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“I’ve been working with you for three years.

I’ve seen you downplay your skills time and time again.

You’ve helped others on the naval ships we’ve been on with no expectation of compensation.

You go out of your way to teach the lowest privates who are just starting out everything you know, and you shrug off any praise or accolades that are aimed your way.

You even let others who work for you take the credit.

The last thing you’d do is take a job because of the power and prestige it could bring to you. ”

“Thank you,” Laryn said softly. “I just love what I do. I don’t want or need anything other than seeing a machine I’ve worked on operate to its full potential.”

“So…Osman called you tonight?”

“Yeah. Again, I have no idea how he got my number, because I certainly didn’t give it to him.

He tried to convince me that working for him would be the best thing I could do for my career.

He tried using the husband he’d find for me as incentive again.

I finally had to get stern with him, and I told him that I wasn’t interested in the job, though I appreciated the offer.

Then I asked him to stop contacting me, and he got… upset.”

Casper figured that was a tame word for what really happened.

“He started yelling at me in what I assume was Turkish. Then before he hung up, he said I was making a mistake. That his country needed me, and I was—and I quote—“a fucking American cunt,” and I’d regret turning down such an extremely generous offer that any other ugly, old, unmarried woman would jump at. ”

Casper was furious. He wanted to beat the shit out of this Altan Osman for daring to insult Laryn.

And threaten her. But he wasn’t here right now.

Laryn was. And she needed to know she was safe, and that she’d made the right decision in being firm and turning the man down.

She might be the best MH-60 mechanic in the US, and easily in the top five in the world, but that didn’t mean she was at this asshole’s beck and call.

She wasn’t required to share her skills with anyone .

If she wanted to quit and move to a deserted island and live off the damn grid, that was her right and her choice.

Moving slowly, Casper scooted closer to her on the couch, until his thigh was touching hers. He didn’t touch her in any other way, he’d learned his lesson the night before about moving too fast around this skittish woman. He simply let his body heat seep into her skin.

“I can understand how that call would have unnerved you,” he said, keeping his tone as level as he could.

At the way she turned and raised a brow at his words, he figured he wasn’t as calm sounding as he hoped.

“I mean, he wasn’t completely wrong. I am single, and some would consider me old. Ugly? I suppose that’s subjective.”

“You aren’t ugly!” Casper exclaimed.

“I know. I mean, I’m not ready for the runway or for the bright lights of Hollywood, but I’m okay, I guess. Plain is probably a better word.”

“Laryn, you aren’t ugly or plain. You’re real . And that’s way more attractive than anything I can think of.” He held out his hand, palm up, and said, “Give me your hand.”

She looked down at his hand in confusion, but let go of the cup she’d been holding on to as if her life depended on it and put her hand in his .

Casper ran his thumb over the back of her hand, over the small scars that were there, over the fresh scrapes, and the tiny smudge of grease she hadn’t been able to scrub out of her skin.

“This hand is magic. It can turn a hunk of metal into a sleek, purring powerhouse that can lift several tons into the air. This hand keeps me safe when I’m behind the controls in the cockpit.

Knowing it was you who tuned the engine, turned the screws, checked over every inch of the bird I’m flying—in ways machines were never meant to fly—gives me the confidence to do what I do.

To take the chances I do. Because you were the one who got her flight ready. That’s fucking beautiful.”

Laryn was looking at him with wide eyes so full of emotion, Casper felt as if he’d drown simply by staring into the gorgeous brown orbs.

“I’m so sorry you had to listen to that harassment. That’s no way to try to recruit someone to work for them. Insults aren’t exactly a good start to a healthy working relationship.”

“I know.”

“He threatened you,” Casper said in a low voice.

“Yeah. And he scared me. I admit it,” Laryn said. “But I’m better now. He’s in Turkey and I’m here. He doesn’t know where I live. It’s fine.”

“You didn’t think he had your number either…and yet, he called.” Casper hated to bring that up, but he needed her to be smart about this. “If he works for the Turkish Gendarmerie, the special forces, he’s probably got connections.”

Laryn stiffened and tried to pull her hand out of his grip, but Casper tightened his hold. “I’m not saying that to scare you.”

“Well, that was a big fail,” she griped.

In any other situation, Casper probably would’ve grinned at her tone.

But this wasn’t a laughing situation. Someone had fucking threatened her.

Which was unacceptable. “Let me talk to some people. See what they can find out about this Osman guy. See if he’s all talk or if he has the means and ability to actually follow through with a threat. ”

“I’m sure it’s nothing. I don’t want to be a bother.”

“Trust me, you won’t be a bother. Not to my guy. He loves this shit. Finding dirt on people, ferreting out info they think is buried deep enough to never be found.”

“I don’t want the colonel or my boss to find out I was even inquiring about another job.”

That part was trickier. “I’m thinking neither man will assume anything if they hear through the grapevine about your troubles with Osman.

You’re the best in your field, Laryn. They’ll probably just think Osman was fishing, hoping to lure you away by offering you tons of money and, of course, a husband.

They’ll be more concerned about someone trying to steal you away.

Hell, you might get a raise out of this entire thing,” Casper said, trying to lighten the mood.

But Laryn didn’t laugh. “I don’t want any more money. I make more than enough as it is.”

And that was one more reason to like this woman. The more Casper was around her, the more he got to know her, the real Laryn, the more he wanted her.

“Let me talk to him. My acquaintance. He’ll do some digging while we’re deployed and by the time we get back, I’m sure he’ll have all the intel we need to figure out if this is a real threat, or just a desperate man spewing vitriol. Please?”

She sighed. “Fine.”

That was the second time using the word “please” had gotten him what he wanted.

Casper filed that away and vowed not to abuse the power that word apparently had over her…

at least coming from him. He’d heard some of the mechanics who worked for her pleading to leave early, or for a day off, and she’d stood firm and told them no.

“I have to get up early tomorrow for PT, and it’s getting late, so I should probably get some sleep,” Casper told her .

“Right,” Laryn said, tugging at her hand once again.

This time Casper let it go, but not before memorizing the feel of her calloused palm brushing against his own.

“Thanks for coming over,” she told him politely.

Casper nodded. “You’re welcome. Do you have an extra pillow I can use?”

She frowned. “What?”

“A pillow. I can use the blanket you’ve got on the back of the couch, but a pillow would be nice.”

“You aren’t staying here,” she said, almost sounding horrified.

“Yes, I am,” Casper said firmly.

“No, you aren’t,” she told him, sounding just as stern.

“Laryn, you just got off the phone with a man who threatened you. Said you’d regret turning down his offer.

A man who, at best, has access to a lot of money if he’s responsible for hiring someone to outfit MH-60s, and at worst, connections at the highest levels of the Turkish government. There’s no way I’m leaving you alone.”

“I can take care of myself.”

“I know you can. You’re a grown adult. But you aren’t a trained soldier.”

“I actually am a trained soldier. I went through the same basic training you did,” she countered. “Besides, you’re a pilot. And I don’t see any choppers hanging around my apartment.”

Damn, he admired her spunk. But he wasn’t going to be swayed.

“If I leave after hearing what you told me tonight, I’m not going to get any sleep.

I’ll be worrying about you all night. Wondering if Osman has any contacts here in the States.

If someone has broken into your apartment overnight and stolen you away.

Tomorrow morning, I could wake up and you could be halfway across the ocean, headed to Turkey to be detained and forced to work on their newest acquisitions.

And while you’d resist, because that’s who you are, they could torture you to make you spill the secrets about the latest technology the US is putting into their choppers. ”

“Oh my God, you’re such a drama queen,” Laryn protested.

Casper put on the most pathetic face he could muster and even pouted a little bit.

“I can’t believe I’m agreeing to this. Fine. But only for tonight.”

He wasn’t going to agree to that, so he simply smiled.

Laryn shook her head as she stood and headed to the kitchen to pour out the tea that she didn’t bother finishing. “I’m going to regret this,” she mumbled.

Casper frowned at that. He silently followed her into the kitchen.

When she turned around from the sink, gasping in surprise to find him so close, he put his hands on the counter on either side of her and leaned in.

Her hands flew up and landed on his chest, but she didn’t push him away. Simply rested them there.

“You aren’t going to regret it. I’m just here to make sure all is well,” he told her.

“Okay.”

“I mean it. No regrets, Laryn.”

“I…this…it’s such a change from how things used to be.”

“I know. I’ve been an idiot. I told you that. And I’m done. I’m standing up for a friend. For someone who’s had my back and made sure I’m as safe as I can be while I’m in the air. I’m doing the same thing for you, even though it’s a bit late.”

His words seemed to have a profound effect on her. Her shoulders relaxed and her fingers curled into his chest.

“Thank you,” she whispered.

“You’re welcome. We’ll work on your ability to ask for help.”

At that, she rolled her eyes, and now she did push at him a little bit.

Casper grinned and stepped back, giving her some space .

“Don’t blame me when you sleep like shit. That couch is uncomfortable as hell.”

“Shit,” he mumbled.

Laryn giggled, and it was the most carefree sound he’d heard from her tonight. He reveled in it. He had no problem getting a horrible night’s sleep if it made this woman relax.

She walked out of the kitchen and Casper waited to see what she was doing. She returned in less than twenty seconds with a fluffy pillow in her hands. She put it on the couch and pointed down the hallway. “The bathroom’s in the hall. We’ll have to share, I only have one.”

“No problem. I’ll let you know when I’m leaving in the morning.”

“What time is PT?” she asked.

“Five-thirty.”

“I’ll be awake. I usually get up at four-thirty to work out myself.”

“You do?”

“Uh-huh.”

An idea struck Casper. “Want to come work out with me and the guys?”

Laryn frowned. “Uh…hell no.”

“Why not?”

“Because you guys probably run like forty miles, do a thousand burpees, and bench press those huge boulders lying around the base for security purposes.”

Casper burst out laughing. “Not even close. I think we’re gonna do a five-mile run tomorrow, then go to the park on base with the workout equipment—you know, the one with pull-up bars, bench jumps, triceps dips, monkey bars, and that small climbing wall. Come with us. It’ll be fun.”

“I don’t know.”

Casper couldn’t help himself. “Please?”

She frowned. “Shit. There you go, being all nice again. Fine . ”

Satisfaction coursed through him. “Great. We’ll leave here around five-fifteen. Since you live so close to base, that’ll give us plenty of time to meet up with the guys.”

Laryn nodded and turned to head back down the hall toward her room. She turned at the last minute. “Tate?”

“Yeah?”

“The last person to do something so unselfish for me was my dad. I appreciate you being here.”

His heart fell at her admission. This woman should’ve had all sorts of people bending over backward to help her out.

To be nice to her. Including him. He’d fucked up hard.

But he was going to do what he could to make amends.

To make sure she knew from here on out that he was her friend.

As were his fellow pilots. Laryn was a vital part of their team.

They hadn’t treated her as such, but that was going to change.

“Good night, Laryn.”

“Good night.”

He stood in the middle of the living room staring down the hallway for several minutes, listening to her puttering around in her bedroom.

When he saw the light under her door go out, he finally moved, stretching out on the couch.

She was right, it was lumpy as hell. But Casper didn’t care.

He didn’t bother removing his boots. He wanted to be prepared for anything.

Did he really think someone was going to smash through the door to get to Laryn?

Not really. But until he spoke with Tex, the person he’d told Laryn about, he wasn’t going to take any chances.

Tex would be able to research this Altan Osman guy and determine the true threat level he posed.

Until then, Laryn would have to deal with having someone nearby at all times.

If it couldn’t be him, it would be Pyro.

Or Edge. Or any of his fellow pilots. He was actually thankful they were going to be deployed soon.

There was nowhere safer than on a naval ship in the middle of the ocean.

While he and the other Night Stalkers did their thing, she’d be safely ensconced onboard.

When they got back to Norfolk, they’d figure out how to mitigate any possible threats.

Casper was looking forward to this deployment.

To showing Laryn what it meant to be part of a team.

She’d probably resist, but she’d learn that he and his friends were stubborn.

And when they set their mind to something—namely, bringing Laryn into their inner circle—nothing and no one would keep them from meeting their objective.