Page 119 of Long Past Deadly

“I’ll leave all that to you.”

“Then, we’re done here.” She rose from the table, gave Cait a brief hug, and went out the door with purpose in her steps.”

“Did you approve the new apartments?” Cait’s smug expression gave her away.

“You knew?”

She rubbed her hands together. “Oh yeah, she’s been antsy to get started.”

“I wish she’d tell me these things instead of making it so formal.”

“You should tell her.” She pulled out a chair and made herself comfortable.

“What are you two doing here?” Mac eyed Hunt like a gunfighter considering the competition.

Hunt eased into a chair next to Cait. “Alanna called me and wanted me to meet her here.”

Okay.

He barely suppressed his irritation.

She hadn’t called him at all. But she’d called Hunt?

His mouth wouldn’t stay shut. “You have your own girl, Hunter.”

Cait snorted.

Hunt shrugged. “Sounded serious. That’s all I know.”

“How’s Whit?” He knew Alanna would ask as soon as she found out Cait had dropped in.

“He’d be recovering faster if he accepted his limitations. He’s still not happy about being shot.” She glared at her husband.

“He should have stayed out of the line of fire.” The whole op was constantly debated. At this rate, they’d be using the scenario to train their operatives.

The Operations door jerked open, and Alanna came in with an urgent stride – FBI Badge ID around her neck, gun at her hip, no jacket, hair escaping from her braid, and strain on her face.

He rose to greet her. “Are you all right?”

She grabbed his hand to keep him at the table, took a deep breath, and cupped his face, kissing him before answering. “Yes, I am. Mostly.”

She turned to Hunt, then paused to measure her words.

“Problem?” Hunt straightened in his chair.

“Out straight. We found Mercer’s hide. PD did anyway. We have his kill book. Take a walk with me, Lieutenant Commander.”

“Lani?” Quaid did not like the way this sounded.

She raised a finger. “Hunt only. Please.”

Hunt eyed her with practical concern. “Is this something you’re going to get in trouble for?”

Her eyes held a fury he hadn’t seen since the night she’d shot Mercer. “Fuck it. Don’t care. Come with me.”

Hunt followed her. Quaid stayed in place, trying like hell to respect the need for the secrets. The door closed behind them.

“Oh, this is going to be fun.” She kicked Mac’s chair and woke him. “Any coffee left around here?”