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She knew Archie had devious intentions. Just as she knew Gideon would do whatever it took, sacrifice anything and everything, to keep Jorge safe.
Still, she had to suggest, “What if we stayed at my cottage, at least?”
“I totally get why that would be easier when all your things are there,” he said, “but my complex has interior hallways and fewer points of entry than your cottage.” He sounded like he was securing a captured military target.
Gideon, the man of few words, was using a lot of words to convince her. And not, maybe, just to watch over their safety.
And if she were totally honest? She wanted it too, despite the feeling that her life was spinning way out of control. She had to agree with the plan. It would be stupid not to—and she would never be stupid about Jorge’s safety.
“We should check with Ari and Matt, though. After all, you’ve got Noah staying with you too.”
“You’re right. We need to make sure they’re okay with this.” Gideon glanced at his watch. “What time is it over there?”
“Six in the morning. But Ari said something about getting up early for a long day hike they were planning.”
The FaceTime call was short, but Ari and Matt understood the situation and were totally on board. They knew the Mavericks could handle anything and that Gideon would never allow harm to come to either of the boys or to Rosie.
The only problem now was that Rosie wasn’t sure how she could be around Gideon night after night without doing something totally crazy.
Like begging him to take her to bed.
* * *
Gideon hadn’t admitted how badly he’d wanted Rosie to throw herself into his arms until she did it. Just as he hadn’t admitted how badly he wanted Rosie and Jorge to stay in his home until she’d started arguing with him.
Noah would be thrilled, of course. The only downside?
Keeping his hands—and his mouth—to himself day and night around Rosie was going to be the hardest thing Gideon had ever done.
After they let the boys know the new perpetual sleepover plan, Jorge looked like his old self again as he crowed, “Yay, sleepover!” then jumped up and down with Noah.
“Thank you for everything.” Rosie hugged Evan, then Paige.
“Any time you need to drop off the boys with us, just let us know,” Paige said. “I love having them.”
“Plus, it’s an excuse to make more cookies,” Evan added, patting his flat stomach.
The boys barreled down the front walk toward the SUV, Rosie following, telling them to slow down. But they would never slow down. Gideon loved that about them.
He shook Evan’s hand. “Thanks.”
“No problem. We’re here for you guys. And I’ll have the auction house keep working on the painting too.”
“I appreciate that,” Gideon said, “but keeping Rosie and Jorge safe is my priority. All that matters is making sure that bastard can’t get to Jorge.”
Evan’s expression turned hard. “He won’t. Archibald Findley is going down.”
They fist-bumped.
His new sense of kinship, of being a Maverick, meant more than Gideon could ever express. For the first time since he’d lost his team in Ramadi, he belonged to a brotherhood.
He wouldn’t let any of them down.
By the time he got to the SUV, Rosie was already in the front seat, the boys in back. Just like they were a family. After a quick stop at her place to collect a bag for her and Jorge, they headed into his apartment complex. Gideon scanned the area, and when he didn’t see anything unusual, he used the keycard to take them inside.
In the elevator, he found himself thinking that maybe an apartment wasn’t enough anymore. He needed a house with more space, a backyard, a pool for the kids to play in, where even Noah’s puppy could be included.
His stomach clenched as he realized hope was no longer just a kernel inside him.
