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I didn’t wait for her to respond before turning away, giving a quick wave over my shoulder as I strode back toward the Tahoe.
“See ya…” Aubrey’s words and tone made it obvious that she was a touch confused by my abrupt departure.
I couldn’t afford to worry about that. I climbed into the truck and started the engine. I watched as Aubrey went over to the kids and put her hands on their shoulders, the twins smiling up at her before turning their attention back to the animals.
She was a natural. At first, Aubrey had justifiably been hesitant about the idea of nannying for the kids. If she still felt that way, however, she did a damn good job hiding it. I watched her for a moment, unable to take my eyes away.
Only a text shaking my phone in my pocket brought me back into the moment. It was from Mac.
Come on back ASAP. Got some news you’re going to want to hear.
The house was only minutes away, so I didn’t bother responding. Instead, I put my phone into the cupholder and pulled the car around, driving as quickly as I could back home.
The entry hall was packed full of bags and suitcases when I stepped through the front door. We were all military men, which meant that we didn’t wait to get ready when a mission was on the horizon. Tyler was there heaving a big bag onto a pile of others as I arrived.
“All good?” he asked, flicking his eyes up at me for just long enough to speak.
“Fine.” The word came out in a terse tone.
Tyler paused, flashing me a smile that made it clear he knew what was up.
“Uh-oh, someone’s all hot and bothered.”
That’s one of the problems with having a twin; there’s no bullshitting them one bit.
“Stuff it,” I said. “What’s this news I needed to hear?”
The grin stayed on his face. “Mac said he’s not sharing the info until you got back. In the meantime, I’m curious what went down over on Downing Farm. You guys get nice and close? Starting to look pretty cold out there, good chance to warm one another up…”
“Fuck off,” I snapped. “And don’t give me that bullshit like you’re not just as into her.”
He let out a loud laugh.
I shook my head. “Mac?” I called out. “Where are you?”
“Study!” the voice came from upstairs.
“Get your ass in gear, bro,” I said. “More important things to worry about.”
He chuckled, shaking his head in amusement. Tyler didn’t say another word on the subject. Even a goof-off like him knew that the mission was more important.
Tyler and I headed up the stairs to the third floor. The door to the study was open and we went inside. The study was a huge space, as big as the den, a massive round window in the back over the desk letting in tons of light and giving us a good view of the incoming snow. Towering bookshelves were on both sides of the room, a fire going in the hearth. Off to the side was a meeting area with couches and chairs, a big table in the middle covered with maps and printed-off documents.
Mac was seated at the huge, oak desk, his eyes flicking back and forth between his computer and the papers in front of him.
Adam showed up right behind us.
“Alright,” Mac said, sitting back and folding his hands on his belly. “Let’s get into it.”
“You mind if we sit in the actual meeting area? Always feels like I’m back in middle school in trouble with the principal when we do the desk thing.”
Mac shook his head, heaving out of the seat and grabbing some papers before heading over to the meeting area. I said nothing, eager to find out what Mac had learned about the mission.
When we were seated, Mac sighed, sitting back and glancing in my direction.
“What is it?” I asked. “You going to make us wait all day?”
Mac nodded. “Nope, going to tell you what I learned right now. Just found out who the bad guy is on this mission. It’s Balaban.”
