Bodyguard by Melanie Shawn

45

Gage

I tuckedSavannah into bed and went back out to get into the planning phase deeper with Bear. She hadn’t been comfortable with me leaving her. I could see it in her eyes, even though she put on a brave face.

I wasn’t sure if it had been the right move to remind her of those dead assholes at the cabin. But she needed to know how serious things were, and they were a good shorthand lesson.

Bear was deep in thought when I sat back down on the couch, his brow furrowed, and his elbows resting on his knees as he leaned forward.

As soon as my ass hit the couch cushion, he looked up. “You’re gonna wanna be real careful there.”

I was taken aback. “What are you talking about?”

He tilted his head to the side, a ‘give me a small break’ look on his face. "Come on, man. I'm not an idiot. It's not like I didn't realize that you and Savannah had history. But I didn't think that you would be reckless enough – hell, dumb enough — to start things up again when we're in the middle of a situation like this. "

I opened my mouth, ready to protest that I hadn't started anything up – but then I realized that, of course, that would be a lie. I had started up with Savannah again. I hadn't thought of it as reckless, at least not operationally. I had only thought about the risks to my heart. Not my safety.

And more to the point, not her safety. Or even Bear’s.

A wave of shame passed over me as I realized how selfish and shortsighted I had been. It wasn't like me at all. My feelings had blinded me to the dangers involved, and I had put all of us at risk.

Bear shook his head. “Oh, brother. You don’t need to get all martyr-y about it. I’m just saying be careful, Okay? Don’t make decisions with your dick or your heart that you should be making with your head.”

I nodded in agreement. “Yeah. I get it. That’s a promise.”

He studied my face, then gave a curt nod. Just once. Decisive.

One of the things I’d always really liked about Bear. When he moved on from something, he really moved on.

Unless I fucked up—and I wouldn’t—we had talked about this for the last time.

“So, you know the kid’s name? The mother? Where they live? Any other pertinent details?”

I shook my head. “I know that the mother was one of Barlowe’s stable.”

“She was a pro?”

“Yeah. And I know the kid has a history of arrests that were quietly dropped. And I know he’s in his early twenties. And that his main hobbies are playing video games and smoking weed. That’s the only information of any substance Woodward knew.”

“You sure?”

I let a small, quick smile flash on my lips. “Trust me. I came at it from all angles. And I was very persuasive.”

Bear smirked. “I know you can be. Well, that’s probably enough for Crypt to get started on. I’m going to text him now.”

I stood. “Good. There’s not a whole lot else we can do tonight. I guess I’ll head to bed.”

Bear raised an eyebrow. I put my hands out in front of me. “I know, man. I’m watching it. I swear.”

He nodded, but reluctantly. “Good. That’s all I ask.”