Page 12 of Luck Be Mine (The Defenders #3)

Touched, Cait grabbed her hand. “Thanks, Adele. I don’t how I’d do this without you.”

“Oh child, it’s been special being here for you. I’ll leave you two to talk.” She took the keys and called for the men to join her. The noisy house fell into silence.

Cait turned to Quaid. “You didn’t find me to reminisce. You could take me to dinner for that.”

Quaid leaned forward, elbows on his knees. “Still could, but I have some business to discuss.”

Cait sat back. “Business? In case you hadn’t noticed, I’m not back in commission yet.”

“Don’t need to be for what I want, but tell me where you’re at. I want to make sure we help not hurt.”

“We who?”

“Mackey and I plus my Aunt Elizabeth.”

“Curiosity is prodding me.”

He leaned forward in his chair, serious and earnest. “You remember my Aunt Elizabeth?”

“Yes, from my wedding, and Mackey walked me down the aisle.”

“Well Mackey and I are both out.”

Cait jerked in surprise. “I did not expect that. Why? Did your injury disqualify you? It shouldn’t have.”

“No, voluntary. Mackey and I joined forces and went into business. We asked my aunt to be the finance officer. She worked for my grandfather, but since her son got killed in Afghanistan, she’s been struggling. This has been a good change for her. We would like you to join us.”

“Me?” Surprise squeaked her voice. Clearing her throat, she checked Quaid’s face. As serious as she’d ever seen, she checked an impulse to laugh. She couldn’t feel her fingers, and physically she was still wrecked.

“Mackey and I based a security company here in San Diego. QM International Security.” He searched his pockets, pulled out a card, and handed it to her.

She studied the black glossy card. QM International. Security solutions. “What kind of security solutions?”

“We’re searching for missing persons, handling human trafficking cases, and providing international corporate security for traveling executives.”

“You both have the experience. But why are you telling me this?”

“We need medical.”

Cait’s eyebrows rose. “Uh, why? Anticipating injuries already?”

Quaid leaned closer, intensity in his features.

“Yeah, honestly, some of what we’re looking for is basic.

We have nineteen men, and the scrapes, bruises, strains, and broken bones are what we’re worried about.

We have seven cases running, and if we need serious help, I’d rather it comes from a friend.

Elizabeth had the idea of a medical bay at our site, and we can stock it and staff it. I thought of you.”

“I’m not full-speed, Quaid. I have no feeling in my left hand, and my shoulder has no mobility.” Admitting the truth hurt as bad as the injury.

Quaid shrugged. “Regardless, we can help you with your recovery in exchange. We need you for training field medics, guiding triage standards, building treatment protocols, and tracking physical/psych evaluations for our people. You’ll run medical debriefs and track wellness and be our go-to for injuries. ”

“I’m trying to rehabilitate so I can get back into an operating room.

If and when I get the feeling back in my fingers, I’m going to have to retrain in a surgical program that will test my skills and get me current and proficient again.

University of California San Diego (UCSD) has a program, but I don’t have enough information to figure out how this fits. ”

But a spark ignited deep. Her desperate self latched onto it like a life preserver. For the first time in weeks, she sensed a shift. Could she?

“Who are these people you’ve hired?”

“Mostly former military and police. Some retired. Others opted out for something a bit safer.”

“Your description doesn’t sound safer. It sounds like coming at danger from another angle.”

“There’s a need. We’re negotiating with the government for a contract with the Department of Defense, and business interest is overwhelming us.

Business professionals don’t want to travel internationally without protection.

It’s perfect for our setup. The job is a good combination for you.

A mix of admin, strategy, mentorship in a place where many of us will understand your injury, your recovery, and back you. ”

Cait stayed silent and studied Quaid’s face. He remained quiet, too, letting her think.

“I miss the Army and the help from people who get what you’ve been through and what you need.”

“I hear you. Talk to Elizabeth. She could get into more detail since this Chief Medical Officer position was her idea.” He turned over the card and took out a pen. Scribbling a number on the back, he handed it to her. “Please, we need people we trust, and we want to do this right.”

Cait sat back in her chair, intrigued with the possibility. “I’d need to talk to Hunt, and he’s out. I’m not sure when he’ll be checking in.”

“But you’re interested.” He raised a brow and nodded yes at her. Persuasive the man was.

She made him wait a minute. After all, was there anyone in the world who said no to a handsome spy playboy?

“Okay. Yes, I’m interested. I will talk to Elizabeth, but I won’t answer until Hunt has been briefed and is okay with it.”

He stood and wiggled his fingers at her. “What’s not to like. You won’t be running missions. You’re home support.”

She leveraged out of the chair and laughed all the while getting hugged again. “You are a menace, Daniels.”

“What I am is thrilled to have the incomparable Lucky Charm agreeing to work for QM International. Thank you.” Quaid’s grin triggered her own.

“Need any help here?”

“No, we’ve got this covered.”

“Don’t get too tired.” Quaid squeezed her hand and let her go. “Call me when you get an answer from Hunter.”

“Yes, I will.”

“What I want to hear.” The door closed behind him and she had no doubt he was skipping down the steps. She wanted to skip, too. They’d handed her a lifeline. How could she not take it?

§§§§§§§§§§

? Homecoming – Part II: New Apartment ?

Hunt drove through the apartment parking lot searching for an empty slot.

The morning rain had pushed many to stay home.

The CDC recommending a shutdown had done the rest. He’d had to argue his request with Scott who was determined to keep teams on base to control exposure.

Except they’d come in from the Persian Gulf five days ago and nobody was sick.

If they hadn’t moved apartments, he would have kept with phone conversations, but March had disappeared in a rush of days grinding to a halt at the quarantine. Cait was barely coping with the move, and her household goods arrived prior to everything closing.

A car pulled out. With no guilt, he swooped in and took the spot.

Engine off, he grabbed his phone and texted Cait.

Incoming.

What?

Home. Coming in.

He grinned at the string of emojis she sent in reply and slid out of his truck. Grabbing his bag, he walked in the direction of the apartment. Honestly, he’d only been to the space once. Where the hell was it?

An apartment door opened a few paces from him, and Cait was there.

Her blonde hair was pulled back exposing the scar at her temple.

The flush to her face gave her color and accentuated the sparkle in her eyes.

Her grin was priceless. With gray shorts and still in his Navy T-shirt, she sent a rush through him, and he couldn’t wait to get his arms around her.

He lengthened his stride and got to her as she got tired of waiting and limped from the doorway to the sidewalk.

“Hunt!” She launched into his arms with her one good arm around his neck.

He pulled her close and held on. “Hey. How’s my girl?” She kissed his neck and all restraint dropped. He lifted her off her feet, took quick strides into the apartment, and kicked the door shut.

Breathless, she grinned at him. “You should have called?”

“Nope, it would have ruined the surprise.” He didn’t want to talk. He wanted to hold, kiss, and love her. Ignoring the boxes that filled all the space, he dropped his bag and lost his sanity when she wrapped her legs around his waist.

“Welcome home.” She kissed him first. Heat raced through him, and he marveled at the softness of her breasts against his chest. He met her demand for demand, remembering the kissing they’d used to satisfy themselves while she’d been hurt. The softness, the wet, the heat.

A punch to the gut followed when she slid her tongue against his and took him into inferno. “Bed?” His strangled words matched his desperation.

She lifted her arm, confident he was holding her, and pointed to the bedroom. “Please,” she murmured against his lips.

His heartbeat pounded in a rapid cadence affecting every pulse point in his body. He made himself pull away. “You’re okay for this?”

“Squeezed in a doctor’s appointment between the chaos. We’re good. I’m good. So please?”

“Yes, my Cait.”

She laid her head on his shoulder. “I missed you.”

Hunt coaxed her to the floor and turned to lock and check the door. No fucking interruptions allowed. He turned back and lifted her into his arms. “Hello, Mrs. Hunter.”

“Hello, Mr. Hunter.” She gently laid her lips on his, lingering. The soft pressure satisfied yet wasn’t enough. Her sigh whispered across his lips.

The long-suppressed spark roared to life. Searing heat spread across his body.

Apple Blossom. Oh lord, the scent hit his memories like a punch to the gut. Their first time in Afghanistan blew through him and raised a desperate need.

Wedding night.

First time since her injury.

First time since he put a ring on her finger and joined their lives together.

First married intimacy called for taking time.