Page 147 of I Know Your Secret
“Would he let you just waste away, though?”
I think back to the rules I signed, and wish breaking them would mean Koen would rise from the bed and spank my ass raw. “No. He wouldn’t.”
“Well,” Chase backs up to give me room to stand, “let’s go get something to eat, and we’ll talk strategy.”
“Strategy for what?”
“Food first,” he grinds out, leading the way toward the kitchen.
There are prepared foods that I assume someone brought in, because to my knowledge, Chase hasn’t left since we got back with Koen. Neither of us has.
I took a leave from work, and they probably think I’m insane the way I disappear all the time, but I don’t care.
This life is becoming more of my reality than anything that came before.
Chase and I both pile our plates with fresh veggies and dip, cold sandwiches, and grab waters from the fridge.
Sitting across from one another at the table, there’s a comfortable silence as we both begin eating.
“I’m so sorry about Brian,” I tell him, and it’s the first time I’ve spoken the man’s name in four days.
He sighs. “I always thought I’d be the first to go, you know?”
I’m stunned to silence, chewing my food robotically, the taste of it turning acrid on my tongue.
“Not that I can’t fight or defend myself, even now,” he motions to his legs. “Just, I was always the more reckless of us three.”
“You?”
Thinking of Koen rushing into danger, ill-prepared and reckless, counters Chase’s words.
“Yeah. I guess that was before, though.”
I swallow, grabbing my water to wash some of the ashen taste from my mouth.
“What did you mean earlier?” I ask in a veiled attempt to change the subject.
“About strategizing?”
“Yes.”
“Well, Koen’s ill-equipped to go in the field, and I’m better with the computers, and Brian’s… gone.”
“So that leaves me.”
He nods, drinking some of his water. “That leaves you.”
“Koen won’t be happy when he finds out.”
“Is heeverhappy?”
I smirk. “No. So, what’s the plan?”
“I think I got a beat on where Helms is holding the girl, but it’s going to be armed to the teeth. I’ve called in some favors, and I’ve got some guys willing to back you up, but it’sourop. I’ll be with you every step of the way, and?—”
I cut him off, “Chase, you don’t have to talk me into saving this girl. Even if it puts me in danger.”
He bites the inside of his cheek, placing his sandwich back down on the plate. “You might not walk out of it unscathed. You might not walk out. My guys have expressed instructions to protect you at all costs, but I need you to realize the reality.”
