Page 27

Chapter Twelve

Foster bolted upright, taking Mac with him as his alarm app echoed through the room, his cell dancing across the nightstand. He reached for it, blinking away his blurry vision as he stared at the screen — back door.

Mac mumbled something that sounded like, “What the hell,” before staring up at him.

It only took one glance before she was rolling off the other side — meeting him at the foot of the bed.

She moved with him to the door, cursing under her breath when his phone blew up with a series of chirps before going eerily silent. “Where?”

He huffed as he shoved his cell into one of his front pockets. “It started with the back door followed by a bunch of motion sensors activating before it cut off.”

“Kash and the others?”

He placed his ear against the door, straining to hear even a hint of movement. “It’s not even seven. That’s a bit early for Chase and Zain to be discharged, and I’d like to think they’d shoot me a text, first, to let me know it was them, but…”

He wouldn’t count on it being his teammates. Not after the night they’d had. And with only a hint of light beyond the windows, it could be that same asshole hoping he’d caught them sleeping.

Mac waved her fingers at him. “I need a weapon.”

Foster grunted then motioned toward the bed. “There’s a spare twenty-two duct-taped to the bottom side of the boxspring at the end of the bed.”

“Of course there is.” She darted over and bent low, ripping the gun free. “Do I want to know why it’s taped under the bed?”

“In case I ever had to hide under there.”

She shook her head as she moved in beside him, again. “You’re not the type of guy who’d ever hide. But even if you wanted to, you’re too big to fit under the damn bed and no one hides there. It’s the first place anyone checks.”

“Which is why there’s a freaking gun taped to the bed frame.” He froze when the floor creaked outside. Not much noise, and definitely something most would chalk up to the quirks of a century-old house. But he knew the sound of a footfall anywhere.

He motioned to the other side of the door, then shuffled over, staying far enough back he wouldn’t be instantly visible if the door opened. Mackenzie held her ground, looking far too comfortable with his Beretta as they stood there, waiting.

Foster was just starting to think he’d been wrong when the door swung open, a dark silhouette stepping through. He moved forward, but Mac already had her gun at the guy’s head.

“Give me a reason, asshole.”

The guy froze as her voice sounded through the room, the tension thickening the air. There was nothing but silence for a few moments before the guy tsked.

He glanced behind him at Mac before meeting Foster’s gaze. “Was it something I said?”

Mac inhaled then grunted. “Chase? Seriously?” She gave his buddy a light shove, shaking her head as she took a few deep breaths. “I could have shot you.”

He simply shrugged. “I would have countered if I’d thought you were actually going to fire.”

She crossed her arms over her chest. “You’re pretty cocky for a guy whose brains were in my crosshairs a second ago. No one’s that fast.”

Chase grinned. “I’m glad we don’t have to put that theory to the test. You two sleep well?”

Foster walked over, staring Chase down. “Why aren’t you still in the hospital?”

“Because they’re loud and uncomfortable and smell like lemon-scented death.”

“And yet, it’s where you’re supposed to be when you’ve separated your shoulder among other things.”

Chase blew off the comment. “I’ve been hurt worse rock climbing with Zain. Besides, Keaton called Kash thirty minutes ago and said he and his buddy Dawson would have that intel you wanted within the hour, so we came back.”

“Why did my cousin call Kash?”

Chase chuckled, motioning toward Mackenzie. “He said you might be otherwise engaged, and he didn’t want to interrupt a morning love fest.”

“I’ll kill him. It’s that simple.”

“Foster!” Kash’s voice echoed up the stairs. “Keaton’s on video. You and Mac need to get your asses down here.”

Chase swatted Foster in the chest. “Keaton’s nothing if not punctual. Get dressed.” He ambled back out the door only to stop a foot into the hallway. “And before you think about blowing us off, I’ll be waiting right here.”

Foster shut the door, leaning against it as he met Mackenzie’s gaze. “I’m starting to think I need new friends.”

Mackenzie laughed. “Please, those are your ride or die guys. Though, I’m starting to think they’re the real reason you suggested I wear your tee to bed.”

“Busted. Though, you do look incredibly hot wearing my clothes. Guess you probably need some sweats, huh?”

“I’m pretty sure everything from last night is still wet.”

“We’ll do laundry, but in the meantime...” He sorted through his stuff, tossing her some track pants. “That’s the smallest I’ve got.”

She waved off his concern, shimmying into them. “As long as they’re dry.”

Foster walked over to her, thumbing the waistband. “Way hotter than I imagined. Especially knowing I get to remove them, later.”

“Careful what you wish for, or I might not care that Keaton and your team are waiting for us downstairs.”

He grunted, then snagged her around the waist before spinning and backing her against the wall. He fisted her hair as he lowered his face level with hers. “Challenge accepted.”

He ravaged her mouth, groaning when she shifted enough to ride his thigh, yanking him back down once he’d paused to catch a breath.

Foster upped the ante, smoothing his hand beneath her shirt before cupping her breast. Grinning at how her nipple beaded against his palm.

He was already working through how to get her naked, again, in record time, when Chase banged on the door.

“Still waiting, you two.”

Foster clenched his jaw, rolling his right shoulder as he shook out his hand then concentrated on stepping away from Mac.

It took a few tries, but he managed to untangle his body from hers before grabbing her hand.

He shook his head, then headed for the door, huffing at Chase when his buddy smirked at them. “We’re good.”

Chase laughed as they stepped into the hallway. “Mac doesn’t look as if she agrees, but it’ll have to do.”

Foster snapped his gaze to her, and Chase hadn’t been joking. Her eyes were dilated, her lips still kiss-swollen as she took several deep breaths, clenching her jaw until he thought her teeth would crack. But she managed to rein it in, nodding at him a moment later.

He leaned in close. “Just a delay. Promise.”

She rolled her eyes but followed him along the hallway then down the stairs, toward the kitchen. Kash and Zain were at the counter chatting with Keaton or Dawson. His buddies looked up, grinning at Foster when he stopped next to them.

Zain laughed, and Foster flipped the man off, offering Mac a stool before taking his.

He claimed the one next to her, running his hand down his face. “At least tell me you’ve got coffee.”

Kash slid a couple cups their way. “Fresh from the Lighthouse Café. It appears Jordan remembered how you both order it. Which means we either go there far too often, or there’s something unique about her.”

Mac exhaled. “You mean more unique than those Krav Maga moves she unleashed the other day? Classes at the Y, my ass.”

“Agreed.” Kash angled the phone so it faced Foster and Mac. “And not what you apparently asked Keaton and Dawson to look into, so I’ll turn the conversation over to them.”

Foster focused on the screen, groaning inwardly at the smug smiles Keaton and Dawson flashed him. “Do you two need to get any razzing off your chests, or can we get down to business?”

Keaton chuckled. “I’m thinking that’s what we interrupted but…” He nodded at Mac. “Nice to see you, again, Mackenzie.”

She took a swig of her coffee. “I’d say the same, Keaton, but I had big plans for this morning, none of which involves an audience.”

Foster choked on his sip of coffee, glancing over at her. He fell even harder at the way she smiled at him, and how she didn’t seem the least bit fazed that their changing relationship had been outed.

Keaton whistled. “Straight for the jugular. But that’s what you Coasties do. I find it interesting that Foster neglected to mention you were former Coast Guard last night.”

“It isn’t related to the current issue.”

“Everything’s related to the current issue, but I’ll let Dawson have the floor.”

Dawson shifted in his seat, accepting a coffee from someone off-screen before sighing. “Foster. I thought you retired to that blip of a town to get away from all this tangos-on-your-ass crap?”

Foster shrugged. “I can’t help it if the crap finds me.”

“Right. Well, neither of you are going to like what I have to say.”

Mac scoffed. “Not to belittle anything, but why won’t I like this other than because it involves people I care about?”

Dawson looked at Foster then back to her. “Because it also involves your brother, Josh.”

Mac straightened, teetering on the edge of the stool. “What?”

“Just, do me a favor and let me get through this before either of you lose your shit.”

Foster placed his hand on top of Mac’s, nodding when she snapped her attention to him before focusing on Dawson. “No promises, but we’ll try.”

“Good enough.” Dawson took another swig, looking as if he was settling in to be court marshaled rather than to discuss some intel. “It turns out Greer was right to question the Carrington angle because this all revolves around him and his drug, Vexarin.”

Foster grunted. “Why am I not surprised?”

“Well, you’d better buckle up, because it’s far worse than anyone thought. But before I start, you need to know that Greer’s ‘friend’ in the Bureau she reached out to happens to be a mutual one. And since Chloe’s still an active special agent and this could get her fired?—”

“Everything’s hush hush and doesn’t leave this room.” Foster crossed his arms. “We know the score, Dawson.”

“Wow, you Air Force guys are always so impatient.”