Chapter Twenty

“No,” Creed said.

The rest of Pegasus groaned.

Ace had gone over the plan. They needed Kellum to arrange a meeting to go over the terms of the will that put Durn in charge of the estate. They could arrange that through a neutral party so Durn wouldn’t suspect Kellum was setting him up.

Kellum would be wearing a wire. Actually, it was a chip designed to go behind the button on his shirt.

“It’s the latest in technology,” Jordan said, holding up the thing that was the size of a microdot. “I’ll sew it into the shirt you’re going to wear and you’ll be all set. It records real time sound and video straight to the cloud so we can all watch from anywhere.”

“Where did you get something like that?” Kellum took the tiny micro recorder camera from Jordan.

“It’s military grade from our very own former SecDef,” Jordan said and smiled. “So don’t be losing your shirt.”

Kellum smiled back. “I’ll try not to.”

“No, this isn’t happening,” Creed said with a dark scowl at the lot of them.

Irritated, Kellum swung around on the man, grabbed his wrist tightly, and pulled at Creed. The bigger man didn’t move.

“You better move right now.” Kellum glared into Creed’s face and the older man blinked, nodded, and this time when Kellum pulled, Creed moved.

Snickers and a few coughs followed them out of the room.

Down the hallway Kellum marched, pulling Creed until they reached the weapons and ammunitions room. Once there, he punched in the code to unlock the door and pushed Creed inside. Stepping through the doorway, Kellum slammed the door, encasing them both in the large room with its metal table, lockers, and gun cage against one wall. The familiar smell of ammo filled the air.

The confidence and irritation with him made Creed smile, but he made sure not to let Kellum see. The man’s bravado reminded him of the day they’d first met. With Kellum all fiery gaze and tipped chin. Creed had had no idea that Kellum was under such stress from Durn.

The man hid things very well.

Creed planted his legs apart and crossed his arms; the man’s muscles bulged. Kellum leaned back against the door and held Creed’s gaze. He could clearly see the stubbornness building in those smoky gray orbs.

“Do you trust me?”

Creed straightened with a jerk and scowled. “Yes. Of course.”

“There’s no of course here because you’re acting like you don’t trust me.”

“It’s not you that I don’t trust. It’s that asshole Durn.”

“You’re not the boss of me, Creed.” Kellum put his hands on his hips. “And if you want any chance of having a relationship with me after this is all over, you’ll stop right now and think about your actions.”

Damn it.Creed clenched his teeth. He’d just been schooled by a pint-sized, beautiful blond with bright blue eyes and it put the fear of God into him. Not only was he afraid for Kellum to confront Durn, but he was now terrified that Kellum would walk away when the mission was all over.

Fucking hell, he couldn’t let that happen. He closed his eyes and tipped his head back, letting his arms fall to his sides. He sighed and slowly opened his eyes.

“I’m sorry.”

“Apology accepted.” Kellum gave him a tentative smile and Creed took a step closer. Relief washed through him when Kellum didn’t try to bolt and if anything, the man’s beautiful eyes filled with warmth.

Creed kept moving until he was close enough to draw Kellum into his arms and hold him tight. The slighter man wrapped his arms up and around his neck and clung to him. Creed nuzzled into Kellum’s throat, ran his mouth along the man’s jaw, but when he tried to kiss Kellum, the man turned his head.

When the kiss landed on Kellum’s cheek, Creed groaned and Kellum laughed, shoving at him.

“Tease,” Creed grumbled. Stepping back, he rubbed a hand on his own nape.

Kellum only smiled and patted his cheek before opening the door. They left the room and Kellum made sure the weapons room door was shut and locked.

When Creed reached for the man’s hand, Kellum eluded him again.

Creed groaned beneath his breath. Damn if Kellum’s cocky stride didn’t make his dick hard.