“Lisa and Ed.”
“You win.”
He stepped close. “What’s my prize?”
“Me, full of piss and vinegar,” she said with a smirk. “I suggest you find someone fun to hang out with.”
“I know just the remedy.”
She shook her head. “Don’t even go—”
“Let’s motor up the Potomac,” he said, cutting her off. A late night booty call was not the answer. “You love the river at night.”
They left the firing range, got in her car, and she headed back to his place. “My folks are divorcing.”
He studied her face. “That’s big.”
“You know my mom’s creepy boyfriend, Ross?”
“Yeah, I’ve met him.”
“Well, he’s moving in with her.” She locked eyes with him in the dark car. “I don’t blame my dad for getting out. Their open marriage was doomed, but that is not my problem.”
“No, it’s not.” He was surprised that bothered her since she was so against their arrangement from the get-go. Knowing Lisa Stone, there had to be more. She’d always been Carly’s toughest critic. “What else happened?”
Carly sighed. “The usual. She lectured me about food and told me to drop ten. I feel so fat every time I’m around her.”
He bit out a grunt. “I hate when she does that to you, which is every fucking time you see her. You shouldn’t go over. You know you’re not fat.”
Silence.
“Carly, honey. You aren’t.”
A growl shot out of her. “Thanks, but I can’t talk about it anymore.”
She pulled into the marina, but instead of parking, she stopped in front of his car, hopped out and handed him his overnight bags.
“You ready for that nice, relaxed cruise down the river?”
“I can’t, Ash.”
“Dammit, Carly.”
“I’m sorry. I’ve gotta go. Talk to you next week.” She dropped a peck on his cheek and drove away, taking his heart with her.
1 3
E X P E C T T H E U NE X P E C T E D
M onday morning, zero seven hundred. Maverick parked in the lot behind the four-building office complex and exited his black Suburban, one of six company vehicles used for local assignments. He scanned the area. Aside from the tweeting birds and constant hum of D.C. traffic, the area was quiet.
In less than three hours, a crowd of onlookers would be witnessing a high-profile business executive announce the launch of her newest venture. And ThunderStrike would ensure she and her team received the best possible security.
Despite the mayhem of the past few months, standing in the empty parking lot filled him with immense pride. Internado might be interfering with his government-related missions, but the private-sector division of ThunderStrike was forging forward.
Four months ago, Ella Kayson, CEO and President of Qualitation, had hired his company for this one-day gig. While Maverick lived for the intensity of rescue missions, the short-term surveillance and protection assignments kept ThunderStrike sharp and in the game.
Following the brief speech and ribbon-cutting ceremony in the courtyard, the attendees would move inside so Ella and her exec team could address the audience.
