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For half a second, Vivi said nothing. “I’ll check my appointment calendar and get back to you with a time.”
Ian let out his breath softly.
A nod and they moved forward again. The divider between the seats went up, giving them privacy. The music volume increased, but was muffled enough they could talk.
“You can’t be serious,” he said, although he hoped she was. “He’s deranged, you know.”
“I’ve seen his file. I know all about his type.”
“You do?”
She threaded her fingers through his. “Do you know how many prisons he’s escaped from? I want to pick his brain in case I ever find myself in one again.”
Ian shook his head, then slid his good arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. “That’s my wife.”
She kissed him, and although they were both dinged up and sore, he soon had her in his lap. He lost count of the blocks they passed and how much time went by, soaking in her scent and the feel of her under his good hand.
Frustrated and needing to touch her everywhere, he shucked the sling and carefully worked both hands under her blouse and up to her breasts. Avoiding the bandages that covered her wound, he wondered how soon he could get her naked.
They were breathing hard and she was nibbling at his earlobe, whispering her plans for him later that night, when he caught sight of the landscape through the window. At some time during their make-out session, Ranger had driven them out of the city. Blocks of suburbia flew past the window.
He gently shifted Vivi to the seat. “What is he up to?”
She peered out with him. “I thought we were going to SFI.”
“Maybe the Queen B changed her mind.” The scenery looked familiar, though. “Or maybe…”
“What?”
He grinned. “When she said ‘home,’ she actually meanthome.”
Vivi gave him a confused glance but within minutes they were pulling into the Reese’s drive.
The screen slid down and Ranger asked over the music, “Need help getting inside?”
Ian opened the back door and held out a hand to his wife. “Got it covered.”
Ranger tipped a non-existent hat at them. “See you Friday, Doc.”
Ian punched in the security code and led Vivi into the foyer. “Welcome to Casa Greene.”
There was a moment of silence as she glanced around. “I don’t understand.”
He tossed his sling on the nearby table and kissed her. She was still weak and when he felt her tremble, he scooped her up like a bride and headed for the bedroom.
They pulled up short when he stepped into the living room and a cheer went up.
Half of Shadow Force was packed into the space like sardines. Every seat was occupied and more folks crowded around the edges. A bird cage hung from a chain screwed into the ceiling. Sherlock and Watson whistled and chirped.
Sloane was in Beatrice’s lap on the couch, Cal next to her. They both stood, Beatrice setting Sloane down. “Welcome back,” she said as the girl ran to them.
Ian put Vivi on her feet carefully, steadying her as the girl threw her arms around Vivi’s legs. “I missed you,” Sloane said, staring up at Vivi with a touch of hero worship in her eyes.
She caressed the girl’s hair. “I missed you, too.” Glancing around, she gave Beatrice a wary smile. “What is all this?”
Beatrice motioned at Rory, who pushed off the wall where he’d been leaning, crutches supporting him. He walked two feet and tossed a manila folder on the coffee table. “Your name has been cleared. Your passport, driver’s license, birth certificate…it’s all there. Your bank accounts have been restored and there’s an employment offer from NSA.”
Her face fell. “What?”
