Page 43 of The Veteran

“What do you mean?” I demanded.

He slung an arm over the top of the chair and turned to me, his expression touched with amusement. “If we want to find them before they take another shot at Sage, then our best bet is to intercept them. Sage, do you know who your father used to spend his time with?”

“A bit.” She glanced from me to Zeke and wet her lips. “I met a few of his friends, and I can tell you some of his old hangouts, but I’m sure there’s a heap I don’t know. It’s not like he confided everything in his teenage daughter.”

“Whatever you know is likely more than we do,” Zeke pointed out. “I think we should follow their example and see what we find.”

I glanced at Ronan, certain he’d dismiss the idea, but he seemed to be considering it.

“No,” I snapped because someone had to say it. “If we do that, we’ll be putting Sage at a higher degree of risk. It would be safer for us to stay under the radar and wait for them to surface.”

“Who knows how long that will take?” Zeke sounded exasperated. “They want whatever knowledge they think Sage has. They’re out of luck, but there’s no reason we can’t use what she knows to get a head start.”

I glared at him. “You always want to use people. It’s not safe, or fair.”

A delicate cough interrupted us.

“Actually,” Sage said, seeing that she had our attention. “I agree with Zeke.” She reached for my hand. “If we can end this sooner, it means there’s less chance of anyone getting hurt.” Her tone was soft but sure. “You know how important that is to me.”

I opened my mouth, an argument on the tip of my tongue, but then closed it as I realized, with a sinking feeling, that it may not matter what I said. She wanted to do this and she was a grown woman. She didn’t need my permission.

“Fine,” I grumbled. “But I want you within ten feet of me at all times.”

She squeezed my hand. “Thank you.”

I held her gaze, biting back the urge to tell her how much I wished she’d just stay somewhere safe and quiet. I had to accept that wasn’t what she wanted, and I couldn’t drag her off like a caveman. It wasn’t ten thousand B.C.

“Now that we’ve got that settled,” Ronan said. “Sage, would you mind sitting down with Fiona to make a list of everyone you remember from your father’s past? Once that’s done, I can ask around about them and Zeke can dig into their backgrounds digitally.”

Sage nodded and got to her feet. “Should I come back in here when we’re finished?”

“No, we’ll be out in a minute.”

“Okay.” She left the office, closing the door behind herself.

Both Ronan and Zeke turned to me.

“What?” I asked, feeling like I was under a microscope.

“Are you sure you’re still the best person to protect her?” Ronan asked, visibly uncomfortable.

“Of course.” I shoved my chair back, insulted that he had to ask. “I’m the fucking director of personal security.”

“Yes,” he said slowly, “but you also have feelings for her.”

My cheeks heated, and I glared at Zeke, who seemed to be enjoying this conversation far too much. “So what if I do?”

Ronan sighed. “I’m not questioning your abilities, but you can’t afford to be distracted.”

I leveled him with a look. “When Willow was in trouble, did you want anyone else watching her back?”

“Fuck, no.” The answer came gratifyingly quickly.

“Well, that’s how I feel about Sage.” I made eye contact with him and then Zeke, holding for long enough that they’d know I was serious. “Nobody will keep her safer than me. I promise you that.”

However much she might hate me for it, I’d give my life for her if I had to. In a heartbeat.

“Fine.” Ronan’s expression was full of misgiving. “But be careful.”