Page 98 of Bad Attitude
“…Yeah.” Except I didn’t. Not with her.
“So… you don’t want to risk getting any girl pregnant, but you don’t mind gettingmepregnant?”
I’m hit with the image of Raven’s belly, rounded with my kid. Being a father. Being ahusband. It’s an image I can live with. It’s an image Ilike.
It’s been two weeks, for fuck’s sake. You’re on ajobfor fuck’s sake.
My head, my heart, my body—all in agreement. It’s only my training that’s arguing, trying to ensure I survive, and not blow my cover in the middle of an op. By telling Renner’s favored rider that yeah, surprise, I’m not really who you think I am.
That’s a fast way to end up dead. Cole and Dario made that it clear that Renner made people disappear for less than this—and where Raven’s concerned, too.
I’m not just fucking with his best rider, I’m here to put them all in prison for a long, long time.
Twicethe reason to kill me.
I’m spilling my guts on her couch, like a wet-behind-the-ears agent on his first undercover assignment. Just because I want her to trust me—me,not some fictional Declan-fucking-Hale.
And I still haven’t answered.
“Okay, I can see how that’s inconsistent,” I say, owning that one. “I just… got caught up. Inyou.”
All true too.
“What if I got pregnant then, huh?” She comes right back with it. “What if I wasn’t on birth control, and you found yourselftrapped? You ever beenmarried, Mister Hale?”
“No,” I say. “But… if I were to be, I could sure do a hell of a lot worse.”
She jerks like I’ve slapped her, expression passing from shock through to something complicated, more internal than anger or surprise, almost like I’ve caught her out. She turns her back to me, busyingherself at the stove, and I can’t help but think she looked…guilty?
But that makes no sense. I must be wrong.
She was skittish for us getting too close, and now I’ve practically proposed to her, sitting in nothing but a sheet in her apartment, when neither of us can even leave.
What a great play.
“I’m sorry,” I say to her back.
“Whatever for?” She doesn’t turn around.
“Coming on strong like that.” I pause. “I just…”Mean it.“…it’s been a weird couple of days.”
“You’re not wrong,” she mutters.
“Tomorrow, I’ll be well enough to go,” I say, hating every word. “I’ll get an uber back to my place. Give you some peace.” Get to my burner phone and check in with Mercer, too. Especially after I missed our Saturday check-in call because I was withher, then doubled down by robbing a jewelry store.
She laughs, short and without mirth. “Dressed in just a sheet?”
“I’ll order some clothes tonight. They’ll be here tomorrow.”
Raven spins around, a spatula in her hand, and…tearsin her eyes? The chestnut’s gone warm and bright, vulnerability shining through, and I want to pull her into my arms so bad. “You’re not going anywhere,” she snaps. “Doctor’s orders. Three more days, minimum.” Her chin comes up. “I guess we’re stuck with each other.”
She turns back to the stove, jabbing angrily at thecontents of the pot, her T-shirt riding up with each movement, flashing the bottom of a pair of lacy black panties.
I sit on her couch, feeling shit. I’ve got exactly what I wanted—time with Raven, when neither one of us can escape.
Time to get close to her, but that means time for her to get close to me.
It now feels like the most dangerous thing I could do.
