Circle of Danger by Carla Swafford Read Free Book Online Page A

master would lay conditions on any pleasure received, nothing good given without a price being paid.
    â€œRyker, I didn’t mean—”
    â€œGive them,” he bit off.
    She shuddered and rubbed a spot over her heart. She’d always been that way. When he hurt, she did too. Pulling herself together, she took a deep breath. “I want to be involved in the plans; no leaving me in the dark. I won’t be treated like a child. I want to be part of the operation. And just as important, I want you to teach me how to protect myself.”
    R yker’s back straightened. “If you’d stay put, you’d be safe and wouldn’t need to learn anything.” He resisted the urge to shake her. By being involved, she’d be in more danger. He couldn’t risk her life. His attention would be divided between protecting her and stopping a psycho, which could cause problems. And teaching her how to hurt and maim those who would attack her—his gaze travelled down her petite, sexy body—he didn’t expect to be successful. Besides, she was too softhearted.
    â€œYou can’t be everywhere. We’re not joined at the hip.” Her eyes glazed over as if she remembered another time. “I don’t want to feel helpless.”
    He stared at her for moment. People talking in the hallway blended with the humming of the instruments taking her blood pressure and heart rate. She remained still, waiting for his decision. She was right. No one deserved to feel defenseless.
    â€œOkay. I’ll accept your conditions. But I have some of my own,” he said, anger tinting the edges.
    He watched her blink several times. She hadn’t expected him to accept her conditions so readily, much less place some of his own. That was good. He wanted to avoid letting her know how hard he found saying no to her. Angry from feeling helpless with her new stubbornness, he hid most of his feelings while he practiced controlling the rest.
    â€œI’ll show you how to handle a handgun and fire it, but nothing bigger than that.” When she opened her mouth, most likely to protest, he raised his hand. “Give me some time and I’ll think about it some more. As you know, for the last few years, we’ve had trouble with several of our operations going sour. I don’t want you to place yourself in a position to get hurt. In the meanwhile, be forewarned: while you’re still under the influence of that drug, you’re my responsibility.”
    He guessed his look of surprise matched hers. He’d said the last before he thought it through. But he knew there was a reason. No other man would help her find relief from the side effects, because he refused to allow it. The thought of anyone else touching her made him want to go ape-shit on their ass.
    â€œA gun is a good start.” She tightened the sheet around her. “But what are you . . . uh . . . Doc said I could take care of it myself. This is crazy. I can’t believe this is happening to me.”
    He fisted his hands as he watched the tears stream down her face. He could handle explosions by terrorists and being tortured for information, but seeing her cry killed him.
    â€œNo. I’ll do whatever it takes,” he said. What had she expected him to say? That he would hire a surrogate lover for her?
    â€œOkay,” she whispered.
    The room felt too bright and too hot and too . . . too much. Ryker stood and took a deeper breath. “Let’s get one thing straight. This is only until the drug is out of your system.”
    She slowly nodded, keeping her gaze on him. “Ryker?” she asked with a hesitation in her voice.
    He crossed his arms, gripping his biceps. Her forlorn look almost pushed him into wrapping his arms around her. He had to remain detached, emotionally and mentally. She wasn’t a young kid anymore, clinging to him after Theo ranted about how bad she was and how he would