41. Beck
BECK
ODHRAN MURPHY – IF I WERE A GOD
The text didn’t say anything more than that, and it wasn’t unusual for first missions to require psychiatric evaluations afterwards—particularly if they went haywire—but the most concerning thing about receiving it was that I hadn’t even had a chance to lodge the mission report for this one.
I’d been… a little distracted.
Okay, thoroughly distracted.
My arms pulled Addie a little closer, trying to believe that her forced slow breathing meant she was actually asleep—not pretending like I was too.
I hated that I’d scared her, but really, she was right to be afraid.
Calper had a reputation of being… thorough.
I was terrified for her. I didn’t even want to think how the others would react come morning when they checked their own phones.
But at least our separation was scheduled half an hour apart, and we’d be able to wait with her for a little while.
I should probably warn her not to mention any part of this, though.
Blackwing wouldn’t let us remain her handlers if they had even a sneaking suspicion that this was anything more than a professional relationship.
They’d reassign her immediately. And there was no way in hell I was letting anyone else manage her missions, prioritise her safety, her wellbeing, or fucking live with her.
The sky lightened quicker than I was ready for, and my brothers stirred.
All of us were well accustomed to early mornings, but none of us yet dared get up.
Dek lifted his head, yawning, but when he looked down at the tiny blonde assassin tucked up between us, his expression softened and I knew he was a goner.
We all were.
Van popped up a minute later, disgusted to realise he’d been spooning Dek in his sleep.
I snorted softly.
“We’re so fucked,” I murmured, knowing our girl was still pretending to sleep. Knowing that she’d be committing every word to memory. I pressed a kiss to her temple, unable to resist the temptation.
“Yup,” Dek agreed. He managed to divert his gaze for a moment, hazel eyes going hard as he stared at me. “This is dangerous, Beck. If the Academy finds out—”
“I know,” I said, cutting off his words before they could land.
“It wouldn’t just be Addie’s life on the line. You know that, right?” Van murmured, reaching over Dek to brush the stray strands of hair off her face.
I didn’t think he noticed, but her lips tilted up in a small smile. My heart stuttered at the sight of it.
“I do. And I’ll protect hers with mine, if it comes down to it,” I answered, meaning every word.
Addie’s brow creased in the middle, but before I could do anything as hopeless as kiss it away, my phone started beeping loudly, signalling that the day was coming for us whether we were ready for it or not.