Page 9

She’d realized Atticus would never truly be satisfied unless she took her brother’s spot. Gave him an anchor when she knew he was drifting. She was drifting, too and that had definitely shown in how she’d reacted tonight.

Mac rolled her shoulders as she grabbed Beckett’s wallet and opened the door, giving herself a quick pep talk. “Just… walk on up and knock on the door. Give him his wallet and walk away. Piece of cake.”

Except where her stomach wasn’t sure if it wanted to launch up into her throat or drop down into her shoes as she ran up the muddy path then onto the porch. A warm light brightened the entrance, muffled laughter drifting from beyond the door.

Great. He was definitely not alone.

Mac took a deep breath then held her head high as she slammed the ornate door knocker against the tarnished brass plate. The loud bang echoed through the air, cutting off the voices. Footsteps sounded a moment later before the door creaked open and Foster’s imposing form filled the doorway.

He inhaled, eyes rounding before he smiled and leaned against the frame. Those brilliant blue-green orbs staring at her. “Are you here for round two? Because I’ll just concede now and save you the trouble.”

She smiled despite the uneasy fluttering in her stomach. “A military man surrendering that easily? I find that hard to believe.”

“I’m retired, remember?”

“It’s hard to forget.” She held out his wallet. “And I just came by to give you this. Charlie found it in the back of the helicopter. It must have fallen out when you first boarded, and that stupid basket knocked you over.”

He grinned, the simple motion taking him from somewhat handsome to stunning. As if he’d removed her blinders and she was getting her first real look at him. “I wondered where I’d lost it. I thought for sure it was in your dad’s truck.”

“Oh, wouldn’t that have been awkward.”

His smile widened and it took her breath away. All full red lips with a hint of white. What looked like the beginnings of dimples in his cheeks. “More than you know. Which has me wondering why you decided to return it instead of watching me suffer?”

“I would have given it to you immediately if you hadn’t buggered off like a frat boy avoiding the cops.”

Foster sighed, still leaning against the frame. “I think we both know why I left in a hurry.”

“Do we? Because it was either something I said…” She inched closer. “Or something I didn’t say.”

“Both, I suppose.”

He looked over his shoulder when one of his buddies yelled at him to get his ass back to the poker table so they could make more easy money.

Mac held up her hand as she took a step back. “Sounds like I interrupted you and your team. I just wanted to return that.”

“Sorry to take you out of your way.”

“It really wasn’t.”

He straightened, glanced over his shoulder again, then blew out a rough breath. “You want a beer?”

Was her mouth hanging open? Maybe some drool trickling down the side of her face? Because it sounded as if he’d just invited her in for a drink. “What?”

He chuckled and damn, it made her stomach feel as if a thousand butterflies had suddenly taken flight. “I said, would you like a beer?”

She furrowed her brow, wondering if she’d fallen asleep in her Jeep and this was all a dream.

He frowned. “If you’d rather not…”

“You got any worth drinking?”

That made his eyes sparkle like back in the chopper. “Zain brought Corona, and Kash has some German brand.”

“And you?”

“Smithwicks.”

“Now, you’re talking.”

Foster backed up, waving her inside. “It’s still a work in progress so watch your step. And forgive the mess. It’s way better in the finished areas.”

“How much more do you have to renovate?”

“Not much. My parents did most of the work. Just a few rooms left but one of them is the first one you see, so that doesn’t instill confidence.”

She thanked him when he took her coat, hanging it on an old-fashioned rack before waving her through the construction zone and into the room beyond.

His buddies were seated at a massive mahogany table, beers and pizza stacked beside them.

Cards and chips tossed in for good measure.

They glanced her way, nodded, then snapped their heads back.

As if they’d just realized Foster wasn’t alone.

Foster motioned to an empty seat as he disappeared through another doorway only to appear a few moments later carrying a beer bottle.

He popped the cap off with some fancy bottle opener, waiting until she’d taken her seat before placing it in front of her.

“Hungry? Because I’m betting you haven’t eaten much if your dad’s had you working a double. ”

“I’d love a slice.”

He nodded, stopping as he groaned and shook his head. “I swear, my mother would smack me up the backside of the head. Guys, this is Mackenzie. Atticus’ daughter, and your new pilot. Mac, starting on your right that’s Chase, Kash and Zain. Oh, and the mutt is Nyx.”

Mutt?

A cold, wet nose nudged her wrist a moment later, and she jumped as she stared into a set of soulful brown eyes. She gave the shepherd a scratch, laughing when the dog licked her hand before turning and disappearing under the table again.

“Who’s the handler?”

Kash grinned. “Guilty. And she’s far better than any of these other jackasses.”

“You included.” Zain offered his hand. “So, you’re Atticus’ secret weapon. Interesting.”

“Secret weapon?”

Zain shrugged, leaning back in his chair. “That’s what you father said. That he was bringing in a secret weapon he knew would change the scope of the unit.”

“He’s still referring to everyone as a unit? That man.”

“Old habits.” Chase glanced at Foster when he returned with a few different types of pizza on a plate. “Foster says you’ve got mad skills.”

Foster coughed, looking as if he wanted to sucker punch Chase in the jaw as he placed the plate in front of her. “Unlike these jerks who lack any form of tact.”

“Mad skills, huh?” Mac raised the bottle and took a tentative swig. The cool ale tasted sweet and fresh, and it eased any remaining tension straining her muscles. Dispelled the worry that accepting the invite was going to be an epic mistake. “That’s far kinder than what you could have said.”

Beckett paused short of taking his seat, glancing at Chase then back to her. “You didn’t say anything I didn’t already know.”

Kash cleared his throat. “Beck? It sounds like you have something you didn’t share with the class.”

“And it’s going to stay that way.” Foster took a long pull of his beer. “So, ex-Coast Guard. You get a chance to work in any of their TACLET units?”

Work. That was a conversation she could embrace.

“Just finished my sixth rotation with them before I came here.” Mac tilted her head. “Talk about a wild ride. But then, you’d know all about that. Flight Concepts. The 563rd. That’s an impressive resumé.”

Foster’s smile faded a bit as he glanced at his buddies. “Atticus has way too much time on his hands if he’s talking about that.”

“It slipped out here and there. But I’m an excellent listener.”

He leaned forward, resting his massive forearms on the table. “Why does that sound scarier than Atticus chatting about my CV?”

“Because you’re paranoid. All you ex-Spec Op boys are. But I suppose it’s part of your charm.” She shifted in her seat, suddenly aware the rest of his team were sitting there, watching them. Amused smiles curving their lips.

She switched gears, motioning to the house. “So, when do you think this place will be open for business? You are planning on turning it into an inn or something, aren’t you?”

Foster eased back, taking another long drink. “That’s what my parents wanted. I’m just focusing on finishing to start. See what feels right later.”

She nodded, admiring the old-world craftsmanship and how the new renovations blended perfectly with the antique charm. “It looks fantastic. It seems you gents have more than one skill. Do you all live nearby?”

Chase chuckled. “We actually live on the property. It was the first thing Foster did once we arrived. He handed us each a deed from his lawyer where he’d had the estate subdivided, giving everyone a couple of acres.

” Chase tipped his beer bottle toward Foster.

“Way more than we ever expected, and we’re extremely thankful. ”

“Luckily, there were already structures on each section.” Zain nodded at Chase. “A guest house on Chase’s lot. A giant ass workshop turned into another home on mine and Kash got the old barn that had been partially renovated. We finished it up, first, before turning our sights on Foster’s mansion.”

Foster snorted. “It’s not a mansion. It’s just got a few more rooms.”

“Would you prefer manor house? Stately residence maybe?”

“You’re such an ass.”

Zain batted his eyelids at Foster as he blew him a kiss. “I know.”

Foster rolled his eyes, drawing his attention back to her and it made the room feel suddenly hot. All that blue-green gaze focused on her. As if everyone else had disappeared. “Are you staying at your dad’s for a while?”

She snorted, nearly spitting some of her beer across the table. “God, no. I love my father, but he’s impossible to live with. I’m renting one of those refurbished cabins farther up the road. They aren’t as nice as this but they’re clean.”

“And about as far away from Atticus as you can get.”

“There’s that, too. I’m hoping it will dissuade him from dropping by.”

Kash laughed. “I wouldn’t count on it. He’s been making weekly trips out here in the hopes of browbeating Foster…”

Kash’s voice trailed into a grunt before he glared at Chase. His buddy frowned, nodding at Foster and her. Kash rolled his head to the side then gave her a small smile as he sprang to his feet. “Anyone else need another beer?”

Foster chuckled. “Forgive, Kash. He does better with four-legged company.”

“I heard that, you bastard.”

“See?”

Kash returned, pointing at his cards as he flopped in the chair. “Did Foster mess with my stuff while I was in the kitchen?”

Foster groaned. “Why would I mess with your crap?”