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The following week was bittersweet. Bitter in that there was still no word about her mom. Sweet in that she’d spent quality time hanging out with Brendan and making love to him every night. She grew more infatuated by the day. Everything from his refreshing view of the world to his travel ambitions to his favorite foods intrigued her. She supposed that’s what happens when you fall in love for real. You like the person more with each waking moment rather than less.
Genevieve padded into their villa’s kitchen wearing jeans and the same baby blue blouse, one of only four shirts she had tucked into her cut-and-run duffel.
Brendan’s head popped up from some legal documents he was scouring while sitting on a stool at the bar.
She braced her arms against the gold-speckled granite countertop. “Any progress?”
“Yeah, I think we’re getting closer to making a case. Manning, Quill, and I are meeting with the FBI and Drug Enforcement Administration in thirty minutes. You’re more than welcome to join us in the meeting. They probably want to hear from you directly anyway.”
She shivered. “I’ll pass on joining in until you really need me. I don’t want to hear all the awful things Marshal’s done. Any word on my mom?”
“No, Gen, I’m sorry, nothing. We’ve notified everyone we can, but…” Brendan shook his head. “We’ll never stop looking.”
She gnawed on her lip. Where are you, Momma? Please be somewhere safe. “I’m sorry you’ve had to stop focusing on your job to help me with all this.”
“Other than security, I’m not worried about my business right now. There are plenty of people at BC King handling the work. I’ve contacted HR and put in for a sabbatical. My full focus will remain on everyone’s safety until this is over.”
The sacrifices Brendan made were incredible. He cared about so many people and now they were at risk. He’d had to up the private security to protect his family and friends as well as the employees within BC King Enterprises.
Genevieve twiddled her thumbs, watching him work. Given all he’d done, her stir-craziness felt incredibly selfish.
Brendan eyed her, arching a brow. “You okay?”
“If I’m being completely honest?—”
“I’d prefer that you always are with me, even if you don’t think I’ll like what you throw at me.”
Nodding, she continued, “I’m getting a bit antsy. The training with Pansy helps, but I’m taking my first day off to rest my muscles. I think I’ll head down to the shopping area.”
Brendan released a stout exhale. What did he think her issue was? Him? As if! When would he truly believe that she wanted him, and nothing would change that?
“I can go with you?” he offered. “After the meeting with the FBI.”
She laughed. “Yeah, I’m sure combing the women’s racks is on the top of your list.”
“Gen, I’ll do anything with you. It’s never about what we’re doing. You know that.”
She’d learned that about him. He really didn’t care what the activity was. They’d baked together, to which she’d taught him to make her favorite decorative frosted sugar cookies while he botched the designs; played chess, to which he taught her some secret moves while she lost astronomically; and on and on, switching off on activity choices. Her creative skills came to life while his analytical ones did, and somehow, their differences meshed to enhance the allure of their relationship.
But right now, she suspected Brendan really needed uninterrupted time to work on their case. Quill, Manning, and his crew were all powerful brains, but Brendan added a layer of genius to solving problems that mesmerized them all.
A frown cut across his face. “Do you feel comfortable going alone?”
“Yeah, I finally stopped looking over my shoulder every time I go downstairs.”
“Be sure to take your weapons.” Brendan brushed a hand through his floppy brown locks. “I can’t believe I just said that. Never thought I’d feel more comfortable if you were armed than if you weren’t, but I guess I am now.”
She winked. “That’s my man. I can take care of myself. You just have to believe in me.”
“I do, but I also think you’re impulsive, and I worry about what you’ll do sometimes.”
She scoffed, crossing her arms. “And you aren’t?”
Brendan tightened his eyes. “I think things through, Genevieve, and you should, too. No risky decisions. Come find me if you need to bounce something off me, and I’ll do the same.”
“Oh, really?” Quill interjected, trouncing down the stairs. “Like you did me before you flash-banged Marshal’s casino?” He walked across the room and plopped onto the stool next to Brendan’s, piercing him with a glare. “You called and bounced that idea off me, did you?”
Brendan gritted his teeth. “Dude, you’re not helping me out here.”
