She breathed a sigh of relief. Since she hadn’t said it out loud, she could still leave her protector’s ranch if her uncle was gone too long, and she sensed he needed help.
Uncle Tom kissed her forehead and when he stepped to the side, her godfather appeared in front of her and drew her into a bear hug.
“Don’t think I didn’t notice you never verbally promised,” he whispered in her ear. “Whatever you’re planning to do—don’t.” A spark of admiration lit his blue eyes when he drew back. But he didn’t release her. “Promise me you’ll listen to O’Neal,” he said loud and clear, for all to freakin’ hear. “And none of that nodding. I want verbal confirmation.”
Dammit.
Sneaky SOG was too damned astute.
“Let me guess,” she said instead. “He was one of your SEALs, too, wasn’t he?”
“Chief Petty Officer O’Neal served under both of us at one time or another,” her godfather confirmed, then cocked his head and grinned. “I still didn’t hear that promise.”
Mother Francis…
Fine. “I promise.”
Now she was going to have to stay with the damn frog, because she never welched on a promise…and her uncle and godfather both knew it.
Fed up with alpha males for the moment, she glanced over at Brooke. The woman stood talking to Sadie and smiling at the baby. That alone was enough to get her to cross the room.
“You okay?” Brooke asked, when she approached.
Kat snorted. “Swell. I needed some fresh air, and to recharge in a testosterone-free zone.”
Sadie chuckled. “Honey, you’re out of luck in these parts, thanks to my husband’s brainchild, and all its agents.”
Kat glanced over at her uncle and godfather, and their pet SEAL. Or was he their pet frog? No matter, he was conditioned to do as they ordered, so any chance she had of appealing to his sympathetic side was shot to hell.
“You know,” Sadie said. “As far as babysitters go, yours isn’t so bad.”
She lifted a shoulder. “He is kind of hot.”
Brooke nodded. “Sort of reminds me of this Special Forces guy I met during a joint op in Columbia a few years ago.”
Curiosity completely piqued, Kat moved closer. “Yeah?” Brooke never talked about men. Ever. Not even the ones she dated. “What was he like?”
Her friend’s smile widened. “Italian.”
“Oh.” Sadie winked. “That is a sexy language. I had to learn some for this movie once, but I kept losing my concentration whenever the tutor opened his mouth.”
Brooke flicked her long ponytail over her shoulder. “Tell me about it. All Ezio had to do was say hello in Italian and I’d lose my train of thought.”
“Damn. The name Ezio alone makes my ovaries hurt.” Kat sighed. “I take it the two of you celebrated an op well done.”
The competent agent lived her life uninhibited, and Kat suspected it wasn’t just on the battlefield.
But Brooke’s expression turned rueful. “No. That’s just it. I fought the attraction, and we parted ways when the op ended.”
“That’s too bad,” Sadie said.
“Do you regret it?” Kat asked.
“Sometimes,” Brooke admitted. “So, I want you to promise me something.”
Kat groaned, “Not you, too?”
The woman’s gaze bore deep. “Promise me that if you find you really like this guy, you’ll take a chance and do what I was too afraid to. Be stronger than me.”
That statement didn’t compute.
Brooke was the strongest woman Kat had ever met. Confident. Lethal. Capable. So the appearance of regret in her eyes was rare and foreign. Kat respected it. And the woman.
“I promise.” But since she was only going to spend a few days, maybe a week, with her hot babysitter, and had plenty of canvases to cover, nothing was going to happen.
Besides, the guy had served under her godfather and uncle. She knew all about the brotherhood code. No way would the man touch her with a ten foot pine. Or oak. Or any of the trees dotting the land. Attraction or not.
The whole conversation was pointless.
She glanced over at the frog in question, still deep in discussion with his former commanders. It was a shame, really. For the first time in a long time—okay, first time since she last saw him, her body reacted strongly to a man, and he was off limits.
He was better left to her fantasies. They got on really well in her fantasies.
Doing her best to keep them at bay, she watched Uncle Tom set a hand on O’Neal’s shoulder. A second later, his head jerked back and shock widened his eyes, before Brogan turned that gaze on her.
“What in the world could they have said to the poor guy?” Sadie’s chuckle joined Brooke’s and mixed with the male snickers on the other side of the room.
“That was undoubtedly the result of my uncle’s warning him to keep his little frog out of my pond or they were going to string him up by his short hairs.”
Too bad. She was beginning to warm up to the thought of being stuck on a remote ranch with the sexy frogman. The only bright spot in the whole crappy situation. Well, that and the prospect of painting again.
Maybe she could paint him.
Literally.
Her confinement just took on a whole new level of frustration.
Chapter Three
Brogan expected both commanders to give him the “hands off” speech where Kat was concerned. He knew the score. Always followed the code. No messing with family. So when Commander Crawford spouted the complete opposite, he nearly gave himself whiplash.
“Sir?” Brogan pulled his gaze from the sexy woman staring at him from across the room, and settled it back on the smiling man. Was his former CO beginning to succumb to the pressure he was under? “Say again, sir?”
Crawford’s chuckle echoed that of Commander Knight. “You heard me correctly.” He squeezed Brogan’s shoulder before releasing him. “Since you’re no longer active duty, I said you didn’t have to worry about the code. As far as I’m concerned, with you it’s null and void. I remember the way you used to look at her photo in my office. So, if you two happen to hit it off while you’re sequestered on the mountain, don’t let me get in the way.”
He blinked, totally at a loss. “I don’t understand. Why would you do that, sir?”
“Make no mistake, O’Neal, I wouldn’t give just anyone my blessing.” A frown removed the "humanity” from his face, turning the guy back into the ruthless commander Brogan recognized. “And if you hurt her, I’ll puree your nuts in a blender and feed them to you through a straw, because you won’t have any damn teeth left in your mouth.”
Now that was the threat he’d expected…only, it was supposed to follow the “hands off” speech, not the “go ahead” one.
What the hell? Was this some kind of test?
He bounced his gaze from Hank to his men, noting their expressions ranged from amused to confused. Damn—could he relate.
“Look, O’Neal. Don’t sweat it,” Crawford said. “I just wanted you to know where I stood should the occasion arise. If it doesn’t, that’s fine. No big deal. You’re one of the few men I feel is worthy of my niece. And…” the man paused and blew out a breath, but remained silent.
“And what, sir?” he prompted, his gut telling him he wasn’t going to like the answer.
“And I wanted you to know that in case I don’t return,” Crawford replied.
Shit. Yeah, he definitely didn’t want to hear that.
“So, do we have an understanding?” The commander’s gaze was direct and unyielding.
Yeah, he understood. Commander Crawford wanted to make sure his niece had someone to turn to, someone to have her back, someone to care about her in case he died during his pursuit of the extremist.
The first two were no brainers. Brogan had no problem with them. It was the third one he couldn’t promise. That would require opening his heart.
Last time he did that, he’d ended up married. Then d
ivorced, with barely a shard of his shattered heart remaining. But he’d do his best to ease the commander’s fears.
“Yes, sir.”
It wasn’t a lie. If Crawford didn’t return, he would do his best to take care of the woman. But the man was too cantankerous to die, or fail. So, Brogan was already pretty much off the hook.
Besides, there was an even slimmer chance the woman would be interested in a former SEAL from Montana. She already admitted she liked the beach. He did, too, but he also loved the mountains. This was his home. His grandfather had pegged him right. Montana was in his blood. Since he’d promised not to rejoin the teams, he wasn’t leaving it for anyone.
Once upon a time, he’d curbed the things he wanted in life to please a woman. He’d foolishly catered to Marley’s every whim, because he felt guilty about dragging her from base to base, and leaving her on a moment’s notice, without divulging where he was going.
All it had gotten him was betrayed.
Never again.
“Good.” The commander nodded. “With that said, I’m counting on your survival skills and knowledge of the land to keep her safe and out of enemy hands, should they manage to track her down.”
“Yes, sir.”
“And do not, under any circumstances, underestimate her abilities,” Crawford warned. “Naval Intelligence hated to lose her, but she resigned to take care of my mother when round-the-clock supervision was required. Kat refused to let a stranger do it. She was a damn good NIO. Never forget, she is an asset, not a liability. If you come under fire, let her help. Her sniper skills rival the best.”
Brogan raised a brow.
“Yes,” Commander Knight spoke up. “Even yours.”
Damn, he’d have to see that to believe it.
“Hopefully, you won’t have a reason to find out for yourself,” Crawford said, as if reading his thoughts. “Knight and his agency will help me rid the world of this monster, then Kat will be free to leave.”
“Yes, sir.” With both those men on the trail, there would be no other outcome.
“We need to push off.” Crawford shook his hand one last time. “I’ll be in touch.”
Brogan didn’t bother to ask how. Crawford was a man of many means, and twice as many surprises. He hid a smile as he watched the guy shake hands with the other men.
“He left out one very important point.” Command Knight stepped close, purposely eating up his personal space.
“What’s that, sir?” he asked.
“Katharina is nothing like Marley.”
Not only did that not matter, it didn’t warrant a comment. And although he wanted to step back with every fiber of his being, Brogan remained rigid and completely still.
“You’ll do well to remember that,” Knight said, his gaze direct, and damned uncomfortable, and Brogan nearly let out a sigh of relief when the man moved back and held out his hand. “I’ve no reason to repeat any of Crawford’s orders. You’ve got this. But I do think his advice to Kat about treating this like a vacation was on point. A very cautious, heavily armed one. But, Kat likes the outdoors. Keep her busy. Don’t just let her paint. Show her why a Navy SEAL would make Montana his home.”
“Will do, sir.”
Five minutes later, he stood by the large living room window with the others, watching the chopper lift off and disappear out of sight.
“I’m sure everything will be all right,” Sadie said to Kat. “Why don’t you come upstairs with me and I’ll pack you a suitcase.”
Kat frowned. “Suitcase?”
“I’m guessing you can’t have more than a change or two of clothes in the backpack you dropped by the door.” Sadie cocked her head. “At least, I’m assuming it’s yours.”
“Yeah.” Kat nodded. “It’s mine. And you’re right. There’s…not many clothes in it. My godfather wisely neglected to tell me I was going to be staying in Montana for an undisclosed amount of time, twiddling my thumbs while they hunted bad guys.”
Sadie chuckled. “You never would’ve gotten on the chopper.”
“Damn straight,” she said, her brown eyes flashing fire. Brogan could feel the heat clear across the room. “I need protection about as much as Hank’s men.”
Hank grinned. “Rest assured, we’d all feel the same way. But we’d also have the good sense, as you did, to allow your uncle the ability to do his job with a clear head and no distractions.”
“Exactly why I’m still here,” she said. “With a bunch of art supplies, a shit-ton of worry, and little else.”
“Well, I can take care of that.” Sadie set a hand on Kat’s back and led her toward the stairs. “Let’s go shopping in my closet.”
Swede sidled up to him after the women disappeared upstairs. “So…your first assignment with Brotherhood is with Crawford’s niece.”
“Yeah.” He shrugged. “So?”
“The one we watched grow up on his credenza.”
“Still don’t see where this is going.”
“The niece we were never to give a passing glance or he threatened to sling us up the flagpole by our dicks.”
Hank chuckled. “Crawford sure could get colorful.”
“Yeah, but the commander was serious. And now, poor Sonic is not only going to glance at her, he’s going to shack up with her, alone, at his secluded cabin.” Swede scratched his jaw.
“I’m just going to watch over her,” he said, not liking where this was going.
Swede nodded. “Yeah.”
“Not touch her.” His annoyance level was fast reaching it’s peak.
Swede just stared at him while the others nodded.
He muttered a curse. “I’m not.”
“Of course not.” The bastard was pushing it.
He clenched his fists. “I mean it.”
“I know.”
“Then why the hell are you all grinning?”
“Because the rest of us are in solid relationships,” Swede replied.
“That’s great. Good for you,” he said. “What the hell does that have to do with me and this assignment?”
Swede folded his arms across his chest. “It’s your first one with BP.”
“Yeah. So?” He shrugged.
A smirk crossed the blond hulk’s face. “So, we know something you don’t.”
“And that is?”
Swede leaned closer. “Each of us fell for the woman we protected on our first assignments.”
“Wait…we did?” Bear frowned, glancing at each man before a big grin curved his mouth. “I’ll be damned. You’re right, Swede!” A large hand cupped Brogan’s shoulder. “Enjoy what’s left of your bachelorhood, frogman.”
He shook the idiot off. “My bachelorhood is just fine.”
“But not for long,” his DF buddy spoke up.
“Ah, Taz, not you, too?”
“Sorry, Sonic.” Taz shrugged. “Statistics aren’t in your favor. BP is seven for seven.”
“Then I guess I’ll be breaking that streak,” he said, walking to the corner to start loading the art supplies into his truck.
“Whatever you say, Sonic. But we all witnessed what happened when the two of you shook hands. Hell, the temperature in the room shot up ten degrees.”
Hank grabbed the easel and followed him outside. “He’s right, Brogan. I was standing next to you and saw the whole thing.”
Tired of the stupid conversation, he clamped his jaw and descended the steps. No reason to answer. It’d only feed the fire. He opened his truck and dropped the canvases on the back seat while Hank opened the passenger door and finagled the easel inside.
“She felt it too, you know.” His buddy’s gaze met his across the cab. “Whatever passed between you, she felt it too.”
Why the hell that made his pulse race, Brogan refused to dissect. And he sure as hell wasn’t about to comment on it. Pivoting around, he intended to head inside to fetch the rest of Kat’s stuff when Taz exited the house with the remaining supplies, followed by Swede, lugging a large suitcase,
then Sadie, laughing at something Kat said to…the baby she cradled in her arms?
If Swede had danced on his toes down the steps wearing nothing but a pink tutu, Brogan couldn’t have been more shocked. Which was damn stupid. Lots of women held babies. It was not big deal. Kat holding Emily should not have that effect on him.
So why did it feel as if all the air suddenly was sucked from his lungs and shot into the atmosphere?
***
The more distance her elite protector put between them and the Pattersons, the better Kat felt. If the person, or people, making threats showed up in Eagle Rock, she wanted them on her trail, not anyone else’s.
Especially baby Emily’s.
“You okay?” Brogan glanced sideways at her.
She nodded. “Yeah. Why?”
He held her gaze another second before returning his attention to the road. “Hank can take care of his own, if need be.”
So, he was hot and a mind reader.
A mind bender, too.
She couldn’t think straight when he was near. Being cooped in the cab of his truck upped her internal temperature to molten, and sent her pulse to Mach speed.
She cleared her dry throat. “I just don’t want there to be a need be. It’s bad enough I’ve been dropped in your lap, and am about to disrupt your…life.” She nearly included “love” in that sentence. Lord, what was her problem? She felt strange, and was acting out of character. Perhaps it was the mountain air. That had to be it. The altitude. Must be, because his personal life was none of her business. “I’ll apologize now if I cause trouble between you and your girlfriend.”
Dammit.
She was highly trained. Lethal in hand-to-hand, and firearms. Possessed a high IQ. A master at burying emotions. So why the hell was she so freakin’ pathetic around this man?
That’s all he was. A man. She met his mesmerizing gaze, again. Okay. He wasn’t just any man. He was the sexy man she’d crushed on for years.
This could be a good thing, she silently reasoned. It would give her chance to get to know the real guy, and not the one who lived in her fantasies. For all she knew, he was a pompous jerk, with bad hygiene, and no respect for animals.
Brotherhood Protectors: Elite Protector (Kindle Worlds Novella) Page 3
