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I woke up and Kai’s side of the bed was cold. I wasn’t surprised; it was that way yesterday morning, too. Mr. Muscles was out exercising, which I totally applauded considering the body it created.

However, it sucked that it was so early and I couldn’t call Sue and tell her everything that was going on with Kai. I know I should have felt bad for her that she had dental surgery yesterday and couldn’t talk, but I felt more bad for me that I couldn’t tell her everything. I was totally a bad friend. I picked up my phone and decided to text. She had her phone on do-not-disturb until seven in the morning, so it wouldn’t hurt that I was texting her at five forty-five.

* * *

Sue - A good friend wouldn’t have had dental surgery the day somebody tried to kill me and I had spectacular sex with an Army Special Operator with lots and lots and lots of muscles and a really, really, really big muscle. We’re through. – Signed your friend Marlowe.

* * *

That should garner me a call.

I hopped out of bed and got into the shower. I liked the bath shower gel that they had here better than the stuff that I used. I was so buying some from their gift shop before we checked out. I stopped mid-scrub. I still had no idea as to what Kai’s plans were for the future. He said he wasn’t planning on leaving anytime soon, and he wanted to know if I could handle the life of a special operator. But what did that matter, it’s not like he was going to be one of those anymore. I started in with my loofah again. At this rate I wouldn’t have any skin left.

I really needed to go with the flow, except that wasn’t really my personality. I liked to control things if I could; of course, if I couldn’t, then oh well. Kind of. Like Denny. He was a monster that required counseling. I didn’t foresee anything about Kai forcing me into counseling. Long talks with Sue? Yes. Counseling, no.

By the time I was out of the shower and had my hair blown dry, I’d received two phone calls and three messages from Sue. I looked at my watch.

Perfect. We should have at least forty-five minutes before Kai gets back.

“I’ll take the Colt 45, the AK-47, and the Glock 17.”

The gray-bearded gentleman working behind the counter looked me up and down. “How long were you in the service, son?”

“Didn’t make it to my fifteen. Injury.”

He nodded.

“You need this much firepower?”

“I sincerely hope not, but I believe in being safe rather than sorry.”

“Ain’t that the truth.” He lisped from the tobacco in his mouth.

“Can you go to the law?”

“I’m down in Jasper Creek. Good sheriff there, name’s Nash Rivers. He’s on it. But this is my woman. Like I said, I just want to keep her safe.”

He nodded slowly. “Sound thinking. Let me get you loaded up with ammo.”

I watched as he took out box after box after box. I grinned.

“I’ll ring you up over here.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“Keep her safe, that’s all the thanks I need.”

I went out to my truck. I’d already had a toolbox installed in the bed of the truck, so I dumped most of my purchases in there, but kept out the Glock and four magazines. It was overkill, but again, I hated the idea of being sorry.

Now I felt good about taking Marlowe back to the house.

“Darn,” Marlowe said with a pout.

“What, Sweetheart?”

“I figured with you gone that long, you would have really built up a sweat. Sweat is right on up there with scars.”