by Grady, D. R.
“Thanks,” Janine said. That was better than nothing.
“Just keep him off our backs. We’ve got enough going on trying to be normal. We don’t need a suspicious detective gunning for us, too.” Janine doubted Greg actually believed what he said, but instead that he was covering for her. She sent him a thankful look before pivoting to stalk back the way she’d come.
“I’ll take care of it. Remember, you’re normal citizens.”
“Right.” Janine stared into the shadows that encased Greg and wondered what normal was.
Chapter 16
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
Greg resisted the urge to sigh as he tried to think of a new way to answer KC’s question. “I’m fine.”
She eyed him suspiciously and he realized he was tired of the sentiment. Why couldn’t people just take him at face value? Did he look like a criminal? Greg started when he realized he wasn’t sure what a criminal looked like anymore. They came in so many sizes and shapes.
“Greg, someone blew up your rental car.”
“I’m aware of that.” He’d been there. Had a front row seat for the spectacle, in fact. It was kind of hard to miss.
“Shouldn’t you be a little more shaken?”
He stopped the sigh before it escaped and turned to face his sister. “You spent eight months in Kuwait. After a while, things stopped bugging you, right?”
“Yes.” She bit her lip.
“Well, I’ve lived in places where cars blowing up was a regular occurrence. It’s really not that big a deal to me.” It would have been had he still been in the car, but he exited in time and this experience would merely be one more he revisited in his nightmares. At this point in his life, his nighttime visions had the power to steal his soul, but he kept fighting the demons. He refused to become a permanent citizen of the netherworld.
He didn’t care if that’s where criminals resided. He wasn’t a criminal. The things he’d done, he did for his country, to protect the people here and to keep the balance of justice equal. Certainly none of it had personally benefited him. Some might even argue that it had altered him for the worse.
“I just hate the thought of what could have happened to you today.” KC kept her composure, for which he was grateful.
“I do too, actually. But I’m not going to dwell on it. It happened, it’s over, time to move on.”
She nodded, but her bottom lip was still wedged between her teeth. “I’ll try.”
He reached for her and drew her into his arms. Greg couldn’t fathom loving this woman more than he did, but something about her concern for his safety and the vulnerability in her eyes touched his soul. She was defenseless because she loved him. He didn’t want to be helpless too, but the thought of anything happening to her, her kids, husband, or the woman across the street zinged a fear like he’d never known through him.
Love had always seemed like an emotion better left alone. Especially after Ryan’s mother had taken her last rattling breath and died in his arms. That experience was the foremost of his nightmares every night. He lost her, and his son in one act of man’s ugliest human nature.
Losing any of these people now would send him on a one way ticket to Hades. A place he had no desire to visit again, much less live. Even now, with KC’s warmth pressed against him, he could feel the tangling vine’s vise-like grip trying to snag him and tug him into the depths.
Greg resisted yet again.
“I’m glad you’re okay.” KC’s whispered words helped to hack some of the vine’s grip and he felt the yanking loosen. Maybe he could remain here, in the sun, even though it was utterly foreign.
“Me too, baby.” Greg liked the feeling of human contact. He couldn’t remember much from childhood and except for Miranda, Ryan’s mom, the feelings were new.
“You scared me.”
His lips twisted to the side. “We didn’t have time to be scared.”
KC shuddered. “And something could have happened to Janine.” She trembled in his arms. He tightened his grip.
“For the record, Janine is not a panicky kind of woman.”
“What kind of woman is she?” He didn’t think he liked the new interest he heard in his sister’s voice. From fear and shaking to this new blatant curiosity about Janine concerned him. He smelled a matchmaker.
“Calm, steady, and a good woman to have on your team.”
“That’s what I’ve always thought.”
“You go through a war together and I guess you’d be pretty tight.”
“There is that. Janine kept me sane during those eight months. I’m not sure how she managed to return for another tour.”
“She was asked.”
“Yes. And she could go, so she did. I can’t even imagine returning to that nightmare. But she did, without complaint.”
“At least she knew what to expect the second time around.”
“That might have made the situation worse. At least the first time there’s a chance you might get lucky,” KC said wryly.
Greg garnered a new appreciation for KC. She wasn’t a pampered princess like their parents had probably expected. No more than he was the little prince. He snorted at that thought. They had been raised in the lap of luxury but both of them had somehow managed to find their way into government jobs.
A thought occurred to him. “What made you join the military?”
KC leaned back and searched his face. “The discipline and order appealed to me.”
He nodded. That’s probably what had prompted him to keep accepting those government assignments. He liked the organization. Plus they left him alone to do his job.
“I thought so.”
“Is that what caused you to join?”
Greg closed himself off. He couldn’t tell KC about that part of his life. At least not right now. “I wasn’t ever a part of the military,” he stated.
He’d do anything, including lie, to keep her safe. With the Temites gunning for him, he wasn’t about to set her in the path of danger. Even though he wasn’t ever actually a part of the military, he had worked with them so intimately he might as well have been. He assisted them, but he never had a branch to call his own. So his tale wasn’t actually a lie.
His sister looked skeptical, and he understood, but he still wasn’t admitting anything. Even if another federal career person could read all the signs in him. Once he was trained he had worked formally for a government agency, not the military. The training was similar though, so he knew she recognized that in him.
A startling revelation smashed through him. Greg realized he’d take that one way ticket to Hades if it meant keeping her safe.
Chapter 17
“I can’t believe Greg gave you this painting, and not me,” General Emma groused.
Janine grinned. “Maybe he thinks I’m cuter than you.”
She heard her Uncle Rich smother a laugh in the background and smiled innocently at her aunt. “I don’t doubt he thinks you’re cuter, but I’m older and meaner.”
“She’s definitely that,” her husband agreed behind her.
She sent him a serene smile. “That’s why you married me, love.”
“No, I married you because you’re mine.” O’Riley sounded absentminded and Janine noticed him staring out the window again.
Janine strolled to his side, wondering what he saw.
“Yes, I am yours. And this painting should be mine.”
“I’m not giving my painting to you or anyone else.”
“Not even your mother?”
“Not even my mother. This one is mine. And I’ll fight for it.” Janine leveled her best fighting gaze on her aunt.
Who sighed in defeat and accepted the terms with grace. That was what Janine expected from Emma. She still didn’t know what she expected from her new uncle though and darted a quick glance at him. “What are you staring at?” she whispered from the corner of her mouth.
“I’m not sure.”
She nodded and stared wit
h him out the window. It was dark, but the moon spun the scene into an ethereal landscape. If someone moved out there, they should be able to see them.
“Think Greg is out there? Is that what’s bothering you?” she asked.
“I wouldn’t put it past him.”
“By now he’s sure to have seen you.”
“True. But would he invite himself inside?”
“No.” Janine was certain of that. He would remain concealed in the shadows and watch everything from a quiet distance. Either not knowing how to ask to come in, or not wanting to. Janine ached at the thought. She would invite him in without hesitation, as would their former boss but first they had to find him.
She scanned her side yard, the view familiar and dear to her. It was all she had ever wanted. Until recently. And now she didn’t know how to ask for what else she wanted. Janine doubted her ability to even articulate her needs.
“I’ll go see if I can locate him,” O’Riley said after a moment and Janine turned wide eyes on him.
“You think you can find a legendary secret operative out there in my yard?”
His lips kicked up at the corners. “Who do you think trained him?”
“Right.” She smiled. “I’ll set another place at the table.”
“What are you two whispering about over here?” Emma slipped up behind them and Janine watched as she casually slid a hand into her husband’s. Janine appreciated how the older couple leaned into each other. How their body language conveyed so much of how they felt about the other.
One couldn’t doubt the love they shared. Their commitment and passion were revealed in subtle forms. They touched the moment they were close enough. Then there were the other signs – leaning toward the other, the secret smiles and glances and the stolen kisses when they thought no one watched.
Their love put a gentle ache in Janine’s heart. She had never thought about having a mate. Her days had been full and complete. And dangerous. But ever since Greg Gilmore blasted his way into her carefully ordered world, life had changed. He understood her life. Now she thought of things that had previously seemed unreachable. They might still be far beyond her reach. But that didn’t stop her from longing to give this smoldering interest a try.
The man hadn’t so much as stroked a hand down her cheek. He had stared at her on her porch railing like he wanted to kiss her, which was the only moment of their acquaintance that gave her hope. If he had these same wild and crazy thoughts, that would comfort her.
“I’ll be back, sweetheart. Just give me a few minutes,” O’Riley told Emma.
She looked puzzled but nodded anyway. “Okay.” Emma turned perplexed eyes on her when the admiral left.
“He’s going to round up the last guest.” Janine smiled, knowing that didn’t help Emma at all, but it was true. “I need to set another place at the table.”
Emma sighed and shook her head while Janine laughed. “You’re a good military wife, General Emma.”
Her aunt gurgled in response. “Of course I am.” They laughed together and Emma helped her set the last place. Four places rather than three. It seemed so very intimate to her. Janine stared at that fourth plate. The even number indicated a change in her status, even though nothing had changed.
Odd numbers were familiar to her. Now, with the advent of Greg’s plate, the number had evened. Strange, and a bit unsettling, and there was no guarantee their admiral would locate him, but Janine thought Greg wouldn’t play hard to get. She hoped, anyway.
Plus she knew her former boss. He was stubborn, and wily. It would be a complete contest of wills if the men did square off. She’d have a hard time placing money on one versus the other, because they were both skilled and experienced.
Her back door swooshed open and O’Riley, followed by Greg, entered the kitchen. The admiral aimed for Emma, who met him halfway. They lost reality for a moment and Janine, in an effort to give them privacy, turned to Greg.
“I heard I was invited to dinner.” His voice was husky.
“You are.” She smiled at him and indicated the completed table. He stared at the place settings and she wondered if he also found the even number a trifle daunting. Like her, he was used to singlehood.
“I’m glad to take you up on the invitation. I’m getting tired of my own cooking,” he admitted and her heart slid sideways with his mouth.
“You’ve come to the right place then,” her aunt chimed in loyally.
“Thanks, Aunt Emma, but you’re partial.”
“I am, love, but that’s okay.” Her aunt patted her and Janine enjoyed the rush of love she felt for the lady.
“General Emma already tried to steal my painting,” she told Greg.
“I can’t believe you gave that wonderful piece of art to her and not me.” Emma planted both hands on her tiny hips and stared Greg down.
Who grinned sheepishly and shrugged. “You have to admit, it looks perfect on her mantle.”
Some of the spunk leaked out of her aunt. “Well, that’s true. It does look spectacular.” She pouted.
“I warned her I’d beat anyone who tried to take it.”
“I’m glad you all like the painting so much.”
“Maybe you could say, paint me one?” Emma cajoled.
Janine shook her head along with Greg. “KC already tried that tactic. But this painting is a one-shot deal. I don’t think he can be recreate it.”
“That’s right,” Greg backed her up, and looked sorry at the prospect that he couldn’t produce another. To do so seemed wrong to Janine.
“I thought you might say that.” General Emma, as usual, showed grace in the line of fire. “It was worth trying though.”
“The worst that could happen was he’d say no. And he did,” Janine teased her aunt who wrinkled her nose and poked her for good measure.
Janine enjoyed the laughter that bubbled up in response to her aunt’s antics and checked the oven. Emma was right there with her, helping to complete the meal and Janine loved the feeling of familiarity working with a member of her family.
She worked this well with her mother too. Janine adored how easy it was to cook with Emma, Shelby, Lainy and Lainy’s sisters and mother. It was like the Morrison women had a connection that told them what the other thought and they all responded accordingly. Janine’s sisters and she were establishing a similar connection even though they didn’t share a bloodline. She valued the bonds forming between those three precious women and her.
“So Shelby and Sam are doing well?” She asked about Rich and Emma’s daughter. Sam was a former SEAL, and swim buddy to her brother Ben, and he knew the admiral very well. Sam, after leaving the SEAL team due to his health, was now a pediatrician. [The Nerd’s Pocket Pets – Book 4 – The Morrison Family Series]
“Yes, they are. It’s looking very likely that their next child is on the way.”
“They must be so excited. How’s Kiley taking it?” Kiley was a former patient who both had taken to instantly and whom they adopted soon after they married.
“She doesn’t talk about anything else. She seems to think a sibling would be fun.”
“Good for her. Wait until they steal her toys,” Janine said and Greg’s lips quirked up.
“We haven’t mentioned that to her, yet. Shelby thought it best if they told her only the good things. Kiley will figure out the bad soon enough.” Emma surveyed the fare with a satisfied air.
“I’m sure.” Janine ignored the pang of missing out on her brother during childhood. But he had been adopted into the Morrison family and she would never take that gift from him. So she grew up without siblings, and had been neglected to some extent, but now she had four wonderful siblings and a bevy of cousins. Shelby included.
“Is she still working?”
“Yes, some. But she spends a lot of time with Kiley.”
“That’s wonderful for her.”
“We’re very pleased about the new grandchild.”
“It is exciting.” Janine stirred the
rice and checked to make certain the chicken was still moist. The meal smelled wonderful and she hoped it tasted as good. The admiral had put in an order for an authentic island meal, so she placed “peas” in the rice and had unearthed her island seasonings.
It had been a while since she cooked like this, and she looked forward to savoring the tastes of her childhood. Her eyes skimmed to Greg, who was in what looked like an intense conversation with O’Riley. It was nice to see him in her kitchen. She was grateful he looked right here. Almost like the man of the house.
Did she really need a man of the house? Did she want one? She thought of her broken branch. She handled the situation on her own, but it would have been nice to have a man here to do the sawing. It might be nice to have an even number of plates regularly.
Not that odd ones were bad, but two was a nicer number than one. One tended to be lonely. But could she adapt to having a man underfoot?
Shellshocked, the appropriate phrase for how he felt at the moment, Greg still couldn’t believe O’Riley had come after him, and to offer a dinner invitation. He wasn’t surprised the old dog had known of his presence. Hadn’t even tried to hide from his former boss.
Yet standing here in Janine’s warm, savory smelling kitchen had not been on his agenda for tonight. He thought to pass the cool spring evening keeping watch. Someone had blown up his car in her driveway. He intended to be around if someone tried to do something to harm her.
Seeing O’Riley and his wife pull in thirty minutes ago had nearly changed his plans. He tossed the idea around of leaving, since she had a full admiral with wily tricks and experience in her home. But something had kept him in the shadows he aligned himself with earlier.
Janine could take care of herself. He knew that. But she lived in a big rambling house by herself, and someone had tried to kill him today. Greg had enough blood on his hands. Janine Morris’s wasn’t going to add to the amount.
Plus it never hurt to have a friend as backup. That was why he crossed the mile between them on foot, watching the evening shadows. As night persevered, he relaxed, enjoying the fact he didn’t have to work as hard to conceal himself. The night was his natural ally. Greg knew that. He hated the pull of the underworld, but he understood it. It understood him. That’s why the world beckoned him and coaxed him to join its ranks.