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Right or wrong, I didn’t think, I just leaned over, pressed a hard kiss on her mouth, and straightened before she could mouth off, or worse, punch me in the balls. Unlike Cash, I had plans to make future babies.
“Call him, KK,” I ordered.
Without giving Nebraska time to overthink, Kira connected the call immediately, demonstrating why we called her Kid Genius. Not only was she a whiz with her computer she also had a deep understanding of what happens when you analyze and dissect situations until you’re paralyzed with indecision.
“I’m still in my study, Mrs. Cain.” Charlie’s deep voice filled the room.
Kira had said the man wasn’t happy about having a cyber babysitter and she hadn’t exaggerated. The guy sounded pissed.
Next to me Nebraska sat statue-still. Not a breath. Not a blink. Nothing.
Fucking shit. This was not a good idea.
I shook my head at Kira, hoping she’d catch my hint and make up some bullshit excuse why she was calling. Kira returned my gesture and did the exact opposite of what I wanted her to do.
“You’re on speaker with the team.”
“Whose team, yours or my daughter’s?”
Nebraska jolted at the question.
“I’m at the office with Silver,” Nebraska answered, then looked at Kira. “This line is secure, correct?”
“Of course.” KK scoffed.
Nebraska launched straight to the point.
“I need you to go to the safehouse Dutch offered.”
“Nebraska—”
“Maddon’s feeling the pressure. He’s off script. I didn’t anticipate him moving so quickly which means he’s desperate. He won’t be able to get to Amani so he’ll target you. Two birds—he takes you and he has me. He knows you’re the only way to me.”
“Am I?” Charlie asked, sounding like he genuinely wanted the answer.
No. The man needed the answer and he needed it to be in the affirmative.
Nebraska didn’t take the bait.
Cold as ice she went on. “This shouldn’t take more than a few weeks. Now that I’m back in the States he can’t use his GB team and that hit he put out on me won’t stand. It’s one thing to take me out OCONUS but he won’t risk it now. Silver has me covered and if I need I can call Bishop and he’ll send backup. You’re the only loose end and I need you covered.”
I figured it wasn’t the right time to tell her the use of acronyms was a turn on and her Ice Queen was sexy as hell as long as it wasn’t aimed in my direction.
“You mean Easton Spears has you covered.” There was a thread of concern in his tone but not aggression, which meant Nebraska’s next response was over the top.
“Yes, father, Easton has me covered,” she seethed. “And in case you care, Smith’s had his back while he’s seen to me.”
“I knew he’d—”
“Take care of me,” she spat back as she leaned into the table.
I glanced around the room, taking in varying expressions of concern on my teammates’ faces. Except Zane. He was smiling. Linc was staring at the table in front of him with a frown and deep lines between his eyebrows.
“Why don’t we discuss this in private?” Charlie suggested.
That was the wrong thing to ask. Nebraska’s reaction was to reach over, take my hand, lace our fingers, and test the limits of her strength. I was fucking thrilled she’d reached out to me for comfort. I was not happy she looked like she was ready to go ballistic.
It was not the freeze-out that worried me. She has a loose hold of her emotions and I couldn’t blame her, but when she was done with her father and came back to herself I didn’t want her embarrassed or ashamed for doing it in front of the team. The feeling would be irrational, but she’d repeatedly said emotions were weak. I hadn’t had enough time to convince her the opposite was true; showing your emotions was a sign of strength and courage. Any asshole could mask how they felt. It took a fuckton of bravery to be true to yourself and honest with your reactions.
