Page 46 of Until the End

Did she think she could shut him down? End of discussion?

“Kit-Kat.” The nickname tumbled from his mouth without thinking, and she met his eyes with a disarming smile—those two unfiltered syllables like a door opening in the darkness, illuminating a shred of possibility between them.

It’d been ages since a woman had infuriated and intrigued him. Hell, maybe no woman had ever done both, much less at once.

But this door was better left closed.

“If you don’t keep up your end of our deal, or if you hinder me from doing my job,” he said, his voice fiercer than necessary, “you’ll see a side of me you can’t handle.”

Her smile dissolved and she studied him intently. “I understand. It’s your way or the highway.”

That phrase hit him right in the solar plexus. His father used to say that. My way or the highway. So one day, Castle packed a bag and joined the navy.

He was suddenly ashamed of how he’d spoken to Kit. She was cooperating as much as could be reasonably expected. Nobody was going to put all their cards on the table at once. Building trust was about give and take. The process took time.

“I wouldn’t expect you to risk your career for me, someone you barely know.” She looked exhausted and overwhelmed, like she couldn’t take much more fighting. “I appreciate that you’re taking a chance on me, but this is my life. Help me get the hard drives and I’ll share everything pertaining to the men who killed the Outliers. You can rest assured of that, Castle.”

The sound of his name on her lips made his gut clench. “I’ll hold you to that. I always get the job done, swiftly, and violently when required. I won’t fail in this.” I can’t.

“Good. Because right now, your job is keeping me safe. Anything I can do to help you stop those men, I will. I have no reason to protect them.”

No, but she had reason to protect the reputation of the Outliers and to cover her own ass.

She turned, leaving the kitchen, and padded up the stairs quiet as a sneaky feline.

Why hadn’t he seen sooner that she was lying?

He knew the answer and didn’t like it. She was under his skin—a grain of sand in an oyster. But Castle had never encountered a problem he couldn’t fix.

14

McLean, Virginia

6:40 p.m. EDT

“Why aren’t you eating?” Doc reached over the restaurant table, the charms on her bracelet tinkling, and held Sanborn’s hand.

It was endearing how she fretted over him, wanting him to enjoy every second they spent together. Her attention was special. It was also unsettling.

No one ever looked after him, not since his ex-wife Penny. His executive assistant didn’t count. Janet was a paid employee.

Sanborn was the one who accounted for everything and everyone, considered all the details, calculated and juggled a gazillion moving pieces, ensured his people were on point, had what they needed to complete the mission and stay safe.

His concern resurfaced over Castle bringing Katherine Westcott into his home. That woman was an element of chaos. Sanborn didn’t want Castle getting too close to her.

“You don’t like the food?” Doc asked, dragging him from his thoughts again.

“The food is delicious.” Tonight was a rare treat, tucked away in a cozy booth with Doc. It’d been weeks since he’d managed to leave the Gray Box early enough to have a real date with her. His job was his life, his cross to bear. “Your choice in restaurant is excellent. As usual.”

Her shoulders relaxed and she threw him a dazzling smile, her expressive blue eyes twinkling. She was gorgeous, easygoing, kind, with no interest in fussy designer labels.

In her orbit, he shed the burden of being Sanborn and found pleasure in simply being a man. He loved her company and affection.

He only wondered how long he’d be able to keep it.

“Then why aren’t you eating?” She flung her copper-blond hair over her shoulder, kicking up the sweet scent of her shampoo. Strawberries and cream.

“I’m captivated by you,” he said, forcing himself to open up in the ways that were possible. He was a guarded man. His secrets had secrets. But she’d told him that in order for this to work, he needed to share. He’d sacrificed so much to this business—his son’s life in a CIA mission gone wrong, his wife to divorce, a piece of his soul in the grind. He didn’t want Doc to be a casualty too. “You’re beautiful and intelligent. I can’t figure out why you’re with me. I get caught up in listening to you, watching the way you move, appreciating every little gesture. Honestly, I forget to eat even though I’m starving.”