Loyal by Default: Legacy of Carter Reed (Assassin's Heart #2)

by K.C. Mills

She gave Carter Reed hope that he could be happy; that he deserved something good regardless of all the bad he’d done.

“This was my trial run to see if I could be happy settling. To see if you had potential to make me happy and you don’t.”

“She’s not alone and if you touch her, you will seriously regret that shit.” She froze. That voice, his voice. McKenna wanted so badly to look but was afraid she was imagining things, dreaming possibly, like she had been since he walked away. “Who the hell are you?” “Tell him who I am, McKenna, and you might want to let this muthafucker know what a huge mistake it would be for him to touch you in my presence.”

I also didn’t kill him. You should thank me. I really wanted to fucking kill him, McKenna.”

And for the record, Kenni, I know exactly what you want and need…” Carter glanced over his shoulder. “Because you’re mine.”

No matter how much she wanted to argue with Carter, he spoke the truth. She was his. She had been since the first night McKenna found him bleeding in her living room.

“You are my standard, Kenni. I’ll take you, however and wherever I can have you. I don’t give a fuck about any of this. It’s just things.”

“Are you nervous, Kenni?” “No, are you?” “No, I’m complete.” He

“You’re too comfortable,” she whispered. The vibration of his laugh soothed her spirit. “You’re mine, Kenni, why wouldn’t I be?”

“Thinking about anything but you while you’re awake is a challenge I haven’t yet mastered, Kenni.”

“My exact fucking point. Men take care of home. You are my home, McKenna. Whether we’re together or not, you will always be good.”

“I don’t think I like the idea of you not needing me.” “That’s not what I meant.” “I know, but it doesn’t change that I don’t like how it fucking sounded.”

“Do you need me?” She pulled back and her eyes met his. A sinister smile eased onto his face. “You’re my life support, Kenni. I need you.”

“It’s scary how it surfaces out of nowhere and knocks you on your ass, isn’t it?” A frown shifted onto Carter’s face when he turned to the man beside him, who added, “These women own us body and soul before we even realize what’s happening. It’s an entire fucking ego trip too, but one I’m willing to fully embrace. And from the looks of things, you fully understand what I mean.”

There was no mistaking she belonged to him and not in the way where she was a possession, but in a way that promised her happiness was his to evoke, her safety was his to secure, and her body was his to satisfy.

“I didn’t want this.” To want someone. To need someone. To be wanted and needed. “I know.” “But now, I don’t know how to not want this.” I fucking want you and need you. “I know,” she said quietly then followed with, “Me too.”

“Don’t say dangerous shit like that, McKenna.” “Then don’t think leaving me in the care of a man who isn’t invested the way you are is okay. I’m going.”

Never had he imagined being in the position of having anyone or anything become a weakness but that was exactly what she was. His heart in human form. A living, breathing replica of the very thing that kept him alive. She was his lifeline, his life source, and knowing this only made him understand just how fucking lethal he had the potential to be.

“No one and nothing will ever prevent me from being with you. Not even my own selfishness.

“I know you’re capable but that doesn’t mean you can’t depend on me. I may not have magic hands but I have logic when you’re irrational. I have calmness when you’re a raging storm. I’m the light to your dark. Protecting someone isn’t always physical, Carter. I can’t shoot a gun but I can cover your emotional wellbeing.”