“Promise me, Hadley.” He gripped her slim shoulders. “Promise you’ll stay safe.”
“What I will promise, Mr. Knightley, is that you won’t be getting rid of me that easily.”
He didn’t want to get rid of her at all.
She climbed off. “Shower, food, and then I have to go.”
They showered and ate together.
Then Bennett found himself standing in his bathroom, brushing his teeth beside Hadley. His heart squeezed. Yes, he wanted this. He wanted to start every morning together this way.
He also wanted to tell her that he was in love with her, but he knew it would unsettle her.
And she needed her focus for today’s mission.
She rinsed her mouth and met his gaze in the mirror. “I need to hurry. Killian will be here soon.”
She strode out and his gaze followed her. She wore black fitted trousers and a white shirt. No doubt she had another killer dress to wear to the wedding. She didn’t look like a deadly security specialist.
But he knew. He knew every inch of her. She was as tough and smart as she was beautiful.
He couldn’t let her get hurt today.
He lifted his chin and met his own gaze in the mirror, then he turned and followed her.
Hadley was flying around the living room, collecting her things. The place was cluttered with their prep from yesterday. Bennett had organized for a whiteboard to be delivered, and it was covered with a plan of the manor house and gardens. The coffee table was scattered with high-res photos of the place.
They were as ready as they’d ever be.
“I have something for you,” he said.
She turned and raised a brow. “Another gift? Bennett, I don’t need gifts all the time.”
“I want you to take this one.” He held up a slim, translucent vest.
She studied it and blinked.
“It’s one of Secura’s experimental, lightweight ballistic vests. It’s so thin and light it fits under your clothes.” He cleared his throat. “I had it made to your measurements. It’ll mold to your body.” It almost looked like a corset.
She walked up to him, went up on her toes, and kissed him. “Thank you.”
She took the vest.
“I had a couple delivered to Killian’s hotel for him and Bram as well.”
Hadley pressed her hands to his chest. “It’s going to be fine Bennett. The bad guy is going down today.”
“Hell, yeah,” he murmured.
She kissed him again. “See you at the wedding, Mr. Knightley.”
“Count on it, Ms. Lockwood.”
* * *
Hadley tookKillian’s hand and stepped out of the limo.
The weather had turned out spectacularly for the wedding. There was a blue sky overhead, the sun was shining, and the temperature was mild. She smiled at Killian. He looked mouthwateringly good in his fitted, black suit, bow tie, and white shirt. Sharp and handsome.