15
“What did you find out?” Noah asked the next morning as they walked into the Southern Soldiers of Fortune’s headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia. Even though he’d basically been up all night, unable to sleep on the chartered flight the guys had booked for him and Serena and Gracie out of St. Dourdane, he was still too restless to sit still. He needed answers and he needed them yesterday. They’d not even stopped to freshen up at the airport, just come straight here to see what his team had uncovered.
Poor Serena hadn’t gotten much shut-eye either, with Gracie up every few hours to feed or for a diaper change, so yeah. They were feeling pretty ragged all the way around.
At least he was back on home soil. That went a small way toward easing the tension coiling tight inside him. He couldn’t rest completely, though, until he knew for sure who was behind the bounty on Serena’s head. Only when the threat was neutralized would he be able to rest.
Levon and Clint were crowded behind one of the desks, staring at multiple computer screens, so Noah parked Serena and Gracie in a comfy chair in the waiting area while he got down to business with the guys.
“Show me,” he said, coming around the desk to peer over Clint’s shoulder.
“The guy last night was a mercenary,” Levon said. “Name was Spencer. But you knew about him already.”
“Yep.” Noah transferred his attention to the next screen. “What about the two guys they arrested? What’s their story?”
“That’s the thing,” Clint said, leaning back and crossing his arms. “From the intel they’ve gathered so far during the interrogation, they were working for the bounty too.”
“Huh?” Noah frowned, his nose wrinkled. “Wait, so they took Serena so they could kill her and collect the money…and then waited seven months? Who does that?”
“These guys, apparently. Whoever’s offering the money kept stringing them along,” Clint said. “They originally took Serena thinking they’d take her out and earn a quick buck. But then they had a crisis of conscience when they realized she was pregnant. The person behind this backed off, said that they could wait until the baby was delivered before they made the hit. Anyway, the men claim that the person who gave them the job kept changing the stipulations, and increasing the funds, if they complied. Time went by and it ended up being a prolonged mess.”
“So, what?” Noah shook his head, trying to get his head around all of it. “Serena was just left to rot down there in South America?”
“Kind of, yeah,” Levon said, leaning back in his chair to stretch out his long legs.
“Sorry to interrupt,” Serena said, coming over to their group. “But do you have any water or juice around here?”
“Sure,” Clint said, smiling down at Gracie then leaning in to play with her. “We have a fully stocked mini-fridge right over there against the wall. Help yourself to whatever you want.”
“If you need more than what we have, just give me a list and I’ll run down to the drug store the next block over,” Levon offered, grinning at a squirming Gracie. “Man, she sure is cute.”
“Thanks,” Serena and Noah said at the same time.
Noah cleared his throat, heat climbing up from beneath the crewneck of his rumpled grey T-shirt. “I mean, yeah. She looks like Serena so of course she’s cute.”
“Dude.” Levon gave him a flat stare. “The kid’s got your eyes and chin. Can’t deny she’s yours.”
“I’m not,” Noah said glaring at his friend as a sudden wave of defensiveness overtook him. “I mean, of course Gracie’s mine. I’d never want to deny that.”
Serena gave him an amused glance. “Nice to hear you say it.”
“Your daddy’s a big ninny, isn’t he?” Clint said, holding his finger out for Gracie to take it, then smiling and nodding at her like an idiot. Noah had to admit he was kind of surprised these big tough guys were fawning all over his kid. And sure, Clint and Levon each had a kid of their own, but still. It was weird to see these hardened men all soft and squishy over a baby. Clint looked at Serena. “Can I hold her?”
“Yes!” She passed the baby to Clint, who cradled her like a pro. Noah would have felt a little jealous about that if he hadn’t been so impressed. Maybe he’d need to talk to his buddies later for some pointers, once all this crap was over. And speaking of crap, Gracie let loose a squelching noise that indicated a diaper change was in order. The group laughed as Serena took her back from Clint, Gracie’s little red face looking far too satisfied with herself. “Right. Excuse me while I go get her cleaned up. And I might take you up on that drug store run offer later, if it’s still good.”
“Absolutely,” Levon said. “Whatever you need. Bathroom’s just down the hall.”
“Thanks.” Serena hurried away to grab the diaper bag from the waiting area, then head to the restrooms while Noah stayed behind with the guys and watched her go.
“You’re a lucky man, Noah,” Levon said. “She’s beautiful.”
“Which one?”
“Both of them,” Levon said. “Of course, not as beautiful as my Olive and Allie, but close.”
Noah glanced down at the picture on his friend’s desk of his wife and daughter. When Noah had first met the man, Levon had been like him. Alone, adrift, living only for the job. Then a new mission had come along, reuniting him with Olive whom he’d known in high school—and who he’d had a steamy night with at their reunion earlier that year—and one thing led to another and now Levon’s whole life had changed, for the better.
Warmth that had nothing to do with embarrassment and everything to do with his feelings for Serena and Gracie spread outward from his core to his extremities. Maybe, if he was blessed enough, they might be able
