was going to kiss this man while he waited inside the lift.

“I’ll see you downstairs.”

Disappointment crossed Jack’s face, but he stepped back and let her enter the car alone.

In her peripheral vision, Declan pressed back against the controls of the elevator to remain hidden. She didn’t acknowledge him as she turned and gave Jack a flirty wave until the door closed and the lift began its descent. Relief forced the air from her lungs, and she needed to compose herself before she met Declan’s eye.

When she did, an ache slammed into her chest. Frustration and misery filled his expression.

“I’m sorry, Dec,” she whispered.

He grabbed her around the waist and jerked her into his body. When his arms came around her, she sighed, feeling safe for the first time since they’d arrived.

“That was too fucking close, Cress.” He tightened his hold, his hands gentle given how keyed up he was. “I was so damn scared I wouldn’t be able to get to you. I nearly broke that fucking door down.”

“I know, I’m sorry.”

Right on cue, the lift stopped.

Declan released her and moved into action. He tugged his suit jacket off, loosened his tie, and jerked it over his head. Both fell to the floor of the car in a heap as he worked the first few buttons on his black dress shirt.

Cressida couldn’t pull her eyes away as he stripped off his clothes in front of her. His hair ruffled as he worked the shirt over his head, revealing a plain black T-shirt. He gathered up his dress shirt and held it open for her. Without a word, she slipped it over her head and tugged to straighten it. It concealed most of the deep crimson of her cocktail dress. She quickly rolled up the sleeves so they wouldn’t hang off of her.

“Belt,” she said.

His eyes held hers as he unbuckled his belt. In a fluid movement, he stripped it from the loops around his waist.

Jesus, he was hot as hell.

Focus.

Declan handed it to her, and she wrapped it around her waist. They had drilled an extra notch into it last night. She tightened it around the black shirt, molding it into a makeshift dress. Declan pulled a small hair tie off of his wrist and held it out to her. While she worked on gathering up her hair into a messy bun, Declan went for the buttons on her shirt, filling her space with his presence as he fastened them for her. Dressing her was the exact opposite of what she wanted him to do, but she tried to remain neutral.

When she finished putting her hair up, she went to work on his. It was a tousled mess from his shirt and she combed her fingers through it, doing her best to ignore the way his breath hitched and his piercing gaze stung her.

What the hell was wrong with her? Why did moments like this make her hot as hell for him?

He bent down and picked up his discarded jacket and slipped it on, stuffing the tie into his pocket. Rather than the well-dressed business executive that had waited for her in the elevator, he was much more casual now.

Cressida peered at the mirror in the car and took in her own new look. It wasn’t a perfect cover, but she hoped it would be enough. Not knowing if Jack had eyes watching for her in the ballroom, the goal was to get her out of the hotel without being seen. If Jack or any of his colleagues stopped her, she would be stuck trying to get out of there without having to bat him off her.

“Ready?” Declan ground out. When she nodded, he said. “Apollo. Go.”

It was only a second before the lift moved again. Declan took her hand, and she clung to his strength. He must have felt her trembling because he squeezed it and murmured. “You’re safe. I’m going to get you out of here.”

She looked up at him, catching his stormy expression. “I know.”

And she did.

Thirty-Six

Jack walked back to the suite, praying his hard-on would cool the fuck down. The last thing he needed was for these men to see how horny she had made him.

As he reentered the suite, Martin gave one of his jovial smiles. “Well now, I know why you were so insistent on using her.”

Jack rolled his shoulders and walked to the minibar, a smug smile playing on his lips. “I told you she was something else.”

Stephan narrowed his eyes. “Does she have any idea what we’re doing here?”

“As far as she knows, I asked her to create the video enhancement system, and she did that beautifully. I don’t see any reason that she wouldn’t be able to handle the next step in the project.”

“But can she keep her fucking mouth shut?” Stephan snapped.

Apprehension ran through Jack as he met Stephan’s gaze and held it. “Yeah, I think she might.”

Martin’s affable voice broke in. “Nah, she won’t.” He peered up at Jack over the rim of his glass. “You said she works for a security firm, right?” At Jack’s nod, Martin continued. “That means that she has access to people who can make our lives very difficult.”

“She hasn’t seemed to mind working on it this far.”

Martin scoffed. “Yeah, but that’s because she thinks she’s dealing with a simple program that’s totally innocent. When she figures out what we’re up to, she’s probably going to push back.”

They weren’t wrong. Cressida wasn’t likely to do the work without pressure.

“What about the digital sample you managed to . . . misplace with the lovely Ms. Bennett?” Francis asked. “You assured us you would recover it and make sure it was secure.”

A cold sweat broke out on the back of Jack’s neck. “I haven’t been successful in locating the device, but my guess is that she discarded it. We have alerts set up and a man on standby should she access it.”

“Bah.” Martin waved it off. “We’ll be moving forward soon, so what’s the point of stressing about it now?”

Jack relaxed. The missing drive was a point of contention with the investors. Informing them he’d lost a complete mock-up of the program’s capabilities wasn’t his proudest moment. But at least now he was offering solutions.

Francis tilted his head. “You said you contacted Marcus’s man, Adam Wilson?”

Jack thought of the brick house that had met with him in the shadows. “I did.”

“And tell me again, what was his price?”

“Five million. Pounds.”

Francis grumbled into his cup.

It was a lot of fucking money for a single hire, and until they had a viable product ready for their buyers, Jack was personally on the hook for it. The investors had been hemorrhaging money for years, taking risks on Jack and his brother. Their patience and deep pockets were no longer as forgiving as they had been.

Stephan glared at Jack as he rolled the bottom of his crystal glass on the arm of his chair. “Reach out and make the fucking deal. We don’t have time to deal with this shit. The sooner we get the girl under wraps and get the work going, the faster we can make the buyers happy.”

The mercenary’s warning flashed in his mind. There aren’t many people I worry about. But those two? They would torch the earth for the people they care about.

He should tell the investors. Make them aware of the threat the McKinleys posed. But telling them there may be one more thing that could go wrong wasn’t something he relished. He was out of time, so it wouldn’t matter anyway. This was their only option.

He had to have faith that five million pounds would buy him a whole fuckton of luck.

Thirty-Seven

Tension thrummed through Declan as he waited for the lift to travel the last few floors to the hotel lobby. Cressida was composed as hell, but he could tell she was holding down the fear that something could go wrong.

Shake’s voice came through his earpiece. “Take a left through the lobby near the check-in desks. And go right out the front doors.”

Declan tightened his hand in hers and strode into the corridor. Cressida was tip-tapping behind him in those sexy as hell shoes she wore, trying to keep up with his long stride. He moderated his speed, ignoring the spurt of anxiousness that it caused. What he really wanted to do was throw her over his shoulder and sprint the fuck out of there, but that was a last resort.

They were nearly to the door when Cressida wrapped herself around him, nestling her head against his neck. Declan enclosed his arms around her and swiveled her against the lobby wall, her face hidden behind his shoulder.

“What’s wrong?”

“See that group of men at the door?”

“Aye.”

She peered over his shoulder. “The one with the blond hair and blue bow tie is one of Jack’s friends. I just met him.” Her brown eyes watched the group, then she dropped her head again. “Cancel that. Almost all of those men know Jack.”

“Shit.” He used his peripheral vision to watch them. They were enjoying themselves and were not in any kind of hurry to stop blocking the door.

It was too much of a risk to rush by them. If even one of Jack’s acquaintances recognized her, they’d report it back to him that some guy dragged his date out of the hotel. Then the entire operation was fucked.

“Overwatch? Is there another way out the back?” Declan asked.

Olivia’s voice chimed in. “Usually there is, but they have set security for the mayor in that corridor. Unfortunately, your best bet would be to skirt the back wall of the ballroom and out to the patio doors on the opposite side.”

Damn. They were dressed much more casually now. But at least the ballroom was dark, and if they were lucky, they could fade into the shadows.

He looked down into her eyes, fully aware of every curve tucked against his body. “You ready?”

Cressida nodded and waited for his lead.

As soon as the men’s attentions were diverted, he put his arm around her shoulder and walked her to the ballroom. Cressida held on to his waist, keeping her head turned toward him. Lights from the stage flickered around the room, illuminating her beautiful features as they passed over them. They kept up a leisurely stroll to not draw attention as they followed the long wall to the back of the room.

The wide glass doors were on the other side of a temporary bar setup in the corner. Just as he was about to skirt around it, Cressida’s fist tightened on his jacket and he halted.

“The tall woman at the bar is the vice president of finance at CloudShore. She knows me.”

Declan shifted in front of her, backing her against a shadow-strewn wall. “Alright, Overwatch, I hope you have a plan C.”

“Well, we did. But it was just compromised. The target has finished his meeting and boarded the lift. To your location in approximately one minute. You can either continue to the patio or edge your way to the door to the west,” Olivia said.

“Shit, that was a fast meeting,” Cressida hissed.

“Aye, he thought he was getting dessert,” Declan snipped.

Cressida’s lip turned up in a flash of annoyance. Fuck if it didn’t make him what to kiss the indignation from her face. Just the thought of commanding that sweet mouth pulsed straight to his cock.

He tried to ignore it, but when her hips pressed against his length, every muscle in his body clenched.

There was no way she’d done that shit by accident.

Declan cupped her cheek and swept the pad of his thumb over her full lips. They parted gracefully for him, forcing him to drag in as much air as he could. Her fingers closed around his wrist and the pure need that he’d been fighting broke through. He bent to her, brushing a gentle kiss on her lips. Cressida shuddered, her mouth opening to his.

It was only a taste, but fuck, it burned.

He held her eyes, not flinching away from the hunger he saw written in them. Aware their entire team could hear them, he mouthed two words only she could see.

“Careful, sunshine.”

Her breath caught at the warning, but she didn’t look away.

This woman, I swear to fucking hell.

“Forty-five seconds, Rebellion,” Shake said, dropping reality on them like a bomb. “Which way you going?”

“Patio,” he growled.

He caught sight of the VP, who was still waiting for her drink at the small bar.

“Once we get outside, we may need to run,” he murmured.

Without a word, Cressida bent down and slipped her heels off and gathered them up by their straps.

“If I have to pick you up and carry you, I will.”

Cressida nodded. “I know.”

“Aye, let’s go.” Declan tugged Cressida out of the shadows, keeping his hand around her waist. They hastened to the door. Scanning the room behind him, he caught sight of Jack, his eyes sweeping across the room.

Declan didn’t stop, keeping up a quick pace until they made it to the doors. A blast of cold air hit him as they pushed them open and stepped outside.

Tall hedges lined the space, making him unsure where the exit was. He took a quick glance back to see Jack had nearly made it to the main bar, turning as he searched the ballroom for his prize.

“How do we get out of here, Cameo?”

“Head south to the back wall. There’s a small gate that’s hidden in the bushes.”

Scouring the bushes for the gate, Cressida finally located a knob, peeking through the vegetation. The hinges squeaked as she heaved it open. Declan hustled her through it, catching the gate to close it quietly behind them.

They had landed in an alleyway to the side of the hotel. Shake’s voice came to his ear. “The van is stuck in party traffic hell at the other pickup site. You need to make it to your car, mate.”

Declan cursed under his breath. Now he’d have to figure out how to get her to the car park three streets away. Cressida was already shivering beside him in the filthy alleyway.

He swept her up into his arms. The shoes thumped together as she grappled to hang on to them.

“Dec, what are you doing?” she hissed. “I can walk now. Jack’s not coming this way.”

“Aye, you can walk, but this is faster and there’s less glass to cut yourself on.”

She let out a huffy breath but didn’t fight him, instead wrapping her arms around his shoulders. He took in the scent of the shampoo that he loved so damn much. Christ, this woman drove him mad.

A couple of young men came around the corner of the building and stopped when they saw Declan carting around a jacketless woman, carrying her heels.

“Hey mate. Is everything alright?” one of them said, shooting a concerned look at Cressida before taking him in as well.

Declan stopped and gave them a broad, reassuring smile. “Och, aye. The lass got a bit too much in the drink tonight. She’ll be paying for it in the morning.”

The man’s eyes returned to Cressida, who grinned and waved at them. “Hiii,” she said in a singsong voice and giggled. “I had waayy too many dirty martinis. And I mean diiirty.” She pinched Declan’s cheek, and hummed, “Isn’t he cute? I can’t wait to get you home.”

Then she nuzzled against his neck, her lips nipping at his flesh. His fingers dug into her soft curves, and he held back a groan.

She was going to pay for that.

Declan shot them a see-what-I’m-dealing-with look and the men’s expressions relaxed.

“Oh, well, good luck sorting her out then.”

“Bye! It was nice to meet you,” Cressida called and then laughed as if she’d told the funniest joke ever.

Declan hurried them through the parking area until he got to the sedan. Unlocking it with the fob, he wrangled open the door.

He dumped her into the seat and she sputtered at him, “Was that necessary?”

“No, but it was fun.”

He shut her door, ignoring the evil eye she was giving him, and walked around to the other side. As he started the engine and pulled out of the space, the first tendrils of relief spilled through him. He’d gotten her out of there with her cover intact. And she wasn’t leaving with that arsehole.

As he pulled onto the main street, her mobile vibrated.

“It’s Jack,” she said. “What should I tell him?”

“Tell him to go fuck himself,” Declan growled.

She clicked her tongue and set the mobile on her thigh. “That wouldn’t be helpful, would it?”

“No, but it would make me feel better.”

Cressida shot him an annoyed look and fell quiet.

The mobile buzzed again. “Aren’t you going to answer him?” he asked.

“No, I’ll call him back in a minute.”

Declan steered the car through the streets of London, which were fairly quiet due to the late hour. Her mobile buzzed again, and this time she swept her finger over the screen to answer it.

Alec’s voice filled the car. “Well done. Jack is none the wiser, so I would say your operation was a success.”

“Where is he?” Declan asked.

“Currently, he’s wandering around the ballroom with a drink in his hand. He’s made a few calls, but he doesn’t seem to think she’s gone yet.”

“He’s called me, but I haven’t answered,” Cressida said. “What should I tell him?”

“I already told you what to tell him,” Declan snarled.

“I’m sure that was less than helpful.” Alec chuckled. “Just tell him you’re unwell and needed to head home. No need to elaborate more.”

“What about the investors or Barlow?”

“Shake and Olivia are busy with running the information you gathered on the investors. So far, they appear to be quite wealthy, but fairly low level when it comes to major connections. We’re just getting started, so it may take some time to figure them out. No sign of Barlow. He hasn’t made an appearance.”

Declan shot a glance at Cressida. “Do we need to establish a safe house for Cress?”

Her brow furrowed. “No, we don’t need to establish a safe house for Cress,” she snapped. “I have to go on like nothing’s changed.”

Declan gripped the wheel. It seemed overkill that they would need to hide her, but fuck his gut churned.

“I agree with Cress. There’s no reason for that yet. It’s better if she continues on with her life until we have reason for concern.”

He didn’t like it, but he’d go along with it until she was in danger. Alec promised an update if they learned anything new and hung up.

Cressida inhaled deeply as if she was steeling herself. She maneuvered her screen to Jack’s number and hit the call button. It rang three times before Jack’s voice came on the line.

“Hey, beautiful, where’d ya go?” The end of his words fell off as he spoke.

Thank fuck she hadn’t been alone tonight. The bastard was absolutely pissed.

“Hi, Jack. Sorry I had to run out on you. As soon as I got to the lobby, a massive migraine started behind my eye.” She’d laced the lie with a touch of misery. “I thought it would be best to call a car. They get really intolerable.”

“Sorry to hear that. Do you want me to come by?”

Declan turned a corner a little sharper than he needed to.

Cressida’s voice came out smooth. “No, that’s not a good idea. My migraines make me violently ill. I don’t want you to see me like that. It’s best to stay away for a few days.”

“Oh, damn. Well that’s too bad. Will I see you on Monday?”

Cressida’s chest visibly dropped in relief. “Yes, I hope so. If I’m lucky, it’ll only last a few days.”

“I can’t wait to see you. I’ve been thinking of all the things I can do to you.”

It had never been so hard to stay silent in all his life. By the time she got the wanker off the call, Declan was fuming.

Thirty-Eight

Cressida ended it with a promise to call him if she felt better. After she hung up, she pressed her fingertips to the bridge of her nose. Maybe she really was getting a migraine.

Declan’s knuckles were white on the steering wheel, and a heavy silence fell between them.

That was fine. Her mind was scattered with adrenaline, anyway. A lot of pieces were missing, but they were a lot closer to figuring out what the hell was going on.

Once they got to her building, he followed her up to her flat. As soon as she’d unlocked the door, he strode inside, flipping on lights to each of the rooms.

Cressida tossed her handbag on the counter and stripped off his belt and dress shirt. She waited while he scoured the flat, securing the locks on each of the windows and the balcony. When he walked to check her and Shake’s rooms, she followed him. He wrenched open her closet, and she leaned against the doorframe, waiting.

When Declan finished his search of the flat, he turned to her, his entire body tense. “That can’t ever happen again, Cress.”

“I was doing my job.”

“You are not a fucking honey pot and I won’t let you be used as bait.”

“We needed to know who they were, and we got it. This is the fieldwork I’m trained to do. Just because you like to keep me behind a computer doesn’t mean there isn’t more to me.”

Declan’s face twisted in anger. “If we hadn’t gotten you out of there, Jack was surely going to get more forceful. I mean, he tried to get a blow job from you right out the gate.”

“I handled it. And if I couldn’t, I knew you and the team would be there. Isn’t that what we are? A team that takes care of each other. I thought you were on board with me moving into this kind of work.”

“I didn’t want you to be a part of this at all. I want you to be safe. They had to cut my comms, because they thought I was losing my mind.”

The anger in his features hadn’t settled, and she was overwhelmed with the need to make it right. She hated bickering with him. “Declan, I knew you wouldn’t let anything happen to me. I trusted you would be there. You should trust me, too.”

He closed his eyes, taking in a deep breath. “Jesus, Cress. I know you can do this, but that doesn’t make it easier to sit back and let it happen. Not when you’re putting your body at risk for this.”

Pain furrowed his brow, and she put her hand on his forearm. “I know this is hard, but I can’t be a part of the team and not do what I know how to do. Even if it makes you uncomfortable.”

Anger returned to his face. “Uncomfortable? Are you serious? You think this is just a little discomfort? He could have been leading you off to be taken. I was sick with absolute panic and I had to sit back and do nothing.”

She knew that fear. Declan had been in some dangerous situations and she’d been consumed with anxiety until it was over. The realization that she had been selfish for brushing off his feelings struck her.

Cupping his cheek, she forced him to look into her eyes. “I’m sorry. I’ve never wanted you to feel that way.”

“I know.” His chest was rising and falling in short pants, but the anger was fading. His hand went to her back, and he closed his eyes. “Shit. I’m sorry, too. I promised I wouldn’t interfere with your work, and I’m trying to keep that promise.” He opened his eyes, the swirl of emotion behind them making her breath stop. “But I wasn’t prepared for this. I wasn’t ready to be gutted by fear for you. And to be so goddamn helpless.”

A tortured misery was radiating off of him, drawing her closer into his arms. His breath hitched as she ran her hand up his shoulder and into his hair. “You weren’t helpless. I wouldn’t have been able to do it if you hadn’t been there. And when I needed you, you got me out.”

His eyes darkened as she pressed against him. “God, Cress.”

The murmur shivered through her body and all the reasons she had for holding back fell to the floor.

Cressida tilted her head as his mouth covered hers hungrily. Declan groaned, his fists curling around the silk of her dress. He ravished her, his tongue stroking hers greedily, as if she was the only thing he’d been seeking.

Desperate need flooded her core and she let it consume her. His kiss was rough, and so demanding that she wasn’t sure if she’d ever recover from this.

Declan pressed her, walking her backward until her arse hit the edge of her dresser. He trapped her against it, the length of his cock pressing against her, while his tongue worked her over.

Cressida clawed at his jacket and then the shirt underneath. He broke their kiss only long enough to tear it over his head. His fingers twisted in her hair, angling her mouth for a fresh assault. The heat of his bare skin inflamed her even more and she roved the curves of his muscles with her fingertips. Another soft moan he made in her mouth struck energy right to her core.

“Jesus, I need you,” she rasped.

Declan grasped at the straps of her dress, pulling it down until her breast came free. His thumb grazed over the nipple, hardening it under his touch. He groaned, taking the tightened bud in his mouth. Pleasure coiled in her core and she leaned her head back and let herself feel the fire the strokes of his tongue left in its wake.

“You drive me fucking insane,” he growled, jerking on her other strap until her other breast was free. He laved at it until whimpers were all she could manage.

Declan slid his hand up her dress, gathering the silk with it as it went. He sucked deeply on her nipple while his thumb found the soaked lace between her thighs.

“Oh god, yes,” she moaned, pressing her hips up to meet his touch.

Her trembling fingers went to his waistband and fumbled with the button of his trousers. She worked on it until his fly was down and his hard cock was in her hand.

Declan arched his back and hissed. “Holy fuck.”

Power surged in her veins as she stroked him, inciting more moans from his lips. This beautiful man was responding to her touch with such desperation, and she wanted all of it.

“I don’t have protection,” he murmured, punctuated by a soft moan.

“I don’t need it if you don’t. I’m covered.” She gripped him harder, smoothing her palm over the length of him.

“Jesus, Cress.”

Without warning, he spun her around and pressed her against the edge of her dresser. She gripped the top of it, scattering her makeup and hairspray bottles all over the place. His hand was around her waist, pulling her back into him.

“Look at me, sunshine.” His fingers wrapped around her throat, pulling her head up to look in the mirror. It was a gorgeous sight, his hand splayed around her throat, his lips running along her jaw. His hungry gaze met hers as he kneaded her naked breast. She couldn’t look away. His grip tightened, holding her captive against his chest.

There was no escape. He had her, and she didn’t want him to let go.

Soft pants left her lips as he feathered his thumb over the tip of her nipple, toying with her.

“Such a good lass,” he growled in her ear. Her breath hitched, and she let it out with a soft moan. Why did those words drive her mad?

“Are you watching, Cress? Do you want to watch me make you come?”

Cressida shuddered. “Yes, god please, Dec.”

One hand remained on her throat, while he ran his fingertips down the length of her body, sliding under the slit of her dress. Declan hooked the strap of lace on her hip and tugged it down to her knees.

Then he found her drenched core, tracing his finger over her slick clit. She cried out, her back arching against his chest. There was nothing hotter than his hand buried between her thighs, moving under the silk fabric, as his heated gaze scorched over her body.

Declan tightened his hold, and a deep groan hummed in her ear. “Look how beautiful you are.”

“How beautiful we are,” she whimpered.

“Aye.” He forced her chin toward him and kissed her. His fingers were unrelenting on her clit as she moved her hips against them. Need for release built, forcing her to buck against his touch.

“Oh my god, Dec. Oh my god, please, please. Oh god.”

“Are you going to come for me?” he ground out.

“Yes.” She could barely breathe. “Yes, oh god.”

The first wave struck her and her head fell back, completely overtaken by the pleasure that crashed over her. She cried out his name over and over until she was left weak and panting in his arms.

“Mmm. My sweet lass comes so quick for me,” Declan murmured, kissing her throat gently. His fingers continued a lazy circle around her clit as her core fluttered. “Do you think about this, sunshine? Do you ever need me like I need you?”

Cressida swallowed against his grasp. “Yes,” she heard herself confess. “I think about you all the time.”

Declan groaned and kissed her again, the pace of his fingers on her clit increasing. It was already driving her mad again. He knew exactly how to stroke her to build that sweet pressure. She moved against him, her core desperate to be filled.

He had to have sensed it. Two fingers found her entrance and dipped inside her. Cressida let out a moan of satisfaction as he curled them in a stroking motion.

His eyes met hers in the mirror. “I belong to you, Cress. You consume my thoughts. All day. Every day.”

Another orgasm snaked its way through her as she took in his words.

“God, Dec. I’m going to come. Jesus, please don’t stop.”

“Come for me, lass. And then I’m going to take you. And you’re going to watch me do it.” His eyes raked over her face as she came again, her moans and cries echoing off the walls. She gripped his wrist, her knees trembling with the force of her release.

Just as the waves ebbed, Declan brought the hem of her dress up and thrust himself inside her, making her scream with pleasure. He stretched her, his cock driving into her G-spot over and over. Her hands splayed across the cold top with desperation as she rocked back into him. His groans working her up again.

How the hell does he do this?

Cressida’s gaze went to the mirror, entranced with watching him take his pleasure with her body. She’d never felt more powerful than she did at this moment. The dizzying bliss coursing through her was addictive.

“Holy shit.” He was getting close. His strangled breathing was so fucking hot. Then he wrapped his hand around her, finding her clit with his fingers. “Come, my beautiful lass. Take me with you.”

Cressida shattered, her core tightening around him. Declan gripped her hips as he cried out his own release. His last thrusts slowed until his hold loosened. Their breathing was in sync with one another, returning to its normal pace.

A sudden anxiety spooled through her, and she tried to bat it down.

This was perfect. This was what she’d wanted.

But it wouldn’t ease.

Cressida was afraid to meet his eyes in the mirror again. When she finally braved it, she wished she hadn’t.

His expression was filled with longing and hope. But he read her battling emotions on her face and closed his eyes.

Declan pulled out of her and stepped back. The loss of him wrenched her heart.

They had brought themselves to this place again. The place where their friendship teetered on the edge of more. They had barely kept from fracturing the first time. This may end everything between them. Her mind raced, hunting for a way to set this right.

But she no longer knew what right looked like.

Cressida straightened up, the fabric of her dress falling back to her knees as she adjusted her neckline. Declan buttoned his trousers and turned to hunt down his shirt. His jaw set with an emotion she’d never seen before.

“Dec,” she breathed. The storm in his eyes made her take a step toward him. Desperation to rescue their relationship spilled out. “We’ll be okay. This doesn’t have to change anything.”

A searing pain shot across his features and he looked away.

When he didn’t say anything, she rushed on. “We can just do a little reset again.”

Declan’s gaze snapped to hers. “A reset?”

She was losing him and her life would never be the same. “We did it once before. It’ll be a little weird, but we can—”

“I love you, Cressida.”

She inhaled sharply, the air trapped in her frozen body.

“Dec . . .” she whispered.

His brows knitted together, his pain tearing at her soul. “I know I’m alone in my feelings. And maybe I shouldn’t even tell you. I don’t expect anything more than you’re willing to give. I’m blessed to have that much.” Cressida winced at the dagger carving out her heart. “But I thought it was time you knew.”

He walked to her and kissed her forehead gently. He was saying goodbye.

No, no, no.

Panic spilled over and she gripped his arms to keep him with her, to let her have a moment to sort this out with him.

But he backed away and left her room before she could gather the strength to push through the tightening in her throat.

And she let him walk right out the door. By the time the stunned panic eased enough to allow her to move, it was too late. She jerked open the door and raced down the steps.

But he was gone.

The heaviness was like a dagger tearing through her chest. She trudged back up the steps and somehow made it to her room. When the door clicked shut, Cressida fell apart.

Thirty-Nine

Declan lay in bed, the ceiling blurring in his unfocused eyes. His neglected novel weighed on his chest. Sleep refused to come after he’d left Cressida’s home, his heart raw and ripped open. Maybe he shouldn’t have blurted his shit out like that, but pretending he didn’t love her wasn’t working either.

Daylight broke through his curtains, and he rubbed his eyes against the brightness that streamed through the dark. She hadn’t said anything. Hadn’t called to say what was on her mind. Nothing to let him know she felt the same.

Because she didn’t.

Fuck.

He’d give anything to take it back.

To go back to the night of her birthday, and just go home alone. To have never held her or kissed her. No matter how incredible it had been.

His confession had put the nail in the coffin on what remained of their friendship. She didn’t love him back, and now she was going to feel like every interaction they’d ever had was forced.

Work was about to get much harder as well. How awkward would it be to work around someone every day, when your feelings didn’t match theirs?

Especially after she had shared her trauma with him. Why wouldn’t she shy away from men who could control her life? She’d trusted deeply once and been burned. He didn’t blame her for wanting to keep him at a distance.

If that was what she needed, he would give it to her.

Shooting a text to Alec to make sure he was awake, he showered quickly and left his house, determined to set her world right.

Alec answered the door, his brow lifted with concern. “You all right then?”

The ache in his chest was nearly suffocating. Declan shook his head, unable to get the words out.

Alec studied him for a moment. “Let’s take a walk.” He turned and called out to Mercedes that they would be back soon and stepped outside. They crossed the street and walked to a park around the corner from Alec’s flat. It wasn’t until they reached the garden surrounding a small lake before Alec spoke.

“So, you gonna tell me what’s happening?”

Declan looked up at the sky to gather his splintering thoughts, inhaling the rain-scented air. There was so much he needed to say.

“Remember, in the hospital in San Francisco, you asked me why I wasn’t going for it with Cress, and I told you I was scared of losing her if I fucked it up.”

“Aye, I remember.”

“Well, I fucked it up.”

Alec shoved his hands in his pockets, and they set a steady pace. “She seemed annoyed last night, but I doubt she’s going to be angry forever. You can work that out.”

Declan shook his head. “That’s not how I fucked it up.” Alec frowned at him. “It was what happened after that did us in.”

Alec’s brow lifted, but he didn’t push. “Ah.”

“I told her how I felt, like truly felt.” The ache of the confession tore through him. “But it’s all one sided. She doesn’t feel the same.”

They moved through the park, stopping at a fence near the water where swans were lazily swimming. Alec propped his arms up on the fence and leaned into it. “Are you sure, mate?”

Declan huffed out a breath. “Aye, quite sure.” Misery boiling in his gut. “I fucking told her I loved her and she had absolutely no reaction.”

“I’m sorry, Dec.” The remorse was heavy in Alec’s tone.

The tightness in his jaw had become painful. “I want San Francisco.”

Alec’s gaze shot to him. “What do you mean?”

“I know our plan was to wait until after the wedding and then switch off working on the new office and hiring there. But I think it’s best if I go now, get a jump on it.”

“Wait, are you talking about making this a permanent move?”

“Aye, if not permanent, at least indefinite.”

“You don’t have to do that. The clients and staff we have now can be supported remotely.”

“I think it’s best that I put some distance between us. I promised her that the . . . things that happened between us wouldn’t affect her career and I intend to keep that. My being at the office every day would make her uncomfortable. And to be honest, when she starts seeing another empty-headed fuckwit like Griff, I’ll lose my mind. It’s better that I take a step back, let her live her life, and I’ll move on with mine.”

Alec’s brow furrowed as he contemplated what Declan was saying. “When would you leave?”

“Few days.” Declan lifted his shoulder. “I want to clear the investors first, make sure she’s safe with you. Then I’ll go.”

“Are you sure about this?”

Declan stared out at the water and nodded. “Aye. She deserves the entire world and she can’t have that if things are strained every day at work.”

The utter pain swirling around in his mind was driving him insane. But it had to be this way. Cressida didn’t deserve to see the reminder every day of a man she didn’t want. And as much as it was going to kill him, he had to let her go.

Forty

Cressida’s nerves had reached a whole other level of strung up and she thought she was going mad. She’d spent her day buried in researching the investors she met, but her mind wouldn’t focus. Instead, it replayed the pain in Declan’s voice, the hurt in his expression that threatened to tear her apart.

Declan had told her he loved her and she just stood there, like a fucking robot, trying to process how any of that was even possible.

Every time she picked up the mobile to call him, her throat closed up and she couldn’t do it. The warring factions in her mind played games with her head, screaming at her that every possible decision was a mistake.

She hadn’t been looking for a man like him. In fact, she actively avoided men like him. She had a type. Clueless meatheads with oversized egos were her go-to. Guys she could have a good time with and drop when they got to be too much.

They were safe.

Declan was nothing like that. He saw who she was and pushed her forward. When she was feeling insecure, he’d tell her how amazing she was. And when she needed a laugh, he’d mutter something ridiculous only she could hear.

Then he’d gotten too close, and she’d shoved him away.

She toyed with the beautiful bracelet he’d given her for her birthday, her heart aching to return to those easier days before they let their impulses overwhelm them.

Cressida picked up her mobile and rang him, her heart slamming into her chest. She had no idea what she was going to say, but she wouldn’t hang up this time.

Disappointment struck her when his voice mail greeting came on. She left a message for him, telling him she was hoping for a chance to speak with him, to clear the air after all that had happened.

The need to talk to him grew. Every hour that he didn’t call her back twisted her gut harder. Finally, her mobile chimed with a text message, and she pounced on it.

Declan: I got your message. Been a little tied up.

She was quick to message back.

I was hoping we could talk. Can I come by?

There was way too long a wait before he began typing.

Declan: I’m not at home. We’ll talk later?

Cressida’s shoulders slumped. The weight on her wouldn’t let up unless she fixed this. Only she didn’t know how.

She brushed her hair back and typed out the next message.

Are we okay?

Her heart raced while she waited. He didn’t respond for so long, she thought maybe he was going to leave her unanswered.

Finally, a message chimed.

Declan: We’re good, I promise. I just need a little time.

A little piece of her heart broke off. She buried her head in her hands, breathing deeply to slow the rhythm of her racing pulse.

Everything was so unresolved. She hated this fracture between them. The only way to make it better was to drag him to bed and confess everything. That she’d wanted to fall so hard for him, she wasn’t sure she could handle it.

She paced the living room some more, ignoring that Shake was digging into a takeaway container of pork chow mein in the kitchen.

Every movement jarred her until she felt like she would come out of her skin.

“Who you texting there?” Shake said, tilting his head toward her mobile.

“I was trying to talk to Dec.”

“And he doesn’t want to talk to you?”

For the first time, she had to admit that was the case. “Not right now, I guess. Who knows, maybe he’s out with someone else.” It was a flippant remark, one that mirrored an irrational fear burning in her chest.

“Well, good for him.”

Cressida spun around to glare at her brother. “What the hell do you mean, ‘good for him’?”

Amusement passed across Shake’s eyes as he shoveled a forkful of noodles into his mouth. Waiting for him to chew and swallow was nearly as nerve racking as waiting for Declan to respond.

“What made you think a man like Declan couldn’t have any other woman he wanted? Or any man for that matter,” he added glibly.

Cressida looked away. “I’ve never thought he couldn’t get anyone else.” Just on the eye-candy factor alone was enough to make Declan one of the biggest catches she knew. Add in his quick wit and sweet thoughtfulness, and he was the full package.

“Well, he’d be doing what you wanted him to do. So what’s the prob?”

Cressida closed her eyes and winced. “I don’t want him with anyone else.”

“But you’ve never wanted him for yourself.”

That wasn’t true either.

She was terrified, and she’d give anything not to be.

“He’s been into you for a long time, and every one of us knew it.” Shake shot her a tight smile. “Everyone but you, apparently.”

Cressida wiped a tear that was threatening to spill down her cheek.

Shake regarded her silently before he said. “You know, this one time, I watched him charm the fuck out of Ivy at the pub. All he had to do was smile a little, and she was all over it. If he’d have been a pig, he’d have gotten her number, picked her up after her shift and never rang again when he was done with her.

“But you know what he was doing instead? He was ordering sticky toffee pudding so I could take it home for you. Because he knows you love it and even with a beautiful woman eye fucking the hell out of him, his thoughts were all on you.” Shake went to the sink and rinsed his dish while she processed what he said.

That sweet gesture had meant so much to her. Had she deliberately missed what Declan had been silently telling her?

“I know how you feel about him. Why are you letting him slip through your fingers? Because of Jacob? Because of Dad? Because you’d rather bring home random shit for brains, sexist pigs for the next ten years than admit how you feel about a man that adores you?” He held up his hand and waved it at her. “This shit is all self-inflicted, sister.”

He dried his hands and tossed the towel on the counter. “If it bothers you that Dec could be shagging another woman right at this moment, ask yourself why you feel that way. But if you’re going to keep him dangling on the line, cut him free.”

Shake walked off to his room, leaving her with a swirl of emotion. She wanted Declan, more than she’d ever wanted anything in her life. All the lies she’d told herself that he deserved better than her were just that. Lies. Why was she willing to let him go when they were so damn perfect together?

She trudged off to bed, her heart fearing that she may have already destroyed any chance they would have had.

Forty-One

Shake’s words cut through Cressida’s mind, keeping her up all night. But when daylight came, she’d finally decided.

She couldn’t live without Declan any longer, and she didn’t want to.

The only thing she could do was lay her heart out there and hope he still felt the same.

Since Cressida had another week of working at CloudShore, a meeting had been called on Sunday afternoon to hash out what they’d found on the investors and figure out what the next steps were. After the meeting, she would ask Declan for a moment alone. What she had to say needed to be done face-to-face.

Cressida pulled open the door to the office, her nerves tingling with apprehension. The lights were low, and the space was quieter than usual. Olivia was already sitting at her desk when Cressida passed by so she stopped to say hello.

Even on the weekend, Olivia looked every bit a security professional. Her long black hair had been pulled up into a tight bun and she hid her athletic frame behind a tidy suit jacket and slacks.

Olivia turned, her dark eyes warm as she smiled. “Afternoon, Cress. I put together a file for you on your investors. Alec wanted us to set up in the conference room.”

Cressida thanked her, impressed that Olivia had spent her time off to research them. But that was why she’d recommended her for the job. She was relentless when it came to her work.

The door to the office shut and Alec came in through the hall and greeted them with a smile. “Thanks so much for meeting up. Ready to get started?”

Cressida’s gaze shot past him as she looked to see if Declan was behind him. When she didn’t see him, she looked up at Alec. “Where’s Dec?”

“I briefed him by phone a bit ago,” Olivia said, unplugging her computer from its charger.

Cressida lifted a brow at Alec, whose expression remained neutral. “He’s a little tied up at the moment. But he’s been checking in. Shall we?”

He walked toward the conference room and Olivia followed. Cressida batted away the disappointment that sprung up to focus on the information at hand.

They each took a spot around the table and Olivia connected her laptop to a small projector that cast an image of CloudShore’s logo on the wall of the conference room. As soon as Cressida and Alec settled, she began.

“Unfortunately, our research into the investors has been pretty limited, but here’s what we have.” Olivia clicked a button, and the image changed to the man that had greeted Cressida at the door of the suite.

“This is Francis Devereaux. He works in finance and has several businesses that he’s purchased, mainly in France and Germany, including a winery and several restaurants. His investments in technology seem to be a new thing, starting about three years ago. We’re unsure of his connection to Jack Weston or to CloudShore Technologies. He may have sunk some money into project development.”

The screen shifted to an image of the second investor. “This is Martin Lester. Also a financier. Comes from old money. Once he got Daddy’s inheritance, he began investing in technology. He owns quite a bit of stock in American tech, particularly those that are used in social networking. As far as we can tell, he likes to live large and uses his investments to play, without having to hold down a nine-to-five.”

The picture switched to the least cordial of the group. “Stephan Black is the only one who appears to have ties to anything suspicious. He invests most of his money in technology as well, although he’s been accused of having connections to organized crime here in the UK. Unfortunately, none of the investigations into those connections have yielded results. There are also rumors of political ties to some extremist candidates across the globe.”

Cressida took a few notes on each of the investors, but Olivia’s research practically mirrored her own.

“Why on earth are any of these people so interested in my work? And why would they ask for a meeting?”

“I wish I knew,” Olivia said. “A video delivery system doesn’t seem like a lot of red meat for even minor players like these guys to salivate over.”

“Barlow said that wasn’t the only thing they wanted from you,” Alec said. “And he said it would change the world, and not in a good way.”

Cressida remembered the warning well but wasn’t any closer to understanding what it meant. They turned their attention onto each of the known projects the investors were a part of, discussing how each might have global reach. But none of them stood out. When they’d gone through the last project, the projection went dark.

Olivia sat back in her chair. “I’m sorry I don’t have more to offer you.”

Cressida shook her head. “No, that’s okay. You did great work in a short time. Thank you.”

She smiled and closed the laptop. “Anytime.”

With the meeting winding down, Cressida picked up her handbag from the chair next to her. Alec’s voice stopped her.

“Cress, can I have a word?”

Her stomach sank, but she thanked Olivia again and waited for her to leave.

Once she was gone, Cressida turned back to Alec. “Is everything okay?”

He was damn good at keeping his face unreadable. “Aye.” He studied her for a beat. “You haven’t chatted with Dec lately, have you?”

A flush crept over her face. “No, not since the other night.”

Alec nodded, a grimace pulling up on his features. “Dec’s wrapping up a few of his files and getting things in order.”

“For what?” Cressida’s heart rate climbed. Why did this feel like a hammer was about to be thrown at her?

Alec’s brows furrowed as he delivered the blow. “He’s decided to take on the San Francisco office. We’ve had no luck setting up our space, and he thought he could get a jump start instead of waiting until after the wedding.”

Cressida gripped the strap on her handbag, the blood running from her face. “When is he leaving?”

Alec looked like he wanted to be telling her anything else besides this. “Tomorrow night.”

She couldn’t meet his eyes. Declan was leaving because of her, she’d ran off the only man she’d ever felt this way about because she was too scared to let him love her.

“Are you alright?”

“No,” she said honestly. She rose out of her chair and walked to the door, still in a stunned fog.

“Cress.” Alec’s voice stopped her, and she turned. His lips were tight before he spoke again as if he was thinking of the right words. “Back in San Francisco, when I was on the verge of losing Sadie forever, do you remember what you said to me?”

She shook her head.

“Well, you gave excellent advice, so I’m going to give it back to you.” Alec put his hand on her shoulder and looked into her eyes. “He thinks he’s giving you what you want. He loves you, but he’s not going to beg you to choose him.”

Tears stung her eyes, and she nodded. “I messed this up so much. I pushed him away and I don’t know if I can fix it.”

Alec gave her a sad smile. “You can.”

“Thanks, mate,” she said, dabbing at her eye with the tip of her knuckle.

She walked from the conference room and down the hall to Declan’s office. It was locked and dark, but the dim light of the hall reflected off the walls around his desk. Much of his personal flair had been stripped away. The fantasy posters, the books, and the signed rugby jersey, all that made this space Declan’s was gone.

For the first time, she let herself feel his absence. This was what her days would be like. No smart-arse comments in meetings or a thoughtful cup of tea when she was dragging. Just this unacceptable silence.

She couldn’t let him go.

Cressida strode to the lift, pressed the button and waited impatiently.

By the time she made it up to his steps, she still wasn’t sure what she was going to say to him. She was paralyzed by the thought of confessing everything she’d fought back for years.

Anxiety fired through every nerve as she rang his bell and waited. When he opened the door, his blue eyes widened in surprise. “Cress. Hey.”

“Were you going to move to San Francisco and not say anything to me?”

His face fell. “It’s not exactly a move. I’ll be back regularly.”

“Right, for Alec’s stag party and the wedding. But you weren’t going to tell me?” A painful tremor laced her tone, but she couldn’t make it stop.

His face softened. “I wasn’t planning on leaving without talking to you.”

“Can we talk now?”

“It’s not a good time.” Declan grimaced and shook his head. “Lily’s here and we have reservations.”

“Ah, I see.” If he’d have punched her in the face, it would have hurt less. “I . . .”

Lily came to the door, pulling her jacket up over her shoulders. A soft smile spread over her lips. “Oh, hi, Cressida.”

“Hi, Lily,” she said, fighting to keep her voice steady.

Lily’s gaze jumped to Declan, uncertainty in her expression. “Um, do you want to—”

“I need to have a word with Cress. I’ll be just a tick.” Lily nodded and went back into the house. Declan stepped outside on the stoop, his hair moving softly in the chilly breeze.

None of this was going the way she’d planned. His defenses were firmly in place. She couldn’t confess her whole heart while another woman was in his home.

“Why are you doing this?”

Declan’s brow furrowed. “Honestly, I thought it was for the best.”

“The best?” The words were crushing her. “So that’s it? We fucked it up beyond repair, and now you’re going to leave?”

“Not beyond repair, at least I hope not. But I’ve put us in a tough spot and I’m trying to set it right.”

“I don’t want this,” she said, tears pooling in her eyes.

“I know. But the time away would be best for both of us.” A sad smile played on his lips. “A reset.”

A reset. Just like she’d offered.

She’d gotten her wish, removing the only man to ever test her limits and get close to her.

“I’ll be back for Alec’s stag party in a couple months. We can talk then, okay?” He leaned into her and kissed her forehead, the feel of his hand on the back of her neck making her yearn to touch him.

And then he was gone.

Cressida stepped off the stoop and crossed the small yard to the pavement out front. A painful fog enveloped her.

And like her brother said, it was all self-inflicted.

Forty-Two

Cressida turned the key in her door, not even sure what she was doing. Returning to her quiet flat made her ache with a loneliness that she hadn’t known was possible.

Declan was leaving. Really leaving.

Walking into her bedroom, she sat on the edge of her bed. Memories of what had happened in this room assailed her. The way he dominated her, the way he’d felt in her arms. Regret and pain hollowed her out, and she fought back tears.

She breathed through her emotions, battling every insecurity she’d ever had. This might be for the best. It was safer to lose him now, when her heart could recover. But if she let him love her, and lost him, it would end her.

Mercedes’s words came back to her.

Sometimes, the choice you think is safe, is really the one that’ll destroy you.

Declan was worth all of it.

Rummaging through her handbag, she brought out her mobile and typed her message before she had a chance to change her mind.

I can’t wait until the stag party. Can we talk? Tonight. Doesn’t matter the time.

As soon as she hit send, a thought struck her. What if he wasn’t planning on being alone tonight? If he stayed with Lily, he wouldn’t call her. She may not hear from him until morning.

Jesus, she’d set herself up for a night of hell.

Every second her message went unread added another swirl of nausea to her stomach. The silence of her apartment was closing in on her and she needed to move.

Cressida jumped to her feet and began tidying up. She started with the palette of eyeshadow and mascara tubes scattered across her dresser. They were an intolerable reminder of what she’d let slip through her fingers. But she didn’t stop there. She went into a cleaning frenzy. Vacuuming, folding laundry, and scrubbing down her shower and the toilet.

Anything to keep her spinning mind from catching up with her.

After finishing the bathroom, she sat on the floor in front of her tiny closet and began sorting through her shoes. Some clothes and scarves had gotten stuck in the mess and she worked to disentangle them. Under one of her thigh-high boots was her favorite large tote, crammed underneath.

Damn, it was all scrunched up now. She tugged on the strap until it dislodged from the pile. Pressing on the corners, she tried to flatten the leather back into its normal shape.

Rummaging inside, she found a handful of flyers and swag she’d stuffed in there during the conference, most of which was destined for the bin. The few remaining items that had been given out were rather random. A stress ball, a few key chains and pens. But what caught her eye was a simple black flash drive.

She snapped it up and huffed out her breath.

Damn it, Shake.

It wasn’t the first thing he’d left in her care, without telling her. Why didn’t he just carry his own bag instead of leaving his crap in hers?

She went to her computer, tossing away the flyers as she walked past the bin. Plugging in the drive, she loaded it up, expecting to find an album of family photos or Shake’s random collection of Manga artwork.

Instead, it was a series of videos and a few programming files. Clicking on the first one, she sat back and waited for it to load. When the president of the United States appeared on her screen, she shook her head. Why the hell would Shake keep a press conference of a foreign leader on a thumb drive? She was about to click away when the news headline at the bottom of the screen caught her eye.

The United States has conducted military action against the United Kingdom.

“What the hell?” She clicked play and turned up the volume to hear what the president was saying.

“Today, on my order, the United States carried out a military operation in London. This action was taken in response to yesterday’s coordinated attack on our bases in Germany and Japan.”

What was he on about? Coordinated attack?

We hope to reach a diplomatic resolution so no further American or British lives would be lost. We implore the Prime Minister to come to the table and resume talks with our shared allies to end all hostilities between our nations. Thank you, and may God bless America.

The video ended with the president turning away, not taking questions from the reporters who shouted at him.

Was she losing her mind? Had the UK attacked its allies?

It wasn’t possible. The flash drive had been in her closet for weeks. There was no way bombs had been dropped on her own city.

There was no way this was Shake’s drive. This was something else altogether.

She clicked out of the video and opened the next. This time it was the French president speaking at the podium. He spoke in English, his words coming out in his thick accent.

Today, with the help of our allies, we have taken control of the European Parliament in Brussels.

Cressida stared at the screen in shock. What the fuck is happening?

She played each video, one from Denmark attacking South Korea, another from Germany, claiming to have bombed Sydney, Australia for god knows why. Each informing the world they had taken some sort of action that had never happened. Peering closer at the Chancellor of Germany, she was struck by her jerky movements and a slight stutter at certain sounds.

Cressida let out her breath and sat back in her chair.

They were deepfakes, made by a program designed to capture a person’s image and create videos in their likeness.

Normally, deepfake videos were choppy, the movements of the participants unnatural enough for even the untrained eye to spot. Hackers and conspiracy theorists loved to create them about celebrities, but they were usually discredited by their quality. Not that it stopped the rumors of the conspiracy from circulating, anyway.

Timothy Barlow’s warning snapped in her mind and she thought she might be sick. Her video delivery system could be adapted, going a long way to cleaning up the quality of the fakes.

Cressida opened the programming files and spent the next twenty minutes diving into how the program worked. It was incredibly complex. The programmer who developed it was far beyond what she’d seen at CloudShore during her time there.

But actually making a deepfake was alarmingly simple. Anyone with basic knowledge of programming could create a video in minutes.

This tech was too damn good to be ignored. It was clear that CloudShore had been planning some next-level national security shit, and she needed to get it to the proper authorities.

A thought occurred to her and she raced through the program. When she saw it, her heart bottomed out.

Fuck, fuck, fuck.

The program was tethered to a server. If anyone was looking, they would know she’d accessed it. She had no clue how this drive had ended up in her bag and no way to know if the people on the other end knew she had it.

Jesus, they might even know her location by its tie to her network.

Shit.

She ejected the flash drive and crammed it into her pocket. Closing her laptop, she picked up her mobile to call Declan, hoping like hell he would take her call. She was about to hit send when a scraping sound coming from the balcony window stopped her.

A thick thud hit the wood of the deck, and she bolted for the door. She hadn’t gotten far by the time the window shattered.

A masked man barreled through the splintered wood. Cressida screamed and hit the door, her fingers unable to undo the lock. Strong arms jerked her back and threw her to the ground.

He captured her by the ankles, dragging her across the floor into the sitting room.

Cressida kicked and screamed, but he wrestled her into his arms and tossed her on the couch as if she weighed nothing. She cried out as her head hit the hard armrest, making the room spin.

He climbed on top of her, pinning her down. The black ski mask obscured his face, but the dark-brown eyes behind them were ones she tried to memorize.

“Where the fuck is the drive?” His words were distorted, like he was using a device to cover his voice.

“What drive?” Playing dumb might be a huge miscalculation, but there was no way she was letting this tech go without a fight.

The smack stung her cheek, making her eyes water. “Don’t play games with me, bitch. We know you’ve had it all this time, and you just accessed the files.”

Jesus, how could she have been so stupid?

“I don’t have them. I don’t know what you mean.”

The next hit came with more force and the bone in her cheek took the brunt. Cressida cried out, squirming her hands out of his grasp to hit at anything she could.

“Yeah? Well, I’m going to make you remember, you little whore.” His hands captured hers and held them above her head with one hand while he worked on the button of her jeans with the other.

It was her nightmare all over. Being held down while some man took over her body. She’d rather die than live it again.

She reared up, her teeth clenching onto the first thing she could manage, which was the inside of his forearm. He yelled in pain and reared back for another hit. But at least his hands were not in her underwear anymore.

She screamed again, hoping at least a neighbor would hear something and come to help. A hand slapped over her mouth, while he returned to ripping at her clothes. The fabric of her underwear tore as he jerked on them. Then his hands were on her, digging into the sensitive tissue between her thighs.

“You stupid little bitch, you think you can keep me from what I want?”

No, no, no. This can’t happen. Not again.

Working her hand free, she took advantage of how close his face was to her. She jammed her thumb into his eye, digging her long nail into the soft flesh. A wetness broke over the tip of her thumb. He screamed, and fell backward, his hands covering his face.

Cressida scrambled to get to her feet, but her trembling legs wouldn’t work fast enough and he tackled her to the floor, flipping her onto her back. 

His grunts of pain didn’t slow his intentions, instead he only got more determined. “You’re going to fucking pay for that.”

Pinning her hands with his knee, his fingers went to his buckle. Cressida closed her eyes, not wanting to see what he was about to do to her.

A wriggling on the front doorknob caught her attention, and she screamed.

The door burst open and Shake rushed into the room. “What the fuck?” He charged, wrapping his arms around the man’s thick neck. “Get the fuck off her!”

They lost balance, forcing the man back. Cressida kicked him in the balls as hard as she could. The man doubled over with a shout, and flung himself back, taking Shake with him. They landed hard, and the attacker scrambled to his feet.

It happened so fast, the glint of the knife caught her eye. There was no time to move. No time to even scream.

In a quick motion, he plunged it into Shake’s unprotected abdomen.

The heavy cry from her brother’s lips shattered her heart into a thousand pieces.

Shake dropped back, the knife lodged under his ribs. Cressida screamed and clamored to get to him. “Ly! No, no, no, no!”

A hand snaked out and clutched her hair, jerking her head back painfully. Cressida clawed at him, digging her nails in until skin rolled under them. The man grunted and wrenched harder.

The door banged open again. “Ay, oh, what the fuck?”

Her vision blurred by tears, she tried to make out the sight of one of her neighbors. He was an older burly man who drove lorries for a living.

“Shit.” The assailant released her hair and charged at the man, plowing into him. The lorry driver lost his balance and slammed against the wall. The assailant used the moment to rush out the front door.

He was gone as quickly as he’d come.

Cressida was vaguely aware of other neighbors trickling into her flat, asking each other what was happening, but her attention was all on her brother.

Shake’s olive skin had gone a sickly grey and his pants of agony were punctuated by curses. He held the knife with trembling hands as blood turned his blue T-shirt black and pooled on the floor under him.

A woman’s voice cut through the chaos in her brain. “I’m a nurse, honey. Can you back up for me? Let me look at him, alright?” Her voice was soft and kind, and Cressida blindly let someone else pull her to her feet to let the nurse tend to Shake.

“I called 9-9-9,” an elderly woman said at her side. “You don’t worry about a thing. We’re going to take care of you.”

Their kindness fell around her, but she couldn’t hear them. She couldn’t see them.

A gentle hand stroked her cheek and helped her right her disheveled clothing. “Is there someone we can call?”

The nurse was speaking in a low voice to Shake, keeping his hands from the hilt of the knife.

“Um, I don’t know.” Her mind scattered into a million pieces. “Can you get my mobile? It’s on my desk.”

“Of course.” The elderly neighbor rushed away and came back.

As if on autopilot, she dialed Declan’s number.

Please answer, please.

His voice mail message played, and she held in a scream. Tears gathered in her eyes as she ended the call without saying anything. Then she dialed Alec’s number, silently praying he would pick up.

Alec’s voice was casual as he answered. “Hey Cress, what’s —”

“Alec,” she cut him off, her voice reduced to a panicked shriek. “Alec, I need help.”

“Holy fuck, what’s going on?”

She was all over the place, holding back the urge to fall completely apart. Words spilled out of her and she wasn’t sure she was making sense. “A man broke into our flat. He attacked me and he tried to rape me, but I gouged out his eye. Shake came home and he . . . he went after Shake. He’s hurt, Alec. He’s really hurt.” Her throat was tightening so much the words no longer came.

“Are you safe?” he demanded.

“Yeah, he’s gone and my neighbors are here. Shake’s been stabbed. I don’t know what to do.”

“I’m already on my way to you. I’ll be there in a few minutes, aye? Stay on the call with me.” She nodded at the mobile as if he could hear it. “I want you to breathe, Cress. Just listen to my voice.”

“Okay, okay.” She took as deep a breath as she could manage, the world spinning as she filled her lungs.

A lifetime passed before the medics arrived. The nurse moved away to let them work and came to stand next to her. Alec’s soothing voice stayed in her ear while she watched them stabilize the knife and work to load Shake onto the waiting stretcher.

“We’re almost to you. Just a little longer.”

The medics lifted the stretcher and rolled Shake out of the flat just as Alec and Mercedes arrived. They stepped aside as the stretcher moved past. Alec’s brow was furrowed as he scanned the room.

When his gaze landed on her, his eyes widened in shock. “Jesus, Cress.”

She looked down at her torn clothing, her jeans unzipped and blood all over her.

Blood. On her fingers.

“This is his blood!” she cried, the trembling in her voice nearly uncontrollable. “It’s his, Alec.”

Alec gently took her wrist and held it out to protect the evidence. “Aye, steady now. It’s okay. We’re here. We got you.”

Cressida leaned against Mercedes, her friend’s comforting fingers stroking her hair and back. The spinning of the room was settling, and reality was returning.

Something on her stomach burned and she pulled up her shirt to reveal deep, bloody gouges trailing down past the waist of her unzipped jeans. She’d felt nothing while it happened, but pain was now cycling through her body, revealing all the damage.

Mercedes was murmuring to her, reassuring her she was safe. Cressida held on to those words, letting Alec keep hold of her wrist.

A sudden thought struck her. She was going to have to go through exams, and they were going to take her clothes. There was one thing she couldn’t let them take.

“Sadie, reach into my pocket. There’s a flash drive in there.” She turned her hip so Mercedes could rummage in her jeans pocket and remove the black device.

Mercedes hazel eyes met hers and waited to be told what to do with it.

“Give it to Alec.”

Alec held out his hand and palmed it, his brow furrowed in confusion.

“This is what he was after. Barlow’s warning . . . You have to protect it. Please. Make sure nothing happens to it. Promise me.”

Alec nodded and slipped it into his pocket. “Aye, I have it.”

“And take my laptop, too. I’m not sure what data is on it.”

Without a word, he released her wrist and gathered up her computer and its cord, tucking them under his arm.

The medics insisted on taking her in the ambulance, and she didn’t resist.

Mercedes brushed her hair back. “We’re going to be right behind you. Okay? You aren’t alone.”

Cressida nodded, but nothing could soothe her fractured mind. Everything hurt. Everything was stretched into chaos. If Shake died, she didn’t know if she could live with herself.

Forty-Three

Declan wasn’t able to focus on what Lily said. The wounded look in Cressida’s eyes haunted his thoughts. She looked so crestfallen when she saw Lily was with him, which made him feel like a prick. He had never wanted to hurt her.

He’d give anything to repair the brokenness they’d ended with.

“Dec, did you hear me?” Lily’s voice broke through his thoughts.

“Hmm?” He looked up to find her tilting her head at him. The restaurant surrounding him came back into focus and he grimaced at his inattention. “Sorry, I got lost in thought there.”

“And where were those thoughts?” she asked, taking a sip of water.

Just that Cressida was consuming every part of him. And that he was having second thoughts about his trip to San Francisco because the idea of being away from her was tearing him to shreds.

He gave her a tight smile. “They’re all over the place. What were you saying?”

Lily wasn’t to be deterred. “You’ve been pretty distracted this evening. Everything okay?”

“Och, aye. I’m just thinking about the things I need to do before I leave.”

Lily studied him. “Things haven’t gone well with Cressida, then?”

The smile dropped from his face. It was eerie that Lily knew him so well, even after all this time. “Aye, something like that.”

“So tell me about her.”

Declan’s heart skipped. What could he say about the woman who had captured his entire soul? That she made him laugh like no one else could? Or how the heat of those deep sable eyes could strip him down?

“She’s incredible. But she doesn’t feel the way I do, so I need to give her space.”

Lily took a bite of her salmon and chewed thoughtfully. “I don’t know if that’s true. She had the look of a woman desperate not to lose you.”

“She cares about me, I know that. Our friendship is important to her, but that’s as far as it goes.” Declan shot her a wry smile. “It feels strange to be talking to you about her.”

“It’s a little strange to be hearing about her, I’ll admit.” She chuckled along with him. Then her face grew serious. “When I first got here, I dreamed that you and I would pick back up where we left off. That you’d swoop in and save me, like you did so many times when we were young. But that’s not the right reason to love someone, is it?”

“Afraid not.” Declan furrowed his brow, wishing he could be that man for her. But he wasn’t.

“I have a lot of self-exploration I need to do before this baby comes. To learn how to stand on my own, how to be alone. And I want you to be happy.”

“I’m trying to be. Hopefully this change will help.”

Lily studied him. “You should talk to her. Really talk to her.”

“I know. But I’m afraid I’ll make it worse.”

His mobile vibrated in his pocket, but he didn’t move to answer it. He’d call whoever it was back. Instead, he picked at the chicken on his plate with his fork.

“But you need to. Maybe not now, but before you leave. Otherwise, you’ll tear yourself apart.”

He was tearing himself apart, anyway.

Inhaling deeply, he desperately needed to talk about something else. “So tell me about the museum. Is it all you hoped it’d be?”

Lily sighed, but let the conversation drop. She was telling him about the Greek artifacts she was working on when his mobile buzzed again.

And again.

He frowned and pulled the device from his pocket and read the screen. He’d missed a message and a call from Cressida. She wanted to talk to him tonight. Lily was right, he couldn’t leave things where they were. After dinner, he would go to her flat and give it one more go, even if it was just for closure.

Swiping to the next message, he froze as he read it.

Alec: Answer your fucking phone. NOW.

“Shit, give me a second. I have to call Alec.”

Just as he was dialing, Alec called again.

He answered it on the first ring. “What’s going on?”

“Cressida and Shake were attacked in their flat tonight.”

The room swayed and Declan gripped the table to keep steady.

“Are they okay?” Fear reached into his chest, and he didn’t know if he could handle the answer.

“Cressida is being examined now, but Shake’s in bad shape.”

No, no, no.

“Where are they?”

“They were transported to Charing Cross. Come through the north entrance. Sadie and I are in the waiting room.”

Declan jumped from his seat. He turned to Lily. “Cressida and her brother were attacked. I have to go. Can you catch the bill? I’ll pay you back.”

Lily’s eyes widened. “Oh my god, of course. Go.”

Declan jammed his mobile into his pocket and sprinted out the door. The hospital wasn’t close by and he could only pray that the evening traffic would have let up. He signaled for a taxi and was grateful when the first black cab pulled up to the curb. His hands trembled as he wrenched open the door and blurted to the driver to take him to the north entrance of the hospital.

The trip was agonizing, even with the driver’s best efforts to get him there quickly.

Guilt filled his mind. She’d had to call Alec because he had ignored his mobile. She’d needed him and he hadn’t been there.

By the time he finally made it through the doors of the hospital, he was in a state of near panic. He caught sight of Alec, who was on his mobile. As soon as his cousin saw him, he said a hasty goodbye and hung up.

“Where is she?” Declan’s demand came out in a desperate pant.

“She’s in an exam room. Sadie’s with her.”

“Where?” The doors to A & E were just ahead. He would tear this hospital apart to find her.

“Dec, wait.” Alec’s hand on his shoulder stopped him. “You can’t see her yet.”

Dread filtered through his body. “Why not?”

Alec squeezed his shoulder, his brow furrowed in concern. “She’s having a sexual assault exam performed.”

The words struck him like a shot in the gut. “No.” He gripped Alec’s arm as the room lurched. She’d fought so hard to move on from what happened, and he couldn’t imagine how much she was hurting now.

Alec watched him with concern as he took a few pacing steps to clear the anxiousness in his gut.

“Shake?” Declan choked out.

Pain crossed Alec’s face. “He took a rather large knife to the gut. He’s in surgery now.”

Declan stumbled to a nearby chair and buried his head in his hands. After a few deep breaths, he asked. “Did they catch the man?”

Alec shook his head. “He ran off when some neighbors came to the door.”

Fucker had better hope he didn’t find him first.

The door to the exam room opened and two nurses came out, carrying a clear bag with the clothes Cressida had been wearing when she’d come to his door. Blotches of blood coated the cream jumper churning bile in his stomach.

One nurse stopped. “We just finished, but she’ll need to stick around for the police to interview her before she goes. They should be here in a few.”

Alec nodded and thanked her, but all Declan could think of was getting in the room to her. Again, Alec stopped him.

“A word of advice.” Pain was laden on his cousin’s face. “Let her make the first move before you touch her, aye. And don’t take it personally if she doesn’t want it.”

Declan nodded and went through the doors the nurses had come out of. At the exam room, he braced himself for what he might find. Knocking softly, he eased the door open.

Cressida was sitting up on a table, staring blankly in front of her. The trauma that laced her expression shredded his heart.

Mercedes was propped up on the table with her, her hand gently stroking Cressida’s leg. She looked up at Declan and nodded encouragingly.

“Cress?” he said softly. She blinked, and her eyes darted to his.

“Dec?” she rasped, her eyes filling with tears. The pain and fear were more than he could take, but he waited for her to move.

A sob escaped her throat as she tried to get down from the table. Declan crossed the room and had her in his arms before he could rethink it. She clung to him, sobbing uncontrollably against his chest.

Declan leaned down, swept her up into his arms and sat on the exam table, Cressida clinging to his neck. “I’m so sorry,” he murmured in her ear. “I have you now, lass. It’s okay, aye?” He wasn’t even sure he knew what he was saying.

Mercedes tucked the paper blanket around Cressida’s legs and smiled sadly at Declan. “Alec and I will be right outside.” He nodded his thanks to her, and she quietly closed the door behind her as she left.

He tightened his arms around Cressida, rocking her gently as she quieted.

“Please don’t leave me,” she whispered.

If he thought he couldn’t love her more, her tearful plea nearly broke him. “Aye, lass, I’m not going anywhere.”

Part Three

Forty-Four

Cressida’s mind wouldn’t stop replaying the moment the knife came down. She’d give anything to make it not real. If only she’d given up the drive. Then Shake wouldn’t have had to endure what happened next.

The trickle of tears had stopped before she’d gotten to hospital. The nurses were so kind and gentle, but prodding, blood draws, and nail scraping were bringing up past anguish. She fell into herself, letting a fog collapse around her while they did what they had to do.

That was until Declan came into the room.

His deep voice broke through the silence of her despair. It was like seeing her home for the first time after years away. Which was crazy, since she’d just seen him a few hours ago.

He’d come to her. Even after all the ways she’d broken him, he’d rushed to be with her when she needed him.

She completely fell apart. Racking sobs took over, her body shuddering with them. He lifted her into his arms and sat with her, his fingers caressing her head against him. “I’m so sorry,” he was saying, his voice soothing her fractured soul. “I have you now, lass. It’s okay, aye?”

Mercedes left, but all she knew was Declan was holding her. The quiet thump of his heart steadied her.

“Please don’t leave me.”

She’d uttered the words before she could rethink them. He didn’t owe her anything, especially after she’d pushed him so far away.

“Aye, lass, I’m not going anywhere.” The tenderness in his voice was more than she deserved.

Relief washed through her. As terrified as she was, Declan would catch her when she fell.

A knock came at the door and a police officer stepped into the room. As much as Cressida wanted to stay in the safety of his arms, she had to sit next to him for the interview.

It was agonizing. Each terrifying detail was rehashed over and over. What had he looked like? What was he wearing? Did he have an accent? When you say you gouged his eye, did you puncture it?

Cressida shuddered at that one. The feel of the man’s eye bursting would haunt her dreams.

She hedged on telling the officer about the location of the drive or the information it carried. That little piece of knowledge she would hold close to her chest until she was thinking straight.

It seemed to go on for an eternity, and when it finally ended, the officer closed her notebook. “They’ll be a few more hours at your flat. You may want to check into a hotel for the night.”

“That’s covered,” Declan answered for her. He met her gaze. “I’ve got you, sunshine.”

Forty-Five

Declan only left her side when the nurse came back into the room to help her change out of her gown and into something she could wear home. He reassured her he would be right outside the door as he left.

Once alone in the hall, he braced himself against the wall, inhaling deeply. Anger, helplessness, and guilt fully took over his muddle of emotions. There was nothing he could do or say to change what she was dealing with. The best he could do was listen and follow her cues.

Alec, Mercedes, Noah, and Mason came down the hall when they saw him. Noah looked as rough as he felt and he wondered how much the big American was struggling, too.

“How’s Shake? Any word?” Declan asked.

Noah sucked in a deep breath and shook his head. “He is out of surgery and hanging on. Their mom should be here any minute.”

Mason put his arm on Declan’s shoulder. “Cressida?”

“She’s having a rough go of it. And she’s worried about Shake,” Declan said.

Alec leaned toward him. “Did Cress tell you about the computer and flash drive?”

Declan frowned. “No, she mentioned to the officer that the man was demanding one but didn’t say why.”

“Aye, I have them both.” He motioned to the computer bag strapped across his chest. “She was panicking and not making a lot of sense. She gave them to me and made me promise I would keep them safe.”

“What’s on it?”

Alec shrugged. “No clue. But she mentioned Barlow’s warning and said this is what they were after.”

Declan’s gut dropped. Had Jack Weston been the one to attack her? She’d describe a build similar to his and his voice was disguised.

“I don’t want to ask her about it tonight,” Alec said. “But whatever’s on it, it was important enough for her to think about it when all that chaos was going on.”

“Until we figure out this shit, I want security on all the Bennetts,” Declan said. “Including their mum.”

“I’m with Shake,” Noah said. The three of them looked at him. “I’m staying with Shake.”

No one was going to argue with that. Mason opted to stick with Gemma, and Alec would relieve anyone that needed it in the morning.

The door to the exam room opened and Cressida stepped out. They’d given her thin, paper-like scrubs and a small ice pack for her face. She walked straight to Declan, and he pulled her into his arms.

“Shake’s out of surgery. Hopefully, we’ll know more soon. Noah’s going to stay with him tonight.”

Cressida’s shoulders shook with a little chuckle. “Shake’ll be mad he slept through that.”

Declan smiled, pressing his lips against the crown of her head. God, it was good to see a little of her humor return.

They walked with her to another waiting room where Gemma paced. When she caught sight of her daughter, she burst into tears. Cressida crossed to her and threw herself into her mother’s embrace.

The two of them huddled together until a nurse informed them that Shake had been moved to a room but was heavily sedated. She and Gemma followed the nurse to his room, while Declan and the others waited in the hall.

It was quite some time before they came out. Cressida was clearly still in a state of shock, and her mother’s arm was wrapped around her shoulder.

“Gentlemen, it’s good to see you all again.” Gemma’s gaze cast around at each of them. “My daughter’s wrung out and needs to get the hell out of here. I figured a team of security people would already have a plan cooked up. So, which one of you is keeping her safe tonight?”

Alec raised his brow at her directness and shot a look at Declan.

“That would be me, Gemma.”

Her gaze flickered on Declan’s, and she held it. “Excellent.” Her brown eyes scanned the others. “And my son?”

Declan put his hand on Noah’s shoulder and introduced them.

“You’re Noah?”

“Yes, ma’am,” Noah said quietly.

Gemma’s dark eyes appraised him. “Good to meet you, then.”

Cressida kissed her mother goodbye and walked to Declan. He pulled her into him, holding her as tight as he could without hurting her. He closed his eyes and let himself savor her warmth.

When he opened his eyes, Gemma was regarding them thoughtfully.

She smiled gently at him, as if she’d seen what he’d been hiding for too long.

Forty-Six

Cressida was listless as she followed Declan into his house. He flipped on the light, which made her wince. Crying had swelled her eyes, and every bruise was settling into a deep ache.

“Would you like a bath? You can borrow a shirt to sleep in, if you’d like.” He looked so uncertain, as if she might break if he said the wrong thing.

“A shirt is fine and a bath would be amazing. I don’t need much.”

Declan disappeared upstairs to run the bathwater while she walked to the sitting room and sat at the edge of the couch.

Guilt swarmed her mind. She was here, and conscious, while Shake struggled to live through the night.

Declan came down the stairs, his deep ocean eyes set in concern. He knelt in front of her and rubbed her shoulders.

“Bath’s ready. Do you need me to help you?”

With any other man, this would have come off with strings attached. But Declan wasn’t seeing her like that at this moment, and for that she was grateful. “I’ll be fine.”

“Do you want to take the sedative your doctor prescribed? It’ll help you sleep.”

“No, I’m okay. I . . . just need a bath and to lie down for a tick. I don’t want to miss my mum calling if there are any changes.”

She followed him upstairs, where he stopped at the bathroom door. “I’ll be down the hall if you need me.”

“Thanks.” She pushed open the door and found a deep claw-foot tub waiting for her, along with a plush towel and two flickering candles on the counter.

It was the candles that made tears spring to her eyes. Declan didn’t know what to do, so he was putting his thoughts into these sweet little gestures. Because that’s what he always did.

She stripped off the scratchy scrubs and balled them up. Then she hoisted herself over the edge of the deep tub and sank into it, the heated water making her scrapes sting. Grabbing the shower gel on the small shelf, she set to work scrubbing the scent of every invasive touch she’d endured from her skin and hair. Then she leaned her head back and closed her eyes, the spice of Declan’s soap replacing all the other scents.

A gentle knock sounded at the door, and she called him in. The door cracked open enough for her to hear him. “Sadie dropped by with some clothes for you.”

A smile worked its way across her lips as the sudden modesty he was providing her warmed her heart. “You’re adorable.”

“Adorable?” She could practically see his scrunched-up face behind the door. “I only brought you some knickers from Sadie.”

Cressida giggled despite herself. “You can come in, if you’re okay with it. It’s not like you haven’t seen me naked.”

“Aye.” Declan pushed the door open a little farther and peered into the bathroom. “Are you okay?”

She didn’t know the answer to that. Not at that moment. Instead, she smiled. “This bathtub is amazing. If you ever remodel and get rid of it, I want it.”

A grin pulled up on his face, and he hesitated before stepping into the room and coming to sit on the floor next to the tub. They sat in silence for a few minutes, the water lulling her.

“I’m so sorry, Cress.”

She opened her eyes and met his gaze. Tilting her head, she frowned. “Why are you sorry?”

Declan was struggling to speak. “I wasn’t there for you tonight. And I didn’t answer my mobile when you called. You needed me and I wasn’t there.”

She sat up, the water sloshing around as she reached for his hand. He obliged and raised his to grasp her wet fingers. “This isn’t your fault, Dec. It’s mine more than anyone else’s.”

It was her mistake for not securing her network before uploading the deepfakes. Trusting a random drive was a rookie mistake.

And now her brother was paying the price.

Declan’s thumb brushed over the wet skin of her hand. “I-I don’t know what to do . . . or say . . . to help you with what happened tonight.”

Cressida met his gaze, her heart squeezing. “I don’t know either,” she admitted.

Declan’s brows creased together. “If you tell me what you need, I’ll do everything in my power to give it to you.”

She should say it now. Tell him she was in love with him and ask him to take her to his bed and erase this painful world around her.

But her emotions were on a wild ride. It didn’t take a therapist to figure out she shouldn’t be making any declarations tonight. When she confessed her heart to Declan, she didn’t want him to question if it was real or just a response to trauma.

“I don’t know what I need, but I promise to tell you when I do.”

Declan leaned over the cast-iron tub and kissed her forehead. Then he got to his feet and walked to the door. “I’ll go make up the guest bed for you.”

She soaked until her water got cold. Then she stepped from the tub, dried herself, and fumbled through the bag of clothes. She kept his enormous shirt and added a pair of leggings Mercedes had brought her.

When she left the bathroom, a light from the spare bedroom drew her attention and she went to stand in the doorframe. Declan was changing out a pillowcase, his lips curling into a smile.

“Feeling a little better?”

“A little. At least I don’t smell like him.” She shivered at the memory. Anxious energy was thrumming to every part of her body, tingling in her fingers.

“The bed’s all made up for you. I hope it’s warm enough. There’s another blanket in the closet if you need and I can—”

“I’m sure it’s fine.” She didn’t think he could get any sweeter, but here he was, fussing over the bed. “Thank you for letting me stay.”

Declan’s eyes softened. “Aye, I feel better that you’re here.” He walked to the door. “You, um, know where my room is if you need me.”

After the door clicked closed, the silence stilted the air. She turned off the light and crawled into the bed, tugging the blankets up to her chest.

It didn’t start right away.

It never did.

The whoosh of her own heartbeat filled her ears, each beat ticking faster than the last. Cressida sat up and rubbed her hands together to ease the tingling in her fingertips.

God fucking damn it.

It had taken years of therapy to fight off the panic attacks, and now they were back. She should have taken the drugs.

The events of the night spiraled through her mind, replaying each horrible second until the world swam. She jumped from the bed, pacing relentlessly in the small space of the bedroom to release the frenzy of energy overtaking her.

For fifteen agonizing minutes, she screamed internally from the nightmare in her head. She knew it was fifteen minutes because the clock next to the bed was all she could see. With the feeling that death had nearly caught up to her, she rushed to the door and opened it.

She crossed the hall to his room, trying her best to breathe normally. At least the light was on under the door. She tapped on it and tried to ignore the crawling on her skin while she waited.

Maybe he was already asleep.

Oh god, she shouldn’t bother him with her ridiculous meltdown.

When the door opened, she lost the ability to speak. He was so damn beautiful, and she was veering out of control like an idiot.

No words were needed. Declan took one look at her and drew her into him. His hold grounded her back to reality.

But the way back was painful.

“I’m so sorry, my sweet lass.” His warm tone said against the crown of her head. Wild tremors racked her body while his fingers kneaded soothing circles on her back. “Please don’t cry. You’re okay. You’re safe.”

The dizziness eased, but the trembling didn’t. She shuddered like a leaf, but for the first time she didn’t feel weak.

“Stay in here with me. It’ll help you rest better if you’re not alone.” At her nod, Declan took her hand and led her to his bed. He tugged the blankets back and guided her into it.

“I changed my mind. Can I have one of those pills now?” she stammered.

“Of course, I’ll be right back.”

Cressida tried to gather her composure. The feeling of oncoming death could strike again. Declan returned with a pill bottle and a glass of water. He handed her the glass and tipped a pill into her hand.

She hesitated. “What if Mum calls? Will you wake me if there’s an update?”

“Not for an update. But I promise I’ll wake you if there’s a problem.”

Cressida nodded and took the pill, drinking it down with the water. When she handed him the glass, he got up and left the room.

That’s when the gravity of what she’d just done hit her.

She’d taken a decent-sized sedative and crawled into a man’s bed without giving it a second thought.

Because she was safe with him.

He closed the door behind him, walked to the bed, and settled in next to her. A book that lay on the comforter caught her attention.

“I didn’t mean to interrupt your night.”

“It’s no worry. I was just reading until I fell asleep.” Declan studied her with a soft concern. “Still bad?”

Cressida nodded. The uncontrolled panic was finally reining in. But the edges of it threatened to unleash. Her eyes landed on the novel’s colorful cover.

“Will you tell me about your book?”

Declan smiled, clearly aware she needed the distraction. “It’s about the kingdom of Cadirah, whose current rulers stole the magic of the royal family centuries ago and enslaved the heirs. But now the magic is reawakening in the royal bloodline, and the wars are beginning. So, now all the . . .”

Cressida forced her splintered mind to focus on the soothing tone of the story he was telling and the way the light played across his features.

The medication was working. The pressure on her chest eased with every breath, offering her relief from the anxiety. She finally stopped fighting the urge to touch him and curled up against him. His biceps flexed under her cheek, but he didn’t lose his stride in his words.

It took a moment before she realized he’d stopped talking and was quietly stroking her arm.

She sighed. “I could listen to you all day.”

“Aye?” The warmth of his tone sparked with amusement. “Shall I read to you, then?”

She peered up at him. “Would you?”

“Absolutely.” He shifted to settle his arm around her, her head resting on his chest. His heart set a steady rhythm as he started reading, his rich tone was soothing and warm. His fingertips brushed along her arm, only leaving it to flip the page on the book.

Cressida closed her eyes, finally feeling safe enough to let sleep pull her down.

Forty-Seven

She hadn’t answered her phone or returned his texts since the night of the party, and Jack’s nerves were frayed. How the actual fuck had so much gone wrong?

The fact that she had somehow found the drive just before they would have implemented the plan was unbelievable enough. But Oscar had to go in there and fuck up everything. It was supposed to be an easy grab. Get the drive, get the girl, and get the fuck out. Instead, he nearly killed somebody and came back missing a fucking eye.

Now she was nowhere to be found.

Her voice came on the line, inviting him to leave a message. Clearing his throat, he waited for the beep. “Hey, Cressida, it’s Jack. Just thinking about you a lot, wondering where you went on Friday. I hope everything is okay. Call me and let’s set up that lunch or something.”

He hung up, hoping it sounded light.

His phone rang, and his heart leapt in his chest, hoping it was her. It was Martin.

Fuck.

But he knew better than to ignore any of the backers, so he answered it and put the phone to his ear.

“This is Jack.”

“Jack, there you are. I was hoping to catch you.” Jack was no longer fooled by Martin’s friendly demeanor. It had a way of letting him think he had a person on his side. Only the person at his side was carrying a dagger.

“I’m calling to get information about our girl. We were told there was an incident, and the drive was accessed. Why hasn’t she been brought to the location yet?”

“We had a bit of a mishap and my guy wasn’t able to get her.”

“Interesting. And what of our hiring of Mr. Wilson? Did you secure his services?”

Jack’s gut churned. Adam Wilson had gone dark on him. Their mutual contacts had tried to make the connection through the standard way, but Wilson was a ghost.

And none of this could be shared with the investors. He couldn’t let them know how in over his head he was.

“I’m working on getting her there on my own. Wilson is a last resort.”

Martin chuckled. “I don’t think you realize this, Jack, but you’re already there.” Jack’s stomach dropped, and he breathed through the nausea. “Now it looks like we are going to have to take action ourselves.”

“What do you mean?”

“What I mean is, we have contacts as well. Mr. Wilson might have no problem accepting the five-million-pound fee, if another million is thrown in for his inconvenience.”

Motherfucker.

“No. You’re not cutting me out of this, Martin. I make the plans and I execute the plans. If you want me to use Wilson, that’s fine. But I’m the one who’ll tell him what to do and where to go.”

Martin chuckled. “Alright then. I’m going to let you handle it for now. But if our pretty little girl isn’t at the tech center by this weekend, we’ll be making our phone calls.”

“Understood,” Jack signed off and pressed the end button. Sweat beaded up on his forehead and he grabbed a tissue to dab at it. The deadline was only weeks away, and Cressida hadn’t even started.

Now that she had seen what was on that drive, at least some of the element of surprise might be gone. But she might not even know CloudShore was involved at all.

He might be totally overthinking it. Hell, she could have seen the videos and brushed it off as a prank.

But the deepfakes were anything but a prank, and the men waiting to purchase it didn’t fuck around.

Forty-Eight

Declan woke to a book on his chest and Cressida’s hair in his mouth. At some point in the night, she had turned her back to him. His arm ached from the numbness. Gently, he moved out from under her.

He studied the woman sleeping so soundly next to him. She’d tucked herself into a little ball, her hand clenched into a fist under her chin. The sweetest thing ever.

The harsh buzz of his mobile interrupted the peace of the moment. Cressida rocketed up in the bed. Disoriented, she looked around as if desperately searching for the cause of it.

“Damn it, sorry.” He leaned over and picked up his mobile from the nightstand, saw who it was, and handed it to her. “It’s your mum.”

Cressida’s bleary eyes cleared, and she took the mobile. Her voice had a husky quality from sleep in it, her beautifully disheveled hair sticking up all over the place.

“Hey, Mum. How’s he doing?”

Declan’s nerves jumped as he waited for her to pass on the update. Her knee bounced under the cover as she listened to what her mother said, then her shoulders slumped and he prepared for the worst.

God, he wanted Shake to be okay. Not only because of her devastation if she lost him, but Declan loved the little shit, too.

Tears were choking her as she said. “That’s amazing, Mum. And he actually talked to you? ”

Declan let out his breath.

Thank fuck for that.

Cressida finished her call and buried her face in her hands. Declan shifted to pull her into him. She didn’t resist as she caught her tears in her hands. “Come on. Let’s get dressed and go see him right away.”

“Thank you, Dec.” She pulled away, clearing the tears from her cheeks. “I don’t know what I would have done without you.”

She untangled herself from the sheets. His eyes followed her as she left his room to the loo. She still had no idea what he would do for her, just to make all this pain go away, if he could.

They changed quickly and Declan tried to get her to eat before they left for the hospital, but she refused. Even though the news had been promising, she told him the thought of food turned her stomach.

Once at the hospital, Cressida immediately disappeared into Shake’s room. Mason already sat in the waiting room, in a well-placed location, so they had a good vantage point down the hall. Declan took a seat next to him, ready to wait as long as she needed.

They spent the day in and around Shake’s room. His condition continued to improve and the doctors pulled him off sedation. The medication made him groggy, but by evening, he was speaking clearly and even cracking a few jokes.

Noah paced in the hall while Shake was coming to, his dark-brown eyes furrowed as he hovered outside the room.

Declan decided to have mercy on the poor guy and leaned toward Cressida’s ear. “Let’s get you some dinner and let the big guy come and chat with Shake, aye?” He gestured to the hall where Noah leaned against the wall. “We need to talk about what’s on that drive.”

“Yeah, we definitely do.”

Cressida kissed Shake and her mother goodbye and said a few low words to Noah. Whatever she said made a smile cross his face.

The rest of the team ordered food and met up at Declan’s house. Cressida called Olivia and asked her to bring one of the secure computers that blocked any prying servers. They gathered around the table, chatting as they ate.

“Holy hell, I’m famished,” Cressida said, pulling a slice of pizza from the box. Little sparks of her usual self were coming through.

As much as he hated to dampen her mood, they needed answers. Declan waited until everyone finished eating before he broached it with her. “Cress, we need to talk about the drive now. Can you tell us what’s on it?”

“I’ll show you.” Cressida wiped her hands on a napkin and looked at Alec. “You have it with you, right?”

Alec pulled the device from his bag and laid it on the table. “Where did you get it?”

“I was cleaning out my closet and found it in a tote I had used at the convention. I thought it was Shake’s.”

Olivia rummaged through her bag and pulled up a laptop. “This one is clean. They won’t even know we’ve been there.”

Cressida flipped the device around in her fingers contemplatively. “Let me put together a little demonstration. Give me a few minutes.”

She took the computer to the sofa and began typing while the others cleared the table and washed up. It only took ten minutes before she returned to the table.

“Okay, I think I got it. I wanted to go with someone we knew to show off this tech.” She shot Alec an apologetic look as she set the laptop on the table. “Sorry, mate, but most of us know his voice so we can compare how authentic this seems.”

Cressida clicked a key and the video she’d made played. Ezra Coulter, the well-known rock star, came on the screen. Everyone at the table, except Olivia, knew him personally and had spent time with him a few months before. He was also Mercedes’s ex, and he and Alec had a few contentious moments.

Ezra leaned forward in his chair toward the camera. “Hey, Alec. There’s something Mercy and I have wanted to tell you for a while.” His voice was smooth, his green eyes glittering at the screen. “She loves me. She’s always loved me and when my tour is over, she’s coming to California to be with me.”

“Umm . . .” Mercedes’s eyes went wide.

“What the fuck is this?” Alec said, his brow furrowed. Cressida had certainly gotten his attention with this demonstration.

“You may have heard of deepfakes,” Cressida said. At his nod, she added. “This is the next generation.”

Declan leaned in and watched the video again. The mannerisms were so damn lifelike. How Ezra tilted his head, the way he held his shoulders when he talked, was so believable.

“It’s incredibly easy to use. All I needed was footage of an interview Ezra gave. Let me show you.”

The screen flipped to Ezra, sitting in the same chair, his clothes the same. Only he was chatting with an interviewer about the European leg of his tour and how excited he was to play for his fans. The menace in his demeanor was gone, as was the glitter of victory in his eyes. He was just having a chat.

“That’s incredible.” Olivia leaned in, flipping between the videos. “Look, even the tattoos on his hands are moving along with the new movements.”

“And it took less than ten minutes to make it.”

“Holy shit,” Declan said, his brow furrowed in disbelief. “And it can alter any video?”

“Pretty much. All that’s needed is a clear video, a script and whatever simulated demeanor you want. See how his body changes from relaxed and casual to aggressive? That’s in the design.

“Now, imagine how that can be used. If I wanted to destroy Ezra’s life, I could pay a hacker to create a deepfake. Only instead of telling Alec he’d stolen his fiancée, I could make it appear as though he’s creeping on teenage girls. Blackmailing him would be easy. A person in his position might pay handsomely to keep it out of the headlines, even though it isn’t true.”

Declan sat back in his chair. “Jesus, they could make millions with a few minutes’ work.”

Cressida nodded. “Now think of this in the hands of someone who wants more than to bilk celebrities out of their money. What if they wanted something bigger? This was originally on this drive.”

She typed out a few buttons and a video of the president of the United States appeared on the screen. When he announced that the US had started military operations in London, a sick jolt hit Declan’s gut. “Holy fucking hell.”

“This tech in the hands of foreign governments could wreak havoc. Election officials appearing to count extra votes. Or government proxies plotting corruption. This can affect so many people.”

Olivia leaned forward and hit play on the video. The French president came on the screen and she leaned in to study it. “It’s remarkable, really. The sound of his voice is superior. There’s a little drag at the end of his lines. The quality of the film itself isn’t perfect.”

“That’s right.” Cressida smiled wryly. “It’s almost like it needs a high-quality video streaming program to clean it up.”

“Are you fucking serious?” Declan said. “That’s what the arsehole wanted from you?”

Her eyes met his. “Looks that way.”

“I doubt that Jack and his people are the only ones waiting for this program,” Declan said. “Those investors must be selling this tech to someone.”

“This is like a sales pitch,” Mason said. “He was going to pass it off to the buyers during the show. But then all hell broke loose, and he panicked.”

“Yes, and that’s why he worked on me so hard. The job offer, the single drink turned into a high-end dinner, fancy parties with the mayor. Maybe he figured he could get close to me without letting me in on the fact I had it.”

“Not only that,” Declan said. “But a person attacked you on the street, screaming he needed your handbag, who conveniently was found dead a few days later.”

Cressida’s eyes widened.

Yeah, Declan wouldn’t put it past Jack to have a man killed. Not when he’d just seen the scope of the program they had designed.

“What needs to be done to clean this program up and fix the quality?” Mason asked.

Cressida lifted her shoulder. “It’s hard to say without getting into it, but I think the one I finished for them could be melded into this one to smooth out the jerky motion of the subject. It might take a few weeks of programming.”

In order to get her out of this, Declan needed to connect with the right people. His mind was already working through his contacts at MI6, trying to work out who would be best to take this on. He watched Cressida as she brushed her hair back from her bruised cheek, and fear clenched his heart.

What if they kept coming for her? How could he keep her safe?

Forty-Nine

After the others gathered their things and left, Declan finished cleaning up his kitchen while Cressida sat at his table, her laptop in front of her. She had to be exhausted, but she kept researching, seeking to learn more about all the players.

Every so often, their gazes would meet over her screen, giving his pulse a jolt. He could get used to having her here. But that way of thinking had already come between them. He had to get all of that out of his head.

His mobile rang, and he slipped it out of his pocket and saw it was from Lily. Declan didn’t want to disturb Cressida’s work, so he stepped out onto his garden patio.

Lily had been worried about him since he’d abruptly left their dinner. Declan gave her a vague update, assuring her he was doing fine, and that he was postponing his trip. San Francisco could wait.

After he hung up, Declan stepped back into the house, rubbing his arms with the chill. Cressida had gotten up from the table and was rinsing out her teacup in the kitchen sink.

When their eyes met, hers no longer carried the warmth they once had. “I was about to head to bed.”

“Are you alright?”

“Yeah.” Cressida barely looked him in the eyes before her gaze shot back to the cup as she laid it on the drying rack. She turned back to him, crossing her arms over her chest. “No.”

“What’s wrong?”

Uncertainty took over her expression, and she stared at the floor as if she was searching for the right words.

She cleared her throat before she met his gaze. “Are you and Lily getting back together?”

A realization finally took hold. With everything that happened, he hadn’t cleared the air with her. The last she’d seen, he and Lily were going out on what clearly looked like a date.

Jesus, he’d done a shit job of talking to her lately.

“Oh, sweet lass,” he said, walking around the counter to stand before her. He brushed her hair off her cheek and tucked it behind her ear. “Do you think I would let you sleep in my bed, even innocently, if I were with someone?”

Her soft brown eyes were so intoxicating when she looked up at him like that. “So, I’m not too late?”

Declan froze, his heart captured in his chest.

Was she saying what he thought she was saying?

“Too late?” There was no room for false hope here. If he was wrong, she could destroy him.

Cressida nodded. “I came over yesterday to tell you, but you were hurt and planning to go to San Francisco. When I saw Lily, I knew I’d messed it all up.”

Declan barely heard the last part of what she said. She thought she had messed up everything?

“I’ve never been with a man like you.” Tears filled her eyes and she shook her head. “Most of the relationships I’ve had were shallow. They posed no threat to me because I didn’t love them. They had no power over me when they walked away. And you were safe. I thought you were the one I could keep just far enough away to have you in my life, but not too close to be tempted.”

Declan stood still, not daring to breathe. At any moment, she could realize what she was saying and shut down.

A shifting of her feet brought her closer to him. “But then you kissed me on the dance floor, and now I can’t get you out of my head.”

“What are you saying, Cress?”

“I’m saying.” Those soft brown eyes met his, and he knew he was lost. “That I fell in love with you. And I don’t want you to go.”

Declan pulled her into his body, claiming her mouth as his. She curved into him, fingers tugging on his hair and a soft moan breaking from her lips. When he broke the kiss, her eyes met his, looking up through her lashes.

“I need you to say it, Cress. I have to know it’s real.”

He could see when the last of her resistance lifted from her face. “I love you, Declan. I want to give you all of me. Not just the safe bits. But who I really am.”

His eyes clenched shut with the hit he took in the chest. Their lips found each other’s, her mouth opening to his as he deepened their kiss. Her tongue played with his, slow and intoxicating. Cressida wasn’t holding back, Declan could feel her giving in to the same passion he shared.

Declan broke the kiss and laid his forehead on hers. “I love you,” he whispered. “I’ve loved you for such a long time.”

Cressida’s breath rushed out, and she rose up on her tiptoes to kiss him again. His hands roved up her back, tangling in her hair as he angled her to fit against his mouth. She offered herself up, her soft lips moving over his in a slow, drugging manner.

He pulled away, inhaling her scent that lingered all around him. “I need to lock up. Meet me upstairs?”

A sultry smile curved on her lips and she offered one more kiss before she left him. Declan stood in his kitchen, his heart racing as he processed what had happened.

Cressida loved him. He’d denied his feelings for her for so long, but now she loved him back.

He moved through his house in a daze, closing up and shutting off lights. Then he went upstairs, taking deep breaths as he pushed open his bedroom door.

She waited for him, naked and lounging against his pillow. Her warm olive skin contrasting against the cream of the comforter, her supple dancer’s legs delicately crossed at the ankle. His already hard cock pulsed at the sight of her. “My god, you’re beautiful.”

Cressida sucked in her lower lip and arched her brow. “Why are you still wearing clothes?”

A chuckle shook his chest. Fuck if he knew.

Her eyes watched him approvingly as each article of clothing fell to the floor. The heat of her gaze sent an ache of desire rushing through him. He crawled over her body, and the arch of her brow went higher as he braced himself over her.

He cupped his hand against her cheek, his thumb carefully stroking the flesh that was free of bruising. “This changes everything, Cress. After tonight, you’re mine. We can’t go back.”

There was no hesitation, no stutter in her resolve. She wrapped her hand around his wrist and gave a gentle nod. “I know. I never want to go back.”

Relief sang in his veins and he kissed her, easing himself over her body. Her legs parted for him, curling around his waist and pulling him into her heat. He rocked against her, coating himself in her arousal until a moan broke from her lips.

Declan shifted, working his way down her body, his mouth landing on the soft swell of her breast. Cressida arched her back, a soft cry breaking from her lips as he pulled the dusky-brown nipple into his mouth. The sounds she made were the only thing he heard, her body writhing under him as he trailed kisses downward, the only thing that existed.

Cressida’s fingers stroked through his hair and he peered up at her, holding her gaze to take a soft taste of her with his tongue. She inhaled sharply, the gentleness in her eyes dropping to a heated desire. She could fucking level him with that look. He swiped his tongue once more over her clit, watching as her lips parted and her breath came in short pants.

“What do you want, sunshine? Hmm?” Another gentle stroke of his tongue dragged a moan from her. “Tell me.”

“I need to come. Please, Dec.”

Fuck, she had no idea what that sweet begging did to him.

He gave in to her, burying his tongue into her soft folds. She cried out, as if he was giving her relief and exquisite pain all at once. Pulling her clit into his mouth, he sucked her rhythmically, her whimpers of pleasure making him painfully hard. He pushed two fingers inside her, adding a gentle thrust while his tongue played with her.

She was wild now. Her fingernails scraped his scalp, her hips rocking to meet his relentless tongue.

“Oh, god. Yes, right there.”

“Mmm,” he murmured against her flesh, not breaking his curved thrusts. “Is my sweet lass going to come for me?”

He knew what those words did to her, and bloody hell, it was incredible.

“Yeah, god. Yes, please.” The cries of pleasure peaked, and her core tightened around his fingers. He rode her climax with her, keeping up his movements until she fell back against the bed, panting.

Not able to wait another moment, he moved above her, aligning himself with her entrance. He kissed her deeply as he pressed into her. The muscles of her core were tight from her release and he moaned as he seated himself inside her.

“I love you. So damn much,” he murmured into her mouth.

Cressida lifted her hips, meeting his gentle thrusts. “I love you too.”

And then he was lost.

Their bodies moved together, slowly at first, savoring each sensation as it hit him. Nails dragged down his back, spurring him to quicken his thrusts. Cressida moaned, tightening her legs around his hips.

“Jesus, Cress,” he rasped. “I’m so damn close.”

Cressida’s hand came up, grasping him around the throat. The loss of air heightened his oncoming release. Her heavy pants shifted to whimpering cries as her climax came to a peak. When her core tightened and fluttered around him, the last of his control fell away. She released his throat just as his orgasm crashed through him, and he cried her name as he emptied himself into her.

Declan forced in a deep breath, trying like hell to slow his thundering heart. Cressida let out a shaky sigh against his shoulder, her legs and arms clinging to him. Lifting himself up, he kissed her slowly, relishing the feel of her lips opening to him.

When she pulled away from the kiss, her hand cupped his jaw. The intoxicating sable of her eyes studied his features as if memorizing him.

Her gaze met his, and she ran the pad of her thumb over his lower lip.

“Mine,” she whispered.

His breath stuttered, and he nodded. “Aye, yours.”

Fifty

After the night they had shared, Cressida wasn’t sure she could ever pull herself from his bed again. But sunlight broke through the curtains, calling her back to reality. Her mother needed her, and she’d been away from Shake for far too long. Now that he was fully awake and out of danger, he was returning to his mischievous self. No doubt Noah was going to need a break from her twin’s shenanigans.

Cressida sat up and made to slip out of the bed. Declan’s muscular arms snaked around her and pulled her back against him.

She squealed and let out a laugh as Declan snuggled up against her. “Where do you think you’re going, lass?” he murmured.

“I was gonna go take a shower.”

He tugged her in closer, his arousal making itself known against her backside. She gave a teasing little wiggle, forcing a grunt from the man behind her. “Keep that up, sunshine, and you’ll not be going anywhere.”

“Is that a promise?”

“Absolutely,” he said, gripping her hips and pulling her into him.

“Mmm. Such a tempting offer. But I’m sure my brother has run Noah ragged by now, so we need to go.”

Declan shifted, positioning himself above her. “Maybe I can tempt you further. He won’t mind another few minutes.”

His lips found hers, and she sighed, arching herself against him. Every caress satisfied the deep craving burning inside of her.

She’d savor this moment. The rest of the world could wait.

As they made their way through the corridor of the hospital, Cressida’s heart hammered wildly in her chest. It was stupid but walking through the hospital with Declan’s hand firmly in hers was giving her a turn. They’d been seen together a thousand times, but the intimacy they now displayed would leave no doubt to anyone where they stood. It didn’t feel real. Like at any second, something would come to stand in between them again.

As they approached Shake’s room, an argument reached her ears. Cressida leaned against the doorway, and Declan slipped his arm around her waist to watch the occupants of the room banter with each other.

Shake was sitting up in his bed, his pale face scrunched up in disgust. Noah stood next to him, holding a plastic cup in his large hand.

“No… I can’t get you chicken fried rice,” Noah said. “The doctor said you had to eat this.”

“You can’t ‘eat’ broth,” Shake grumped. “And I don’t want to drink it either. I want something good. You could pop down to a restaurant for me.” Shake turned on his puppy eyes he used to get what he wanted.

Noah sighed heavily in exasperation. “It’s eight thirty in the morning. Drink your damn broth, Shake.”

Her brother frowned and took the container from Noah. Cressida watched in amusement as her brother sipped from the cup, then pulled a face.

Such a drama queen.

She stepped into the room, Declan coming in behind her. “Shake, darling, if you’re going to harass your friends into bringing you contraband, they may stop coming in.”

“Yeah, he knows I’m coming back.” Noah rolled his eyes and came around the bed to the door. Cressida didn’t miss the smile Shake was biting back. Noah stopped at the door and pointed to the cup. “Drink that,” he commanded.

“Yes, sir,” Shake said, giving Noah a little salute.

Noah grunted and left the room, taking Declan out to the waiting area with him.

“Will you please stop trying to annoy him?” Cressida said, tucking the sheet around her brother’s chest. “He’s the only one who sticks around for your bullshit.”

“He loves it.” Shake chuckled as he laid his head back against his pillow. The cup of broth teetering on his lap. Cressida reached over and plucked it from his hand so he didn’t spill it on himself.

Shake tilted his head, regarding her closely. “You’re looking awfully chipper this morning.”

“Am I?”

“Yeah.” His eyes narrowed in suspicion. “You okay?”

“I’m more than okay.” Cressida bit back a smile as she fussed with the blankets on his bed.

The corner of his lips lifted. “Is that right?”

“Yeah.” Cressida sat next to his bed and took his hand. “Things have gotten better.”

“You and Dec?”

She nodded, unable to hold back her smile any longer. “Me and Dec.”

Shake squeezed her hand, a grin breaking across his face. “’Bout fucking time.”

“I knew you’d be happy.”

“Oy, I’m happy as all fuck. But if he hurts you, I’ll beat his arse.”

Cressida broke out in laughter. Her brother was so slight compared to Declan, but she knew he’d give it his all if he needed.

“I don’t think that will be necessary. Dec wouldn’t do anything to hurt me.”

Shake reached for the cup of broth and she helped him take a sip. He grimaced at the taste and lay back again. “You know Declan isn’t like the brainless twats you’ve been with. He’s going to want you to meet his mum and dad, and he’ll ask your opinion on things. You can’t tire of him and send him packing. This’ll be real.”

“It is real. I love him.” Saying it out loud to anyone other than Declan was going to take some getting used to.

“That’s good.” Shake gave her a relaxed smile. “I’d hate to have to take him down.”

Cressida snorted and held the cup for him to take another sip. A gentle knock came on the door and she looked up to find a nurse popping her head in.

“I need to do a little exam. Can I ask you to step outside, hun?”

She kissed Shake on the forehead and went out into the corridor. Alec and Mercedes had joined Declan and Noah. It was odd that her mother and Mason weren’t at the hospital yet.

Maybe her mother decided Shake’s condition had improved enough that she’d let Mason sleep in. Even though her mother had a comfortable guest room, being on duty full time was exhausting.

The others chatted companionably, laughing at something Noah said. Declan caught her eye and a soft half smile she’d never tire of seeing pulled up his lip as he made to stand. Cressida shook her head, gesturing she was just going to pop into the loo around the corner.

She used the facilities and was washing her hands when her mobile rang. When she saw it was her mother, she answered it and tucked it between her ear and shoulder. “Hey, Mum. Where are you?”

“Cressida Bennett.”

Her heart dropped to her stomach. The voice that dragged through her mobile was not that of her mother. It was the same distorted voice of the nightmare that attacked her in her flat. “You need to listen carefully if your mother’s going to survive.”

She gripped the mobile, her other hand clutching the edge of the sink. “Who is this?”

“I’m the man who’ll cut her throat if you don’t do exactly as you are told.”

“Cress?” Gemma’s voice cried in the background, with a trembling sob. “What do you want with my daughter?”

“We know you’re in the bathroom on the fourth floor. We know the McKinleys are just outside it, in the waiting room.”

The cameras. She had taken control of a few hospital systems in her time. It wasn’t so hard to do if you had the right hacking experience.

“You need to leave the bathroom and walk to the bank of elevators in the center of the building. Go to the first floor and out to the patient loading area. Do this without the McKinleys being the wiser. The second we see them involved, I start cutting.”

No. Fuck.

She was completely outmanned, with no equipment that would tell Declan where she was going. If she did what they said, she was fucked.

“Where’s Mason?” she demanded.

“He’s dead. He’s lying in a pool of blood on your mother’s living room floor.”

Grief tore at her heart, and she staggered against the tile wall.

No, not Mason. Not Mason.

Gemma’s voice broke through the line again. “Cressida, don’t come. Don’t do it.” A deep thunk rang through the line and Gemma went quiet.

“No! Okay. Don’t hurt my mum. Let her go.”

“Easy enough. When you get here, we’ll let her out. We don’t need her. We want you.”

Cressida looked in the mirror. What choice did she have?

“Move! You better not even think about sending a message to anyone in that group. If you do, her blood is on you.”

Fear pulsed through her body as she walked to the door and pulled it open. When she stepped into the corridor, she could nearly make out Declan’s voice. He was just around the corner.

But the idea of her mother’s torn body left somewhere in a ditch assailed her. Turning toward the bank of elevators, she pressed the button.

“Good choice. Keep that up and she’ll make it another day.”

The doors opened, and she stepped inside, hitting the button for the first floor. Her heart shredded as they slid shut. God only knew what they would do to her once they had her. She could only hope that her skills were all they were after.

Once the doors opened to the new floor, the world swayed. Just a few more steps would seal her fate or that of her mum’s.

A light breeze brushed her cheek as she stepped outside. Cars were lined up, waiting for staff that would bring out patients.

“Take a left. Head to the black car toward the front.”

Walking as if on automatic pilot, she walked toward the car. As she approached, the door opened and the enormous figure of a dark-haired man appeared.

A dark-haired man with a striking white patch of gauze over his eye.

Bile gathered in her throat and she fought it down. She peered around the car. When she saw no sign of Gemma, she met the man’s stony gaze. “Where is she?”

He lunged out, grasping at her forearm. “Get in the fucking car.”

No. No. No.

Cressida screamed and brought her nails down into his hand. This time, he was ready for her. He gripped her wrists and flipped her around so her back was to him. Then he jerked the passenger door open and threw her halfway into the back seat. Cressida kicked at his face, but his brawny arms tossed her the rest of the way inside.

An occupant already filled the space next to her. She looked up and caught the hazel gaze of Jack Weston.

His expression was filled with remorse.

Fuck him and his remorse.

“Where’s my mother?”

The furrow of his brow deepened. “She’s not here.” He had a laptop resting on his legs.

No.

He turned the computer toward her, and her heart sank. Gemma’s beautiful smile was on the screen. Dressed in a stunning gown that sparkled when she moved, she had given a televised speech when she’d won best actress.

They’d used the program against her.

“Mason?” she whispered.

Jack’s smile was apologetic as he shrugged. “I don’t even know who Mason is.”

Relief and terror pulled through her. At least her mother and Mason were safe, but she was probably going to die.

Cressida lunged toward the door, pulling the handle. When that didn’t work, she lay back and began kicking the window with everything she had. A round crack appeared where her heel had been and she centered her next kick on the crack.

It was the sharp pinch in her neck that halted her movements. She turned to find Jack with a syringe in his hand.

The world swayed, and in the distance, the one-eyed man got in behind the wheel. He turned to look at her and laughed.

“Night night, you stupid bitch,” was the last thing she heard.

Fifty-One

Declan paced the floor of the office. The fear of what may have happened to Cressida ignited his bloodstream. The conference room acted as a war center. The silent tapping on the keys grated on his nerves.

It hadn’t even taken ten minutes before he realized something was wrong. When she didn’t return from the ladies, he asked Mercedes to go in and check on her. Seeing Mercedes’s pale and worried face when she returned wrenched his gut. They searched everywhere she might have gone. Back into Shake’s room. The cafeteria. Each time they came up with nothing, the cold pit in his stomach grew until it was intolerable.

Mason and Gemma arrived at the hospital while the search was on. They had left Gemma’s apartment to head to the hospital, only to find four slashed tires on her car. It couldn’t be a coincidence.

Having to tell Gemma he’d failed her daughter was one of the hardest things he’d done.

Olivia sat next to Alec, her fingers typing on the keyboard as she scoured any camera she could get her hands on.

Alec looked up, his brow furrowed with worry as well. “We’ll find her. I don’t think they are going to harm her. They haven’t gotten what they needed from her yet.”

“Yet,” Declan said, the simple word was bitter on his tongue.

“I have the hospital feeds,” Olivia announced. She clicked a few buttons and displayed the grainy feeds onto the large monitor in the room.

They followed Cressida as she left the ladies’ room, went to the elevators and out the front door of the hospital.

“She’s on her mobile. Probably getting instructions,” Olivia said, changing the monitor to different cameras as Cressida moved.

Why would she leave? Why wouldn’t she come to him before going off on her own?

At one point, Cressida looked up directly into the camera, and he knew. The fuckers had been watching her, too.

When she made it outside, only one camera could see the exterior of the hospital. The corner of it caught the man getting out of the car, an exchange of words and the struggle as he dumped her into it.

“Fuck.” Declan’s gut clenched, and he held back the bile that forced its way up.

Mercedes came to him and put her arm around his shoulder. “We’ll get her back. Stay focused.”

Focused. He was doing his best, but images of what could happen to her overtook his mind.

The door to the conference room opened, and Mercedes gasped. “What are you doing here?”

Shake stood in the doorway, his ashen face set with a determined expression. Noah was with him, his hand clenched around Noah’s forearm for support. His steps were slow but determined as he walked up to Declan.

Shake’s eyes burned with the same intensity Declan was feeling. “We’re going to find her, and then you’re going to fuck them up, right?”

“Aye,” Declan growled out.

“Good.” Shake moved to the table and eased into a chair. “Where are we?”

Olivia walked him through the hospital footage. “I’ve also been monitoring CloudShore’s headquarters. Jack hasn’t been there in several days. In fact, I haven’t seen him since the night of the party.”

Fear of what that meant thrummed harder. When a public target went dark, it usually meant one of two things: they were exposed or they were dead.

Declan sat on a chair and steepled his fingers against his brow. It was all he could do to breathe through the sheer panic of not knowing where she was.

A thought came to him and he looked up. “Shake, do you know where Cressida keeps her files on targets we’ve been watching?”

“Oy, I do. We share a drive to track them.”

“Good, because someone has been trying to get our attention for a few weeks now and it’s time we paid him a visit.”

Fifty-Two

The winter wind blew through the alleyway, but Declan barely felt any of it. The weight of his vest layered with a casual jacket stopped the chill from touching him.

He moved silently, Alec’s steps behind him. At the dark metal door, he slipped the small pick out of his pocket and shoved it into the lock. It only took a few seconds for the click to reach his ears. Declan turned the handle and opened it wide enough for him and Alec to slip inside. They climbed the steps to the second story, padding softly down the carpeted corridor.

“Number twenty-five, on your right side,” Olivia said in his ear.

Alec stood guard as Declan quietly put the pick into the lock and into the dead bolt. It was a little trickier to keep the scraping sound from broadcasting itself in the silence, but it finally gave.

Declan caught Alec’s eye and gave the signal for entrance. Alec nodded. He put his hand on the hilt of the knife he’d strapped to his belt. They hadn’t brought guns to this fight. This was a heavily occupied apartment complex, and the mission needed to be a silent and non-deadly encounter. Any fight that came up would have to be hand to hand.

Noiselessly, Declan turned the knob. The warmth from the flat touched his cheeks and the scent of a recently cooked meal filled the air. Light from the telly cast a blue glow across the dingy walls. Declan scanned the room, looking for the target.

Timothy Barlow was laid out on the couch, an arm tossed over his forehead, the other on his chest.

Declan padded inside, the creak of the wood floor was thankfully masked by the laughter of the late-night comedy show softly playing in the background. He approached the sofa, his hand on his knife, ready to be pulled if needed.

Without warning, Barlow moved.

He sprang off the couch, knocking Declan back and landing a solid punch right to his cheek.

Declan returned with a strike, his fist pummeling into Barlow’s nose. Blood broke free, but Barlow wasn’t affected. His next hit caught Declan in the gut, and he grunted with pain. The fucker was strong and trained.

Declan charged and they landed on the floor with a thud. They wrestled until his knee dug into Barlow’s chest. He wrenched Barlow’s dominant wrist to the side, pulled his knife and held it to his throat.

Barlow’s unfocused eyes seemed to clear as he took in Declan’s features. The fight in his arms slackened and confusion took over his expression. “What the fuck?”

Declan pressed the tip of the knife into Barlow’s throat. “Where is she?”

Confusion slipped away, and irritation took its place. “Get the fuck off me.”

“Dec, let him up.” Alec’s voice broke through the rage boiling inside him. “We’re here to talk, remember?”

Declan shot a glance toward Alec. He stood nearby, his own knife gripped in his fist. But he was right, he couldn’t take his shit out on Barlow. They needed him. He released Barlow’s arm and shifted off of him.

Barlow gave him a hostile shove as he dragged himself to his feet. A dark glare jumped between Alec and Declan, the muscles of his body ready to respond. Then he snapped up a towel from the counter and put it to his bleeding nose. “Jesus Christ. I should fucking kill you for that.”

“Where the fuck is she?” Declan demanded, his need for answers breaking down the rest of his patience.

Barlow frowned. “I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about. Either tell me what you mean or get the fuck out of here.”

“Cressida Bennett. Where is she?” Alec answered in a low voice.

Realization crossed Barlow’s face. “You mean you dumb fucks didn’t listen, and you let her get taken? Shit.” Barlow paced away from Declan. “Damn it.”

“Why did you warn her?” Alec asked. “You don’t do anything from the goodness of your heart.”

Barlow smirked. “I have my reasons.”

Anger coursed through Declan. He growled and lunged toward Barlow. Barlow straightened with his jaw set, ready to take what Declan dished out.

Alec’s broad body stepped in the way. “Dec,” he warned.

Barlow chuckled. “Ooh, Scottie number two wants to go. Let’s see what you got.”

Unleashing all of his frustrations on this man might relieve some of the pent-up anger, but it wouldn’t bring Cressida back to him. Declan took a step back, shooting daggers at Barlow as he gave in to the pressure on his shoulder from Alec’s hand.

Amusement played at Barlow’s lips. Fucking arsehole.

“What are you doing in London, Tim?” Alec asked quietly. “We agreed our business was done in San Francisco.”

The smirk ran from Barlow’s face as he shifted his gaze to Alec. “I know. I thought it was. But things changed.”

“What things?”

Distrust tightened Barlow’s features. “Things you don’t need to know about yet.”

“Goddammit, stop playing games,” Declan snapped. “Tell us what you know.”

Barlow sighed and wrenched out a chair at the table and sat. “Take a seat.”

“We don’t have time for this.”

“Take a seat,” Barlow said, the warning clear in his voice.

Declan reluctantly pulled out a chair, his heart thundering in his chest.

“I came to London because I need help. And I figured, given our past.” He gave a sardonic smile to Alec, “Maybe I could count on you to help me out.”

“Why would you think I’d ever help you?”

“I don’t know. I was trying to figure that out. You and I have a . . . rough history, so I didn’t think you’d volunteer. But an opportunity landed in my lap and I saw it as a way I could get what I needed and help you out at the same time.”

Barlow was not a man they ever wanted to tangle with again. The history that he had against Alec and Mercedes was steeped in distrust and fear.

“I’ll help you,” Declan said, his eyes not wavering from Barlow’s gaze.

Alec shot Declan a glare. But he ignored him. “If you help me find Cressida, I’ll help you with what you need.”

Timothy Barlow sat back in his chair. “Can I count on that, Scottie?”

Declan had no idea what he was agreeing to, nor did he care. Desperation to get to her was all he could think about.

“Aye, you can.”

Alec shifted in his seat, the muscles of his jaw working as he looked away. Declan knew how hard it was for him to make a deal with this particular devil, but it had to be done.

“Alright then,” Barlow said. “I got a phone call through one of my contacts a few weeks ago. I don’t do a lot of work these days. But every once in a while, I pick up a job. When I heard it was a rich executive, I figured it was something easy. He said that he’d heard that I had a personal vendetta against the McKinleys and wanted to offer me a job.”

“A personal vendetta against us?” Alec glared at Barlow.

Barlow shrugged. “The rumor mill amongst these rich fucks got a lot wrong. There’s word around the darkest parts of the streets that I vowed revenge against the people who killed Marcus Cooper.”

Alec let out a derisive huff.

“They think I’m gunning for you.”

“Are you?” Declan said.

“No.”

Declan narrowed his eyes. “Jack wouldn’t have approached you without thinking you’d be eager to help.”

Barlow snorted. “You give the man too much credit. He doesn’t know who I am or what my intentions are. They all believe the rumors. The truth isn’t known and wouldn’t matter, anyway.”

“So, what has he already told you?” Alec tilted his head.

“Jack mentioned a facility outside of London where they were working on a secret project that nobody could know about. He wanted me to take Cressida there. Get her to the facility and force her to work on whatever they need done. I told them it would be easier to convince her to go work for them rather than me trying to force her there. When he told me she was already working a different job for him, I decided warning her might garner her good graces.”

That caught Declan’s attention. “Why would you need Cressida’s good graces?”

“Because I need her more than I need you, Scottie.”

“How much were they gonna pay you?” Alec asked.

“Oh, I gave them some ridiculous amount. Five million pounds.”

That was a lot of fucking money for such a minor job. “Were they going to come through?”

“Jack said he would work on it, but . . . I got contacted by another person. Seems Jack’s investors are less than satisfied that the project isn’t complete. So they agreed to come up with the money and added another million. I haven’t been taking their calls lately.”

“We need to find that facility.” Declan’s eyes roamed Barlow’s bulky frame. “Call them back and take the job.”

“They probably don’t want me anymore. They already got the girl.”

“Aye? Well, you need to figure out a way to convince them they need to keep you, or our deal’s off.”

Barlow let out a heavy sigh and stood. “Alright.”

He walked into the kitchen and shot Declan a glare as he dialed a number and put it on speaker. It rang four times before Jack Weston answered. Declan’s stomach churned with anger, but he held himself silent while Barlow went to work.

“This is Citadel. You’ve been looking for me.”

“Our problem has been taken care of, so your services won’t be needed.”

“Yeah, I’ve already heard how you solved your problem,” Barlow said smoothly. “You clearly didn’t listen to my warning about the McKinleys.”

“What do you mean?” Jack’s voice spluttered.

“I mean, I told you not to go up against them without a professional and yet you botched that fucking shit up. Word from my sources is they’re coming for you.”

“They are?” Declan took in the anxiety in Jack’s voice.

“You took the girl. I told you what they’d do if you did it.”

“Well, we have her now and there’s no turning back.”

“You bet your fucking ass, there isn’t. You may as well have painted a fucking target on your back.”

There was a long silence before Jack choked out. “The investors didn’t listen to me. It is what it is.”

“So I guess you’re not interested in my protection.”

“Protection,” Jack stammered. “We don’t need protection.”

“They’re trained, and you’re a fucking computer programmer. You and your fat-ass investors are ripe for the taking.”

Declan’s heart sped up. Jesus Christ, he was telling them everything.

Alec put his hand on his shoulder. “Just wait,” he murmured.

“Look, you want my protection or not?”

“I do. But I can’t do the five million. You didn’t get the girl. The program we need done will only take a few weeks to complete.”

“Fine. I’ll do it for three million for the next month.”

“Three million! That’s outrageous when we’ve taken all the risks.”

“Is it?” Barlow tapped his fingers on the table. “Well, I guess I’ll wish you luck with the McKinleys. You’re gonna need it.”

“Wait, wait, wait!” There was a touch of panic in Jack’s voice. “All right. Three million pounds. You keep me safe while the job is done.”

“Smart move. Tell me where I need to go.”

“I’m texting you the address now.” The mobile buzzed, and the address came up on the screen. “It’s in one of our manufacturing plants in Surrey.”

“Good,” Barlow said. “I’ll be there tomorrow morning to secure the place.”

“Thank you,” Jack said. “I feel better knowing you’re with us.”

Barlow grunted and pressed the end button before Jack could say anything else.

“Fucking amateur.” He slid the mobile to Declan, who read the address out loud.

“Got it,” Shake said in his earpiece.

Declan left the mobile on the table and was out of his chair. “Let’s go,” he said to Alec.

Barlow frowned. “Where are you going?”

“To Surrey.”

Barlow rolled his eyes and looked at Alec. Declan knew what both of them were thinking but sitting here doing nothing was unacceptable.

“I’ll go in and case the place. Get you access. Make sure she’s safe.”

“I’m going tonight.”

“No, you’re not,” Alec said. “We can’t afford to go in there blind. We have to do recon.”

Declan’s stomach churned at the thought of waiting another minute. “We know what will happen when she finishes the program.”

“We’ll have her back by tomorrow,” Alec said.

But the reassurance did nothing to cool the panic screaming through him.

Fifty-Three

Cressida rubbed her eyes, the sandy feeling making them burn. A single bulb overhead was the only light, but it stabbed at her eyes. She turned onto her side on the single bed and stared at the naked concrete wall.

It had to be some sort of basement. There was a dampness to the air, and no sound reached her from the outside world. The large metal door was the only way out, and it was built like a vault. The maddening silence led her to believe that her cell was completely soundproof.

The only connection to the outside world was one she wouldn’t touch. A laptop and monitor had been set up on a desk pushed against the wall.

She’d contemplated ways to free herself. Maybe if she hacked their system, she might be able to get a message to Olivia.

But there was a camera on her at all times. If she so much as touched the computer, they would see every keystroke.

Inhaling deeply, she tried to relax the muscles in her legs and arms. Sleep had completely evaded her thanks to the one-eyed arsehole, Oscar as she’d heard him called, who kept hovering around her, itching to punish her. He’d started slapping her around under the guise of making her work, but she knew the fucker enjoyed it.

The beeping outside the room broke through her thoughts, and she sat up in the bed. The door opened, and Jack appeared, a takeaway bag in his hand. He sighed when he saw her and turned and closed the heavy metal door behind him.

He sat on the bed, placing the bag next to her. Cressida glared at it, the scent of fried food making her stomach flip. It had taken hours to recover from the drugs they’d pumped into her, and the aftereffects were nauseating.

“You know I didn’t want to do this to you, right?” Jack said, remorse swimming in his words.

Cressida’s jaw ached from clenching it, but she sat quietly.

“You have to work for us, Cress. I’m afraid the investors are getting rather desperate and they have taken control of this. They will hurt you to get what they want.”

“And you’ll just sit back and let it happen.”

“I don’t want to see it happen, truly. But I don’t think I can hold them off any longer.” His face twisted with concern.

A knock thumped on the metal door, and Cressida’s gaze shot to Jack. The code was entered, and the knob turned with a clunk. Timothy Barlow stepped inside, making every muscle in her body tighten.

Holy hell. Cressida’s pulse shot up as Barlow’s piercing gaze landed on hers and held it.

They’d hired one of the most brutal men she’d ever known to work on her. It didn’t matter that he had tried to warn her before or that he and Alec had come to some kind of weird understanding. He was a mercenary, and his presence here meant he was being well paid.

“Ah,” Jack said, studying her face. “I see you’ve met.”

“What the hell is he doing here?”

“I told you, the investors aren’t playing around. We’ve made promises and they need to be delivered. Unfortunately, this is a step the investors thought was necessary.”

Timothy Barlow crossed his arms over his chest, his lips turning up into a sinister smirk.

Cressida lifted her chin. “I’m not designing that fucking program.”

Jack opened his mouth to talk, but Barlow cut him off.

“Get the fuck out.”

“Wha-What?” Jack stammered, his eyes growing wide.

Barlow took a step toward Cressida, his glare cutting into her. “I said get the fuck out,” he growled at Jack. “And take the camera with you. I don’t want a recording of this.”

“Wait, that wasn’t the deal. You were just—”

“I know what I was hired for. Either get the fuck out or get the same.”

Cressida felt every ounce of oxygen leave her as Barlow strode to the camera, ripped it from its wall base, and shoved it into Jack’s chest. Jack’s fingers closed around it, wires dangling from the torn-out system.

“See to it we aren’t interrupted. Do you understand?”

Jack’s Adam’s apple dipped as he swallowed hard. He looked like he wanted to protest but couldn’t speak. His gaze met hers and now the contrition was on full display. It didn’t matter what he’d planned; it was happening, and he was too much of a coward in the face of a trained assassin to do much more than shuffle out of the room.

The click of the door behind Jack was deafening.

She was trapped with a man that murdered and maimed for money.

Barlow turned back to her, his blue eyes raking over her body. It wasn’t a leer that some men might do, but an assessment.

He reached into his pocket, pulled out a small device and walked to the corner, moving it along the walls. Cressida let out a sharp exhale when she realized he was sweeping the room for listening devices.

Why? Why would he care if they listened in to the sick torture they’d paid him to perform?

Finally, he grunted and jammed the device in his pocket. Then he shot her a look of annoyance. “You didn’t listen, did you?”

“I listened. It was already too late.”

He crossed his arms over his bulky chest. “Now you need to work on that program.”

“No.” Cressida shook her head.

Barlow crossed the room and sat on the bed next to her. She shifted away, but his large presence caged her in.

“Trust me, I could make you do it. But I think a rather large Scotsman would tear me apart. So, I’ll just ask nicely.”

It took a second for his words to make sense.

“You want me to believe Declan sent you?”

“Well, it was either him or some other fucking asshole tried to break my nose.” A deep chuckle rumbled from his chest, softening some of the sharp edges of his features. “Let’s just say your man and I came to an understanding. I get inside, run surveillance, and when this is over, the two of you will help me with my issue down the road.”

“I can’t finish that program.”

“So, don’t finish it.” He lifted his shoulder. “Just work on it. I didn’t come for it, anyway. I came here for you.”

Cressida studied his face. “After everything you’ve done, why should I trust you?”

Barlow’s gaze shot to the floor and he pursed his lips. “You shouldn’t. But you should trust where my interests lie.”

Cressida’s heart rate picked up at the determination in his eyes. His interests had nothing to do with the current problem at hand, but they were painfully clear.

“Mara?” she murmured, with a raised brow.

The muscle of his jaw clenched at the sound of the woman’s name, but he didn’t confirm it.

“Tell you what. Do whatever you want with that program. In fact, it might be best if you figure out how to destroy the fucking thing. It sounds like a bunch of bullshit, anyway. I imagine you have until tonight, maybe tomorrow morning, before your man shows up to kill a few fuckers. Just don’t make it obvious.”

A thread of hope formed, but she hesitated to pull it.

It meant putting her life in the hands of a man she couldn’t possibly trust. But if he would let her destroy the system and get her back to Declan, it might be worth the risk.

“Fine, but you need to keep Oscar, the one-eyed bloke, away from me.”

“Done.”

Cressida met his eyes and held them. “If you’re double-crossing me, you better make sure you kill me. Because nothing about you will ever be safe again.”

This was not a man that she should ever threaten but fuck him if he thought she didn’t have some power here too, no matter how tiny.

He didn’t flash with anger as she expected, but rather, he nodded. “Agreed.”

Cressida slid off the bed and rumpled the wool cover. Then she knocked the bag of food across the floor, and its contents spilled out onto the concrete.

Grasping the neckline of her shirt, she gave it a harsh jerk. The soft fabric bunched and tore, exposing her shoulder and the top of her bra. Then she raked her fingernails across her chest, the pain making her grunt.

Barlow’s eyes went wide. “What the fuck are you doing?”

“Setting the stage.” Her hair was already a wreck, but she mussed it a little more. She spotted the utility knife clipped to his belt. “Give me your knife.”

He plucked it off his waistband and laid it in her waiting hand.

“They’re never going to buy that you waltzed in here, looking all intimidating, and somehow got me to do the job,” she said, fumbling to open the knife with her trembling fingers. “That big arsehole’s already sexually assaulted me once. Not to mention he lacks an eye thanks to me, so he hasn’t been exactly friendly. We need to convince them that your coercion was much more effective.”

What she wouldn’t give to have access to her mother’s makeup room right now.

The knife sprang open, and she took a deep breath to steady herself. Then she dragged the blade over her skin, hissing with the pain. A decent ribbon of blood seeped up on the meaty part of her palm under her thumb.

She smudged the blood across her lips and chin. The metallic scent filled her nose, and she fought back another round of nausea.

More blood pooled out of her wound, and she flung her hand out, splattering the floors and his shirt and jeans.

“Sorry.”

He didn’t flinch from the blood. God only knew the kind of wet work he’d done.

Cressida pressed the cuff of her jumper to the wound and looked him up and down. “Okay, I need you to hit me.”

Barlow’s mouth dropped open, and he took a step back. “The fuck you do.”

“Not a punch or anything, lord knows you’d probably kill me. Just a good smack to make my cheek swell. I can do the rest.”

“No fucking way. I don’t smack women. At least not like this,” he added.

She didn’t even want to touch what he meant by that.

“You’ve done far worse.” Cressida steeled herself. “It needs to be believable. Do it.”

He hesitated, then reared back and struck her with his open palm. She let out a yelp as pain radiated through her cheek. He was pulling his punch, so to speak, but it hurt like hell.

Tears flooded her eyes, and she stifled back a sob.

He watched her with a raised brow. “Fuck. McKinley’s gonna be pissed.”

Cressida handed him the knife and crawled onto the bed. She balled herself into the corner, tucking her knees against her chin, and wept into her hands. Once she got started, it was easy to keep the momentum going.

Barlow didn’t move, so she peered up at him. For the first time, he seemed uncertain of what to do. “Are you . . . faking this?”

“Yeah.” Cressida sniffed. “Will you open the bloody door?”

Barlow stared at her, then seemed to collect himself. He moved to the door and reached for the knob.

Cressida buried her face in her hands and let the racking sobs overtake her.

Fifty-Four

The turning of the knob rattled through the silent room and Jack barely held down the bile boiling in his throat. Cressida was a little thing, and he’d just unleashed a fucking beast on her.

But what choice did he have?

The voice in his head screamed at him. He did have a choice. But he’d chosen to be a spineless fucking coward instead.

He’d always known this could happen.

Ever since he’d come up with the plan to bring her in on this, he knew she was going to meet an end. He’d just thought he would get to pick the end she’d get. If it were up to him, she’d die peacefully of an aneurysm carefully placed in her veins or of a controlled overdose that would let her sleep through it all.

It had never occurred to him they would have to go to these lengths.

The metal door scraped open, and Barlow stood in the doorway.

“The little princess is ready to work,” he said.

The knife in Barlow’s hand made Jack wince, and fear nearly kept him from entering the room. Cressida was on the bed, which had been ripped to hell. Her face was bloody and tear stained, a harsh, swelling mark colored the skin of her cheek. She huddled into herself, rocking gently as she held on to her knees. Her brown eyes were rimmed with red and wouldn’t meet his.

“Get the fuck up,” Barlow growled at her. “You have work to do.”

She cried out in pain as Barlow reached across the bed, grasped her arm and dragged her toward him. The neckline of her shirt had been ripped open and ugly claw marks tore the skin on her chest. Jack couldn’t look at them, not wanting to know what Barlow had done.

Soft sobs echoed in the room as she stumbled into the computer station. Her hands trembled violently as she sat in the chair and reached for the keyboard.

Cressida shot him a look of painful betrayal, and his gut clenched. She didn’t deserve any of this. Her only crime had been having the knowledge he needed to complete this program.

“Our little princess will do what she’s told now, won’t you?” Barlow growled as he stood over her. She shrank away from his threatening presence. Jack wanted to hide in the corner as well.

Cressida wiped the tears from her blood-streaked face and turned to Jack.

“I need you to leave,” Cressida rasped out, the tremor of her voice cutting into him. “I already have one fucking monster on my arse. I don’t need another.”

It stung. More than it should.

“Off you go. She isn’t going anywhere.” Barlow met his gaze, pure evil lurking below the surface.

Jack backed up to the door, casting one last look at her broken face. What he wouldn’t give to have her understand. He had no choice but to comply. If he didn’t, he’d end up like his brother.

There was a time he thought he could figure out how to get her out of here. But now that Barlow had been hired, it didn’t look possible.

Fifty-Five

Every muscle in Declan’s body was on fire. Their car moved at a fucking snail’s pace, and he was about ready to jump out and run into the building, recon be damned.

Alec pulled the car around the side of an industrial building, a street away from the manufacturing plant where Cressida was being held. He cut the engine and an eerie silence fell over them.

They’d spent the day learning what they could about the area, theorizing where they could be holding her. The rest of the team was coming in from the north side in the surveillance van, readying to overwatch everything.

It wasn’t enough. Timothy Barlow had to come through.

“Where the fuck is he?” Declan muttered.

Barlow had his own needs and wasn’t afraid to put them first. The only thing Declan could do was hope the bastard wasn’t setting them all up.

Alec’s expression was one of understanding. “He’ll be here.”

Never in his life had he felt like this. This utter helplessness tore him to shreds. She’d trusted him to protect her from these arseholes, and he’d been more than useless.

“How did you do this?” Declan shook his head. “How did you not go mad?”

Alec didn’t have to ask what he meant. This was all too familiar to his cousin. Declan hadn’t known how Alec had kept himself together when Mercedes had been taken. Now that he was living a similar nightmare, he was going insane.

“One foot, then the other.” Alec’s gaze shifted to Declan’s. “And stay alive. You’re no good to her dead. That’s all you can do.”

A movement in the dark caught his eye and his heartbeat shot up. The bulky form of Timothy Barlow broke away from the shadows, opened the door to the back seat and climbed in.

Declan turned to face him, not bothering with any sort of greeting. “What do you know?”

“They have her in a room in the basement. No windows and only one door that goes into that corridor. Jack has been in and out of the room all day, but mostly, they’re leaving her alone. I have had to keep one of his men away from her. He seems to hate her a little much.”

Violence coiled inside him. “Is he missing an eye?”

“Yeah.”

Good. Declan wanted a piece of that fucker.

Alec handed Barlow a tablet. “Draw it out.”

Barlow reached forward and took it. An old set of blueprints were on the screen and he used it to draw out where she was. Declan memorized every detail as Barlow described the best path to take.

“I’ll need to go back the way I came, or they’ll wonder what I’m doing,” Barlow said, handing back the tablet.

After doing one more check of their gear, Declan and Alec jumped out of the car, and followed behind Barlow. They stayed in the shadows until they reached the glass door on the side of the building. Barlow disappeared around the corner as Declan punched in the code and opened the door.

Shake and Olivia had hacked into the lackluster security system, taking control of the cameras and alarms, but the doors had manual codes.

Most of the office halls were dark, but a light illuminated a foyer up ahead. A soft shuffle around the corner made his muscles tense up. A man sat at a reception desk, his eyes on his mobile. Declan pressed himself against the wall of the hallway, Alec’s shoulder brushing his as he did the same. Declan tapped the earpiece connecting him to their overwatch.

“Go,” he breathed.

A whoop of an alarm in the distance, cut through the air in two loud blasts and then fell silent. Declan peered out just as the guard jumped. His head turned as he scanned the area and Declan settled back against the wall to keep out of sight.

“Again,” Declan said quietly.

The alarm sounded for three more blasts, and the man jumped to his feet. “What the hell?”

There was rustling and he put his mobile to his ear. “Hey, mate. What the fuck you doing over there?”

The guard peered down the darkened hall as he listened to whatever the person was saying. Then he sighed. “Alright, just a tick.”

Footsteps moved away from the reception area as the man followed the alarm down the wing. As soon as the guard was out of sight, Declan moved silently toward the stairwell.

He maneuvered to the side of the door, slowly opening it. Alec brushed past him, sweeping his gun around the stairwell. He gave the all-clear signal and Declan stepped in behind him, catching the door to mute the sound of it closing.

Declan went down the flight of stairs first and came to the next metal door. It was locked, so he punched in the key code Barlow had provided. The beep of the damn buttons was like a siren echoing off the walls.

The lock clicked, and Alec gently pulled open the door, letting Declan go first. There was no sign of anyone, so he signaled to Alec to move with him.

Olivia crackled through his earpiece. “The corridor is clear. We can see the desk outside the cell. No movement in the area.”

The door to the cell came into view, and desperation to get to her became intolerable. He turned to Alec and signaled he was going in. Alec affirmed it and took position in a corner.

Declan tapped the four-digit code, and the door beeped open. His heart hammered as he entered cautiously. When his eyes landed on her, the relief was overwhelming.

She was seated at a computer, her shoulders tense. Hand frozen on the mouse, she didn’t turn around. “Goddammit, Jack. I told you I needed to work alone.”

“Cress,” Declan choked out. She spun in her chair and the irritation on her face slipped to shock.

“Dec!”

Cressida vaulted out of the chair and into his arms. He held her, reveling in the feel of her body against his.

“Please tell me my mother and Mason are okay,” she murmured, her arms tightening around him as if bracing for his response.

“Aye, they’re fine. Mason’s outside right now.”

The tension in her body lessened, and she let out a deep inhale. “They implied they were okay, but I didn’t believe them. That bloody program is too good to exist.”

So, that was how that fucker was able to get her to walk out the door.

Cressida pulled away and looked up at him, giving him the first real look at her face.

His heart stopped.

She was battered to hell. Smears of dried blood brushed across her cheeks and throat and judging by its pattern, she’d attempted to clean it off. Her shirt was torn and bloody, and deep scratches lined down her delicate skin.

Rage boiled over.

“Who the fuck did this?” he growled.

Her eyes softened as she gripped his wrist. “I did.”

Declan’s mouth fell open. “What?”

“Well, One Eye had his hand in some of it. But the rest was me . . . and Barlow helped.”

“Helped?” That fucker was going to pay for touching her.

Cressida cupped his cheek. “Now’s not a good time, my love.”

Inhaling deeply, he stashed away his fury and focused on what they had to do.

“You’re right, let’s go.” He took her hand in his, but she resisted.

Through the cracked-open door, an alarm rang out a few screeching tones and then stopped. The team was still sending the guards on a wild-goose chase. Any moment, they could get suspicious and check on their prisoner.

Cressida shook her head. “I can’t leave yet. I’m not done.”

Alec slipped into the room. “What’s the delay?”

“I need a few minutes. I’ve already hacked into the mainframe and downloaded all of their communications onto this laptop. Now, I’m working on destroying every scrap of the program so that it can’t be used.”

“Cress—”

Cressida gripped his arm. “Please, Dec. I have to kill this entire thing. If I leave it, they’ll find someone else to finish it. I just learned firsthand how destructive it can be. We have to at least try to stop them.”

Declan pursed his lips and shot a glance at Alec, who only raised his brow and waited. He could hear Alec in his head, reminding him to trust her.

Shit.

“Alright, what do you need?”

“Ten minutes. I’ve already begun corrupting the files.”

“What about backups?”

Cressida shook her head. “Their backups are housed together. I think I’ve got them all.”

Reluctantly, Declan nodded. “Overwatch, we’re going to need more distractions so Artemis can finish her work. Have Matrix and Hunter draw them outside and away from us.”

Relief spread over Cressida’s face, and she hurried back to the computer. Her hands shook slightly as she typed, but each keystroke was determined.

Declan turned back to Alec. “Cover the corridor. Someone may come this way to check on her.”

“You can go with him,” Cressida said, her eyes not leaving the screen. “I don’t want you trapped in here with me if Jack comes back.”

“I’m not leaving you again. Do what you need to do.”

Time seemed to move at a snail’s pace while she worked. The tapping on the keys was the only sound that cut through the air.

Alec stepped back into the room. “How much time, Cress?”

“I’m double-checking everythi—Shit.”

Alarm filled Declan’s heart. “What?”

“I found a local network device that collected a backup this week. I don’t have time to hack it.” She pinched the bridge of her nose. “All of this may be for nothing if I can’t get to that server.”

“What if we destroyed it?” Alec said.

Cressida’s gaze shot to him. “Can we do that?”

“We brought a few things with us that might do the trick.”

Damn it. Blowing up shit was the last resort, but the charges in Alec’s pack would be more than enough.

Cressida grabbed the laptop and unplugged it from the monitor. “We’re taking this. It’s where I downloaded all the communications between Jack, the investors, and the buyers.”

Declan turned around so she could unzip his pack and store it inside. “If we destroy the servers, is there a chance that it’s been transmitted to any of their other facilities?”

“Nope,” she said. “They set this place up to be self-sustaining. They were designing dangerous software they didn’t want in too many places.”

It was a huge fucking risk, but he could see why she wanted to take it.

“Cameo, any idea of where the servers might be housed?” Declan said.

“Standby,” Olivia responded. “Running through the cameras now.”

“Let’s take you to the van. Alec and I will come back to the network room to destroy the storage system.”

Cressida shook her head. “That would take too much time.”

Alec caught his gaze and seemed as undecided as he was.

“Found it,” Olivia said. “There is a small server room on the second floor.”

Declan pursed his lips. He wanted to get her the hell out of this damn place, but that stubborn look on her face told him she wasn’t about to leave without taking everything down first.

“Alright, but you don’t take a step without me or Alec, aye?”

Cressida nodded and took his hand. He moved in front of her, leading her out of the room. Alec covered the rear.

“Alright, Overwatch, tell us how to get there.”

“Corridor is clear,” Olivia said. “Go to the same stairwell you came up and climb three levels to the second floor. We’ll kill their camera feed as you go.”

They backtracked to the stairwell with no resistance and reached the second-floor landing. The door was locked, but the same code that led them to the basement worked here as well.

He swung the door open and entered first, his gun raised as he swept the room. When it was clear, they made their way down the silent corridor until a whir of the computers met his ears. Two glass rooms lined each side of the hallway. Peering inside one, a stack of devices sat in the middle of the room.

“There’s no way for me to know which one has the backup, so both banks of servers will have to go.”

Alec removed his pack and set it on the floor. He opened it and prepped the charges.

A soft boom came from outside the building, and Cressida froze. Her eyes widened. “What the hell?”

Declan took the charge from Alec. “My guess is that’s Mason and Noah’s distraction. We brought some fireworks to set off outside to draw them away.”

“Bad news, guys,” Shake said. “That last pop created a flurry of movement and we think they cut our camera feed. It’s gone.”

Fuck, now they were blind.

Declan hurried into the server room while Alec picked up a charge and went to the opposite room across the way. Declan armed and attached the charge to the center of the servers.

A door in the distance snapped shut and footsteps clicked on the tile floor.

“Hey! What are you doing here?” a man shouted.

Cressida’s gaze met Declan’s, and he knew what she was going to do. He nodded to her and crouched lower to remain hidden. As the footsteps got closer, Cressida turned and bolted down the hall.

Declan remained in his position until the man came into view. Then he rushed her pursuer, their bodies slamming into the opposite room’s door. The force of the impact cracked the glass, but it held firm.

They grappled, and the guard used an escape technique to slip from Declan’s grasp. He took a boxer’s stance as he threw a few punches at Declan’s face. Only one connected, but it was enough to ring his ears.

Over the guard’s shoulder, Declan caught the blue eyes of Alec, trapped in the room by their bodies. He swung the man around by the collar, throwing him onto the floor.

Alec barreled through the door. “Get to Cress. I got this one.”

Declan sprinted in the direction Cressida had run. She wouldn’t go far, just enough to get out of the way. But when the space opened up to the intersection of hallways, she was gone.

Alec came up beside him, the unconscious body of the guard slung over his shoulders. He unceremoniously dropped the man on the floor and looked around the hallway. “Where is she?”

“I don’t know. She wouldn’t have gone off without us.” Panic swelled, as he scanned the halls for any sign of her. The fight with the guard had masked the sound of her movements.

“She can’t have gone far,” Alec said, handing him the detonator device. “Let’s move away from this area and blow the servers.”

“Aye,” Declan growled. “Then I’m going to tear this fucking place to the ground.”

Fifty-Six

Cressida sprinted nearly to the end of the corridor before the sound of the expected takedown hit her ear. Her plan to draw the guard into Declan’s path went off well. But before she could stop and run back to him, an arm snaked around her waist. A large hand clapped over her mouth, silencing her screams. She threw her weight from side to side, trying to throw him off balance. He was too damn strong and ready for her to put up a fight.

“Jesus, you’re a squirrelly little bitch,” Oscar grumbled, his breath heating her ear. A barrel of metal pressed against her temple and she froze. “Stop fucking fighting me.”

He turned a corner and dragged her backward through a set of doors, her heels kicking on the tile floor. His iron grip didn’t let up until the hallway opened into a reception area. Jack was in an office off the lobby, working on his computer. The commotion brought his gaze up to them.

His eyes widened, and he stood. “Oscar, what the hell—”

“I caught her running through the second floor.”

“There’s been some strange shit happening tonight.” Jack’s brows lifted even farther. “Was she alone?”

Cressida tried not to stiffen at the question.

Oscar lifted his shoulder. “Um, I think so. I didn’t look though.”

Jack shook his head and turned his gaze on Cressida. “How did you get out of your room?”

Cressida lifted her chin, meeting his eyes with an icy stare. “I hacked the lock.”

“Jesus.” He looked around as if hunting for anything that could contain her better than what he’d been doing. “And where’s Barlow?”

“Last I saw him, he was heading outside to check the perimeter.”

“So much for hiring a mercenary to keep you on task.” Jack grasped her around the arm. “Move. I’m supposed to send an update to the investors.”

Shit.

He was about to be very disappointed when he saw what she’d done to the program. She had to stall until Declan or Alec found her.

“No.” Cressida buried her heels in the ground and jerked away from Jack’s hold. His fingers dug into her flesh, but that didn’t stop her twisting.

With a huff of frustration, Jack jerked on her arm painfully.

“Look, I’m sorry, I really am. But if I don’t produce the program in the next few days, I’ll lose everything.”

He held her wrist tight behind her back as he walked her down the corridor.

“When I first met you,” she snapped. “I thought you were so smart, so kind. I could never imagine you would ever do what you’ve done.”

Jack seemed to collect his thoughts before he spoke. “I don’t want to do it. I never did. All I wanted was to make the world’s best and green cloud storage devices that would revolutionize how we all saw data. Being a part of a plot to overthrow governments or blackmail the wealthy with deepfakes was never on my radar.”

“So why work so hard to keep all this going?”

“If I don’t, I’ll lose everything. My home, my cars, and possibly even my life. They already killed my brother. The buyers aren’t ones to fuck with.”

Cressida dragged her feet, hoping to slow their path toward the servers, which should go up in a controlled explosion at any minute. Jack gave her a shove, but she didn’t quicken her pace. Just as they were about to reenter the area from which she’d been dragged, Timothy Barlow turned the corner. He stopped when he saw Cressida being manhandled by Jack.

“Your security fucking sucks,” Jack snapped. “She was roaming around the second floor on her own. Where have you been?”

Barlow’s eyes flicked to hers and his lip turned up into a wry smile. “I was running patrols of all the other areas of the building. I just started today. You can’t blame me for this shit.” He gestured with his head at Cressida. “I’ll take her back. I made it clear what would happen if she didn’t stick to programming.”

It didn’t matter that it was likely a ruse, his threat sent a shiver down her spine.

Jack clutched her elbow. “Nah, I’ve got it.”

Barlow took a step toward Jack, his piercing blue eyes settling on him. “I wasn’t asking you for permission.”

Cressida watched Barlow’s face, the masterful way he used his size and intensity to back his opponent into a corner. Jack loosened his grip.

Barlow reached for Cressida’s arm, and jerked her toward him. She whimpered but didn’t resist too hard, not wanting to give Jack a reason to change his mind.

Without warning, the first explosion roared through the air, shaking the walls and cracking the windows around them. Cressida didn’t have time to react before she was on the ground, her body trapped under Timothy Barlow. He cradled her head against his chest, his arms shielding her against him. A second explosion concussed the room, and he grunted, tucking his head close to hers.

The lights flickered and went out, but Barlow didn’t move. Dim emergency lights popped on, casting a glow around the lobby. There was a moment of silence before the piercing blast of the fire alarm screamed through the air. Barlow released her and pulled himself back to look in her eye.

“Was that you?” he demanded.

“Yeah.”

“How many?”

“That was it.”

Overhead, water burst from the ceiling, raining down over the entire room. “Ah, shit,” he grumped.

He got to his feet and held out his hand to her. She took it and pulled herself up, wiping the water from her eyes as she got to her feet.

Her vision was still blurry when Oscar came up behind her and jerked her into him. The cold metal of the gun was shoved against her chin and she froze.

Jack’s dazed expression cleared, and his eyes widened. “Oscar, what the hell are you doing?”

“This is a bunch of bullshit,” Oscar shouted. “This bitch was running around, setting up bombs. I know it was her.”

“Where would I even get a bomb?” Cressida strained her voice to be heard. “I’ve been locked up all this time.”

Her eyes were adjusting to the darkness, and she caught Barlow’s gaze. He held her eyes for a moment, then they moved past her ever so slightly. Cressida could swear she saw the corner of his mouth turn up. “You assholes deal with this. I need to figure out what the hell is going on.”

Before they could object, Barlow strode away, leaving her in the middle of a standoff between Jack and Oscar.

Jack watched Barlow leave, disbelief clear on his face. Then he turned his attention back to Oscar. “Damn it. You can’t shoot her. We need her.”

The barrel dug into her chin, and she winced. “No, we don’t. We should kill her and find someone else. The McKinleys are probably already here.”

“Aye, you’d be right about that.”

Alec came from the shadows, his gun drawn and leveled at Oscar’s head.

Jack’s eyes widened, and he stepped toward Alec, his hands held up. “Mr. McKinley, wait. Put down the gun.” His voice trembled as his eyes darted between Alec and Oscar. “We aren’t alone here. You’re outnumbered. Any minute, our guards will come to investigate that explosion.”

A smirk pulled up on Alec’s lips. “It’s cute that you think you still have guards.”

Jack inhaled sharply, his face dropping to disbelief. He shifted his gaze to Oscar as if he was lost.

Oscar pressed the barrel painfully into her jawbone. “I’ll fucking kill her. I swear to god.”

Cressida scanned the darkened and waterlogged lobby, desperate to find Declan. She thought of Barlow’s little smile and how he left just before Alec arrived.

And then she knew exactly where Declan was.

It happened so fast. Declan’s hand slipped into the space between the barrel and her neck, and the cold metal was gone. The gun splashed water against the wet tiles as it landed on the ground. Oscar jerked in surprise and she took advantage of it. Using a downward momentum, she dropped to the ground, her arse landing hard on the wet floor.

Once she was free of Oscar’s hold, Declan was on him.

Cressida shuffled away, water soaking through her clothing. She turned, just as Oscar landed a solid punch across Declan’s cheek.

A frenzy of panic seized up her muscles, as she helplessly watched the man she loved fight a monster.

“Cressida!” Alec shouted over the noise, his attention never leaving his cousin. “To me!”

She’d been so absorbed by her anxiety for Declan, she’d hadn’t realized how exposed she was. Scrambling to her feet, she limped to Alec. When she reached him, he swept her behind him, his gun remaining trained on the man.

Oscar was large and built, throwing punches that had a lot of force to them. But the power of Declan’s athletic body added a speed Oscar didn’t have. The next oncoming punch was blocked and returned. When Oscar stumbled, Declan went for his waist. Water splashed all around them as they crashed to the floor. Oscar’s arms flailed, unable to catch his fall. His head hit the ground and bounced, but it didn’t stop him. He clawed at Declan’s face and neck, grappling for a hold.

Cressida winced, gripping the back of Alec’s vest. Even in the dim light, she could see deep gashes opened up on Declan’s throat.

Declan grabbed a handful of Oscar’s black hair and slammed his head into the ground. The sickening thunk could be heard between the shrill of the stuttered alarm. Declan’s fist pulled up again and, once more, bone meeting tile cracked across the room. Oscar went limp, his hand dropping listlessly onto the floor.

Declan’s chest heaved, water dripping from his hair onto the ground in front of him.

He shifted his piercing glare to Jack.

Jack’s eyes widened as Declan pulled himself off the limp man and stalked toward him. Jack backed away, not that he could run. Between Declan’s advance and Alec’s gun trained on him, he had nowhere to go.

“You motherfucking piece of shit,” Declan growled.

“Wait!” Jack yelled, holding his hands up, taking another step back. “We can wo—”

Declan’s fist connected with Jack’s nose, bursting it open. A cascade of bloody water poured down his face as he stumbled and fell to his knees. Declan’s foot reared back, swiftly kicking Jack in the face.

Jack crumpled on the ground. He groaned with pain but didn’t fight back as Declan flipped him onto his stomach, pulled a set of zip cuffs from his belt, and tied his hands behind his back.

Declan jumped off Jack and strode to Cressida. Alec walked forward, passing Declan as he moved to secure the targets.

Cressida ran to him, tears of relief stinging her eyes as he jerked her into his arms and kissed her. She sank into him, the warmth of his mouth chasing away the chill in hers.

He broke away. His breath hitched as his gaze roved over her face. “Are you hurt?”

Cressida shook her head and looked him over as well. “You?” She touched his neck, avoiding the diluted blood that trickled from the gashes on his throat.

“It’s nothing but wee scratches.” Declan’s expression changed, his eyes filling with emotion. “I don’t know what I’d have done if I’d have lost you.” He pulled her into him, cradling her head against his chest. “I never want to be this fucking scared again.”

Cressida clung to him, her racing heart beginning to slow. It was over. They were safe and the security of his arms was all she would ever need.

Fifty-Seven

Declan wouldn’t let the medics take her from him and joined her in the ambulance while they checked her over. She was soaked through, with only a small towel to keep her warm. Her body trembled with shivers, but her eyes were bright and the color had returned to her bruised cheeks.

The police questioned them all mercilessly. It would be a mess to clean up in the coming weeks, but he was hopeful the evidence she’d downloaded on the laptop would go a long way to smoothing over any legal issues that might come from it. That was a worry for another day.

Shake looked ready to drop as he hovered near the ambulance. He fussed over his sister, no matter how hard she tried to reassure him.

“Have Noah take you home and get some rest,” Cressida said firmly. “You should be the one on the stretcher, not me.”

It took Noah’s gentle prodding to get Shake to agree to leave with him in the SUV.

Before he left, Shake launched into Declan’s arms, surprising him with a solid hug. When he pulled away, tears had gathered in his warm brown eyes.

“You did good, mate. You did real good.”

Declan chuckled, patting Shake’s shoulder. “Thanks.”

“I guess you can date my sister, then.” A grin spread on his face.

A laugh rumbled from Declan’s chest. “I wasn’t aware I needed permission.”

“Nah, she’d kick my arse for even suggesting it.” Shake shot a look at Cressida, having a cut examined by a medic. “But I’m thrilled as fuck. For both of you.” Shake punched his arm and then let Noah lead him to the car.

Declan took in a deep inhale of the night air. The adrenaline was leaving his system, clearing the way for every ache and bruise to start needling him. He didn’t mind, as long as Cressida was safe.

A movement in the shadows caught his eye, and he knew he wasn’t alone. It wasn’t the first time Declan sensed Barlow had returned to the scene and he seemed to be hovering around where Cressida was being treated.

He was grateful Barlow disappeared when he did. If he’d have stuck around, Jack would have figured out he’d been played and exposed their tenuous partnership.

Of course, Barlow usually had a purpose for the things he did.

Cautiously, Declan stepped up on the curb crossing a short stint of grass before the blackness of the night enveloped him as well. He leaned against the brick, taking in the scene of first responders and lights extending out beyond the next street.

“She’s alright. Just a few cuts and bruises,” Declan said into the darkness. “You have my thanks. When the time comes, I’ll hold up my end of the bargain.”

Nothing came in response and he hoped he wasn’t speaking to the wall. “Jack Weston and his men have been arrested. The investors are likely next. If you need some cover from this, I know she’d help you.”

The sound of various emergency response vehicles whirred in the background, but the ghost in the shadows said nothing.

“When shall I expect you?”

A silence fell around them before a single word came out of the darkness.

“Soon.”

“Aye.” Declan pursed his lips and nodded. “Try to give us warning if you can, mate.”

He pushed off the wall and didn’t look back as he walked to the ambulance.

The medics finished with their assessment, and the officers finally released them. Cressida climbed down from the ambulance and stumbled into his arms. The weight of the last few days was taking a heavy toll. Declan walked her to their van and pulled open the door. Warmth from the blasting heaters greeted him as he helped her inside.

Alec got behind the wheel, and Mason joined him on the passenger side. Declan went to the partition between the cab and the back and closed it off.

When he was alone with Cressida, he turned to her.

“Take your shirt off.”

Cressida shot him a look and rolled her eyes. “Not here, you weirdo.”

Declan chuckled and stripped off his jacket and gear. “I’m serious. You need to get that wet jumper off. We have a long drive back to London. There’s no need to sit in it the whole way.” He nodded his head to the cab. “It’s just Alec and Mason. They won’t look.”

Cressida nodded and pulled the heavy jumper up over her head. It slopped onto the floor when she dropped it. “Don’t get any ideas, my friend. I tend to not get horny when I’m dying of hypothermia.”

Declan chuckled as he stripped off his tactical gear leaving on his dry T-shirt and long johns. Then he arranged a few of the duffel packs and a blanket so they could lean against them.

Her teeth chattered as she snuggled in his lap, pulling the blanket over them. Declan ran his hand up and down the smooth skin of her back to knead warmth into her.

“Not exactly safe to not be belted in,” she murmured. “But this feels amazing.”

“Aye, it does. Good thing Alec drives like our gran.”

Her shoulders shook with laughter, the sound a relief to his battered soul.

She shifted her head and kissed him. “Thank you for coming for me.”

“Did you think I wouldn’t?”

“No, I knew you would. I just didn’t know how bad it would get before you found me.”

“Jesus, Cress.” He kissed her again, his throat growing tight. “When I realized you were gone, I thought I’d go mad. I’m sorry it took so long.”

“Don’t be sorry. I’m safe because of you.” Cressida nuzzled her head into his neck and sighed.

The shivering had finally subsided, and the cool feel of her skin had warmed up considerably. Holding her like this was damn near perfect. They hadn’t had enough time together before she was stolen away.

Nearly two days without sleep was catching up, and the gentle rocking of the van lulled him. He was nearly asleep when she whispered the words he’d only heard the night before she was taken.

“I love you, Declan.”

He opened his eyes to find her soft, sable gaze studying him, as if she thought he might disappear.

For so long, he’d burned for her, thinking he would always be alone in his feelings.

But she was here, telling him he wasn’t alone anymore.

Leaning down, he captured her lips with his in a slow, savory kiss. She sighed and tilted her head to coax him deeper. The ache that burned in his chest grew as they ended the kiss and Cressida curled against him, nuzzling his neck.

“I love you too, sunshine.”

Epilogue

Four Months Later

Cressida was doing her best not to squirm. If Declan didn’t stop looking at her like she was a damn snack, she was going to have to change her knickers. It didn’t help that he was dressed in a kilt that accentuated every beautiful part of him.

Why?

Why were kilts so bloody hot?

Maybe he was the snack. He certainly was delicious.

But each lust-filled look he gave her made her core flutter, flashing memories of the way he’d pleasured her with his tongue the night before.

That charming smile pulled at his lips and she knew he was aware of what he was doing and he was fully enjoying himself.

“The bond between a husband and wife will only grow stronger . . .” The officiant’s droll voice broke through her increasingly dirty thoughts.

Shit.

They were literally standing in front of his entire bloody family right now, and he was taking this opportunity to tease the hell out of her?

The breeze brushed her hair from her cheek, and she tried to focus on the ceremony. Rain that had pattered down in the morning had subsided, and sunlight warmed the beautiful grounds. The red-and-cream manor house of The Kennison Inn loomed behind the rows of chairs that had been placed on the expansive lawn.

Half of Scotland seemed to be in attendance. The McKinley family was massive, with all manner of aunts, uncles, and cousins. They had been incredibly welcoming to her, although she caught a few curious looks from some of the older aunties. Apparently, they were all a little protective of their wee laddies, as they called the hulking forms of masculinity that stood at the altar next to the groom.

Declan caught her eye again, and he raised a single brow. His gaze lowered to rake over the silver floor-length gown she wore. When it returned, his expression had turned outright sinful. She inhaled deeply and shook her head at him. He pursed his lips to bite back a smile and turned his attention to the service.

He was going to pay for this.

When it came time for the vows, Cressida had to blink back her tears. Alec and Mercedes were absolutely gorgeous, and it warmed her to her toes that they were finally getting this moment together. They’d fought hard for it.

But when Alec’s father walked to the altar and presented the family tartan to his son, Cressida lost it. She pulled out the small handkerchief she’d hidden under the ribbon of her bouquet in a vain attempt to catch the tears. As Alec draped the sash over Mercedes’s shoulder, pinning it at her waist, Cressida glanced at Declan. His brow was drawn together with raw emotion and he seemed to fight back his own tears.

And that was why she loved him.

Every day, she was grateful she’d been strong enough to let him love her back.

The ceremony ended with a kiss and two of her most favorite people in the world were married. They made their way up the aisle, while the rowdiest bunch of McKinleys cheered them on. The vise that had taken hold of her throat finally eased as she dabbed at her lashes one last time.

Charlotte, who was the matron of honor, turned to her with glistening hazel eyes. “Oh my god, I’m a mess now.”

Cressida sniffed. “You and me both.”

Declan came to Charlotte’s side and offered his arm. He gave Cressida a wink before he led Charlotte away.

Luke came up as her escort and she grinned at him as he walked her back to the manor. Mason followed behind, with Katie on his arm.

Once they had reached the aisle, Declan gracefully delivered Charlotte to his cousin and pulled Cressida to his side. They continued up the path to the wide patio with a firepit.

“I hope you know I’m plotting my revenge,” she informed him.

“Och, aye?” A deep chuckle greeted her warning. “I look forward to that.”

“Well, you shouldn’t. I plan to make it devastating.”

They reached the patio where guests were gathering for the reception. Declan stopped and leaned down into her ear. “Mmm, I can’t wait to see what my good little lass has in store for me.”

Bloody fucking hell.

She inhaled sharply as pure lust shivered down her stomach and between her thighs. The mischievous glint in his eye told her he caught her reaction and was loving every second.

Without warning, his expression changed into a benign smile. “Oy, Tolly! How are you, mate?”

He stepped away, leaving Cressida all worked up in a crowd of his family.

And so the evening went. They greeted and laughed with his family until her cheeks hurt from smiling. She danced with an abundance of uncles and cousins well into the night. Most of whom told her Declan was a lucky man.

All the while, she and Declan teased each other mercilessly.

Finally, she landed back in his arms for a slow song, and much like how their relationship started, they swayed together, lost in each other. Declan leaned down and captured her lips with his. She moaned, softly teasing his tongue with hers.

He broke the kiss and murmured in her ear. “I can’t wait any longer. I need you now.”

Cressida was done waiting, too. She glanced around the dance floor and smiled. “Think we can slip away with no one noticing?”

“I think I can figure out how to do that.” He smirked.

She rolled her eyes as he took her hand. But instead of finding some obscure path that wouldn’t draw the interest of his family. He walked straight across the patio, up the path to the door and into the lobby. Along the way, he waved and smiled, but didn’t slow his pace. He led her upstairs and down the corridor to their room without stopping until they reached their door.

“Very strategic,” she quipped, while she waited for him to open their room.

Declan grinned at her. “Aye, I don’t reckon anyone will come looking for us now, though.”

“No, we clearly had the ‘we’re marching off to bed for sex’ look to us.”

The door clicked open, and Declan swept her inside. Before the door closed, he had her pressed against the nearest wall and his mouth on hers. His kiss was brutal, the evidence of how much their teasing had done them in. He toyed with her tongue, slipping his hand down to cup her breast. She moaned and laid her head back against the wall.

“This dress is a fucking menace,” he murmured as he kissed her neck. “Should be illegal for you to look like this when I have to behave in front of my mum.”

“I’m sorry, but have you seen yourself in this kilt?” she purred, loosening his cravat and slipping it off his shoulders to the ground. “I could barely keep my hands off you today.”

Declan raised his brow. “Och, aye? Should I wear it to work then, lass?”

“God, no. Neither of us would ever get anything done.”

He chuckled as his fingers located the delicate pull of the zipper on the back of her dress and unzipped it. It shimmered as it slipped to the ground. Declan masterfully unhooked her bra and tossed it away, claiming the peak of her nipple with his mouth. Cressida moaned and worked faster on the buttons of his vest and dress shirt.

So many damn buttons.

Once his vest lay discarded on the floor, she slid her hands under his shirt and roved the feel of his back. He moaned at her touch.

Hooking her silk thong, Declan slipped it down her hips, and she kicked it away.

Gathering the fabric of the kilt out of the way, he brought her thigh up and rocked his length against her core. He centered his cock against her entrance and plunged inside her with a groan.

Cressida cried out, the relief of him filling her replaced the edgy need she’d had all day. Declan held her against the wall, thrusting hard against her. She whimpered as she kissed him.

“Fuck Cress, you feel so good,” he groaned. “I’m so damn close.” He slowed his pace.

“Don’t stop,” she coaxed, arching her hips. “Come inside me. Please.”

Declan’s grip on her hips tightened, and the muscles of his arms and chest strained as he neared the edge. As his release overtook him, Cressida drank him in. The cries he made when he came were so damn sexy.

Declan didn’t end the merciless thrusts. “Come for me, sunshine,” he growled.

Each driving stroke blazed through her until the coiling pleasure snapped. She cried his name, riding each shuddering wave until she lay whimpering and limp against his shoulder.

He held her, stroking her back tenderly as their breathing slowed together. She’d come to cherish this quiet moment they always shared after they’d finished. Their reluctance to leave each other, their need to hold on for just another minute, tethered her heart to his.

“Sometimes, I lose all common sense around you,” he murmured.

“Mmm.” She kissed him lazily. “And that’s why I love you.”

“Aye, I love you too.”

Declan set her on her feet with one last kiss. Cressida sighed, her core still tingling from her release.

She leaned down and picked up the fine gown they’d so hastily discarded. After tidying up the dress and underclothes, she went to the loo for a quick cleanup and to get ready for bed.

When she returned, Declan was arranging his jacket in his garment bag. The dark blue and green of his tattoo caught her eye and she stopped to appreciate the man who loved her. Even seeing him perform a mundane task like hanging up his clothes made her breath catch.

He was hers, and she was never giving him up.

Cressida grabbed the hardcover novel from the night table and tossed it onto the bed. They were just getting to the fallout from Queen Adaira’s assassination attempt and she was eager to hear the next chapter. Although she usually didn’t get that far into it before Declan’s gorgeous voice lulled her to sleep.

Just as she was pulling back the blankets, a small silver tray on the end of their bed caught her eye. They’d been staying here for nearly a week to prepare for the wedding and they’d never had anything left by the staff.

Tonight, they had a lovely arrangement of chocolate truffles on a silver tray.

“Do you know where this came from?” she asked.

“No.” Declan narrowed his eyes and crossed the room. “Maybe Alec and Sadie sent it to us.”

He picked up the card tented on the tray and opened it.

“Well, shit,” Declan said, his lips pursed as he read through the note.

She hated when he said that. “What is it?”

He gave her the note, and her blood turned to ice.

Dear Scottie-Two and Little Princess,

Didn’t want to upset the bride with a sudden appearance, so I sent these instead. I need to call in that favor. I’ll contact you tomorrow. Have a lovely rest of your night.

Barlow

“Have a lovely rest of your night?” Cressida said, wrinkling her nose. “Nearly civilized for him. He normally speaks in grunts.” Then she noticed the letterhead and stopped. The Kennison Inn’s logo was emblazoned on it. And the note was handwritten. “I think he’s here.”

She handed the note back to Declan, and he studied it. “Favour is spelled the American way.”

“Yeah, because the staff didn’t write this. He did. They just delivered it.”

It should instill fear in her.

The big American had presented himself as a threat since the moment he came into their lives. But the way he’d sheltered her with his body during the explosions had exposed yet another layer to him. She wasn’t afraid of him anymore, and she was starting to think he was never their enemy.

The fact that Declan hadn’t gone into full-alert mode meant he wasn’t feeling a threat from Barlow either. Instead he sighed and moved the tray to the dresser.

“Honestly, I’ll be glad to get this over with. Not hearing from him for the last four months has kept me on edge.”

Cressida crawled into the bed and waited for Declan to settle and find their page before curling up to him. He was like an oven and she loved to cuddle close to steal his heat. She sighed with contentment, even though they’d just gotten the news they’d been dreading.

Whatever happened, they’d work it out together.

“Do you still think it’s about Mara?” Declan asked.

Cressida remembered Barlow’s face when she’d brought up the little blonde. She nodded against his chest.

“I know it is.”

Thanks for Reading

Thank you so much for reading. I truly hope you enjoyed it.

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Love you!

Avie

Books By A.V. Asher

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Truth and Lies Duet - Mercedes and Alec

The Truth Keeps Silent

The Lies That Shatter

Truth & Lies Book 3 - Cressida and Declan

And Then We Sever

Acknowledgments

There comes a time in every author’s life when they must accept what is real. I am at that place in my career now. Every time I hit the publish button, I am in awe that I am able to follow this dream. If anyone would have told me I would be publishing my third book and writing my fourth, I don’t know that I would ever have believed it.

For my readers- Thank you for your kind words and encouragement. Every DM or interaction I have with you makes my heart sing. I honestly don’t think I would have ever been brave enough to do this without your support!

To my sweetest friend, Greer Rivers- Words cannot express how much I love and appreciate you. You are a solace in the face of my raging imposter syndrome, and I honestly don’t know what I would do without you. Thank you for always responding to my crazy DMs and working through my plot holes with me! 

To Nerys- Thank you so much for your sweet support and loving my characters. I am so grateful to you for all that you do for me!

To the amazing Jill Mac- Thank you for keeping my life on track and providing me with your vast business knowledge as I navigate these new waters. I am so grateful for everything you do.

For my beta readers- Thank you for taking the time to read and give me your honest opinions. Special shout out to Crystal, Valerie and Renee for being early readers and providing such valuable feedback! 

Thank you to my editor, Gail Delaney, for providing such insightful advice and cleaning up a few plot holes! I appreciate you so much.

And also a thank you to My Brother’s Editor for making my final product shine!  

To Cat at TRC Designs- Like the redesign of the duet, this cover is absolutely stunning. I am so grateful to you for your creativity and patience. I can’t wait to work with you again. Thank you so much!

To my parents, grandparents and all the members of my extended family- Thank you so much for your unwavering support. I love you! 

To my kiddos- You are my heart. I love you all so much. 

And finally, to my husband, Dominic- Thank you for giving me this. I know it hasn’t always been easy, but I love you for being there for me. 

About the Author

A.V. Asher was one of those kids who always got in trouble for reading in class. Although she has been creating wild stories since childhood, she only recently began writing them down.

A former elementary school teacher, she now dedicates her time to her family and to chasing her publishing dreams. A.V. lives in Northern Nevada with her husband and three children.

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