I couldn’t stop myself from hurting Bree.

Everything that’d come out of my mouth after a certain point had razor edges.

I rolled my neck, the tension cramping.

Bree had given me the cold shoulder since waking up.

I didn’t blame her — I’d purposefully said some shitty things.

I wanted to admit everything I’d said were lies but what point would that prove?

And what good would it do?

There was a brutal kindness in breaking her heart now as opposed to later when I truly did feel those things.

I didn’t do relationships for a reason.

Aside from the obvious factor of my profession.

I was damaged goods.

There was no putting me back together again.

And I wouldn’t subject Bree to my fucked up shit.

She was a bright, beautiful butterfly and I was a bedraggled moth that’d hit the porch light one too many times.

Best to focus on the real issues.

I found Bree in the living room, reading an old book she’d found on the bookshelf.

I doubted she was as absorbed as she tried to appear but I didn’t call her on it.

We all had coping mechanisms.

“You should be safe here. I need to get some supplies.” I pulled my gun free and handed it to her. “Do you know how to use this?”

“No. My life up to this point has been devoid of killing machines.”

I ignored her dig and gave her a quick lesson. “Someone comes through that door that isn’t me...shoot first, ask questions later. Unless it is me, then, yeah, don’t pull the trigger.”

Tempting, I know.

I wouldn’t put it past her to accidentally take me out after everything I’d done but my saving grace was her intelligence. Even though she might hate me right now, Bree knew I was the only one who could save her ass.

I didn’t want to leave her but I knew the odds were slim that this safe house was also compromised. I took great care ensuring that my safe houses were way off the grid, routed through several false names, and ultimately invisible.

But I hated having Bree out of my sight for even an hour.

I told myself it was for her own safety but I knew that was a load of crap.

I craved Bree like a fat kid craved cake.

Before I changed my mind and told her to get ready to leave with me, I booked it out of the house and drove away.

This time around, I only bought a few odds and ends for the house, yet I was still mindful of the organic or gluten-free label, and then called my broker.

“You got answers for me?” I asked Jimmy when he picked up.

“Hello to you, too, Sunshine,” Jimmy retorted sourly, clearly unhappy to have me on the other end disturbing his beauty sleep. “Jesus, what time is it?”

“One of my safe houses was compromised. You wouldn’t know nothing about that would you?”

“Like I know where any of your places are,” Jimmy answered with a snort. “And even if I did, why would I want to take you out? You’re worth more to me alive than dead.”

That much was true. “Got any leads as to who put out that hit?” I asked.

“I’ve got some feelers out there but honestly, Dex, you’re chasing your tail for no damn reason. Just do the job and move on. It’s a hefty payday for us both. What’s the deal?”

I wasn’t going to satisfy Jimmy’s curiosity. Even if I’d been in a sharing mood, I don’t know how I’d explain something I didn’t understand myself.

And I sure as hell wasn’t in the mood to listen Jimmy laugh his ass off if I admitted that I’d caught feelings for Bree.

Yeah, feelings.

I guess I could ignore the obvious until the cows came home but the reality was that there was something about Bree that flipped my rusty switch and I would rather eat a bullet first before letting anything happen to her.

“Just answer the question, Jimmy,” I growled. “I need leads.”

“Calm down, you grump,” Jimmy said, coughing the phlegm from his throat. “All right, I got something but it’s not much of anything. Your girl is operating from a fake name. Seems the girl used to be known as Caroline Burke. Her parents are listed as Lily and Richard Burke.”

“How’d you find that out?” I asked. “I already checked her birth certificate and Breezy Grace was her legal name, born to Lily Grace.”

“Yeah, but her father wasn’t listed, was he?”

“No, he wasn’t,” I recalled, narrowing my gaze. Did that mean that Richard Grace was a phantom? Seeing as Bree’s mom hadn’t been very forthcoming with personal details about her other half, anything was possible.

“So, where’d you get your intel?” I asked again.

“We all have our secrets,” Jimmy answered, not budging. “Besides, I think you’re stupid for chasing after this mystery that has nothing to do with you. If you weren’t my cash cow I’d wash my hands of you because you’re a pain in my ass most days.”

“Lucky for me,” I said dryly. I suppose it didn’t matter where Jimmy had gotten the information if it checked out. “I’ll be in touch.”

I didn’t wait for Jimmy’s response and clicked off.

Caroline Burke.

Bree didn’t look like a Caroline.

Be that as it may, the lead was worth chasing down.

Maybe, with some luck, I’d find out who actually wanted Bree dead and why.

Before that someone put an end to us both.