“But you don’t go where it’s calm, do you?”
“Not usually.”
“On a small team, everyone has a role, right?”
“Yes. Our team has six members. Jerico is the team leader. He coordinates with upper management and keeps us supplied and as protected as possible. Caden is the team chief. With the most combat experience, he keeps our training honed to prepare us to face anything. Koa is the communications guy. Zale is our medic. Thanks to him, we have medical care immediately to keep us safe and active. Hank is our sniper.”
“What do you do?” she asked softly, almost as if she were holding her breath.
“I’m the EOD.”
“What’s that?”
“I’m the explosives expert. I place and disarm incendiary devices,” Max said quietly.
“Bombs? You deal with bombs?”
“Yes. It sounds much scarier than it usually is,” he reassured her.
“I don’t know what else would be more frightening than watching a timer count down with a pair of wire cutters in your hand.”
“I’ve had lots of training, baby. I’m very careful. My life and my team rely on me. Just like I count on Zale to shoot me with antibiotics if I have an infection, or Koa to contact the good guys and not call in the enemy when we need an escape route. We all have our roles. I told them because they would do everything to keep you safe if something happened to me.”
A tear slowly slid down her cheek. His heart broke that he had to tell her the blunt truth. Max wiped it away with his fingers. “I have a dangerous job, little girl. Finding you is the best motivation for me to get home to you. I want you to know that if something happens to me, I did everything humanly possible—probably a superhero level of effort—to hold you in my arms again. If I don’t come back, I needed to know someone would help you. Okay?”
Saylor wrapped her arms around Max and hugged him close. “I understand. Thank you, Daddy.”
Max lifted her off the floor and held her tight. He wished he had time to make love to her, but he didn’t want to be interrupted. Leaving her unsatisfied would kill him. Instead, he grabbed thepad of paper and a pen from the drawer before carrying her to the table. He sat down with her on his lap and made his list. He also shared every contact in his phone with hers so she would have the information electronically at all times.
“Tell me who to contact in case of an emergency with you, little girl,” he requested when he’d finished his list.
“I don’t know? My parents maybe. You can just call my phone.”
“Share your parents’ contact with me, Saylor.”
She’d just opened her phone when his buzzed with an incoming message.
I’m outside. Grab your gear.
Koa had given him a few extra minutes with his Little by picking him up. Max looked up at Saylor. Tears filled her eyes.
“I don’t want you to go,” she whispered.
“I’ll be home as fast as I can, little girl. You’ve given me an unforgettable reason to survive.”
CHAPTER 10
Saylor sat on Max’s couch for a long time after he left. She’d sent him her parents’ contact information after he left. Now she knew she should go back to her condo, but didn’t want to leave. Pressing her nose to the soft leather, she inhaled Max’s scent deeply.
He’d told her to stay here while he was gone. That sometimes maneuvers were canceled or finished quickly. Max might even be home before morning.
Inside, she had a feeling that wouldn’t happen. She missed him so much. How did she care so much about him after such a short time? The answer popped into her mind before she could finish the thought.
She loved him.
Closing her eyes, Saylor wished with everything inside her for Max to be safe. She needed him to come back. Should she leave? Saylor had packed a few things to stay with Max before going to her meeting. Her bag was out in her trunk. Maybe she should go out there to get it.
The slam of several car doors intruded on her deliberation. Saylor sat up. The noise was close. Did Max have angry neighbors? She’d not noticed them before.
