“And I’ll be there behind him. I promise,” Rich said.
Sam nodded. “Me too.”
Jen nervously watched the clock all morning, finding it hard to concentrate during the neuroband testing. Rich sent her supportive smiles and pats on the shoulder. At 1115 sharp, the room was called to attention when Scott walked in. He kept everybody in position, walking around to each station silently. Jen, a civilian, simply stood up and watched his movements. She swallowed; he moved like Michael, with a deadly grace stemming from many years of martial arts training. Oh God, please help me, she prayed as he approached her.
“Jennifer, let’s go,” Scott said, holding his hand out for her to take. Trembling, she placed her small one in his and, with one look of terror towards her friends, followed him outside and into the Hummer.
“Please, Scott, what did I do?” She started to cry once inside the vehicle.
“Do? I’ll tell you what you did. You barged into my home and made everyone fall in love with you. You also made a really good cheesecake. I’m taking you to lunch. Just the two of us.”
Jen stared at him. “You aren’t mad?”
“At what? Did you do something else?” Scott smiled, heading down the road.
“No, I mean, not that I know of. Why did you scare me like that?”
“Jen, don’t you know better yet? Because I can. You’re a full member of my family; we can’t let Sammi have all the fun.”
“I’m sorry, Scott, but this wasn’t fun. Please don’t do this to me again. I’m begging you. I don’t like being afraid of you like that. I really don’t. It hurts me.”
“Oh Jen, I was just playing. Okay, I’m sorry. Don’t cry. I’ll be nice. Hey… shit,” Scott sighed, pulling the truck over. He drew the girl next to him, holding her tightly as she cried. “I’m really sorry. I’m so used to egging Sam on that I forgot you’re not used to it like she is. I won’t do it again, I promise. Forgive me?”
“I thought you didn’t like me anymore.” Jen sniffed.
Scott reached into his glove compartment to pull out a small box of tissues. “Here. No, I love you. You’re my other daughter. I know I can be an asshole at times. It’s part of my charm.”
“I don’t find it charming. It’s hurtful and mean. You’re not funny when you act like this,” Jen said quietly.
Scott glanced outside, sighing. “My sister used to tell me the same thing. I drove her crazy.”
“Why would you do such a thing?”
“I have a little mean streak in me. I like to get a rise out of people; it helps me measure them. I know how far I can go and the breaking point. It’s my defense mechanism; it gives me a place of power.”
“Why do you think you need power over your family? They love you desperately.”
“I know they do. And I love them the same. With my kids, it’s a matter of survival, literally. Sam’s got a short fuse, like me. If it blows before its time, then she loses focus and that could kill her. Mike, on the other hand, is like his dad. It takes quite a bit to push him to that place and I know the buttons to do it. Again, a loss of focus and he’s dead out there. “
“But Rich and I aren’t your kids. Why put us through this?”
Scott smiled, squeezing her hand. “Probably because you’re Michael’s Achilles heel now. He knows how far I’ll go with his sister and you saw what he does when he feels he needs to. You’re my power now, and a way to train him to a different level. I know you don’t understand, sweetheart, but I do this to keep them alive. They scare me,” the man choked.
Jen scooted closer to him, leaning against his arm, watching the rain hit the windshield. “I’ll do anything to help keep them alive. Just don’t lose my trust, Scott. Please? I don’t have the thick skin they do.”
“I shouldn’t have picked on you, baby. I’m really sorry.”
“You’re forgiven. What’s Rich’s weak point?” Jen asked out of curiosity.
Scott shook his head. “That boy eludes me. He’s fearless. He won’t allow me to see his fault lines. Nothing I say gets a rise out of him. I’ve never seen a kid that age with so much self-control and self-discipline. The closest was Joe. He really is an enigma to me.”
“That must drive you crazy.” Jen smiled.
Scott nodded. “Totally. So, are we good now?”
“Yes. Scott, I really love you. You know that, don’t you?”
“I love you too, otherwise I wouldn’t have been such an asshole. No more.”
“Okay. Where are you taking me for lunch? I’m hungry.” Jen smiled, kissing his cheek.
He winked, making a U-turn. “Call your boss. Tell him we’ll be home late.”
***
“So you have no idea where they went? Or when they’ll be home?”
“Son, stop pacing the floor. What’s with you? Sit,” Dr. Quimby ordered, pointing to the couch next to him. Michael huffed, dropping on the cushion then looking at his watch.
“Michael, she’s with Scott. You know there is nothing to worry about,” Rich said, holding Sam against him on the recliner.
“It’s because she’s with Scott that I’m worried. And the weather sucks,” Michael grumbled.
“Mike, you need to relax. Scott told me he was taking her out somewhere nice because he’s been such a jerk. You trust him, don’t you?”
“Yeah…”
“You’re being a control freak. Now cut it out. It’s not becoming of a Marine Corps officer. Or a soon to be captain,” Dr. Quimby grumbled. Michael and Sam stared at him in surprise.
“What did you say?” Michael asked.
His father grinned, turning the page of his paper. “Did I say something? I can’t remember.”
“When?”
“When what? Oh, that sounds like them,” Dr. Quimby said, looking up at the front door. Jen walked in with Scott behind her, carrying four large bags.
“I thought you hated shopping,” Michael said, kissing Jen.
She shrugged. “I couldn’t say no. Besides, we had nothing else to do while in Vegas because I’m too young to gamble.”
“You went to Vegas?” Sam asked, nosing through the bags.
Scott smiled, handing one to her. “This is yours. Yes, I flew us over there for lunch and then some shopping.”
“Shoes! Oooh…” Sam dug into her bag. She hugged her uncle. “Thank you! Rich, he bought me a new bathing suit and some other things.”
“I picked them out, so you should like them.” Jen smiled, hugging her friend. “Thanks for running interference for me.”
“What is family for? What did you get?”
The two girls went to Jen’s room to go through her bags, leaving the four men alone.
“Well, I gather your apology went over well,” Dr. Quimby stated.
Scott sat on the recliner. “Please remind me how much it costs my wallet when I’m being an asshole, Joe. I’m beat. So, did you tell Mike?”
“Tell him what?” Dr. Quimby teased.
“We submitted your name for promotion and it was accepted. Rich will also be taking position as lead Intel Officer under your dad.”
“That’s awesome! Thank you!” Michael said excitedly.
Rich chuckled. “Congrats, Mike. Now the brat won’t have a reason to question your seniority.”
“Wanna bet? She won’t change a bit, except complain she wants a promo too. The condition was no other promo until they turned twenty-two. Mike is due,” Scott laughed.
“You should have seen her after I got my commission. I was seventeen, and she refused to obey because she said she was a civilian and not under my jurisdiction. She held that opinion even after I got my promo to first at eighteen. Brat.”
“Uh oh. I gather it didn’t change much when she picked up her bars.” Rich grinned.
“Nope. But that was before we reverted back to, uh, other measures to ensure her respect.” Michael chuckled. He looked excited. “Thanks again, you guys. I appreciate it.”
“I think it will help
you a bit in the field, too. After dealing with the other units, you’ll have more authority. So Rich, do you think you can take working both under Scott and me?” Dr. Quimby asked.
“Of course. I guess that means I get to keep Engineering?”
“Absolutely. Michael’s in charge of the full lab unit, as before. You will sub-command Engineering with the additional responsibility of Intel development. Similar to how Sam runs both the Bio labs and Recon. We were going to give you Recon, but the boys refused,” Dr. Quimby laughed. “They said they would love to work with you, but were afraid Sam would kick their butts if they left her unattended. I think they were partially serious.”
“They love her. The whole crew does. I wouldn’t want Recon, to be honest. They are water bound enough that they do need her. Plus, I need the mental challenge.”
“Engineering is a mental challenge,” Scott scoffed.
Rich chuckled, “When you combine it with Intel. Mike and I have been brainstorming.”
“We heard about that idea you had about the chemical emission. I’m looking forward to it. You don’t yell when you’re thinking, do you?” Dr. Quimby wrinkled his brow with concern.
Rich looked straight at him. “Have you ever heard me raise my voice in anger or frustration?”
“Can’t say I have. Good, I could use a quiet thinker. I’m surrounded by loud mouths.”
“Hey, that’s not true,” Scott argued. “Okay, maybe a little. They seem happy.” He thumbed in the direction of giggles.
The men looked up as the girls walked in dressed in new bathing suits. Jen’s was a black one-piece with strips of material cut diagonally, accenting her curves and giving her plump bottom an adorable lift. Michael’s face broke into a huge grin. Sam wore a daring turquoise one piece that was only held together by small chains and strips of fabric. The front strip curved asymmetrically to reveal her new belly button ring that said ‘Brat’ on it (a gift from her uncle). Rich swallowed, feeling himself stir.
“Scott? Since when do you purchase items that make these little girls look like women?” Dr. Quimby said with a firm voice.
Scott shrugged. “Since I had to do everything I could to make amends for being an asshole. Jen wouldn’t let me pick out what I really wanted to get for Sammi.”
“Joe, it was hideous. This man has no fashion sense.”
“He has no sense, period. It’s late, go get ready for bed,” Dr. Quimby signaled to the girls. Giggling like schoolgirls, they left to obey.
“You’ve just taken over Jen, haven’t you?” Michael asked his father and uncle.
“She needed a dad and we gave her two. She has a new sister and a brother as well. Trust me, son, when you’re in the field, she needs this family as it is,” Scott said.
Michael smiled. “I’m not complaining. I’m glad you two love her so much and that she, Rich and Sammi are growing so close. She’s the one for me and I want everything for her that I can offer. You’re part of the package.”
“You’re not planning on moving out anytime soon, are you?” Dr. Quimby asked, looking worried.
Michael laughed. “Are you kidding? I’d be stupid to leave. I have it good here. I will want her moving to my room eventually, though. With a lock on my door to keep you-know-who from barging in at 5:00 every morning.”
“That’s gonna kill your sister. She’s been your early bird since she could climb out of her crib,” Scott commented.
Michael shrugged. “Then she will be getting very embarrassed if we’re in bed. I don’t think Jen would care for it, either.”
“I think Jen is the one to worry about, not Sam. Besides, do you think locks will keep her out?”
“Then we’ll have to incorporate some new rules. Workdays only. She gets up too early on weekends,” Michael said firmly.
“Take that up with her. Rich, you’re awfully quiet,” Dr. Quimby said.
“Just thinking. If Sam and I shared—”
“NO!” both Dr. Quimby and Scott shouted.
Rich raised an eyebrow. “As I was saying, gentlemen, if Sam and I shared a combined work schedule, I could keep a better eye on her and help steer her out of Mike’s way. We could leave earlier and go PT most mornings.”
“That would mean you staying here all week long. What if I don’t want you here all the time?” Scott feigned annoyance.
Rich smiled, his dimples showing. “Scott, if you don’t start being nicer to me, then you will be taking ME shoe shopping.”
Scott was silent, staring. Dr. Quimby and Michael started laughing loudly at the unexpected turn. Scott shot Rich a bird.
“It’s late. I’m going to go say goodnight and then get back to base. I’ll see you all tomorrow, okay?” Rich said, hugging the three. He said good night to Jen, then trotted upstairs to Sam’s room.
“May I come in?” he asked, tapping on the door and opening it. She was sitting on the bed brushing her hair.
“Oh good. Here, get to work,” Sam ordered, handing him the brush. He smacked it against his palm and looked at her.
“Please?” she asked sweetly, catching the hint. Rich sat on the bed and started brushing out the long, thick mane. He spread it like a fan over her back, running his fingers through the silky waves. Grabbing a handful, he pulled her head back into a long, deep kiss.
“I have to go,” he murmured into her throat, running his fingers under her nightshirt and capturing a nipple. She groaned as he squeezed and rolled it between his finger pads before slipping his lips around the pink nub to suck it into his mouth. His fingers found their way to her moist slit and began to ease their way in and out, encircling the swollen clit with his thumb. He forced her to stay sitting, mouth locked on his as his hand tickled and teased her softness.
She was close. Rich glanced at the door and knelt on the floor and pulled her knees to either side of his head, his lips encasing her throbbing kernel. His teeth nipped gently as he used the tip of his tongue to press against the silky flesh. Her fingers gripped his hair as she stiffened under his care, and she grabbed a pillow to fling over her face to prevent her cry from being heard.
Rich grinned, tucking her panting body under the sheets and kissing her mouth. “We both are going to sleep well tonight. I love you.”
Sam just panted in return, still shuddering in afterglow.
CHAPTER SEVEN
It was still storming the following day, forcing the crew to remain inside again. After a long morning of neuroband testing, Rich begged a reprieve. “I’ve had enough for today, if that’s okay.”
Sam went to massage his temples and neck, kissing his cheek. “I know, thinking really hurts engineers, huh?” she teased.
He held up a finger. “Nah uh, you’re already in trouble for the other remark you made about not having electrodes big enough for my head.”
“I was just playing.”
“Tsk, tsk, very disrespectful lieutenant. Even to a junior officer,” he scolded lightly. She ruffled his hair, coming around to face him as she removed the patches. Rich looked up at her and smiled at her seriousness as she stood there in her lab coat and long ponytail. She looked a little drawn too. He grabbed her hand, kissing her palm. “When were you in the water last?”
“A couple of days. Why?”
“You look tired. Mike? Let’s hook her up and compare readings. We might be able to determine the imbalance prior to symptoms.”
“I don’t have time—”
“Sit. That’s an order,” Mike commanded, applying the patches. Sighing, she obeyed. She closed her eyes and relaxed her mind, feeling the pull of the song call to her. She directed it to Rich.
“Your Delta reading just went off the chart! What are you doing?”
“She’s trying to swirl me. It’s so high because I’m blocking her,” Rich stated bluntly. Sam wrinkled her nose, and then altered her thoughts to go in another direction.
Rich broke out in a sweat. “Can’t block this one. Excuse me,” he said, rushing out.
Michael chu
ckled. “Okay Sam, enough. By the way, when you do that, it elevates your Alphas. Let me get your baseline, please. There you go. Bring the Alphas down… there we are. I only see one fluctuation in your Beta that’s different. It’s very consistent, too. Go take a swim and when you’re back, let’s rehook you.”
“Yes, Michael. Do you want to come with me?”
“I can’t, baby. I have to finish that logistics report before the end of the day. Take Rich.”
“Do you think he can handle the dive in this weather?”
“He’s recon trained, remember? Go deep. Let me know if you’re not coming back to the lab.”
“Okay. Please tell him while I get ready; he won’t say no to you.”
“Be careful, Sam.” Jen said with concern.
Sam smiled. “I’m fine. I’m going to take you out with me one of these days. When Mike’s not around to worry like an old grandmother.”
“I’m not that bad.”
“Yes you are,” both girls announced. Michael kissed his sister’s temple, shooing her away.
Sam waited patiently for Rich to join her at the whale tank. Ton swam restlessly, wanting to go into the open water. He reluctantly agreed to transport her ‘mate’ with her to the kelp beds, communicating his displeasure at being left alone without the other land walker to look after her. Sam smiled, imaging how Rich cared for her. Ton, as usual, was not impressed. Chuckling, Sam leaned back with her eyes closed.
“Falling asleep on duty, Lt. Quimby?” Rich’s low voice asked, startling her.
“Just resting my eyes, Lt. Lewis. Did you bring the band?”
“Yes, ma’am. Do you think I’m ready to try it?” Rich asked, adjusting it around his neck.
Sam nodded. “If our findings are correct and your waves are nearly identical to mine, the pod will be able to connect easily. I want you to start with Ton, though. You’ll get sporadic images, like a fast-forwarding movie. Close your eyes and try to slow them down.”
“Is he talking with me?”
“No, that is the input from all the pods within the band’s radius. It’s a bit overwhelming, like being in a crowd of people. You’ll learn how to focus on one voice or, in this case, imaging from one source. Ton, please say something to Rich.”
Healing (General's Daughter Book 5) Page 8
