Page 115 of Target Acquired

“Wait, what?” Kenzie said. “Why?”

“Dude, no,” Butler said at the same time.

“Well, I’d think that’s obvious. People will never look at me the same.”

“This will pass,” Cole said. “You’re not responsible for your father’s actions.”

“Any more than I am,” Kenzie said. “My father may not have done what everyone accused him of, but he wasn’t exactly a likable boss.”

“The Dictator,” Oscar said.

“Exactly.”

The man rose. “I’ll think about it. I need to go see if they’ll let me visit with Dad before they take him to a cell. I’ve already got his lawyer on standby, so we’ll see what he has to say.” Oscar looked at Butler. “Again, I’m sorry, man.”

Butler nodded. “I am too. For you. For your family. For all of it. I’ll be in touch.”

Oscar left and Kenzie glanced at her phone. “Well, we hate to run, but my grandmother’s ninety-seventh birthday celebration is in an hour.”

Butler nodded and locked his eyes on hers. “Thank you, King. I can’t say it enough.” He swallowed, then cleared his throat. “You’re a good example of what a real professional is. I was a jerk and definitely not a team player or professional by any stretch. I really am sorry.”

“And you’re forgiven. I’m glad we can move forward from here.”

Once she and Cole were back in her vehicle, she buckled up and laughed. “I kind of obligated you to go with me to my grandmother’s party. You game?”

“I’m happy to go with you.”

She smiled. “I’m happy about that.”

He returned her smile.

“I’ve got to swing by my house first.”

“Sounds good. My car’s still there.”

After a brief stop at Kenzie’s house, Cole followed her directions to the assisted-living home where her grandmother lived. It was a step up from the one Oscar’s father had been in and had a private room where families could celebrate their loved ones without having to take them from the facility.

When Kenzie walked into the room followed by Cole, the first person to notice them was Logan. He raised a brow in her direction and she shrugged. He grinned and she groaned. The teasing was coming.

Cole must have caught the look because he turned his gaze on her, then slid an arm around her shoulders and tucked her next to him.

“What are you doing?”

“Getting it over with.”

“What?”

“Your whole family is here. Now we can just make it known we’re a couple and move on.”

“Oh.”

He tensed. “Unless you’d rather not.”

She rose on tiptoes to kiss his cheek. “I’d rather.”

He relaxed. “Good.”

HE’D RATHER TOO. He’d rather have her alone and in his arms, but that wasn’t to be just yet.