Chapter 29
Monica blinked a few times, trying to figure out what universe she’d stepped into, because none of this made sense.
She knew there was a strong, undeniable attraction pulling at both of them, but his words had knocked the air out of her.
No man had ever said something like that to her.
No man had ever claimed her. And that was exactly what he’d done.
“If this is your way of getting me back into bed, Kane,” she said lightly, forcing a tease into her voice, “you really don’t have to work that hard.”
His expression didn’t soften. If anything, it hardened.
“I’ve never said those words to a woman,” Kane replied, his voice low and steady. “And I respect you too much to use them just to get you into bed.”
Her throat tightened as her gaze slipped away. She’d wanted, no, she needed that to be true. She’d been the woman men wanted for a night before. She’d believed things men had told her that she shouldn’t have and paid for it afterward. And this man? This man could destroy her if she let him.
Hell, she already was letting him because she was falling hard for him.
“I don’t want to be hurt, Kane.” The honesty came out before she could stop it. “I don’t judge you for your past. It’s not that.” She hesitated, then added quietly, “But I heard what they were saying about you. And one thing I can’t get out of my head is—”
His fingers tipped her chin up, forcing her to meet his eyes.
“Is what?” he asked, though the look in his eyes told her he already knew.
“That you’ll get bored,” she said softly, watching him closely, and saw the flash of something dark and regretful cross his face when he dropped his hand. “I don’t want to be another woman you move on from.”
Silence stretched between them.
Then Kane stepped closer.
“I don’t do bored,” he said quietly. “I do walking away before it matters.”
His eyes locked onto hers, unflinching, and she swallowed hard.
“And with you, it already matters.”
The words landed heavily, and Monica saw the truth in his eyes immediately. No games. No heat-of-the-moment bullshit. Just honesty.
Kane didn’t look away when he continued. “I’m going to say this, not because I want to defend myself, but because you need to understand me.”
His jaw tightened. “I’ve never treated a woman badly.
I don’t give a fuck what they were saying about me, but I know what they said because I’ve heard it from the assholes all before.
” His gaze never left hers. “I respect women. Always have. When I’ve been with someone, they knew exactly what it was.
No lies and no promises I couldn’t keep. ”
He reached out, pulling her closer, close enough that she could feel his heat, his control barely leashed.
“But I’ve never wanted anyone,” he said quietly. “Never needed anyone...until you.”
The admission wasn’t dramatic. It didn’t need to be. It was raw, steady, and it hit her harder than any pretty words ever could.
“I thought you hated me when we first met,” Monica whispered, still trying to wrap her head around what was happening. It was all so unexpected, but since meeting this man, all he had done was turn her world upside down more than it already was.
He shook his head, giving her a sad smile. “I think I knew the moment I saw you walking toward me in that bar that you were different from any other woman, and to be honest, it terrified the shit out of me.”
Monica actually snorted at that. “I don’t think anything could terrify you, Kane.”
“Well, that did, and so I was a little harder on you than I intended to be.” Kane cupped her cheek. “And the more time I spent with you, the stronger those feelings intensified. Then I met your family, Theo and Knox—”
“So, Knox is what sealed the deal for you?” Monica said, trying to hide her grin.
“He is a pretty awesome dog,” he replied without a smile, but then broke out into loud laughter at her frown.
Monica punched him in the stomach, but laughed with him. Once they stopped laughing, she glanced up at him. “You were right.”
“I usually am.” He countered with a grin. “About what?”
“Something is off with Farrar.” Monica’s smile had faded, all teasing gone. “I’m sorry I messed this up, but I’ve been doing this for so long, and well, I just didn’t want to lose the chance to get Griffen. Now he’s dead, meaning it’s a dead end...again.”
“First of all, in this line of work, things change on a dime. And most of the time, nothing works out. There have been so many times I’ve had to change strategies to make it work.
I’m good at what I do, Monica.” Kane said, turning serious.
“But my main concern is to keep you safe. Just because Farrar hasn’t called you back doesn’t mean this is the end.
It just means we are back to the drawing board. It’s part of undercover work.”
Monica nodded as she took his hand in hers, rubbing her thumb against his. “I trust you, Kane.” Monica’s gaze left their hands to look up at him. “I just want whoever is responsible for Beverly’s death to pay, and I guess if it was Griffen, then he did pay in the end.”
“I think Farrar is more involved, which is something we are going to find out.” Kane pulled her into his arms and hugged her tight. But tomorrow is another day. “For now, let’s go get my buddy from Theo.”
Smiling into his chest, she chuckled. “I knew it was Knox that changed you.”
“He’s grown on me,” Kane laughed when she pinched him. They moved toward his bike, but he stopped before getting on. “Listen, this wasn’t a conversation I wanted to have in the driveway of our meeting place.”
Monica frowned, then tiptoed and kissed him. “I’m glad we did, Kane.”
Before he could say anything, someone came out of the house. “I thought you guys left already,” Raven said as she walked past them, heading for her bike.
“We’re leaving now,” Kane said, getting on his bike. “Where are you off to?”
“The compound,” Raven said with a frown. “My shift starts in half an hour.”
“You ever regret leaving the Guardians for the VC?” Kane asked as Monica climbed on behind him.
“Nope,” Raven got on her own bike. “You guys are assholes.”
“Wait a minute,” Monica frowned. “You used to be a Dark Guardian?”
“Yep,” Raven nodded.
“Now you’re a Warrior?” Monica looked at the beautiful woman in awe. “That’s pretty cool. You can fight and everything.”
“I can kick his ass,” Raven grinned, nodding toward Kane.
Kane just snorted, shaking his head. “Watch your ass out there, Raven.”
Raven didn’t respond; she just gave Monica a wink then flipped Kane off as she passed them. Monica chuckled, glancing at Kane. “She’s something else.”
“Something else is right,” Kane snorted, but she heard the respect in his tone.
“I still can’t wrap my head around the fact she’s a Warrior,” Monica said as she wrapped her arms around Kane, ready to get home. “She looks like she belongs on a runway modeling the latest fashion trends.”
“She’s like a little sister to me,” Kane replied, then started the bike. “Pain in the ass and all.”
Monica smiled and tightened her hold as Kane took off.
The bike surged forward, smooth and powerful beneath them.
When he turned out of the driveway, she leaned into his back, already settling in for the ride.
She’d always loved being on a motorcycle.
The speed, the freedom, and the way the world blurred until nothing existed but the road and the moment always soothed her.
Her mind drifted back to what had just happened between them, and her stomach fluttered. Kane wasn’t just attractive; he was dangerous in a way that could ruin a woman if she let him. And she was already halfway there. She was definitely thinking about him far more than she should.
Then Kane’s body went rigid as a loud pop sounded.
Before she could ask what was wrong, the bike jerked. Hard.
“Fuck!” Kane cursed as the back tire fishtailed.
Bright headlights exploded behind them.
The bike bucked once more and then went down.
Monica screamed as they slammed into the pavement. The impact knocked the air from her lungs, pain flashing white as they hit and started sliding. The road tore at her, sparks screaming around them... and then Kane was there.
His hand locked around her arm, yanking her toward him as they slid. He twisted mid-slide, wrapping his body around hers, forcing her head against his chest. He took the brunt of it—shoulder, back, hips—shielding her as they skidded across the concrete at a terrifying speed.
“I’ve got you!” Kane yelled over the roar and scrape of metal and asphalt. “Hold on to me!”
She clutched him, fingers digging into his jacket as he adjusted his grip, keeping her tucked tight, her face buried against him. The road burned and screamed beneath them, but he never loosened his hold.
Then one of his arms left her.
Monica cried out, lifting her head just in time to see him reach back and pull a gun free.
Shots cracked the night.
She squeezed her eyes shut as the sound of bullets rang out, sharp and deafening. Something metallic pinged. She dared a glance and saw headlights bearing down on them, a truck or a van, was coming fast and straight for them.
She screamed again, certain she was going to die as more gunfire exploded.
The vehicle swerved violently, missing them by feet, then by inches. Kane and Monica slammed against something, she didn’t know what, but they came to a brutal stop, the force stealing her breath as her vision blurred, and her lungs refused to cooperate.
“I’ve got you,” he said again as if he felt her fear, but his tone was rough with rage.
Another motorcycle skidded to a stop nearby.
“You okay?” Raven shouted over the engine.
“Yeah,” Kane snapped, already moving, carefully shifting Monica and lowering her flat onto the ground. His hands were gentle now, despite the fury burning in his voice. “Monica? Look at me.”
“Charger’s on his way,” Raven yelled. “I’m going after the bastards.”
“Wait for backup,” Kane ordered, sharp and absolute.
Monica blinked, air finally forcing its way back into her lungs. Kane was above her, his face tight with concern and anger. “Where are you hurt?” he demanded.
“I… I don’t know.” She tried to move. Pain flared along her left side; she hissed, biting back a cry.
Kane swore viciously, his hands hovering, afraid to touch her the wrong way. “Don’t move,” he said, his voice deadly calm. “Call Slade!”
“Already done,” Raven said, appearing behind Kane, her stance casual but her eyes sharp as she kept watch over the road.
“I’m okay,” Monica croaked, trying to push herself up. Her side throbbed, but it wasn’t unbearable. “Just… help me up.”
Kane didn’t hesitate. He lifted her with ease and kept her tucked against him, his grip firm as his gaze swept over her face. “Easy,” he warned quietly, then turned his attention to Raven. “How did you know?”
“I passed the van, it was flying past me, and I just had a gut feeling,” Raven replied, glancing to where the van disappeared.
Monica barely listened as her eyes drifted to his bike lying mangled across the wet pavement. The earlier rain slickened the road, but she knew that wasn’t the reason they went down. Her stomach clenched. “They were trying to run us over.”
For a split second, Kane and Raven exchanged a look. Even though she wasn’t really asking that question, just stating a fact, she knew by their look that she was right.
More motorcycles roared in, the sound vibrating through her bones. Monica instinctively moved closer to Kane, the motion pulling a sharp breath from her as pain flared along her side.
A man she recognized hurried toward them. It took her a second to place him—he’d been at the hospital when Kane had ordered her there to talk to King and Amara.
“You hurt?” he asked Kane, then shifted his attention to her.
“No,” Kane answered, his arm tightening around her. “But she took the hit on her left side.”
“Any trouble breathing?” he asked, looking here over.
She shook her head. “No.” Her voice sounded distant, even to her own ears.
She watched Raven lift her arm and point down the road, toward the direction the vehicle had disappeared. Without a word, several of them mounted up and tore off after it.
“I’m fine,” Monica said again, though this time the words felt hollow because she wasn’t fine. None of this was fine.
As the shock faded, her body started to shake, not from the pain, but from the understanding settling in. This hadn’t been an accident.
Someone had followed them. Someone had waited. Someone had pulled a trigger. And if Kane hadn’t reacted when he did, she wouldn’t be there at all.
That truth landed heavy in her chest as Kane held her tighter, like he already knew how close she’d come to never getting up again.