Page 44 of Digital Desire

“Sorry, Zack, things have been a bit of a shit storm around here.”

“So I hear. You need more back up? I can send Zin and K over if you need them,” he said. “I would come myself, but I don’t want to leave Ava right now with the baby due in a few weeks.”

“God, no. Don’t you dare leave her and tell Zin and K to hang fire. I think we have enough with Jace now. Did you hear about the connection between Chopper and the guy that set me up?”

“Yes, I did. Jack updated me. Do you think he’s the one that has been trying to hack us and get into the systems here?”

“Absolutely, no doubt about it, but now I know, I can shore things up better. He has a certain style. I can’t help thinking that Flowers holding Aubrey hostage was to divert our attention from something else though,” Will said as he paced the pool area.

“I agree. Luce and Zin are working some contacts here and if we get anything, we’ll send it through. How is our good detective?” Zack enquired.

“Brey is fine, especially now her sister is safe. She’s coming to the New Year’s Party with me. Is that okay?” Will asked. He was desperate for people to accept them as a couple and Zack’s opinion meant a lot to him. He had put his trust in Will when others hadn’t, and Will would never forget that.

“Absolutely, if she is yours, then she is ours. You know how we work around here. So, another one bites the dust. My team is full of loved-up men and women. I think I need to start recruiting some young’uns for the longer missions,” Zack said with a chuckle although Will knew that Zack had been talking about expanding the Fortis team.

“Thanks, Zack.”

“No problem, the more the merrier,” he replied.

“No, not for that. For believing in me when others didn’t and for all your help setting up Eidolon. I don’t know what I would have done without you,” he said honestly.

“You would have been fine. You’re a good man, Will, don’t let anyone ever tell you differently,” he growled.

Will knew he was referring to what his father had done. Zack had been apoplectic when he had confided in him about what had happened and counselled him to tell his brother which he wished he’d done, but that was behind him now—thank goodness.

“Thanks, Zack, I appreciate that.”

“Good. Now I have to go, Riley wants me to play nerf with him and I promised Ava I would cook tonight,” he said like a man truly put upon.

Will knew it was all an act. Zack had never been happier than he was now he had his son and the love of his life with him, and with baby number two due in a few weeks, he was like a pig in shit.

“Fine, talk soon,” Will said and hung up with a smile on his face. Turning he went back towards his room and slipped back into bed with Aubrey. Her body was still warm as she curled around him like a content kitten.

“What time is it?” she murmured as she stretched, and a nipple peeked out at him making his mouth water.

“A little before five in the afternoon,” he said before temptation got the better of him and he leaned in and took it in his mouth making her moan and reach for him.

“Um, I could get used to my new alarm clock,” she said as her hands moved over his skin leaving a trail of goosebumps.

“Yeah, I could get used to this new breakfast,” he said with a smile on his face. A loud knock on the door startled them both and Will lifted his head from her breast. “Yeah?” he called.

“Put some clothes on and meet us in the living room. We have a lead on Flowers,” called Jack through the door.

“Okay, be out in a minute,” Will replied.

He listened as Jack moved away not hearing a thing and wondered again how his brother was so light and silent on his feet. He felt Aubrey’s fingers in his hair and turned to look at her. She was so perfect, her warm mocha skin, the dark brown of her eyes that turned almost amber when she was mad or turned on, the soft curls of her hair that lay against his arm as he held her. Even her stubborn streak was perfect because it was what made her the woman he loved.

“What you thinking?” she asked and then buried her head and groaned.

“What?” he asked confused by her actions.

“I can’t believe I’ve become one of those women that asks you what you’re thinking,” she moaned.

“I don’t mind. I’m an open book,” he replied as he kissed her nose.

“So, what were you thinking?” she laughed.

“That you’re perfect and I love you,” he said honestly. He saw her eyes flicker with emotion, the pulse in her neck beating fast. “You don’t have to say it back, but you asked so I told you.”