Page 16 of Luck Be Mine (The Defenders #3)
She touched his leg, caressing his skin in reassurance. “Not overprotective. Protective. I knew that about you when I married you. I roll with it because you need to be sure of my situation. I’d be foolish not to trust your expertise, and I’m not stupid.”
“No, you aren’t.”
“But the minute you criticize my friends, decide for me, or pick my shoes, we’ll be fighting.”
He shook his head. “Why would I pick your shoes?”
“Some guys aren’t over themselves is all I have to say.”
“I’ve been all about keeping you safe since I met you. Although, how I think I’m doing that when I’m not here, I can’t figure.”
“You tell me and rely on me to carry out what are smart moves. I’m a SEAL wife.
I have to not only be protective of your operational security, but I must also be protective of mine.
It’s never been something I’ve thought about.
You do it instinctively, and I follow your lead.
It might look overprotective to others, but I get where it comes from. I’m okay with it.”
“I promise I won’t pick your shoes.”
She grinned at him. “Thank God.” Her face relaxed, and humor filled her eyes.
He put a hand on her neck and ran his palm down her back, enjoying how she arched into his touch. “Was that a slam?”
“Yes. Navy T-shirts and combat boots doesn’t give you the right to pick my shoes.”
“Another marriage rule. Noted.”
Her eyes sparkled. “Can we burn the CIA letter?”
Hunt released the tension from their argument. “Let’s answer them with a resounding not interested first.”
“Okay, but just to get it all on the table, if I ever see Phillip Stocker again, I’m pulling his balls out through his nose.”
He silently laughed before answering her. “I’ll help you.”
She struggled to her feet, and he didn’t hover on purpose. Now was the time to pull back and let her try first. She didn’t need him for a constant hand anymore, and he didn’t want to undermine her confidence in her recovery.
“Can we go back to bed?” She gently smiled, and everything wrong melted away.
He rose, certain joints popping and aching. He needed to pay attention to his own issues. “Yeah. Let’s do.”
He slipped an arm around her and loved the way she folded herself into his body. In the dark room, he shucked out of his shorts and turned to help Cait toss her workout clothes to the floor.
“You promised me a turn,” she whispered against his mouth.
Instead of answering, he lifted her to the bed and followed her in. “Whatever you want, honey. Name it. I’m yours.”
§§§§§§§§§§
? QM International – The Deal ?
Hunt parked across the street from a non-descript gray industrial building tucked along a quiet side road in Kearny Mesa.
When finished, the headquarters would be nestled between light industrial warehouses and private research labs.
Vehicles parked in front suggested someone worked here, but this address didn’t say security company, yet.
He left the apartment in civvies. Thankfully, Cait lay boneless across the bed, buried under a comforter, in a deep sleep, unable to ask questions he didn’t want to address. He wanted answers for her safety, for his peace of mind, and for any future interactions with the company.
Spring arrived early in San Diego, and all the trees bloomed in white and pink along the street. He watched the activity in the front of the building for a few moments assessing security then got out of his truck.
Before he could cross the parking lot, Quaid appeared on the sidewalk in front of the main doors.
His styled hair tossed in the light breeze.
His five-hundred-dollar black sunglasses covered his eyes.
The navy suit screamed playboy expensive from twenty paces.
His grin stretched across his face and was all friend.
Quaid met him with a hand outstretched. “LT, good to see you.” The slap on the back settled his thoughts. This was the man who had pulled them out of the fire in Germany and stayed at their back for weeks.
“I’ve been expecting you. Cait said she had to talk to you.”
“She did.” Hunt followed him inside.
Construction had tendrils through the entire first floor, and Hunt stepped carefully around the taped areas.
“Come this way. We have a temporary office arranged back here. Eventually, we’ll be on the third floor, but that space looks worse than this does.”
Hunt studied the details with interest. The sawdust had been swept into piles. The concrete floor had boards, nails, and construction debris everywhere. The studs could show the eventual layout, but the idea eluded him. With the virus shut down, the silence spoke volumes.
Hunt looked Quaid over. “How do you stay so polished in this dusty environment?”
“I change clothes when I get here. I just arrived.”
He opened a door, and Hunt walked into what appeared to be a large break room with two desks at the back and an open door to a restroom.
“Elizabeth is working at home. Mackey is still out processing. He should be here within a week. It’s only me onsite.”
Hunt studied the room. “Where will Cait be?”
“Fourth floor. Medical and a day room for recreation and meetings on that floor. We have a back loading dock temporarily set up for the men with two side rooms, one medical and one supply. Armory is in a separate location. When the construction is done, it’ll all be here.
Training, medical, administration, supply. All of it.”
“Grand plan. How long?”
Quaid grimaced. “Contractor says seven months. With the shut down, we’ll see. Mackey brought the brains. I brought the money.”
Hunt pulled out a chair at the folding table and sat. “Don’t sell yourself short.”
He took off his jacket. “Coffee?”
“I could use a cup.” Hunt had left home without one. “How did you know I was here?”
Quaid pointed to a set of four monitors. “Cameras.” The former spy did a quick pour from the already perked pot into two cups and joined him at the table. “Lay it out, LT. What are your conditions for hiring Doc?”
Hunt sat back in his chair. “No conditions. Her decision. Not mine. But I want to be sure of her security. Maybe I’m overreaching, and she’ll be pissed at me, but I need to add this to my security plan for her.
The mess in Afghanistan still has legs, and she’s still recovering.
I don’t want anything to get in the way of her finally getting well. ”
“We’ll help. She’s not on mission, not involved in cases, but will handle the injuries and the wellness. We want someone the men can trust.”
“Definitely her. Still, you’re not in this business to make friends. Risks exist. Make me a promise you’ll keep her welfare as a mission priority. I’m not here to protect her, won’t be here. I need you to do this for me.”
“Agreed.”
“That simple?”
“Yes. She matters to us, matters to me. I won’t let anything happen.
I am sitting in front of you because she put herself on the line in Afghanistan to make sure I lived.
I’m not saying Carter didn’t, too. But the training, the skill, the care came from her when I needed it.
I will return that by making sure when you are not here, she is safe and protected. Because I owe you, too.”
Hunt stared into the man’s intense blue eyes. “You don’t owe me. The team did a job. You were part of the team. I’d take you out with us anytime.”
“Thanks. Nice to hear. After I got hurt, you could have dropped the whole mess. You didn’t. Reid mattered to me. He was my oldest friend, and you didn’t quit until you found out what happened. The CIA would have buried him and moved on – and they have. I haven’t.”
Hunt finished his coffee and stayed silent.
“We will be here for her when you can’t be. We will not put her at risk. It’s a promise I’ll keep.”
“Accepted. I need that.”
“You are both my family. I will always put it on the line for you.”
Hunt shifted his right hand across the table and shook Quaid’s. “Same.”
“Good. She can start immediately.”
Hunt smiled, not his professional one, his personal one. “Enough sap for this visit. I have to get out to base. Ask if you need anything, please.”
“You want to come work for us?”
Hunt shook his head and rose. “Not yet.”
“All you have to do is say the word, and you’re hired.”
“Good to know.”
Quaid walked him out.
On the freeway, he couldn’t stop laughing. He went to ensure Cait’s safety and walked away with a job offer.
Friends. They were freaking crazy.