family.” His calm demeanor rankled. “With the Ardens dead, Kelsey is the only
family you have left.”
“Which is why I don’t broadcast our relationship. He couldn’t have found
her easily.” With our foster parents gone, my connection to Kelsey wasn’t common knowledge. Our last names were different, we ran in completely
different circles, and we kept separate residences that couldn’t be linked. Small
things I exploited with ruthless efficiency, especially after I came home.
Paranoid and disillusioned, I didn’t want the trouble surrounding me to touch
her. Unfortunately, there were two people who knew enough about us to change
that. Flash and Tag. But Flash was dead. Warning bells clamored. I shook my head. No, Tag wouldn’t do that to me.
He had no problem walking away before, a nasty little voice reminded me.
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?”
