“What it means is,” I said, gently wiping away the tears on her face, “that I know I messed up. I know I've been messing up in the last couple of months when I've been trying to see you. I just wanted to be available. You ran your half marathon and I just wanted to be there. I was there for the kitesurfing too. I wanted to make sure you were safe coming home on the Tube every night.”

  “Yes, but why?” She shook her head, her eyes brimming with tears again. “Why are you torturing me?”

  “I'm not trying to torture you. It’s been torturing me trying to stay away. Trying to pretend that you aren't the other half of me. I was trying to keep you out of the darkness, trying to keep from hurting you more. But all it did was make me realize what an idiot I've been. From the moment I kissed you in the bar and then saw your little wrinkled nose when I walked into your office the next day, I have been fascinated with you. Not just your beauty, but the way you think. The way you throw yourself wholeheartedly into everything you do. It's the way you experience life. Your determination, your grit. It's terrifying but exhilarating, and it’s a joy to behold. Daphne, you are an incredible woman. And I cannot believe I walked away from you.”

  “Drake—”

  “I said things to hurt you because I was afraid that you couldn't love me after everything I've done. I thought my life would tear us apart, so I preemptively did it myself. I told myself I was keeping you safe. But I was keeping myself safe. I was hiding a part of myself that I couldn't look at.”

  “What am I supposed to say to that?”

  “You don't have to say anything. I'm here for you. Whatever you need, it is my honor to give to you, whether you want to give me anything in return or not. I had the most beautiful being in my arms that I could hold, then stupidly let you go. So now, if I even get to be near you and have a shadow of the kind of love I felt when I was with you, I'll take it. Whatever that looks like.”

  “I just want someone to love me, Drake. I don't know what the hell happened to me after I met you. You broke me.”

  “And I just pray for the opportunity to make it up to you for the rest of my life. Even if you don't want to give me a chance, know that you can always call on me. And I will always come for you.” I wiped her tears. “I will come for you and sit with you in the dark. I will come for you and hold your hand and fend off your demons. I will come for you when you want to skydive or jump off a bridge. I know you have no reason to believe my words, so all I can do is keep turning up when you need me. That is how I will prove it to you.”

  She blinked up at me rapidly, her fingers tentatively brushing along my jaw. “Say it, Drake.”

  “The words? The words are easy to say. I love you, Daphne Winslow. I have loved you from that first moment you called me a twat waffle. I loved you when I had to hold you against your will. I loved you as you were getting cooking lessons from Reginald. And I loved you as you fought back against your mother. It might have taken me a while to realize it, but I have loved you since the moment I set eyes on you. And nothing is going to change that, whether you choose to be with me or not. It just is.”

  “Drake, I love you, too. That's why it hurt so much when you left.”

  “I would love to shoot that version of me. I don't deserve a second chance, but if I get one, I'm never leaving your side again. I will never presume to make choices for you again. I will never discount what you want again. Reginald was always trying to teach me humility. I don't think I understood the lesson until I fell in love with you. I will humble myself so that I can truly see you and what you're asking of me.”

  Her dark gaze searched mine, and my heart squeezed in my chest as I waited for her answer.

  “I love you, Drake. I don't think I ever stopped.”

  With those ten little words, the tightness in my chest eased. I slid my hand into her hair, cupping her head gently as I leaned in for a kiss, our lips just brushing together. And I finally claimed her as mine forever.

  Epilogue

  Drake

  I held on to Daphne. Finally, a bloody date. We'd taken down Massimo and most of the Syndicate, but there were still stragglers vying for power, so that meant a lot of field work for me as we cleaned up the organization.

  Unfortunately, that also meant time away from Daphne.

  Lately it seemed that when I was off, she had a big project at work. And when she had a lull, I was out in the field.

  Not that we didn't sneak in the time to connect, but I'd rather I didn't have to squeeze in the occasional quickie with my girlfriend. .

  We'd had almost two weeks of bliss, waking up every morning with her in my arms, but things had gotten crazy. Tonight I wanted to make up for it and take her out on a date.

  An actual restaurant in the city at the top of The Shard. I'd hired a driver and pulled out all the stops. Tonight, I was going to show her the London she always wanted to see with a helicopter tour. I might even let her fly for a while. My little adrenaline junkie was going to have the time of her life.

  And then would come the surprise that currently burned a hole in my pocket.

  Tonight had to be perfect.

  And it will be. As long as she says yes.

  As the car dropped us off in front of the Shard on London Bridge Street, I opened my door and walked around to Daphne's side to open her As for her. She gave me a mischievous grin and slid her hand into mine. As always, the softness in her frightened me a little. It triggered my protective instincts. I would always take care of her. As long as she let me.

  OK, who is that pulling? Even if she wouldn't let me, I would.

  "The Shard. This is Fancy Drake."

  "Well, when I don't get to see my kitten very often, I have to make it special."

  She leaned into me, pressing her much smaller body against mine. "I know it's been crazy lately. I'm just glad we get to spend a whole night together. Luckily, my project is winding down. So we'll get some normal time soon."

  I kissed her on the top of her head as we walked into the building towards the elevator. "Gabe and Saff have promised a little more downtime as well, so you'll be stuck with me. We'll do farmers' markets and go to the country on holiday."

  The sound of her giggle was sweet. "If you want to see Reginald more often, just say so."

  I rolled my eyes and shook my head. "Okay, fine. I think it best not to let the old man stew alone for too long. I haven't been out there in a month. I want to make sure he's okay."

  "And around here, everyone thinks you're this big bad killer." She leaned forward as she said the last word. "But really, you're just a big softie."

  I tickled her sides as we stepped into the elevator. "Don't tell all my secrets now." I pulled her in for a kiss, sliding my hands down her asre, pressing her against my swelling cock.

  "I see someone missed me," Daphne whispered against my lips.

  "Ignore him. I've missed you. Think of him as a giant, intrusive thought."

  Daphne pulled back with a grin. "Giant indeed."

  I couldn't stop myself from chuckling. "Woman, I'm trying to be romantic here. And you keep trying to indulge my dirty thoughts."

  "Well, to be fair, it is very fun when I give in to them."

  The elevator slowed to a stop and I had to clear my throat and step away from her before the situation in my trousers became untenable. "Behave yourself, woman. Tonight, I'm going to woo you. There will be wine and drinks and food so delicious it will make you moan with every bite. I'm taking care of you.”

  She gave me another cheeky grin. "I mean, there are other ways to take care of me and make me moan." She giggled and stepped just out of reach as I aimed to swat her bottom.

  "You keep teasing me and I'll forget everything I've planned and find a very dark corner where I can make you moan my name and I don't give a fuck if the whole restaurant hears you."

  She looked up at me from her lowered lashes, "Promise?"

  And that was that. My cock was steel in my trousers as I thought of all the ways I could make her moan. Quietly and not so quietly.

  I had no choice but to follow her into the restaurant as the hostess led us to our table. The swaying of her arse in that vermilion dress that skimmed her knees was enough to make me drool.

  She was teasing me. On purpose. My brain was trying to think of all the ways we could get to dessert first. I should have just fucked her before we left the compound.

  No. I was going to propose, damn it. I wasn't going to get distracted.

  She looked at me over her menu. "What's wrong? You seem off."

  Shit. She knew me too well by now. "I'm fine, kitten. What wine would you like?"

  "Forget the wine. I'll have a cocktail. But are you sure you're okay?"

  No, I was not damn okay. I wanted to make this perfect. Instead, I was horny and she was suspicious. "Nothing wrong except I'm thinking of all the ways I can bend you over this table."

  Her lips formed a small "O" shape as she hid behind her menu.

  After the waiter took our order, I started to relax a little. I could do this. I just had to wait for the helicopter.

  But when she leaned in and whispered sweetly, "I love you. Thank you for tonight," she shattered my resolve.

  "I love you too. I should take you out every night."

  "Nah, I don't need to. Besides, if we have limited time, I'd rather stay in."

  "Daph. I-" Movement in my peripheral vision made me pause. The hairs on the back of my neck standing at attention had me looking for an exit for Daphne.

  Her normally smooth brow furrowed. "Drake? What's going on?"

  I turned to peruse the diners more closely. "Probably nothing, but love, why don't you go to the bathroom and lock yourself in."

  Her raised eyebrow was basically the equivalent of saying, "The fuck I will. "Absolutely not." She had to be crazy if she thought I was going to let her walk into this. "What's going on?"

  "Honey. I'm not sure, but I'd feel more comfortable if you just-" The wine glass on our table shattered, stopping me in my tracks.

  I wasted no time turning the table on its side and pulling her behind it. The serenity and quiet of the restaurant erupted into screams and more shattered glass as diners ran and ducked for cover as bullets flew.

  "So much for a quiet dinner," Daphne muttered. "Is this a friend of yours?"

  I grabbed her clutch from the floor and pulled out her compact, using it to check my lines of sight. and that was when I saw the bearded man making a run for the kitchen.

  Salvador Gianni.

  A Syndicate enforcer. One of the ones we still had to clean up. Was he here for me, or was it just a coincidence? And how the hell did he find me?

  No such thing as coincidence. Move your ass.

  "What are the chances of you staying here?" I asked Daphne.

  She pursed her lips and shook her head at me. "You go I go."

  I cursed under my breath. Of course she would refuse to stay. But I couldn't let her get hurt. I had to take care of Gianni first. "Fine. But stay behind me and do exactly as I say."

  Daphne nodded but I could see the fear in her eyes. Why wouldn't she just stay here?

  You helped her get strong. She won't hide now.

  I hated to put her in danger, but there was no other way if she wouldn't stay. First I sent my SOS code to headquarters on my phone, then I took Daphne's hand and led her to the kitchen where I could hear the sounds of a struggle.

  Fortunately, there was no more shooting, but the restaurant was still in an uproar.

  I slowly opened the door to the kitchens, making sure Daphne stayed behind me as we entered. We were met with the sight of Gianni holding a chef hostage with a knife to his throat. "Back off, Webster. I'm not afraid to use this."

  I raised my hands in a peaceful gesture, trying to keep Daphne safe behind me. "Let the chef go, Gianni. This doesn't have to end in violence."

  He laughed, the sound getting on my nerves. "You've always been soft, Webster. That's why you'll never survive" He tightened his grip on the knife, drawing a bead of blood from the chef's throat.

  I could feel my rage building, the need to protect my loved ones overwhelming any sense of caution. "Let him go or I'll make you regret it."

  Gianni sneered, "You and what army?"

  I didn't need an army. I was armed. I had my baretta hidden in the small of my back. Not to mention the Rogues were on their way.

  But the old way of doing things wasn't going to work anymore. I couldn't shoot him. Not with all these witnesses and looking like a civilian.

  Fuck. Things were so much simpler when I was a spy. The shadows were easier.

  When you stand in the light, there are more rules.

  But the rules meant I got to keep Daphne. Which was more important. Over the course of a few weeks, she’d become my reason for living. Walking out of the shadows had not been a hard decision.

  Keeping her behind me, I ducked behind one of the counters. "Find me something to throw. See if there are any knives in here."

  "Are you any good at throwing knives?"

  I grinned at her as she took off my jacket and threw it behind us. "I guess we'll see."

  All we could find were pots in the bottom cupboard though.

  "Shit, these will have to do."

  "Where do I aim?"

  Daphne didn't have the best aim when I'd tried to teach her cricket at Abbott Manor, so I figured to keep the chef safe, just making noise and aiming for his feet would be a good idea. "Aim for his feet."

  She frowned. "His feet? How is that going to hurt?"

  "It won't. It's going to distract. So start lobbing. I'll go around."

  Her eyes lit up with understanding. "Got it."

  I kept my hand on her shoulder and kept talking to keep Gianni occupied and distracted. "Why don't you let the man go. It's me you want. We can go one-on-one. Hell, if it keeps these people safe, I'll even let you take me out back."

  Daphne frowned as if she had full plans to go after him if he did that, but I held her in place.

  "You've always been weak and afraid. You think I'm going to fall for that? You're not going to be left breathing when I'm done with you. I'm sure your pretty companion wouldn't mind warming my bed instead."

  Daphne responded with a gagging face.

  As he spoke I was already crawling along the cupboards. I turned back to her and gave her the signal.

  She threw a pot in his general direction and to my shock and surprise, she managed to hit the arm he was using to point the gun at the chef.

  With her compact open, I could see that he stumbled and the chef clambered away. Daphne threw another pot over her head with a wild swing, hitting Gianni's right in the skull.

  With him momentarily distracted and firing a wild shot in Daphne's general direction, I jumped out from behind the counters and tackled him to the ground. I made sure to keep his gun arm away from Daphne as he tried to roll me off him, bucking wildly but I held on tight.

  To my horror, Daphne came running around brandishing a pot. Gianni fired a shot and she screamed in alarm but she didn't back away. She didn't run, instead, she ran forward, raised the pot high above her head and brought it down hard on his arm. Over and over again until he let go of the gun, which she kicked away.

  She raised the pot again, this time aiming for his head, but I stopped her. "Welll done, Kitten. I got it from here."

  Grabbing a handful of his hair, I lifted his head up and slammed it back down onto the tiles, making him groan beneath me. I was able to pull one of his arms back and plant my knee on it to hold him in place just as Saffron walked in.

  “Well, it looks like you two have this handled.”

  I lifted my head to glower at her to find she was grinning. "Really, Saff?"

  She and several of the junior agents reached down and secured Gianni. "Honestly, Drake, when I said some time off would be a good idea, I meant it. Do I have to send you to some remote island somewhere?"

  I rolled my eyes. "That's exactly what I was trying to do, and then someone shot at us. So you'll forgive me if I had to swoop in and save the day."

  "Look at you, being the hero. Why don't you go back and finish what you started so you and Daphne can pretend to be surprised at the surprise engagement party Tabitha's throwing for the two of you tomorrow."

  Daphne, who'd gone to get my suit jacket, came back to us. "Are you okay? You're not hurt are you, you really should have let me bash him in the head honestly."

  All I could do was stare at her, her dark eyes, the way her lips were always turned up in a hint of a smile, she'd been so brave tonight. Absolutely refusing to leave me. Even though that would have been better for her. I would punish her for that later, but right now all I wanted to do was hold her.

  I took a deep breath and stood up, dusting off my suit jacket. "I'm fine, Kitten. We both are. Let's go finish our date."

  She wrapped her arms around me. "Maybe we should finish this at home. It's dangerous on these streets."

  With a nod to Saff and the other agents, I bent down and scooped her into my arms. "Let's get out of here."

  "Oh my God, Drake, what are you doing?"

  "I'm not going to let you get cut by glass, Kitten."

  She fussed at me until we reached the elevator and I set her on her feet. I didn't let her go though, I held her by my side as I needed to make sure she was okay. That she was safe.

  As we walked out of the restaurant, my heart was pounding. I couldn't believe how close we had come to disaster.

  I turned to her and took her hand in mine. "You were amazing back there. I don't know what I would have done without you."

  She smiled, her eyes glowing with pride. "I told you I could take care of myself."

  "I know you did, and you proved it tonight. You have no idea how much it means to me to have you by my side."

  Her smile softened and she leaned in to kiss me. "I'll always be by your side, Drake. No matter what."

  I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her close.

  I had a whole plan. The helicopter ride, the wine, but I didn't want to wait another moment.