“You have to figure that out,” Roy said. He got up. “It’s what Fred, and Angelica had to do. Keep reading.” He winked. “No spoilers.”

He walked out of the garden, Ziggy beside him.

He’ll always be the spy you met in Russia.

RJ looked at the book. Perhaps I do not know what love is, but in this moment, I feel that it must be that feeling of knowing you are safe. Knowing you have found someone who will see you, find you, accept you, protect you.

Yes, York loved her. Protected her. But—and she heard Roy and Ziggy—he’d lied. And how was she supposed to build a life with a man who lied to her?

She got up and headed out of the garden, fury in her steps, filling her chest.

Someone had thrown a grenade into his car and he….

It was just a stupid accident.

Jerk. Oh—

Laughter. High and sweet and laden with joy. It seasoned the air as she climbed the steps to the pool deck.

Stopped.

York was in the pool. More, he was in the pool fully clothed. Or at least with his shorts on. He’d stripped off his shirt, his body scarred from years of trouble, but still strong, sinewed, his arms nicely muscled.

But most importantly, he was playing with Hana. Or at least holding her up as she kicked in the water.

Hana didn’t swim. But maybe, with York, she did. Because she knew he’d keep her safe.

RJ froze.

This man has sparked something deep in my soul, and although this also frightens me, I thirst for it.

She was just like Hana. Thirsting to swim, but to be safe, too.

No wonder he hadn’t told her. He hadn’t wanted to scare her. To be anything but her protector.

Oh, York.

He should have told her. But after the wounds she’d left in their relationship…

Fine. The fury drained out of her as she watched him hold Hana parallel to the water, teaching her to kick, keeping her afloat.

But Angelica’s words stirred inside her. When he leaves, he will take everything of you with him. And without him, you will be bereft.

Well, then she simply wouldn’t let anything happen to him. Protection worked both ways, bub.

She walked by the pool, glancing at York, at Hana.

He lifted a hand. “Join us, RJ. The water is amazing.”

“I’ll go change,” she said. “Some of us can’t swim in our clothing.”

He laughed, and it was like the sunshine sprinkling into her soul.

“I’ll be right back.” Then she headed into the house to call Coco. She hadn’t been a CIA analyst for nothing.

Time to figure out how to save the man she loved.

He could too easily get used to this life.