Dark (Beautiful Ashes #1)(20)

His nostrils flared with desire as he answered the persistent knocking. “Give us a sec.”

A mumbled, “You’ve got sixty,” came through loud and clear. Mitch was pissed.

Keeley hopped off the counter and winced when the jolt could be felt in every bruise and stitch on her body. Tar didn’t miss it, either. She clasped his hand. “Let’s go see what all this assignment requires.”

He kissed the top of her head. “Doesn’t matter. You go, I go.” Her eyes shot up to his. He gazed into those sable depths with all the sincerity inside him. “And not before you’re fully healed and properly trained.”

“Yes, Sir,” she confirmed as the door swung open.





Chapter Nine





“Look, Tar. I know you’re frightened for her. I get it. Truly I do. But I don’t think this is a good idea,” Mitch was speaking as he watched Tarius set up the training room. His piercing green eyes lit on Mitch’s with a loud and clear message: not up for discussion. Mitch sighed heavily, handing over a blade that would fit best in Keeley’s dainty hand. He pointed out, “She’s not ready for the intensity this’ll take. After that kind of surgery, it’ll be a good six weeks before she’s fully recovered.”

Tar shot him an I’m-not-stupid look and followed it up, “Nothing intense with shooting guns and throwing knives.”

True that. Problem was, Mitch would rather Keeley go in without training. Her fay-like frame made her appear younger, and an innocent look gave a serious advantage. Huge boon if she could pull it off, and a major risk factor if they taught her how to take down one of those men. A blown cover would cease the operation to take down this main artery and bring them back to square one. Yeah, not an option. “It’s unnecessary. We’ll be watching her from all angles. Besides, you’ll be with her.” That earned him a shut-the-fuck-up-before-I-shut-you-up glare.

“You and I both know,” he said through a clenched jaw, “that if she’s sold, she’ll be all alone with one of those sick fucks,” Tar seethed.

Bad enough Keeley wanted to put herself in that kind of danger, but Mitch practically demanding she go in without knowing how to defend herself sent him into overdrive. He knew it wasn’t his friend’s opinion but more the chain of command he followed. The higher-ups wanted to throw a sacrificial lamb into the lion’s den and to hell with the consequences. Keeley was his. He didn’t share. Damn well wasn’t going to start now, either. He got why she had to do this. Actually felt it was good for her mentally as well as emotionally. If she could slay a dragon, then the memories of her captivity wouldn’t haunt her as much. Sure, they’d always be there. Triggers would forever be part of her life. The mind was powerful and could lock any survivor back into the darkest pit before they knew which end was up. But Keeley doing this could reel hers into controllable. She deserved a second chance at life, to let Tar show her how much he could cherish her. Most of all, she needed to feel worthy. Tar learned by trial and error that self-confidence went a long way. Keeley was in dire need of some. Shit…he acknowledged she fought daily not to take her own life. She was full of self-loathing, guilt and shame. As much as he wished his love could conquer those demons for her, he knew better. And once her addictions were added to the party, he had one hell of a rave on his hands. They didn’t stand a chance against any of these if she didn’t lock in and want to fight.

Fight for her.

Fight for him.

Fight for them.

“I feel ya, man. This is your lady being put in harm’s way.” He clapped Tar’s shoulder. “I’d want to keep her safe any way I could if it was me in your shoes.”

Thank fuck. “Appreciate your understanding.”

“Anytime.” Mitch turned to leave and check on his team, since they were about to leave on assignment, when he remembered something vital. “Hey, McNeil.” Tarius brought his gaze to Mitch’s. “I’m catchin’ all kinds of heat on this. Teach her how to protect herself only when you or one of us can’t assist.”

“That an order?”

“Affirmative,” Mitch said with authority.

Tar was fully aware he needed to play by their rules. But he needed Keeley safe more—so the team, Mitch, and the people they worked for could bite his motherfuckin’ ass.







Keeley took a deep, cleansing breath and focused between the two dots, sighting the Bersa on a silhouette’s head. If she were put in a position to have to use a firearm, then make it count. Although she made peace with the fact she could be sold, in which case that would leave her one-on-one and without Tar. That scenario would be most helpful, but he would be beyond uncontrollable if it came to pass. So this was her reasoning for talking to Leith on how to do the assignment without Tarius.