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“Yeah, yeah.” He preferred to keep his stomach lining intact. “Any news from Zane?”
“Nothing definitive, but he and Brent believe moving Rachelle is best for Eric’s sake.”
“Location?”
“Ten miles to the east.”
“Another safe house?”
“Not officially. The sheriff is letting us stay at his family’s ranch. He and his brothers, all deputies and former military, will provide backup for both teams until Brent can make other arrangements.”
Cal sipped his coffee and manfully held back a shudder at the bitter taste. Man, Eli must have tripled the amount of grounds he dumped in the basket with this pot. He swallowed and congratulated himself for maintaining his composure. “How soon?”
“Tomorrow morning, as soon as Rachelle is ready to leave.”
“I need to buy clothes for her in Chesapeake Falls after my shift.”
Eli’s eyebrows rose. “She trusts your taste in clothes?”
“I didn’t give her a choice. I don’t want her face on security cams.” He returned to the living room and took a position near the large window.
During his shift, nothing moved aside from two cats, a dog, a family of deer, and a raccoon. When Jon and Rafe took over the watch, Cal climbed the stairs two at a time. He knocked and nudged Rachelle’s door open wider. “Rachelle.”
A rustle of movement from the bed. “What’s wrong?” She moved to the doorway, eyes heavy-lidded. She looked cute in his t-shirt and sweatpants.
He cupped her cheek. Her skin was so soft. “I’m ready to leave for Chesapeake Falls.”
“I wish you would take me.”
His lips curved. “You don’t trust my taste in clothes?”
“It’s not that. I want you to have backup.”
Cal stared. “You want to risk yourself to watch my back?”
She nodded. “Let me go with you.”
His heart squeezed. “You don’t know what your offer means to me.” He kissed the top of her head. “Although I appreciate the offer, I won’t risk your safety.”
“Because of me, you’re in danger, too. Take someone with you.”
He brushed her mouth with his. “Jon, Jackson, and Rafe are on duty, and Eli is sleeping. The Texas team has the watch in a few hours.”
She hugged him tight. “All right. I want you back in one piece, so be careful.”
“Always.” Another kiss, this one longer and deeper, a silent testament to his vested interest in her. “I have the best reason to watch my back.”
“What’s that?”
“You. I have you where I need you, in my arms. Do you think I’d do anything to mess that up?”
A beautiful smile curved her lips. “Excellent reason to remain safe.” She stepped back. “See you soon.”
Cal hurried down the stairs and out the front door. He suspected Rachelle wouldn’t rest while he was gone.
On the trip into Chesapeake Falls, he called Fortress for an update. Zane answered his call. Cal frowned. “Don’t you ever sleep?”
“My wife had an early-morning photoshoot two hours from Nashville. I helped her pack the SUV with her photo equipment, baby stuff, and our son. Since I don’t sleep when they’re on the road, I came in early.”
