Page 43

Story: Raven's Watch

“So, it’s serious.” Keaton leaned in closer. “Her. Name.”
Foster groaned, waving Mackenzie over. “Keaton, this is Mackenzie Parker. Mackenzie, this is my cousin Keaton Cole. The man I’m going to throttle the next time I see him.”
Mac smiled, and Foster’s heart flipped over hard in his chest. Stealing what little breath he’d gasped in. “Nice to meet you.”
Keaton grinned like a freaking Cheshire Cat. “Parker. Any relation to that JSOC guy Foster ran a number of missions for? Who’s been trying his damnedest to get him to join his search and rescue unit? Atticus, I think?”
Mac chuckled. “He’s my father.”
Keaton broke out laughing, dabbing at fake tears. “Oh, man, this is better than reality TV.”
Mac met Foster’s gaze. “I can definitely see the resemblance. Does he share a brain with his team, too?”
Foster nodded. “More than you know.”
“What’s wrong, cuz?” Keaton leaned closer to the screen. “Getting a bit frosty there because hell’s freezing over? That is when you said you’d fall for a lady, right?”
Foster groaned. He’d known Keaton would tease him the minute he introduced him to Mac. But he hadn’t anticipated that he wouldn’t care. “I see you have the same amount of tact as Chase, Kash and Zain.”
“Sounds like I’m in good company.”
“If you can stop smirking long enough to actually give me a hand, there’s one more thing I’d appreciate Dawson looking into.”
“What’s that?”
“My parents’ accident.”
“Well, crap.” Keaton raked his hand through his hair. “Are you concerned you didn’t get the whole story?”
“Let’s just say, things aren’t adding up like they were before. But I can’t exactly walk into Thompson’s office and demand more without tipping our hand.”
“I’ll see what Dawson can uncover.”
“Thanks. I’ll let you go. Tell Trinity I’m sorry I woke you up. Hope I didn’t interrupt anything.”
“Not here, but over there...”
“Goodbye Keaton. And buddy…”
Keaton paused with his hand hovering over his cell.
“Thanks. I owe you.”
Keaton looked at Mac. “I think you’ve already paid me for this one. I haven’t been this entertained in a while. I’ll call you as soon as I have anything.”
The video winked off, leaving an odd silence in the room, Keaton’s obvious assessment of the situation hanging between them.
Mac walked over to a basket positioned beside the couch and grabbed the blanket they’d used that first night, along with another fluffier one. “So, that’s your cousin? The ex-SEAL?”
Foster chuckled. “Trust me, I continually wonder about that. Though, he’s tough as nails. And ridiculously smart. Like embarrassingly so.”
“And yet, still a five-year old.”
“That’s just being a guy.”
“I’ll keep that in mind. Now, get out of those clothes while I get this ready.”
Foster stood, holding the pajamas to his chest. “This is stupid. We can just go upstairs?—”