Sure, to save his career, but this? Putting the last of my family in the line of

fire? He wouldn’t. But others? Others, like the ones behind the highly sterilized

report my lawyer handed me after the trial? The one that revealed how little my

loyalty to the Corps really meant? Yeah, they would. In a goddamn heartbeat. I

kept my back to the disturbingly silent male behind me. “Who are you working

for, Kayden?”

“It’s classified.”

A bitter smile twisted my lips at his expected answer even as old fury

reignited. Regardless of his non-regulation appearance, it seemed Kayden still worked for the military. Disappointment curled through me. I turned, leaned back, and let the edge of the sink press against my lower back. Then I folded my

arms across my chest. “I was medically discharged, not demoted. Since it’s my family we’re discussing, don’t you think I deserve to know who I’m considering

working with?”

“When they’re ready,” he shot back, artfully sidestepping my actual question

as he mirrored me on the other side of my kitchen. “By the way, discharged is better than an honorable separation.”

The arrogant assurance behind his clarification pissed me off. “So, I should

be grateful to be labeled physically unfit versus mentally unfit? According to who? You? Your superiors?” Roiling emotions morphed into a cold, cutting

scorn and I didn’t give him a chance to answer. “Nice of you all to keep me in

the loop. Oh wait, you didn’t, though, did you? You all were on ‘assignment’ or

‘unavailable’.” I used my fingers to do air quotes, then glared at him. “Fuck you,

Shaw.”

He didn’t move, his body steady and relaxed, completely unruffled by my

tirade. “It was a command decision made for your protection.”

“Excuse me if I don’t believe you.” God, why did I even bother? Was I still hoping for an apology? If so, I was pretty sure I was out of luck. “I don’t have

time for your games, so I’ll ask one more time. Why are you here now, and why

is Ellery after me?”

“I’m here to protect you and get your help.” His quiet statement hung

between us.

“Your protection sucks,” I snapped, even as I mulled over the implications of

the second part. I would need his help to keep Ellery off my ass. Kayden’s and

whoever he worked for. I choked down a frustrated scream. Time for a different

tact. “Exactly how do you think I can help?”

His gaze remained level as the lines in his face softened with some emotion I

couldn’t read. “We know what you can do.”

Studying his too-knowing gaze, worry flickered. Again, with the mysterious

‘we’. “Excuse me?”

A grim little smile quirked his lips. “You see things others don’t.”

His bombshell trapped my breath under the one-ton elephant that parked its

ass on my chest. “Uh?” I wheezed. Witty repartee, that’s me.

“You’re not the only one out there with psychic abilities.”

Recoiling, I struggled to keep my voice even. “Who said anything about

being psychic?”

“Just stop,” his warning growl cut my protestations short. “If you want the truth, you have to give it. Otherwise, I can’t help and I’m out of here.”

Somehow, he knew, and wasn’t that a kick in the ass? What now? Admit or

deny? My options were limited. One, I could kick his ass out and stumble around

trying to find Kelsey on my own. Or, two, I could use him and his resources.

Contrary to his opinion, I wasn’t stupid. Going after Ellery alone amounted to a

suicide mission. Plus, it wouldn’t save Kelsey. But if I could use him and Tag?

Not to mention the resources they could access that I couldn’t touch, then my chances increased dramatically.

I looked away and the sight of Kelsey’s discarded sunglasses lying forlornly

on the counter made my heart clench. To save her, I would shout the truth from

the rooftops and damn the consequences. No matter how much it grated to