“What do we do now?”
He drew her in, one hand coming up to the back of her head as he pressed a gentle kiss to her hair. The calm he showed her didn’t match what was coursing through him, but she didn’t need to see that.
“Now, we wait for reinforcements, and then the boys and I get to have some fun.”
Chapter Twenty-One
Three hours passedbefore KC’s cell phone rang with the call he’d been waiting for. He pulled it from the pocket of his cargo pants, checked the screen, and answered. “T3, talk to me.”
“We’re a klick up the beach. Ready when you are.”
He crossed to the windows overlooking the shoreline and lifted a pair of high-range binoculars. “Give me a bit to clear the way. I’ll call you when it’s time.”
Earlier, they’d spotted one of the men from the SUV sitting on the beach in jeans, heavy boots, and a T-shirt under a black hoodie. If he was trying to blend in, he wasn’t pulling it off. Everything abouthim—his clothes, the way he carried himself—marked him as out of place.
The other two were still in the Explorer, parked half a block away in front of an empty house for sale. From where they sat, they had a clear view of the front of the house and the end of the driveway, but nothing beyond that. After signing out of work and changing into jeans, a T-shirt, and a baseball cap, Brian had returned about a half hour ago and was now positioned two blocks away in his own truck, watching from a distance.
Lowering the binoculars, he called Sheriff Griffin and asked him to send the beach patrol to move the guy along. It took about fifteen minutes before a sheriff’s beach patrol pickup came into view, rolling easily across the sand with its big tires toward the target. The deputies handled it like routine business, approaching without urgency and giving the man a reason to leave that wouldn’t raise suspicion.
KC watched until the guy was off the beach.
His phone buzzed a moment later, and he answered it.
“All three are back in the vehicle,” Brian said.
“Thanks. Let me know if that changes.” He ended the call and reached T3 again. “You’re clear. Make it quick.”
“Copy that.”
He slipped the phone back into his pocket and turned to Moriah. “Are you ready?”
“I guess so.”
Even if the quiver in her voice hadn’t clued him in, her anxiety was written all over her face. Placing his hands on her shoulder, he looked her straight in the eye. “Everything’s going to be okay. We handle situations like this all the time—not usually this close to home, though. Stay with Uncle Dan and keep your head down. We’ll take care of the rest. I promise this is all going to work out."
He sent a silent prayer up that it was one promise he didn’t have to break.
He held her gaze a moment longer, then drew her into him. The kiss wasn’t quick or casual. He let everything he felt show in it, not caring that Sean was across the room.
When he pulled back, he didn’t go far. “I love you.”
Her smile came, even with the nerves still there. “I love you too. Please be careful.”
“I will.” He brushed his lips across her forehead. “Stay here until we’re ready for you.”
She nodded, and he stepped out onto the deck. Spotting two ATVs coming down the beach, hewaited as they slowed to a stop on the other side of the dunes. Moments later, two figures climbed the path toward him.
T3 led the way, dressed in back cargo pants and a green long-sleeve T-shirt, a large military duffel slung over his shoulder. Behind him, Rigby Banks followed, wearing gray sweatpants and a black zippered sweatshirt with the hood pulled low, keeping his face obscured from anyone watching at a distance. He carried two duffels with ease.
KC opened the door and stepped back to let them inside.
Introductions were quick. T3 greeted Sean with a firm handshake before turning to Moriah, offering her a brief, friendly smile that softened his otherwise imposing presence. “Ma’am.” He set his bag on the dining table and unzipped it, already getting to work.
Peanut pushed his hood back and smiled at Moriah, his Southern drawl coming through. “Nice to meet you, ma’am.” He turned to Sean and held out his hand. “Long time no see.”
Sean clasped it. “Good to see you, Rigs. We appreciate the help.”
“No problem. Always glad to lend a hand.”
