“My pleasure. Fuse, as a precaution, take someone else with you. Whoever you want.”
He wanted to push back, but he’d already decided to have someone shadow them. “No problem. You ready, Brit?” Fuse held out his hand, surprised when she took it.
Before heading outside, he checked his Sig 9MM, confirming his MK3 Navy issued knife was in its sheath, and signaled for Gunner to join them. Touching his earpiece, he announced they were leaving the house.
When Brittany began to go first, Fuse grabbed her arm. “I go first. You’re next, and Gunner behind. We’ll walk together, so stick right with me. Come on.”
Sig in his hand, Fuse walked onto the porch first, checking around them before taking the steps to the ground. He motioned for Brittany to join him, knowing Gunner would have their six.
Taking her hand again, he headed to the side of the house where the owners had planted a garden of native plants. Trumpet vine, butterfly weed, and rain lily were interspersed with flowering ground cover.
“It’s lovely, Scott. Someday, I hope to have a garden just like this one.”
“You may have to use different plants in Phoenix.”
“Oh, I won’t be working for the senator forever. No more than a couple years. My dream has always been to teach. High school or maybe at a community college in one of the smaller towns. Payson, Pine Top, Liberty Lake. Someplace with a change of seasons. I’ll buy a small house and have a garden just like this one.”
Fuse listened, wanting to speak up, tell her she belonged with him, in the house he’d renovated for her. They’d have children, and there’d be plenty of space for gardens. Flowers, vegetables, and fruit, whatever she wanted. Instead, he squeezed her hand and continued walking.
“I didn’t know they had a barn.” She tugged him toward it. “It’s a little small, isn’t it?”
“A lot of people around here have storage buildings designed as barns. I doubt this one is for horses.” Dropping her hand, he opened the double doors. “Nope. No stalls. They could be added for maybe two horses. Whoever built this place could afford to add on if they want more.”
Closing the doors, he slipped his hand into hers. He walked along a flagstone trail, all the while keeping watch, the same as Gunner. It opened to a small clearing where a fountain and benches had been installed.
“The perfect spot to relax and read with a cup of coffee. Can’t you just picture it?”
“Uh, sure.”
Catching his gaze, she pierced him with a genuine smile, the one he’d loved so much when they’d first met. “You could do something like this at your house, Scott. When you marry, your wife would love it.”
Tightening his grip on her hand, he looked at Gunner, signaling him with a lift of his chin he wanted a little privacy. A knowing grin showed on his friend’s face before he moved several feet away, turning his back to them.
Turning her to face him, he gripped her shoulders. “Stop.”
Blinking several times, her brows drew together. “Stop what?” The smile had disappeared, her arms going around her middle.
She gave a slow shake of her head. “I know you are seeing someone. Linda, is it? And you built the house for a wife and family. I don’t know why it angers you when I mention it.”
Blowing out a harsh breath, he dragged her against him. “Don’t be dense. It’s not a secret I renovated the house for you, Brit.”
His mouth descended on hers. The kiss was hard, quick, almost punishing in its intensity. Lifting his head, he set her aside.
Fuse said nothing, making her think he regretted such an impulsive action. At least the only one who knew he’d kissed her was Gunner. What imprinted on her brain was Fuse’s last words.
I renovated the house for you, Brit.
She wanted to ask if he meant it. Did he spend hundreds of hours constructing a home in the image of their dream from years ago? Instead of questioning him, she stayed silent, letting him lead her around the house to the front.
Along the way, he stopped to talk with the men on guard. As they discussed keeping her safe, Brittany continued to dwell on his comment about the house. Until then, he’d been firm about not returning to the past. Clear there’d be no second chance beyond a few sweet nights in bed. When the op was over, so were they.
His comment indicated something else. It spoke of a reconnection, if not a promise for a future together.
“Ready to get back inside, Brit?” Grabbing her hand, he didn’t wait for a response before continuing along the path to the steps to the front porch. Stopping, he let go of her hand, taking one more look around as the sun began to set.
“When do you think they’ll attack your house?” She hated to think of the beautiful home being gutted by gunfire, overrun by men who thought nothing of killing and destroying.
“After midnight. If it were me, I’d wait for two or three in the morning when the people around and inside would be at their most vulnerable.” He looked at her and grinned. “That’s when I do my best work.”
She couldn’t help the bubble of laughter. He’d always been able to turn the worst situation into a reason to smile.
“Let’s get inside. I want to monitor the comms. Even though I’d attack after midnight, it doesn’t mean the Devils and Russians aren’t thinking something else.”
Brittany followed him inside, although she wanted to stay on the porch to enjoy the sunset. She knew everything he did was to keep her safe. As much as she wanted to rail against the forced confinement, Brittany wasn’t that woman. Someone who threw herself into possible danger for the sake of having her way.
“Can I stay with you?” The question came out before she could stop it.
Those few words made her sound weak, vulnerable. Neither acceptable when it came to Fuse. She already felt exposed. Knew she’d be released back into her normal life in Phoenix when the danger was contained. Alone again, without the man she loved more than her own life.
“Sure. You might want to grab coffee or a soda, Brit. This isn’t exciting stuff. I’ll take a soda.”
Thrilled to not be shoved back into the room, she headed to the kitchen, grabbing two sodas from the refrigerator. Fargo was making dinner for everyone. A huge pot of spaghetti. It smelled great.
“Hmmm…”
Fargo gave her a lopsided grin. “It’s my mom’s recipe. I had to cut it down ‘cause it feeds an army.”
“Large family?”
“Nah. Mom just doesn’t know how to make less. I’ll shout out when it’s ready.”
Gripping the cans of soda, she headed back to the office where Fuse was already deep into his work. “Here you go, Scott.”
He didn’t look up before taking it from her hand. “Thanks, babe.”
Brittany’s stomach clenched at the endearment. She reminded herself he probably used it all the time with the women he’s seeing. Someone like the mysterious Linda. The thought turned her stomach.
“This screen shows the cameras around my house.” He indicated one of the four screens attached to the wall. “You can see the men patrolling their assigned areas.”
“Do you know them?” Brittany asked.
“Most of those outside the house are Kell’s. The ones inside are Eternal Brethren. Rock, Ghost, Wrangler. Rock and Ghost transported us from my place to here.”