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“The place isn’t fancy,” he warned her.
She stood at the wooden kitchen island, looking out the glass doors past the deck to the hills beyond. She stiffened. “I don’t need fancy. Are you waiting for me to go diva on you? Demand Italian mineral water, or pull that fluffy dog out of my handbag?”
He rested his hands on her shoulders. “No. I know you’re not like that.”
She huffed. “Sorry, I’m acting like a bitch. I’m just?—”
“Stressed and worried.”
“Right.”
He kissed her. “I’m here. Whatever you need.”
“I know. Thank you, Sawyer. I’m going to freshen up, then—” her tone sharpened “—I’m going to dig into Michael Reuben’s life. I’mnotgoing to sit around waiting for his hired assassin to kill me.”
He loved that courage. “We might make a SEAL out of you yet.”
“Hardly. I don’t sleep on the ground, or go camping. I need a real bed and a bathroom. Maybe there is a little diva in me after all.” She disappeared into the bathroom.
Sawyer pulled out one of the laptops. He also needed to do a security sweep of the cottage and set up some cameras he’d brought with him. No one was sneaking up on them.
In the kitchen, he pulled out his bag of coffee and put on the coffee machine. Hollis could have a caffeine hit. He was relieved that they were where no one could find them. Her safety was important to him. He opened some cupboards, and pulled out a mug. Her happiness was also important to him.
She was important to him.
Shit. He stilled. He’d steered clear of letting people get too close for a long time. Watching the people you cared for get hurt or die… It cut too deep.
Damn. He hadn’t even realized how much he’d cut himself off after he’d left Ghost Ops. He’d come to an island in the middle of the ocean. He couldn’t cut himself off more than that.
Luckily, Benny and his family had been a lifeline.
Then Hollis had blasted through his defenses. Without even trying.
Sawyer shook his head. He couldn’t think of that, or his feelings for her, right now. His first priority was getting her safe.
“Oh, coffee. My hero.” She moved up beside him and pressed a kiss to his arm. Then she reached out and poured. “You want one?”
He shook his head. “I’m going outside to do a security sweep.”
She gave him a salute. “Yes, sir.”
“That’s a pretty good salute.”
“I had to learn how to do it properly for a movie. It was a bit part that got cut in the editing phase.” She touched his arm. “Be careful out there.”
He nodded. “I won’t be long.”
Hollis sat at the table in front of the open laptop.
“Use the VPN. We don’t want anyone tracking us here.”
She nodded. “Let’s see what I can dig up.” She cracked her knuckles. “If I can manage not to get distracted by that view.” She nodded at the picture window.
Sawyer left her to it and stepped outside. Instantly, he missed her. He hated having her out of his sight.
She’ll leave you one day.
His chest squeezed painfully. Her life was in LA, and his was here. He wouldn’t do well in the city, and he sure as hell didn’t belong at the glitzy parties and red-carpet premieres of a movie star.