Nursing his sore shoulder, he slipped off the couch and moved to the window as rain pounded the pane. Thunder cracked overhead sounding like it was literally ripping the earth in two. If he were lucky, this would be the worst of the storm, but luck wasn’t something experience had taught him to depend on.
He flipped on the kitchen switch. The electricity worked. Light was good. Then again, he could think of a few intriguing ideas involving the woman on the couch and a dark room. He shook off the thought and refocused.
Gregory was set up in the second bedroom monitoring the weather situation.
Crossing to the bathroom, Jaden peeled off both his wetsuit and jockeys. His new cell rang. He answered it, hoping like hell it was Gunner.
“What’s the plan?” Her voice was undeniable.
“Helena, I told you we’ve got this. I have Gregory right here if I need backup.” She must’ve leaned on all her contacts to get his number. She was smart. How the hell was he going to keep her out of this fight? Jaden had no idea if the men who’d killed Smith or Bryce had anything to do with Tim’s death.
“You already know how I feel about letting others fight my battles,” she said.
He didn’t like the sound in her voice. He wished he’d been able to see her, check on her for himself after the funeral. She had every right to be upset. He hadn’t been there for her in the way he should. He’d been shot and agency protocol required he be tucked away. He hated the way it felt like he’d turned his back on her when she needed his support most. Support? He stifled a laugh. Helena would see support as charity. She accepted charity from no one. “You heard from Gunner?”
“No.”
He paused. “We’ll get the guy who killed Tim.”
“No, I will.” The resignation in her voice said she’d die trying.
“How’d you con someone into giving you this number?” he asked.
“I didn’t.”
Click.
She must’ve hacked into the system and started calling random cell numbers until she located him. She was determined, and he couldn’t blame her. On a primal level, he totally understood her need for revenge.
He checked his wounds. They amounted to a handful of scrapes and bruises, except for the golf ball sitting on top of his shoulder from the dislocation. He rotated his arm outward slowly and steadily. He gripped the sink basin. With a grunt, he pushed up on his feet until his muscles and tendons stretched enough for the joint to slide into his shoulder socket.
Relief came instantly. He moved to the shower. The warm water eased his weather-torn body. Closing his eyes, he let the heat penetrate his sore muscles.
Bryce. Someone from the agency would have to tell his girlfriend. Thinking about him tightened the muscles in Jaden’s back and neck. His fists clenched.
If he could get Lauren and himself to the primary checkpoint safely, sophisticated communication equipment would be there. He could guarantee her safety. But when? How? The weather sure as hell wasn’t cooperating.
This condo was far better than being somewhere out there dodging bullets. He could protect Lauren here. An image of the two of them, swimsuit clad, vacationing at the condo popped into his mind. And kids.
Losing his friends played tricks with his psyche. Jaden shook water out of his hair. Not once had he considered having children. His job was his life, and he was a damn good soldier. And yet, hadn’t he been feeling like something was missing lately?
A minute later, he toweled off, wiping the thought from his brain. A toothbrush and toothpaste were heaven about now. Lip balm was next.
“What do you have for us to wear?” he asked, poking his head into Gregory’s room.
“In the room. On the bed. I laid out clothes for both of you.”
“What’s the weather doing?” Jaden asked.
“Stable for now. We’re cut off out here from the worst of it. But if this monster turns, we’re in bad shape.” Gregory twisted his face in a look of concern.
“Still no word from Gunner?”
Gregory shook his head.
“Keep trying to locate him. Use whatever means necessary.” He’d tell him to put a trace on Helena’s cell if it wouldn’t create a backdoor a smart hacker could breach. He needed to keep a closer eye on her. Her blind fury could cause her to rush into a situation when patience was called for. It could cost her life.
Jaden found a white t-shirt, a pair of jeans, and fresh boxers laid out on the bed in the master. There were dry socks and tennis shoes, too. His version of Christmas morning.
He slipped them on.
They only clothes he found on the other side of the bed were horrible, sack-looking dresses. He stifled a laugh. He seriously doubted he could force one of those on Lauren. She’d look hot in anything she put on, but she wouldn’t think so.
Suddenly, the image of her standing in the boat wearing nothing but a white lace bra and panties flashed in his brain. His earlier erection tried to revive itself. Traitor.
Lauren awakened his emotions. Brought a glimpse of light into the darkest corners of his heart. He cancelled the thought, reminding himself that she was an asset.
Jaden seriously needed to control his hormones.
He shuffled through drawers until he found something suitable for her. A pair of jeans and t-shirt.
Sizing them up, he grinned. She’d fit.
After folding the outfit and placing it on a chair in the living room, he dug around in the kitchen. They needed food. He was hungry, tired and beaten. His shoulder still ached. All in all, a hell of a lot better than he’d
