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He was worried about Tristan, too, and maybe it was time tostart getting to the bottom of what was going on with his friend. If he was inDallas for the time being, he could do some snooping. Maybe he and Lou couldmake it a project. “Is that all, sir?”
Zach finally turned his way. “You know she’s been dating,right?”
“She mentioned she had a date with this asshole from highschool. I think it was only one date, though she claims she’s going to see moreof him.”
“She’s been on four dates, including the coffee she had withDennis Sims.”
TJ wasn’t sure he could handle this, but he plunged onanyway. “You’ve been watching her?”
Zach shrugged. “We all have. What do you want me to say?We’re a freaking spy team, and she’s everyone’s best friend. We were allworried about her so we take turns vetting her dates, and if we sometimes happento be around the spot she’s meeting the dude at, well, it’s just keeping oursurveillance skills tight. But you should understand she’s serious about it.I’m pretty sure she’s got a date set up for some time next week.”
“She’ll cancel it.” Though they’d be at home, they werestill in the middle of something potentially dangerous.
“Should she?” Zach asked. “Or should she have a bodyguard? Imean someone was recently sent to take in your mom. I laughed at that. Theycame after Erin Taggart with one dude, and he didn’t even try to snipe her fromafar. I think that guy genuinely looked at her and said he could take her.They’ll think the same of Lou, so she should be protected. I was going to talk toher about it. It’s not like you’re doing anything.”
Zach wanted him to watch Lou date? “I don’t know that Icould handle that.”
“Sure you can. You be professional and look good. You standin the background, and every time she looks your way you send her a longinglook like you’re a rescue dog she’s thinking of taking back to the pound. Cry alittle, man. I know the older generation didn’t have those tools to work with,but we do. Not too much. Just like a hint of a tear and she’ll probably melt. Iwould also play up the trauma of what you went through. You have to hurt like amotherfucker.”
He did. Every muscle ached. “I took some ibuprofen. I canhandle it.”
“Dude, you’re not listening to me,” Zach said. “Let her babyyou. Let her take care of you, and thank her for it. And don’t wear a shirt soshe can see the scars.”
His father had said the same thing. Was there a class he wassupposed to take? Still, he’d promised himself he would let his ruthless sideout. He had a plan, but maybe she should see all sides of him, and he coulddefinitely handle some babying from her. “I can do that.”
“All right. Then you’re dismissed, and we’ll meet up afterwe’ve had some rest. I want to pore over everything you’ve done, everyoneyou’ve seen or talked to in the last couple of years. Be careful and watch whatyou say to anyone outside of this team,” Zach ordered.
“Well, my team is pretty much trashed after the Aussie op,so I don’t think that will be a problem,” he replied, working his way out ofthe seat. It wasn’t easy. Planes weren’t built for bulky dudes.
Zach wasn’t done. “If someone calls and asks where you are,you tell them you’re home for a family emergency and nothing else.”
He didn’t like the implications. “What’s going on that Idon’t know?”
“I think there are some people in the intelligence communitywho don’t like this team and don’t like how much leeway we’re getting. They’retrying to withhold intel from us. Or hell, maybe Kala stepped on the wrong toesor Big Tag did in the distant past,” Zach said with a sigh. “It feels like alleyes are on us, and you being tied to an arms dealer isn’t going to help.”
“I don’t know who he is.”
“It won’t matter if we can’t figure this out, so play yourcards close to the vest you won’t be wearing because you’re trying to entice agirl,” Zach offered. “Send Coop back. I’m ready for a nap.”
“Will do.” He opened the cockpit door and stepped out. Louwas leaning over in her seat as though she’d been watching the door, waitingfor him to come out.
She immediately sat up, and her head was down, looking ather tablet.
TJ felt a rush of satisfaction. She might not be sittingnext to him because she was a big old scaredy cat.
But he still had a shot.
Chapter Eight
Lou took the sheets out and wondered how TJ was going to fiton the couch for longer than a couple of nights.
Three months. He was here for at least three months, and hewould be living here and going into the office with Kenz and Kala and hangingout every day. They would eat dinner and breakfast. Like they lived together.Like they were together.
Tired. She was so tired. The flight had taken forever, andshe’d been to Germany and back in a forty-eight-hour period.
Kenz and Kala were already sleeping, but she had TJ to dealwith. Kala had yawned and told her TJ had been her problem for a long time andif it was up to her, he could sleep with Bud 2.
Gorgeous, sexy, hurt TJ. He’d been perfectly sweet the wholeflight, not coming back and trying to force her to his side the way she’dworried he would.
