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“They’d come up from behind,” Ethan said, leaning forward and propping his elbows on the table. He’d hoped Iniquus had some ideas. “They wouldn’t have seen her face. Would the timing make any sense for that?”
“The van could have been up the street,” Gator said. “One of their people could have watched her leave Frou-Frou and given the signal. There were two on the bridge, moving in from opposite ends, two in the van—the driver and the guy in back dragging Piper in.”
“What are they saying at Harcourt Alabaster?” Jack asked.
“Tom, our head of security, thinks Piper’s situation was a case of bad luck. He thinks that because Amanda Harcourt is out of the country, anyone planning to ambush her would check the jet and realize she was out of reach. And why would Amanda walk on the bridge? She’d be in a limo. Tom’s interest is low because Piper isn’t covered by executive security.”
The men’s attention swung to the front door as Jack’s wife Suz breezed in. “Hey!”
The men stood as Suz made her way to the dining room.
“All boys. Sit. Sit.” Suz said, turning to Creed. “Where’s Auralia?”
“She’ll be here as soon as she can. She got held up at the office.”
Jack made his way over to greet his wife. And Ethan stayed on his feet for the introduction.
Suz nodded and turned to Ethan. “Hi.”
“Suz, this is Ethan Osbourne,” Jack said.
“I had the pleasure of serving with your husband,” Ethan said. “I always hoped the best for you both.”
“Isn’t that nice. Thank you.”
“And a little one on the way.” Normally, Ethan knew not to speculate. But Suz was wearing a shirt that said, “Bun in the Oven.”
“Yes.” Suz put her hands on her rounded belly and turned sideways to show off her silhouette. “It’ll be a Virginia summer pregnancy, so I’m soaking up all the sympathy I can get.”
“Well-deserved.” Jack rounded behind her, wrapped Suz in his arms, breathed deeply, then kissed the top of her head.
Ethan longed for a relationship like that. Love, marriage, a little one to dandle on his knee.
“And who is this beautiful pup?” Suz asked, squatting low, her belly finding a space between her knees. “Are you Tango?”
Tango rewarded Suz by rolling over and offering a belly to rub.
“Tango,” Creed said, “saved not one but two women from kidnappers in two days’ time.”
“Jack was telling me.” Suz let her knees drop to the ground as she leaned forward to pet Tango. “Such a brave good girl.” Suz looked up at Ethan. “Where did she come from?”
“I was volunteering in Ukraine.” Ethan sat again so Suz wasn’t straining her neck.
“Ukraine?” Suz turned to Ares, then back to Ethan. “Now that’s a story I’d like to hear. Jack said you supported their team on many a mission. Have you been out of the military for a while now?”
“Few years. I served right up to my twenty-year mark. I felt like I was good and done.”
“He was with Christen at the Nato evacuation from Afghanistan,” Gator said.
“Oh wow.” Suz frowned. “I’m glad you’re okay.”
“You’d think the 24th would’ve been part of the news cycle,” Gator said. “Give credit where credit was due.”
“Really, the only special forces guys who go around talking about their special forces background are the SEALs.” Ethan sent a grin toward Jack. “Everyone knows they’re the prima donnas of the special operations world, getting on TV where they can strut like peacocks.”
“Are you calling us pretty boys?” Jack asked. “’Cause my wife might not enjoy you looking.”
Suz dropped her butt to the floor, looking like she was settling in, scritching Tango. “Look all you like, Ethan. I’m not the jealous type.”
