Midnight Captive by Elle Kennedy Read Free Book Online

insisted. “Kane and Trevor are taking care of the extraction in Bolivia. Castle and his team are handling the Johannesburg job. D and I aren’t leaving for that security gig until next month—there’s no reason why we can’t go to Dublin.”
    “Yes, there
is
a reason. Because I fucking said no.”
    Cate joined the conversation again, her cloudy expression darkening as she stared at her father. “You’re really not going to help him? What the hell is the matter with you?”
    “Watch your tone,” Morgan snapped, but when her expression went stricken, he softened his. “Sean is a grown man, sweetheart. He makes his own choices, and he chose to leave the team. Which means he’s no longer one of mine.”
    “That’s
bullshit
.” Her blue eyes blazed. “You like him, and he
is
one of yours. And even if he wasn’t, you
owe
him.”
    A frown marred Morgan’s lips. “How do you figure that?”
    “Because he helped you get me out of France.”
    Cate’s smug reminder hung in the air, drawing a chuckle from Noelle and a triumphant smile from Liam.
    Damn, he liked the girl. Liked her a helluva lot. And there was nothing better than watching her face off with Morgan. Cate was as strong and stubborn as her father, a force to be reckoned with, and she was only eighteen. It was scary to think how unstoppable she’d be once she got a little older.
    He studied Morgan’s face. Saw the man’s brain working, the reluctance and anger chipping away as Cate’s words sunk in. Sean had been an invaluable asset during that mission in Paris. He’d worked alongside Morgan and the rest of the men to rescue Cate from the controlling clutches of her grandfather, a dangerous arms dealer who’d blamed Morgan for destroying his daughter’s life. Not only had Cate’s grandfather put a hit out on Morgan, but he’d turned her into a prisoner in her own home.
    And Sean had played a large role in Morgan’s reunion with the girl.
    “Fine. You win.” Morgan scowled at Liam. “You and D can go to Dublin. Ash, too.”
    The last-second addition put a deep groove in Cate’s forehead. “Why does Ash have to go?”
    “Because they’ll need backup,” Morgan said firmly. He arched a brow. “Would you rather everyone stay here?”
    She bit her lip. “No, they need to help Sean,” she murmured, but she still looked upset, and Liam knew her concern was solely on Ash’s behalf.
    Cate had been spending a lot of time with the rookie since she’d moved to the compound. Liam didn’t think there was anything romantic between them—Morgan would straight-up murder Ash if he touched the girl—but there was no denying the two of them had formed a bond. They were ridiculously protective of each other, though whenever Liam teased Ash about it, the guy just shrugged and gave his standard response—“She’s a sweet kid.”
    “Thank you.” Liam offered his boss a nod of gratitude. “I know you’re pissed at Reilly, but this is the right move.”
    Morgan still didn’t look enthused, but he nodded back. “Just don’t take too long.” He paused. “And if you can get ahold of Sully, he’s all yours too.”
    Tension hit him like a flash flood, tightening Liam’s gut and bringing a rush of discomfort. Morgan didn’t notice, though. He’d already dismissed him, laying a hand on Cate’s arm as he led her back to the gun counter.
    Noelle lingered, a small smile playing on her lips. “Say hello to Reilly for me,” she drawled, and then she went to join her husband and stepdaughter.
    With an unsteady breath, Liam left the room, trying not to dwell on Morgan’s last words.
    He’s all yours.
    The boss hadn’t meant it in a . . .
sexual
way. Liam knew that. But the remark still unleashed a wave of uncomfortable memories he’d been trying hard to suppress.
    Like the fact that his best friend had
kissed
him.
    Relax. You’ve moved past it.
    Right. They’d moved past it. Kind of.
    Fine, not at all. Or at least not on Liam’s part.