The large room brightened.
He made a pot of coffee.
While it brewed, he went into his home office, pulled the removable white board from his closet, unrolled it, and applied it to the wall. Then, he got busy replicating everything they’d written on the white board at BLACK OPS. If he wasn’t going there to train every day, there was no point in driving in. They’d save time by working at his place.
As he was finishing up, he heard Brit in the bathroom. While he couldn’t change the past, he’d do his best to push forward. Britain was worth fighting for, even if it meant fighting his own demons.
She walked into his office. “You’re up early.”
She looked so pretty, even early in the morning. She’d pulled her hair into braided pigtails, changed into black leggings and a long sweater.
He wanted to go to her, kiss her good morning, but he was gonna keep the vibe chill.
“Sleep okay?” he asked.
“You forgot to wake me when you fell asleep.” Her adorable sleepy smile touched him in the deepest part of his soul.
Then, she eyed the white board. “Are we working here today?”
“I train the team twice a week, so we can work here the other three days.”
“Two trainings a week isn’t enough,” she said.
“It isn’t, but everyone’s spread pretty thin.” He pulled a marker from his desk drawer, offered it to her. “Add anything I forgot.”
She reviewed what he’d written. “You have a good memory. I think we should make a list of everything and everyone we need to chase down, but first—” she eyed his mug— “I need coffee.”
On the way to the kitchen, he said, “Make yourself at home here.”
No response from Brit.
She opened cupboards. “Mugs?”
He opened a different one. “Here.”
She moseyed over, stood dangerously close to him. Heat warmed his chest. Her gaze darkened. She reached over, pulled out a mug. After filling the cup, she opened the refrigerator, pulled out soy milk.
After pressing the mug to her sultry lips and tipping it back, she swallowed. He couldn’t look away. To say he was captivated by her didn’t reflect his true feelings. He was falling, and falling hard.
“Ahhhh, there’s nothing like that first sip,” she said.
Her phone started buzzing. She lifted it off the kitchen counter, answered. “Hi, Daddy.” She slid her gaze to Rebel. “Of course, I didn’t forget.” She laughed. “I’ve never heard you sound nervous before. It’s very charming.”
Rebel studied Brit’s expressions. In those few seconds, he learned a lot about the stunning ALPHA Op who’d quickly captured his heart.
She absolutely adored her dad. A man most were terrified of, some couldn’t stand, and a few tolerated.
“What time?” she asked her dad. “What about the case? I understand. Do you need a ride? Okay, see you tonight.”
She hung up, glanced at her phone. “Wow, I’ve got a bunch of texts.” She grew quiet while reading them. Her fingers flew over the keyboard.
“What’s going on?” he asked.
“My dad bought an art gallery in Georgetown. Tonight’s the grand opening. He sent a text days ago, but, with everything going on, I forgot.”
Rebel wasn’t sure he heard her correctly. “Z bought a gallery?”
“It’s called Two Sisters and it’s filled with my and Addison’s work. Everyone outside of ALPHA and the Bureau—and probably the White House, Homeland Security, and the State Department—think he’s retired.” That made her smile. “That’s what he tells most everyone. Anyway, we’ll have to get as much done as possible today because I’ve got a thing tonight.”
