“Hi. Look, my boyfriend will be back in a moment, and he’s the real jealous type.”
The guy’s glamorous smile widened. “I’m just being friendly. I thought women these days didn’t like Neanderthal tactics from men.”
“Yes, well, we’re complicated.”
He tucked his hands in the pockets of his jeans. “I just have to say, you’re really beautiful.”
“Thanks, but I was born like this, so I can’t really take any credit.”
“Sounds like you’re from New York. You gonna be around here long?”
The hairs on the back of her neck rose. The guy was asking too many questions. Was he just being overly nosy, or was it something else?
“We’re just passing through,” she said. “On our honeymoon.”
The man’s brows rose. “I thought you said he was your boyfriend?”
Shit. She sucked at this undercover thing. “It’s a trial-run honeymoon. Look—”
She saw Cam emerge. His gaze locked on the guy, and his face turned to rock.
Uh-oh. “Ah, here he comes now. Nice chatting.”
Cam stopped behind her. “Go.”
The man stiffened. “I was just being friendly.”
“Go.” Cam’s voice was like gravel.
The younger man puffed up his chest. “Maybe I should teach you some manners.”
Oh, God. Saskia shot to her feet. “Please don’t. He’s former military, it wouldn’t be a fair fight.”
“I’m a vet, too,” the man said. “Did a few years in the Army.”
Cam crossed his arms over his chest and stayed silent.
Saskia turned to him. “Let’s go.”
“What unit were you with?” the man asked. “I was 18th Infantry Regiment.”
Cam pulled out his wallet and tossed some money on the table. He pressed a hand to her lower back.
“Maybe you’re lying about being in the military to impress your woman.”
Saskia rolled her eyes.
“Hey, Fred, got a guy here lying about being a veteran,” the man called out.
Anger sparked. Saskia knew just how much Cam had sacrificed. How much he’d given serving his country, and just how much it had taken from him.
She whipped around.
Cam grabbed her arm. “Hey—”
“No.” She glared at her unwanted admirer. “My man is a hero, asshole. He served his country and he lost his best friend. He isn’t saying anything because he was special forces. He can’t say anything, and he doesn’t go around using it to impress people.”
The man’s smile slipped. Then, he leaned on the back of a stool. “Sounds like a story, doll. I still think you need a real man. One who—”
It happened so fast she barely saw Cam move. He snatched a knife off the table, and threw it.
It hit the stool with a thwack. Right between two of the guy’s fingers.
The man yelped and staggered back, running into another chair. His friends stared, their mouths open.
Saskia shot the idiot a smug smile. Then Cam grabbed the waistband of her jeans and pulled her outside.
“You were supposed to get me if someone approached,” Cam growled.
“No, I said if someone new came into the diner. That idiot was already in there.” She grinned. “That thing with the knife.” She leaned in. “Hot. So hot.” She pressed her hands to his chest and kissed him.
He made a disgruntled sound and kissed her back.
“Get in the truck. The sooner I get you to the safe house the better.”
Cam drove past more vineyards. The sun was setting, turning everything golden, but he spotted the storm clouds gathering on the horizon.
Suited their situation. He felt Mikhailov like clouds on the horizon, too.
He glanced sideways at Saskia. She seemed fine, but there were faint lines around her mouth, and her hands were twisted together in her lap.
He’d get her free of this, one way or another.
His gut cramped. Then what? She’d want to go back to her dancing. And her career was in New York.
His hands clamped on the wheel. He was falling for her. With Saskia, he wanted to be a better man. With her in his arms, all the noise in his head went quiet.
He saw the unmarked turnoff and took the turn.
Saskia sat up straighter, peering ahead. He slowly drove down the long, gravel driveway. Ahead, a huge warehouse building came into view, along with a simple cottage and some sheds.
“What is this place?” she asked.
“Vander bought it about a year ago. It’s a training center. The warehouse is set up for close quarters tactical training. It’s a shoot house. We can train in close quarters and in night vision warfare.”
“Wow.”
“Vander has plans to upgrade it. Rent it out, run courses, but he hasn’t had a chance yet. So, no one knows that Vander owns it.”
Saskia smiled. “I guess he’s been busy this year, and probably didn’t plan to fall in love.”
“I’m pretty sure that was not on his to-do list.”
But Vander had fallen for Brynn. Cam’s hands tightened. Vander was the toughest badass he knew, and he’d finally happily accepted that Brynn was his forever. From watching the pair, Cam had no doubts that Vander was all in with Brynn.
Cam had been so sure when he got back to San Francisco that love was beyond him. Then he’d seen Saskia, and he’d been fighting his feelings ever since.
He cut the engine, climbed out, and opened the old garage beside the cottage. A gray Chevy Colorado was parked inside. He pulled their truck in beside it.
“Let’s get inside.” Night was falling and the temperature was dropping. “Warning, the cottage is very simple, and in dire need of renovation.”
He carried their bags inside while Saskia carried the grocery bags of food they’d nabbed in Sonoma.
The incident at the diner still worried him. If anyone was looking for them, asking around, and those idiots talked…
Cam shook his head. This training center was secure. It had a state-of-the-art security system, with sensors around the perimeter. It was linked to his phone, so he’d know as soon as anyone entered the grounds.
The cottage wasn’t fancy. There was a simple kitchen and living area, three bedrooms—two filled with bunks for when a group of them came out to train. One had a queen bed, and he set their bags down in there, while Saskia put the food away in the fridge.
“Home sweet home,” she said.
There was a faint edge to her words. “How are you holding up?”
She nodded. “Fine.” She managed a smile. “I have an entire team of badasses protecting me.” She walked up to him and kissed his jaw. “And my very own badass taking very special care of me.”
He hugged her, drawing in her scent.
“I won’t lie though,” she said. “I can’t wait for it to be over.”
He knew she meant the situation with Mikhailov, but it still felt like he’d taken a knife to the gut. Did that mean him, too? Was she desperate to get back to her normal life?
She’s hugging you, you idiot. So that probably doesn’t include you.
He really needed to get his head on straight. He was here to keep her safe. Everything else had to wait.