by Rebecca Deel
“I called Zane. He’s searching for a leak. If he finds anything, I’ll let you know.”
A nod. “Appreciate you taking care of that.”
“I did it for myself, too. If we’ve had a security breach, Zoe and the rest of our teammates’ wives are at risk as well as Durango and their wives.”
Blood drained from Piper’s face. “One of your enemies is targeting us to get to you?”
“We don’t know that, baby.” Liam wrapped his arm around her and tucked her against his side. “If there’s any activity on the Net, Zane will find it. In the meantime, we’ll take extra precautions to be sure you and all the other women are safe.”
Zoe frowned. “You and your teammates better be taking extra protective measures for yourselves, too.”
“We’re trained to handle this, Zoe.”
“You aren’t invincible.” She rounded on Simon. “Promise me you’ll be careful.”
“Always.” His job was risky, but he had no intention of making Brent Maddox, his boss at Fortress Security, notify his family that Simon had been killed in action. He’d promised his mother to come back to her alive, not in a pine box. He always kept his promises.
“Call Zane,” Liam said. “Tell him to access the security footage at the house and send it to your email and mine. Maybe we’ll see something to indicate who we’re looking for.”
“I’ll take care of it. Concentrate on Piper.” Simon stood and helped Zoe to her feet. “Trent and the others will want to see you and Piper. We’ll be in the waiting room until the visits are finished. I’ll keep watch tonight. No one will get to you on my watch.”
And that brought up another problem. What would he do with Zoe? Simon refused to let her go home by herself, especially now that is seemed the attacks on Zoe and Piper might be related.
On the way out, they passed Grace who was returning to the room with a soft drink for Piper. “Exciting news, isn’t it?”
“The best,” Zoe said. “Would it be possible for us to stay with Piper and Liam tonight?”
Simon stared at her. She planned to stay with him? Although that relieved his mind about her safety, Zoe had to be exhausted after the long and horrible day she’d had.
“I expected Liam and Simon to stay. You, on the other hand, just left this hospital earlier today. You should go home to rest, Zoe.”
She shook her head. “Piper is my friend. I’m not leaving until she walks out of here tomorrow.” Her lips curved. “I don’t have to get up at 2:30 tomorrow morning. Nick still hasn’t released the bakery so I can’t open the shop for business.”
Simon frowned. “Didn’t you say you had orders to fill for clients tomorrow?”
“I’ll have to call and cancel. I don’t have an industrial-size kitchen at my disposal.”
“Nate said you can use the kitchen at PSI. He’ll work around you.”
Zoe glanced over her shoulder at Liam and Piper, wrapped in each other’s arms again. “But you’re on guard duty through the night. I know you won’t allow me to go to PSI on my own and I won’t ask you to leave them vulnerable.”
Grace slipped past them. “Work out the rotation with Trent and the others. An orderly will be taking Piper to her room in a few minutes and I know one of Bravo will want to be with them during the transport.”
“I’ll send one of the others down here.” Simon led Zoe to the waiting room. “Matt.” He motioned for the team medic to join them in the hall.
“What’s up?” Matt asked, voice low.
“An orderly will be transporting Piper to her room soon. Thought you and Delilah might want to go along. I need to work out the guard rotation with Trent.”
“No problem.” The medic frowned. “You wanted me to go first for a reason. Is something wrong with Piper?”
“Not like you mean. She has a head injury similar to Zoe’s. I’ll let Liam and Piper tell you the reason she’s being admitted overnight. You’ll be able to offer more information and advice than the rest of us.”
Matt’s eyebrows soared.
Simon grinned. “You’ll understand when they talk to you.”
His friend pivoted and held out his hand to his wife. When she joined him, she and Matt walked down the hall to the examination room.
Trent met Simon and Zoe at the entrance of the waiting room. “Anything I should know?”
“Liam and Piper have news, but the information should come from them. We need to work out a guard rotation. I’ll take the first shift. I have to leave at 2:00 tomorrow morning. Zoe has baking to do for customer orders tomorrow. I’m taking her to PSI to use the kitchen.”
Trent motioned for Cade to join them. “Guard rotation. I’ll take the last rotation.”
Cade snorted. “You aren’t fooling us. You want a date with your wife when she’s off shift tomorrow morning.”
“Maybe. You want the first shift or the second?”
“I’ll take the second with you. Figured Liam might like to have Matt around to keep a knowledgeable eye on Piper the first part of the night.”
“What about Sasha?” Zoe asked. “Simon doesn’t want me to be alone and I’m sure you’re just as concerned for your wife’s safety. What will you do with her while you’re here?”
“She has to go into the coffee shop early. Matt won’t mind taking Sasha home with him and Delilah. He’ll make sure Sasha is at her shop on time and stay with her until one of her employees arrives. Delilah doesn’t have to open Wicks until later in the morning.”
“We set, then?” Trent asked. When Simon and Cade nodded, he said, “Anything happens during your watch, I need to know about it. We can’t afford to let down our guard. I’m not sure exactly what’s going on, but these attacks aren’t random. Someone is targeting our team through those we care about. Whoever it is isn’t finished.”
CHAPTER TEN
Zoe woke with a start when someone entered Piper’s hospital room. She opened her eyes to see Simon and Liam standing, weapon in hand, bodies between her and Piper and a potential threat. Adrenaline poured into her bloodstream until she heard Grace’s soft voice.
“Sorry. I didn’t want to disturb Piper.”
Simon slid his gun away as did Liam. “No problem.”
“Not for you,” Zoe muttered. “I almost had a heart attack.”
Grace patted Zoe’s shoulder. “I’ll knock next time. How’s Piper, Liam?”
“Sleeping, finally. She’s been restless and in pain. Although the doc has offered medicine safe for the baby, Piper is worried about taking anything that isn’t over-the-counter.” He sounded frustrated.
“I don’t blame her. She’s doing all she can to protect your child, just like you’re doing by staying awake all night despite having two teammates keeping watch.”
“My wife, my child, my responsibility.”
Grace shifted her gaze to Zoe. “Do you need anything?”
“Aside from a vacation on a deserted tropical island, no.”
“Sounds good. I’ll have to put in a request with Trent to take me to the beach on his next rotation at home.” She squeezed Zoe’s shoulder. “I have to go. I’ll check in later.”
When Grace left, Liam looked at Simon. “Need a break?”
“I need coffee.”
“Take Zoe.” He smiled. “I wouldn’t say no to a cup.”
“You got it.” Simon tugged Zoe to her feet. “We’ll be back soon.”
Matt glanced up when they left the room. His wife, Delilah, remained slumped in her seat, sound asleep. “Everything okay?”
“Coffee run. Need some?”
“Oh, yeah. I worked an EMT shift before reporting to PSI yesterday. I’m on my fourth wind,” he admitted.
“I’ll find the strongest coffee they make here.”
The medic flinched. “I would like to retain my stomach lining. Strong and black will do.”
“Will Delilah want some?”
“Doubt it. I’ll get her coffee on the way home if she wants it.”
&n
bsp; “Any problems?”
Matt shook his head. “Liam’s awake?”
Simon nodded and wrapped his hand around Zoe’s. “We’ll return soon with coffee.”
They rode the elevator to the bottom floor and walked to the cafeteria. “If you’re hungry, choose a snack to tide you over. Cade and Trent will take over the watch in an hour, and I’ll drive you to PSI to start your baking.”
“Are you experienced in a kitchen?”
“I’m not in your league, but I can hold my own.”
“You’re hired. I need help with two large orders to complete.”
“I’ll be glad to help.” He winked at her. “For a price.”
Zoe’s lips curved. “What’s the price?”
“A kiss and the promise of another date.”
“Deal. You already owe me a kiss.”
“Hmm. You’re right. I didn’t fulfill my promise.” He opened the door to the cafeteria. “I’ll remedy that today. I don’t want you thinking I don’t keep my word.”
“Extenuating circumstances.”
They returned to the sixth floor with coffee and snacks. The fact that Simon kept his gun hand free and maintained an alert vigil didn’t escape Zoe’s notice.
She breathed a sigh of relief when Matt and Delilah came into view. If anything happened, Simon needed backup. Bravo was on high alert, protecting Liam and Piper, giving her time to rest and Liam the security he needed to concentrate on his wife.
Zoe’s gaze shifted to Simon. He was no different than Liam or the others. He would have gone without sleep to keep her safe if she’d been admitted to the hospital.
Simon handed a to-go cup to Matt. “You’re safe. The cafeteria worker assured me the coffee was fresh.”
“Excellent. Thanks.” He caught the apple his friend tossed him one-handed.
Simon tapped on the door and pushed it open. Zoe walked in behind him to see Liam sliding his gun back into his holster. Wow. These guys weren’t messing around. Everything and everyone was considered a threat until they proved otherwise.
“Coffee.” She handed a cup to Liam along with an apple and a pack of peanut butter and crackers. “If you want something else, we’ll get whatever you need.”
“This is fine. Thanks.”
A cell phone signaled an incoming text message. Liam and Simon pulled out their phones to check the screens.
“It’s mine,” Simon said. He was silent a moment as he read the message. When he looked up, his expression was blank.
Zoe’s stomach knotted. She’d been around Simon enough to know that when he or his friends lost all expression, something bad was happening. “Simon?”
“In the hall,” Liam murmured, glancing at his sleeping wife. “I don’t want to disturb Piper.”
Matt rose. “What’s wrong?”
“Zane sent me a message. The attacks in Otter Creek aren’t random.”
“We have a security breach?”
A nod. “Maddox plugged it, but the damage has been done.”
“Who is Maddox?” Zoe asked.
“Our boss at Fortress Security,” Liam said. “How bad is it, Simon?”
“Level six breach.”
Blood drained from Liam’s and Matt’s faces. “What does that mean?” How bad was a level six breach?
“One of our operatives divulged classified information to the enemy,” Simon said.
She remembered the confrontation with Isaac Lyons the day before. “Are you sure it was an operative?”
“Positive. Trainees wouldn’t have access to the information leaked. The breach came from one of the internal servers. No question it was one of our own.”
“Who?” Liam snapped.
“Z didn’t tell me.”
“Won’t take long to find out,” Matt murmured.
“No,” Simon agreed. “All we have to know is who’s missing.”
Zoe frowned. “I don’t understand. Why wouldn’t Zane tell you who this person is? Wouldn’t it be better to know so you can protect yourselves?”
“If we find out who leaked the intel, the traitor is dead,” Liam said flatly. “The traitor is a threat to all of us and our families.”
“The database breached has all the information on the operatives’ real identities, locations, and their families and their locations,” Simon added.
Horror filled Zoe. “He sold you out.”
“Not only that, he endangered you, too.” Simon cupped her cheek. “I’m sorry, Zoe. I shouldn’t have gotten involved with you. My job has thrown you into the line of fire.”
“Don’t. I’m not made of glass.”
He just shook his head.
Zoe’s heart sank. If she couldn’t find a way to convince him otherwise, Simon would end their relationship before it had a chance to flourish. His protective streak was a mile wide.
“We need to notify Trent,” Liam said.
“I’ll call him.” With another lingering look at Piper, one filled with remorse and disappointment, Simon moved a short way down the hall and pressed his phone to his ear.
“How much do you care about him?” Liam asked Zoe, his voice soft.
“Why do you ask?”
“He’ll distance himself from you to protect you. Don’t let him. Simon might be slow to make a move, but when he does, it’s because he feels deep. He won’t think twice about crippling himself emotionally if the end result is you being safe.”
Zoe stared. “Are you saying that Simon loves me?”
“If you want him, fight to keep him in your life. Otherwise, he’ll decide he’s too dangerous to be around any woman, especially you.”
“Especially me?”
“Because you matter.”
Stubborn man. Why wouldn’t Simon accept that she’d be safer with him in her life?
Simon rejoined the group in front of Piper’s door. “Team meeting at PSI as soon as Piper is released. Trent’s hoping to get her released by seven. If she doesn’t feel like going to work, Trent said to drive her to PSI. She can sit in on the meeting or one of the instructors can watch over her in the infirmary.”
Liam frowned. “My preference is to keep her where I can see her.”
“Give her the options. I need to talk to Zoe for a minute.”
Liam’s gaze flicked to her in silent warning before he slipped into the room where his wife was slept.
Simon eyed the medic. “Matt?”
“Yeah, I got this. Don’t do anything stupid.” He glared.
Zoe looked into the room across the hall. Empty. Perfect. What she wanted to say and do wasn’t for an audience. Protecting her was one thing. Being a martyr for the cause was another. “In there,” she said, motioning to the room.
He motioned for her to precede him.
Zoe closed the door after he was inside. “Before you say a word, I’m calling in your marker.”
He blinked. “What?”
“The kiss, Simon. I’m collecting on your promise.”
“Zoe, that’s not a good…”
She wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her lips to his, stopping his words in the sweetest way possible. Heat engulfed her despite Simon’s arms remaining by his sides. Electricity sizzled along her nerve endings. When the man in her arms remained still, Zoe changed tactics. She caressed his mouth with butterfly kisses, one after another, gambling that the alpha male in him wouldn’t be able to handle the gentle assault for long without his controlling tendencies kicking into high gear.
Following an agonizing minute when Zoe worried she’d miscalculated, that he didn’t want her as much as she wanted him, Simon growled deep in his throat.
His arms wrapped around her and he spun them, pressing Zoe’s back against the wall as he took control of the kiss, plundering her soft depths with the ferocity of a man starved for her taste. Simon explored her mouth with a desperation that told Zoe he thought this would be his only chance to be this close to her.
Tenderness filled her. Did this tough operative
believe she’d walk away at the first sign of trouble? Not a chance. She’d waited so long, praying he would see the real Zoe Lockhart. Now that he had, she wasn’t giving him up without a fight.
When he broke the kiss and tried to step back, Zoe tightened her hold and dived in for a kiss hotter than the last one.
The next time they came up for air, their breaths were coming in ragged spurts. Simon rested his forehead against hers, careful to avoid contact with her bruise. “We shouldn’t have done that.”
“Why not?”
“Now that I know what you taste like and how you feel in my arms, letting you go will be almost impossible.”
She smiled against his mouth. “Good.”
He groaned. “Have a heart, Zoe.”
“Nope. Sorry. I’m just as addicted to your taste and touch. It’s too late to back out now.”
“Sweetheart, please. Don’t make this harder than it is already.”
Zoe shivered, loving the sweet endearment. Simon never called women by pet names. Even if Liam hadn’t given her a hint at the depth of Simon’s feelings for her, that alone would have clued her in. “You’re not throwing me out of your life in some misguided plan to protect me from harm.”
“It’s the safest thing I can do for you. You deserve better than me anyway.”
“Stop. Both of those statements are flat out lies. I will never be safer without you in my life and I deserve the best man. You, Simon.”
“How can you say that? Macy is dead and you’re hurt because of me. You could have died in that kitchen yesterday morning.”
“We don’t know the attack was because of you.”
“Nothing like this happened until I showed interest in you.”
“A chance with you is worth the risk. I trust you to keep me safe.”
He wrapped his arms around her and held her tight. “And if it turns out I’m to blame for Macy’s death?”
“Then you’ll double your protective measures.”
“I’m afraid it won’t be enough. You don’t know what it will do to me if something happens to you on my watch.”