I sat down on the bed, resting my elbows on my knees, and lowered my head into my hands. It had been a long day, and I had no idea what I was going to do or how I was supposed to get out of this mess. The Desaltis had crossed too many lines, but we couldn’t keep retaliating for every move they made. No, we had to deal with them permanently, but as long as I had assassins after me and had to look over my shoulder all the time, it would be hard for me to come up with a good plan. And my men weren’t ready for war, especially now. So what was left to do?

I shrugged out of my jacket and placed it on the edge of the bed, along with my holster and guns.

James settled next to me and pulled me into his arms. I pressed myself close to his chest, letting his warmth seep into me.

“It’s going to be okay,” he murmured, and placed a soft kiss on the top of my head.

“I don’t remember the last time I was away from my house without my guards for so long. It feels so strange, and yet...” It was kind of a relief too.

“I know what that feels like,” he said.

“Sometimes I wish it would all go away. All of it. And I wish my family had been in a different line of work.”

“I’m sorry about what happened... to your family.” His voice was so low I could barely hear him. “I know that might sound weird coming from me since my father was the one who...”

I placed my finger over his lips to shush him and turned toward him, leaning in and settling on his lap. After tracing a line across his soft lips, I moved my finger and pressed my mouth against his instead. His lips gently brushed mine at first, but then his tongue slipped inside my mouth, and he kissed me hard and long, with an almost bruising force.

My fingers found their way into his hair and grasped tightly, and I craned my neck as his mouth left a trail of hot, wet kisses on my collarbone. His lips moved to my earlobe, and he gently sucked and nipped, sending a shiver of delight down my spine.

“We shouldn’t,” I managed to say. “If anyone comes...”

“Then try not to make a lot of noise and we’ll be able to hear them.” He grinned.