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“I’ll sleep upstairs. I want to sit with you a while before Jackson tapes my ribs. Do you mind?”
“Of course not.” Only one thing came to mind that he’d like more. The kiss he’d promised her. “Jon and the others will be here soon.”
Cal settled deeper into the cushions. “Close your eyes and relax.” He tugged a blanket from the back of the couch and draped it over Rachelle.
“I still want a kiss,” she murmured. “I’ve wanted one for months.”
“Me, too.” Kissing her tonight depended on how she felt when he escorted her upstairs. Within minutes, Rachelle was asleep.
Rafe glanced over his shoulder. “You’re a lucky man.”
“Not lucky. Blessed beyond belief.” Something he wouldn’t forget.
Ten minutes later, Rafe opened the front door to admit their teammates.
While the operatives unloaded the SUVs, Cal woke Rachelle. “Jon and the others are here.”
Once Jon dropped his gear in his assigned room, the sniper returned to the living room and sat in the recliner across from Rachelle and Cal. “How are you, Rachelle?”
“Not bad.”
He shifted his attention to Cal, his eyebrow raised.
“Ten stitches in her forehead and cracked ribs on the right side.”
With the exception of Jesse, the operatives ranged themselves around the living room.
“What did you learn, Jon?” Eli asked.
“Nothing good. His name is Ray Phillips. He’s an independent operator with a record a mile long.”
Cal frowned. “He planned to cash in on the reward for the women?”
“He wasn’t after the women.” Jon inclined his head toward Rachelle. “Phillips and the others came for her.”
A ball of ice formed in Cal’s stomach. “Why?”
“Rachelle is the target.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Rachelle stared at the operative who’d dropped the bombshell that blew apart the foundations of her world. Jon must be wrong. If not, then she was responsible for the deaths of many people over the past thirty-six hours, some innocent, some not. She drew in a shaky breath. “Are you sure?”
Jon nodded. “I’m sorry.”
“I’m not important to anyone except my family and Fortress.”
Cal tapped her nose gently. “And me. I’m hoping I have my own place in that list.”
Her cheeks burned at the gentle tease from the handsome operative at her side. “A very personal place,” she said, voice so soft only he could hear her response.
He winked at her. “That’s what I wanted to hear.”
Eli rolled his eyes. “If you’re finished flirting with the lady, we have plans to make.”
Rachelle dragged her attention away from Cal. “What kind of plans?”
“Once we confirm the information from Phillips, we have to separate you from Amy and Eric.”
