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Rafe pointed at Eli. “I’m not getting stuck on kitchen duty for every mission, Wolfe.”
Jackson reached for coffee and a sandwich. “We don’t know if he’s any good.”
Eli snorted. “You already sampled his cooking. He made the pasta salad and potato salad he brought to the cookout last month.”
Silence followed that announcement until Cal burst into laughter. “You’re in trouble, Rafe. You shouldn’t have volunteered that information. Now, you’re stuck.”
“Each of you is going to help out, including on this op. Kristi and I aren’t feeding the lot of you the whole time we’re on her protection detail.”
“Enough for now,” Jon said. “We need an update from Rafe and Kristi, then while she works with her clients, the rest of us will deal with upgrades to her security system and dig deeper into research.”
Kristi frowned. “Why do you need to upgrade my system? The company who takes care of my father’s security needs installed the best system they had.”
“It’s adequate.”
“What do you suggest?”
“Fortress Security’s top-of-the-line model. Because you’re a client, Brent will cut you a deal.”
“It’s necessary?”
“I wouldn’t recommend a new system if I didn’t think you needed it to keep you safe.”
“I thought keeping me safe was your job.”
His lips curved. “We will. Doesn’t hurt to have an excellent system to keep you safe when we’re gone.”
Rafe wrapped his arm around Kristi’s waist. “If Jon says your system needs upgrading, you can take that to the bank. We’re not into sales. We just want you safe.” He kissed her temple. “I need to know you’re safe when I’m deployed,” he murmured.
Kristi’s expression softened as she leaned into his side. “Evaluate my security needs and give me an estimate. Hopefully, Mr. Maddox will give me an excellent discount.”
He hugged her. “Thanks.”
“Relationships are two-way streets. We give each other what we need. I need a new security system, and you need peace of mind.”
Unable to help himself despite their avid audience, Rafe kissed her. “You need to eat,” he said as his teammates grabbed sandwiches and coffee, and sat at the large kitchen table.
“I’m not hungry. The tea is enough for now.”
“Your body needs fuel to heal even if you don’t feel hungry. Stress does funny things to our appetites. Some people don’t want to eat at all. Others can’t stop eating.”
Kristi wrinkled her nose. “I guess we know which category I fall into.”
“Do the best you can. Otherwise, Jackson will tear a strip off my hide for not taking care of you.”
“Can’t have that.”
He chuckled at her unenthusiastic response and handed her a sandwich. Rafe sat beside her at the table with his sandwiches and cup of coffee. By unspoken consent, the conversation stayed light while they polished off their meal.
When they finished, Rafe helped Kristi to her feet. “What about giving me a tour of Kristi’s Bridal?”
“Are you sure? Most men aren’t comfortable here.”
He wouldn’t be comfortable, either, but walking around the first floor would help him learn the layout of her house. “I’ll survive.”
“Don’t blame me if you break out in hives from all the lace and satin.”
They returned to the first floor, and Kristi led him to the kitchen. “I know it’s overkill to have two kitchens in one house, but I use this one for Kristi’s Bridal. I keep water, coffee, soft drinks, and tea, iced and herbal, stocked. Depending on whether I have a morning or afternoon session, I serve muffins or cookies, sometimes a cheese platter with crackers if I know the bride-to-be prefers that. I also have other baking supplies here if the mood strikes me to make something more elaborate.”
