One way or the other, he would fix this problem for her. He’d find those motherfuckers and put the fear of the United States Navy SEALs in them. He might not have official sanction to do it, but his team would help. Wouldn’t be the first time they’d gone after some asshat for threatening one of their women.
Ana started to squirm. Neo let go of Kayla’s wrist and picked up his napkin to wipe Ana’s cheeks and hands before he set her down again. She immediately started to crawl back to her blanket and the blocks she had there. Kayla busied herself with cleaning up. Neo got up to help. She still hadn’t said anything in response to his vow to keep fighting.
He turned to lean against the counter while she set the plates and silverware in the sink. “Why don’t you get some things together and spend the night with me?”
Kayla jerked, her eyes wide as she fixed them on him, and he realized how that sounded.
“I didn’t mean like that,” he told her. “Though I wouldn’t say no if you felt the urge to jump me.”
He tried to make it sound funny, but she merely swallowed.
“I’m kidding, baby. Just trying to make you smile. Bring Ana and stay in Dirty’s old bedroom. I’ll be downstairs. You won’t have to worry about those assholes knowing where to find you at my place.”
She pulled in a breath. He thought she might come up with a reason why she couldn’t—or shouldn’t—go with him, but she didn’t. Instead, she nodded.
“You’re right. I’ll pack a bag and get some of Ana’s things.”
“Tell me what you need help with.”
“Can you wash the dishes?”
“I can do that. How about we take the leftovers with us?”
“Good idea.”
“I’ll get everything together while you pack. Want me to grab some wine? I’ve only got beer at home.”
“Please,” she said.
“Done.”
Neo started the water running while Kayla swooped Ana up and took her to the bedroom. He washed and dried and put everything away, then consolidated the leftover pizza in one box before taking the other box out to the trash and stuffing it in the can. When he went back inside, Kayla emerged from the bedroom with Ana on her hip.
“Can you take her while I get our stuff?” she asked.
“Sure.” Neo held out his hands and Ana came willingly. She grabbed onto his collar and then bent to put it in her mouth. He didn’t stop her. She smelled like baby powder, sweet and clean. It reminded him of holding his nephew the first time he’d gone back home after Lesley’d had him. Neo hadn’t known dick about babies, but Lesley didn’t let that stop her from handing her son to him. She’d taught him a lot about babies in the stretches of time when he went back to visit.
He wasn’t scared of them or afraid they’d cry. If it happened, he’d do what his sister did. Check diapers, offer food, hold them or put them down if they didn’t want to be held. That kind of thing.
Ana didn’t do any of that, though. She just gummed his collar and made little noises from time to time.
Kayla returned with a tote bag and Ana’s diaper bag, which she sat on the couch. “I need to get the portable crib.”
“I can get it for you.”
“It’s okay. It’s folded up. It’s a playpen and crib in one. Very convenient.”
She returned carrying the crib and Neo gave her the baby. “I’ll take everything to my car.”
“Okay, but I need to drive my car so I can get to work in the morning.”
He wanted to drive them to his place, but he decided it wasn’t a big deal. It was simple enough to let her follow him home tonight. She was going to have to bring her car when she moved in anyway, and that would be this week sometime if everything proceeded according to plan.
“All right. I’ll still put everything in my car. You can follow me.”
Kayla grabbed her purse and keys and locked up while Neo packed his car with their things. He set the pizza on the backseat and started the engine. Then he went over to where Kayla was putting Ana into her car seat. Kayla finished buckling the baby in, then looked at him questioningly.
He opened her car door and waited.
“You came over here to open the door for me?” she asked.
“That’s right. Did you think I only opened the door if you rode with me?”
“Um, I guess I didn’t think about it.”
“Get used to it, because that’s the kind of guy I am. I open car doors. Unless you strenuously object because it’s against your personal code or something.”
He’d been raised to be a fucking gentleman, but that wasn’t the only reason he did it. He did it because Kayla didn’t expect it, and because he wanted her to know she worth these continual shows of respect.
She smiled. “Not against my code. I think it’s sweet.”
“Good, because I like doing it.”
She sank into her seat and clipped the belt into place. Neo shut the door, then bent and put his face on a level with hers. “I won’t lose you, so don’t worry that you need to speed to keep up with me. If a light turns and I’m through it, I’ll pull over to wait for you. Take your time and drive safe.”
“I know how to get to your place, Zach.”
“Yeah, I know. But I still won’t leave you behind. Buddy system, Kayla.”
“Another one of those things you do?” she asked.
“That’s right. It’s part of the full service package.”
“I’m liking the full service package.”
He gave her a quick kiss, then straightened and
