Page 30 of Long Past Deadly

His blue eyes fired with sincerity and drew her like a butterfly to a flower. She didn’t drop her defenses exactly, but the two men were trying. So could she. “You should take those contacts out. Your eyes need a rest,” she muttered.

Quaid pulled back in surprise.

“Yeah, I noticed. You should dye your hair back to classic Quaid, too. Blond doesn’t suit you.”

Quaid with his fierce frown wasn’t something she wanted to confront at the moment. She eased to the side of the bed and shut her mouth. Niles stepped to her and held up a white robe. It wasn’t hers, but QM had supplies popping out of nowhere all the time. “Miss Elizabeth anticipated your needs and asked me to take care of anything you wanted.”

Drucker came back with a wheelchair. “Get back to bed upstairs asap. No wheelies in the hall.”

Alanna shook her head, fully familiar with Remy St. Claire, QM’s fourth in command. “I have none of St. Claire’s habits. I did bet against him once, though.” Many of QM’s crew were outrageous in their off-time behavior. Remy’s wheelchair races were legendary.

Ty grinned. “Me, too. Lost. Don’t participate. I want my chair back in one piece.”

“I’ll take care of the return, Mr. Drucker.” Niles helped her with her robe and shifted her to the chair.

“You, I trust.” The man walked out.

“What about me? I’m the boss. I paid for the chair.” Quaid followed behind them, a position she was thankful for. She grinned at his whiny boy act without him seeing and silently sighed in relief.

He hadn’t asked about Whit.

&&&&&&&&&&

QM International Situation Brief: 08:00:00 PST 12/16 – San Diego HQ. Threat active. Security level 3 remains in effect. All divisions maintain heightened security for personnel, operations, and facilities. Ϙ

Cait Hunter could have spent another week on her honeymoon. No phones, no middle of the night Navy calls, no emergency surgeries – just the two of them. Except Hunt was antsy to get back to work, and she was anticipating Marcus Delaney’s surgery to fix his arm and wanting to check in at QM. Some bridal couple they were.

Hunt swung his truck into their driveway behind her car, and stayed motionless to study the house. “Welcome home to Safe Harbor, Mrs. Hunter.”

Christmas decorations in many yards reminded her nothing was set for the holidays at their house, and the lack was not okay. She glanced over the front yard, planning and scheming, sweet contentment flowing through her. “We’re so lucky,” she whispered, his warm presence everything to her.

Hunt let out a deep sigh. “Yes, we are. I couldn’t imagine this. I’m glad I stuck with you.”

“I’m glad you stuck with me, too.” She leaned over and kissed him. “Let’s get inside and prolong the moment.”

Hunt grinned. “Wanna bet whose phone rings first?”

“No.” She covered her ears. “No hear, no answer.” She slipped her phone into her back pocket, grabbed her purse and cosmetic bag, then slid out of the truck.

Two kids wearing Santa hats raced by on bikes, screaming out their joy for all the world to hear. Cait waved at the two as they went by.

Hunt came around and took the bag from her. “So much for quiet.”

Cait took his hand. “Let the kids be kids.”

“I never had a bike at that age.”

She took his hand. “Do you even know how to ride one?”

Hunt raised his elitest Navy SEAL brow. “I learned in high school when I needed to get to school and to work without adult help. Paid forty bucks for the old blue banger.”

Cait hugged the little nugget close. Hunt didn’t talk about his past easily, and she hoarded those details like the finest treasure. “You’ll have to describe it for me. I want to draw it.”

Hunt’s eyes widened. “Why?”

“I’m obsessed with drawing you as a kid.” She took the walk to the front porch.

“I was never a kid.” He tipped his head to the street where the screaming continued. “Not like that.”