Safeguarding Kelly(20)
Author: Zoe Dawson

 

“cality?

 

“Yeah. That’s what Mommy says.” He bet Kelly said it a lot. She folded her arms and that wasn’t a good sign. She was digging in her heels.

 

Matching wits with a half-pint angel was making him break out in a sweat. “I tell you what. I’ll get you a shirt with a polar bear on it for next time. Deal?” This way he could keep the peace with Mommy Kelly.

 

“Deal.” She reached out her hand and he finally laughed and shook. “Seals the deal,” he murmured.

 

She narrowed her eyes suspiciously. “What do seals have to do with it?”

 

He swung her into his arms, flipped her over, and carried her out of the room. “I’ll explain it to you later.”

 

He watched them disappear down the street, then turned and went back into the house, his expression turning grim. It was time to take care of business. They still had a killer to hunt.

 

He went upstairs and got into the shower, but as soon as he’d rinsed his hair, the door flew open and Kelly stood there disheveled, sleep still heavy on her, her face frantic. “Where’s Kiko?”

 

He shut off the water and reached for a towel, wrapping it around his waist, he pushed back the shower curtain and tucked it in. “Easy. She’s gone to the zoo.”

 

“The zoo? Oh, right, Jennifer.” She breathed out a sharp, relieved breath. “Wait, did she eat?”

 

“Yeah, I fixed her pancakes. Blueberry with a happy face.”

 

Her mouth curved up. “That’s a lot of work for a weekday.”

 

He smiled. “She said you had them every day.”

 

“That little monster. She knows how to get her way, even with her tough old grandpa. Don’t believe everything she tells you.”

 

Kelly ran her hands through her hair. “I forgot to set my alarm.” She poked him in his wet, bare chest. “Your fault.” It caused the silky material of her robe to shift enticingly across her breasts. Her nipples puckered, and he slowly dragged his gaze from her chest, back up to her face.

 

Then she seemed to come to her senses as the steam escaped the bathroom and it cooled off. His nipples went to points. Her eyes widened. “Geez, I’m so sorry to barge in here like this. I’m not used to my baby being cared for by someone else.”

 

“I get it. I’m certainly not modest and you’ve seen everything I have, sweetheart.”

 

“Jason—”

 

“You are so beautiful in the morning.” Unable to resist temptation, he brushed his knuckles down her cheek. She caught his wrist, and her small hand encircled it.

 

She sighed. “We don’t have time for anything,” she pulled his hand away and gave an exaggerated huff. “I got a call, and I heard your cell ringing before I stumbled sleepily in here. There’s a meeting we have to attend in thirty minutes.”

 

He jerked her into his arms and captured her mouth for a quick, glorious kiss. Then he let her go. “We better shake a leg then, angel.” Her robe was now damp from his body, and he turned her around and slapped her on the butt. “Move it.”

 

With a soft sound between indignation and amusement, she turned to look at him, her eyes dancing. “Keep it up, Hollow.”

 

He gave her a little shove out the door and closed it, chuckling.

 

“Keep it up,” she murmured, her footsteps retreating down the hall. With a semi-erect dick, he turned toward the sink to shave, chuckling again when he recalled the way Kiko had giggled when she’d touched his stubble. The woman was as cute and irresistible as her daughter, but in a much more grown-up, sexy way.

 

Back at NCIS with him dressed in a green polo and dark jeans and Kelly looking gorgeous in a tight-fitting cranberry dress and black heels, they entered the conference room and took seats along with Austin, Derrick, and Davis. NCIS Special Agent in Charge, Kai Talbot entered the room with their CGIS Special Agent in Charge, Bobby Stern.

 

“Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. We have been given the go-ahead to form a special task force to hunt down the person responsible for murdering our medical personnel. People who risk their lives to keep us all safe,” Bobby said. He turned to Kai and continued. “Supervisory Special Agent Talbot will be taking point and CGIS will be completely cooperative.”

 

Talbot stood and said, “We have released an alert to all medical personnel in San Diego to exert caution in conducting their business. Let’s get out there and bring this person to justice.”

 

Derrick turned to Jason. “Why don’t you take Carla’s fiancé and Austin, and I’ll talk to her commanding officer.”

 

“Sounds like a plan.”

 

“If you gentlemen will excuse me. I have autopsies to perform.”

 

“Later Wholigan,” Austin said, and he and Derrick got up and left.

 

Davis rose. “How are things going with her? That unfinished business?”

 

“Coming along. We’ll see how it goes.”

 

He smiled. “I’m pulling for you, man.”

 

They went out to the main office and Amber rose from her desk as Carla’s picture came up on the screen.

 

“Looks like the victim’s fiancé works at the Naval Medical Center San Diego complex or for short NMCSD. He’s a GP. I’ve already texted the address to your phones.”

 

Located on Coronado, the complex was a sprawling, full-service set of offices that handled everything from Dermatology to OB/GYN.

 

They entered his office and flashed their badges to the receptionist, who said, “He’s busy with a patient.”

 

“We need to speak with him now. Could you let him know?”

 

She came to the desk from the back and said, “Come with me.” She led them to his office, and they sat down. Soon afterward, Dr. Wilson Sumner came in.

 

“I’m really busy. What is this all about?”

 

“You might want to have a seat, sir. I’m afraid we have some bad news,” Jason said.

 

“What bad news?” he said impatiently.

 

“Do you know Carla Hudson?”

 

“Yes, of course. She’s my fiancé. We’re getting married next month.” His face went pale, and he took a step forward. “Has something happened to her?”

 

“She’s been murdered,” Davis said.