Page 23
Chapter Ten
Two o’clock in the morning, and they were just locking the door behind them as they staggered into Beckett’s place, the rain and wind still raging outside.
Foster had made the drive home fairly quickly, but simply pulling into the driveway — parking beside Chase’s truck — had brought the night’s events into sharp focus.
And he knew he’d never settle until he’d done a thorough sweep of the property.
He’d glanced at Mac, wondering if he should ask her to stay in the truck or make the rounds with him, but she’d simply smiled and asked him which one of his buddies’ houses he wanted to clear first.
And just like that, he’d fallen a bit harder.
They’d spent the next hour scouring every inch of the other buildings and surrounding area until he felt confident they were alone before heading back to his place. He’d disarmed the new system Zain had installed then whisked Mac inside, rearming it as soon as he’d locked the door.
Mackenzie removed her wet hoodie, her teeth chattering as she attempted to hang it on one of the hooks only to drop it when her hands didn’t seem to work quite right.
Foster tsked. “Why didn’t you tell me you were freezing? We could have scrapped searching the other homes and just come straight inside.”
Mac scoffed at him. “As if you would have been able to relax without knowing the property’s clear.”
“Better me courting a stroke than you slipping into a hyperthermic coma.”
“I’m not that bad. But some dry clothes would be nice.
” She tilted her head, staring at him for so long he thought she’d fallen asleep on her feet before she sighed.
“Who are we kidding? Even after searching everything — with Zain upgrading everyone’s security systems — there’s no way you’ll be able to go to bed and sleep.
So, why don’t you plant your butt on one of the chairs, make that call to Keaton if it’s not too early or too late, and I’ll be right back.
” She arched a brow. “Assuming you don’t mind me rummaging through your closet and grabbing a few things. ”
Mackenzie smiled when he nodded then turned on her heels and headed for the stairs. Her hips swayed hypnotically as she climbed the steps, turning right at the top before disappearing down the hallway.
He could catch her. Race up the stairs and scoop her into his arms then take them both into his room — have her stripped and on his bed in record time. What he’d been itching to do since that earth-shattering kiss at the front door.
Except where she was right. The warrior in him whispering how that tango could be outside, right now, biding his time. Waiting for them to drift off before breaching the house.
He glanced at the new security system. Zain had gone overboard, though Foster had to admit, he hadn’t expected any less.
And something he should have allowed his buddy to do the moment they’d moved in.
But he’d hoped Raven’s Cliff would be different.
More like his rose-colored memories of his parents never locking their doors. The Andy Griffith vibe it gave off.
He’d gotten lucky. And after having to watch Mac battle to get Chase free — knowing there wasn’t a damn thing he could do to help — he knew his mind wouldn’t quiet until he was convinced they were safe.
He didn’t need to stay alert for hours. Just one or two — until he was sure the bastard with the night vision goggles wasn’t going to make a surprise visit. Then, he could put his faith in Zain’s tech and get some sleep.
Foster stripped down to his boxers and tee, kicked off his boots and padded over to a winged-back chair, sinking into the comfortable cushion.
His shoulder ached from the cold and the strain, every screw feeling as if it was trying to burst free.
He scrubbed his hand down his face as he hit Keaton’s number, waiting for his cousin to appear on the small screen.
The video winked into view, Keaton’s sleep-weary face appearing amidst the darkness. “Foster? Jesus what’s wrong? Are you hurt? Trapped? Need bail money?”
“If I was hurt, I’d be calling emergency services, and if I was trapped, I’d have my team on the line. As for bail money…” Foster chuckled. “Do you even have any?”
Keaton blinked then carded his fingers through his hair. “Well, something’s wrong because it’s five o’clock here, which means it’s two freaking a.m. there. Wait, you’re not drunk dialing me, are you?”
“Do I look or sound drunk?”
“Honestly, you’re one of those guys who you just can’t tell.”
“I’m not drunk. And before you ask, I’m not high, either. But I need your help, and it couldn’t wait. There’s been an incident. A few actually, but tonight’s…”
He swallowed, Sean’s ghost mocking him from across the room. Just like he’d done throughout the entire rescue. Always hanging over his shoulder like a beacon of all Foster had to lose. Everything he’d already lost. And now that the adrenaline was starting to wane, it seemed all too real.
“Foster? Cuz, you’d better start talking because the color just drained from your face, and you look like crap. Is everyone okay?”
“They will be. Zain and Chase had their trucks go off the road. Actually, Chase was driving one of the deputy’s — Greer Hudson’s — Bronco. She took the brunt of it. She’s stable but in the ICU. The guys are spending the night under observation, but they’re mostly just pissed.”
“Damn. What the hell happened?”
Foster used the hem of his shirt as he reached into his pocket and removed the device before holding it up for Keaton. “This.”
Keaton squinted then inhaled. “Is that part of a bomb?”
“I think so. I’ve got a connection here who I’ll have take a look at it in the morning to confirm, but…”
“So, someone put a bomb on Zain’s truck?”
“It was Greer’s Bronco, actually. Though, I didn’t look at Zain’s Chevy. It was already towed. I’ll scour it tomorrow.”
Keaton frowned, turning his head to talk to someone on his right.
Trinity, Foster supposed. Keaton’s girlfriend and the woman Foster knew Keaton was going to spend the rest of his life with.
“Maybe it’s because we had a late night, and the wine’s still kicking my ass.
Or maybe it’s because it’s five a.m., and my brain’s not fully functioning, yet, but why would someone put a bomb on a deputy’s SUV?
And what has this got to do with you and your team? ”
Foster sighed, giving Keaton a quick rundown of what had happened.
How Foster was pretty sure this revolved around whatever intel Greer had been planning on sharing.
And while it had seemed like a stretch when they’d been sitting in the café, the whole Carrington connection appeared much more viable now.
Keaton scratched the back of his head. “I gotta give you credit. You and your team don’t do anything half-assed.
So, I’m guessing you’re hoping Dawson can unearth whatever Greer had uncovered regarding this Carrington guy and GeneTide — if there’s any remote connection to Raven’s Cliff and your manor house, specifically. ”
“In a nutshell, yeah. I don’t know how long Greer will be sidelined, and the last thing she needs is me hounding her for information.
Possibly putting her life at risk again.
And before you hyperventilate, we’ve got a fellow soldier guarding her until we can move her here, but I need to keep this from getting back to anyone else in her office. Hell, in town.”
Foster arched a brow as he leaned back. “You think Dawson will play along? Maybe call in a few chits if needed?”
Keaton coughed. “Are you kidding? He lives for this spy stuff. And we actually have an in with a fed down here. If she’s in town, she might be willing to help too.”
Foster nodded, turning when the stairs creaked.
Nearly falling off the chair when Mackenzie rounded the bottom of the staircase dressed in one of his massive tees with a pair of wool socks.
She glided over the old wood floors, the hem of his shirt swaying seductively across her thighs.
She stopped beside him and tossed him a shirt and his pajama pants.
He smiled, wondering if he’d ever seen her look sexier than she was right then, when she glanced at the screen then back to him, arching her brow.
Keaton cleared his throat, gaining Foster’s attention. “What was that?”
Foster frowned. “What was what?”
“The look on your face. You’re obviously not alone and whoever just walked in…” Keaton whistled. “What’s her name, cuz?”
“Bugger off.”
“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.”
Table of Contents
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- Page 3
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- Page 9
- Page 10
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- Page 13
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- Page 15
- Page 16
- Page 17
- Page 18
- Page 19
- Page 20
- Page 21
- Page 22
- Page 23 (Reading here)
- Page 24
- Page 25
- Page 26
- Page 27
- Page 28
- Page 29
- Page 30
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- Page 39
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- Page 42