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“Yeah, we tracked him down. Took him back to court. When he got out, he found me and asked to join us. Oh, I saved his life too.”
“Right,” she said weakly.
“Webb, well, he’s Eli’s brother-in-law. Did I tell you that?”
“No.”
“He got into some trouble. I helped him out of it.”
“So you helped each person in the team in some way?” she asked.
“I guess. I wasn’t so sure when Honey came along, she didn’t seem like she’d fit. She tried to steal my truck.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. I was ready to take her to the cops once I realized that she was a woman and not a kid. But there was something about her. I don’t know. Maybe it was just that she seemed so lost. Like I was. Knew Kent from my time in the SEALS, he approached me, begged me to take a job working for JSI. Thought the poor guy was going to get down on his knees, he was that desperate.”
He shook his head. “I wasn’t going to do it. Had my own thing going on with my team. But he made some good points. If I worked for him, then I could take less jobs for more money. Not that I really needed the money, but he pays well. And we could have a base off Sanctuary Ranch. My team doesn’t work for him, they still answer to me. We take other jobs too. Really, the guy needed me. That much was clear.”
“Right. I’m sure he did.”
He nodded.
“What about Miles? When did he come along?” she asked.
“Ahh, well, Miles had gone on the run. He was in trouble for hacking into some high-security systems. We were hired to track him down and hand him over to the authorities. We found him. Obviously.”
“But you didn’t hand him over.”
“Nah, he just needed something to keep him occupied. He’s a good guy, really. Gets a bit ripe if someone doesn’t get on him to shower and eat. But Eli takes care of him.”
“Sounds like you built yourself a family rather than just a team.”
“Do you think?” he asked, sounding thoughtful. “You know, I guess you’re right.”
Sadness filled her. She wondered if she could ever be part of their family, if they’d ever accept her.
“They’re your family now too, baby girl.”
Yeah. She wished she could believe that.
23
“Come on. We’re going down to the basement level.”
“I’ll just stay here,” she told him, frowning down at her phone. She was determined to ace this damn test. If teenagers could do it, then surely she could.
Suddenly, the phone was plucked from her hands and Zander was there, crouched in front of her where she sat on the sofa.
“Daddy!”
Five days had passed since they’d declared that they had feelings for each other. And even though she was getting more and more antsy every day that she spent in this room, she still didn’t want to leave.
To go out there.
To face reality.
Easier to hide here in Little headspace. She looked over at the things Zander had bought her. The tea-set, some dolls, even some toy cars and a garage. But none of it really appealed to her. Neither did coloring or crafting. She felt bad that he’d bought her all these things, along with more clothes than she could ever wear.
