“Tell him I said he’d better guard you while I’m gone,” Liam said protectively.
Addy chuckled, sounding like music to his ears. “I’m better off with the alarm. Any word on when you’ll return home?” she asked anxiously.
“No,” he said disappointedly. “I miss you.”
“I miss you, too,” she whispered. “If you return soon, I promise to make another runway scene,” she teased.
“I don’t care how much shit I get or if they call me Hollywood. It’ll be worth it to hold you in my arms,” he said, grinning.
“You seem tired,” she said, giving him a once-over.
“We’re taking precautions,” he explained. “We all have someone we want to get home to.”
She smiled as she glanced down and then back up at him. Liam wanted to crush her close to him and kiss her forever.
“I have to go,” she told him. “I’m leaving in half an hour for work.”
“I’ll look forward to your text tonight,” he murmured.
“Stay safe,” she whispered softly, and he heard the anxiety in her voice.
“I’m staying very vigilant, and these men have my six. I can’t be in better hands,” he assured her. “Hopefully, we’ll be home soon.”
“I love you, Liam.”
“I love you, Addy.”
He leaned in to shut down the computer when Leo ducked his head into the room.
“Did you finish your conversation? I’m hoping to catch Catherine.”
“Yeah,” Liam said. “Come on in, and I’ll give you some privacy.”
“When the rest of the men arrive, let me know. We might have a lead,” Leo informed him. “I’m ready to leave this sand bucket behind and get home.”
“Copy that,” Liam said before closing the door.
* * *
Leo called Kit Kat.The phone rang, and Grace answered.
“Daddy,” she exclaimed.
“How’s my Grace?” Leo said, surprised, she answered the phone. “Where’s Mommy?”
“She’s in da bafroom,” Grace informed him. “When you come home?”
“Soon,” he said. “Where’s Melody?”
“Grace, Mom said, don’t answer her phone,” Melody bossed her younger sister, taking away the device and disconnecting it.
Leo face-palmed himself. Waiting a few minutes, he tried again.
This time, his wife answered, holding Derrick. “Hi.”
“Hey, Kit Kat. How’s it going?” he answered, happy to see her.
“It’s busy. Hold on.” Catherine turned away and said, “Melody Armstrong, if you don’t sit down and finish your homework, you won’t get any reading time tonight.” Derrick tried to grab the phone, pulling Catherine’s long red hair in the process and getting it tangled around his wrist and the device.
