Kane: An Assassin's Love Story by Kit Tunstall, R.E. Saxton

afraid to involve my folks, so she tried to deal with it on her own. The weekend my parents went away to celebrate their twenty-fifth anniversary, she planned to go to the cops. She never made it though.”
    “I’m so sorry.” The words were inadequate, but what else did she have to tender, if he wouldn’t let her offer physical consoling?
    A tense nod was his only acknowledgement. “He murdered her. The bastard was so cocky he didn’t even try to hide that his gang was responsible. The police knew, but he had a solid alibi. They couldn’t touch him.” Kane’s mouth firmed, and his eyes darkened with anger. “But I could. I took an early discharge from the army, ostensibly to help my parents, but really to get him.”
    A shiver raced up her spine, and she tried to silence the voice whispering in the back of her mind, trying to second-guess the forthcoming revelation. No, it couldn’t be.
    “I killed him and anyone else who had helped him, going from the list I found recorded in my sister’s journal.” His voice was flat, with a perfect lack of emotion.
    “I see.” Tears leaked from her eyes, and she fought off the urge to try to hold him again, not knowing what his reaction would be. Another thing held her back…uncertainty of what else he would reveal.
    “It was easy. The planning, all of it…shooting him was the easiest part. I didn’t enjoy it, but it didn’t repulse me. I felt nothing, to be honest.” His temple twitched, and he swallowed again, seeming to gather his thoughts, or maybe his courage. “I had an aptitude for it and no future prospects. It wasn’t an agonizing, soul-rending decision to become an assassin, Danika.” Finally, his gaze locked with hers. “I kill people for money.”
    A harsh exhalation revealed her shock, but she struggled to keep a cool expression. “Are you here to kill me?”
    He shook his head. “No. Your picture called to me. At first, I thought it was because your eyes were haunted, as my sister’s had been in her final days. If only I had seen her in person, I might have known something was wrong. When I look at her graduation picture, I can see it in her eyes. I saw that same look in yours in that newspaper picture.” Kane hadn’t withdrawn his hand from hers, nor taken his fingers from her cheek, but he seemed to be putting a wall between them, despite their physical link. “When I read you were hiring additional security, I saw the chance to get close to you. I tried telling myself it was to see what put those ghosts in your eyes, but I was lying to myself. You see, once my parents passed on, I numbed myself to the world, finding it easier not to feel anything. I thought I wanted it that way. It certainly made my career choice easier, but upon looking at you, it was the first time I had felt any real emotion in years, and I wanted more.”
    “I didn’t need anyone else, really. I knew no one would come after me, but I hate Edmond’s security staff. They’ve always treated me with contempt, because they saw him treat me that way often enough. I wanted someone I could rely on.” She gripped his hand even tighter, bringing it to her chest, where she held it against her heart. “The minute you came into my office, I knew I would be safe with you. I don’t care what you’ve done.”
    He winced. “Oh, I wish I didn’t have to tell you this. There’s something else.”
    “You can tell me whatever you need to.”
    “I’m the one who killed Edmond. I was well-paid to do it, and I don’t feel any remorse.”
    He held himself stiffly, as if anticipating her rejection. A soft smile curved her lips, and an inappropriate urge to laugh at the strange workings of destiny escaped her. She smothered it by turning her head to press her lips against the hand that had cradled her cheek. “Thank you.” His eyes widened at her words, but looked close to bursting from his sockets when she added, “I’m the one who hired you to do it.”
    “What?” The word