“What are you involved in, love?”
“I can’t tell you, but I promise I’m serving our country and I’m trusting in heaven above. Those two facts will never change.”
Maddie raised her eyebrows. Her lips drew into a smirk that said she thought his words were idealistic.
His mom sniffled as his dad said proudly, “Ah, my boy. We’re so proud of you, and so grateful you’re okay.”
“Yeah, golden boy.” Isabelle sounded almost recovered. “When this mess is over, come visit so these two don’t smother me with love. It sucks being an only child.”
He laughed shortly at that. “I promise I will.” He focused on Maddie, wishing he could tell his mom he’d bring an impressive woman home to meet her. In so many ways, he thought he’d met the woman he’d been looking for all his life. Yet there was something off about her. Something chilly. He didn’t know if he was the man to break through that icy portion of her heart or if he’d get frozen and break his own heart trying. It was insane. They’d only met hours ago, but he couldn’t push these intense feelings for her away.
“We’ll hold you to that,” his dad said.
“All right. I’d better go. I love you all. I’ll check in when I can.”
“Love you, bro,” Isabelle called.
“Love you, son,” his dad said.
“Love you, baby boy,” his mom got out on one more half-sob.
“Bye,” he managed, hanging up the phone and pocketing it.
He stood there facing Maddie, feeling like a horrific son. Especially as he wanted to focus completely on this woman in front of him. He should be kneeling and asking forgiveness for his sin of omission and not calling his family, then begging for them to be blessed with light, love, and peace.
“Sorry about that,” Maddie said softly, not even teasing him about being called “baby boy” by his mom.
“Me too.” He pushed a hand at his hair. “What a jerk I am. We were just running and … I should’ve called them on the Uber ride.”
She shook her head. “We couldn’t have the driver listening to that.”
“True. I could’ve texted. I just wasn’t thinking straight.”
She shrugged. “I know. I imagine that phone call was hurtful and I’m sorry, but it’s actually better. Their responses to the news of your death were genuine and believable for whoever informed them about it.”
Braden’s eyes widened, and his gut churned. His neck grew hot and it had nothing to do with the intense attraction he felt to this woman. How dare she? “How would you feel if it was your parents and sister who thought you were dead?” he asked in a tightly controlled voice.
She looked him over. There was no fear in her eyes, which was good, but there was also little compassion. “I said I was sorry,” she said slowly, as if to make sure he could hear her or he was listening this time. “But this is a matter of untold millions of innocent Americans being killed by nuclear weapons. When you said it was a matter of national security, did you know?” She studied him like she was a human lie detector.
“I don’t know anything right now,” he admitted defensively, wishing she’d tell him. “But I assumed if it’s to do with Admiral Seamons and the mess with his wife and King Frederick, it would be a matter of national security.”
She stared at him, unblinking, and then her shoulders relaxed a bit. “Okay. Again, I’m sorry your family went through that, but I for one would prefer my family lives to enjoy the sunrise tomorrow, even if they go through a little emotional distress to get there.”
Looking away from him, she spotted her bag by the door, went and picked it up, carried it to the bed, and unzipped it. She pulled out a toiletry bag, a tank top, shorts, and underwear. “I’m going to shower,” she said matter-of-factly. “When I get out, you can shower and I’ll have some ice for your hand.” She opened her toiletry bag, pulled out a small bottle, and held it up to him. “Here’s some ibuprofen. Water bottles and other drinks will be in the fridge.” She tilted her head toward a small kitchenette, picked up her stuff, and headed toward the bathroom.
Braden could not believe her. She was writing off his family’s distress as well as not giving him one bit of info. He’d just lost his home and possibly his career, terrified his parents and sister, but this was bigger than that. He needed some answers.
He rushed across the space and stood in her way so she couldn’t go into the bathroom. She looked up at him. Her blue eyes flashed a warning. Maybe she could knock him to his knees, but maybe not.
“First of all, you don’t just throw out nuclear threats and walk away. Is it confirmed Frederick has the weapons?”
His family. He had to protect them. He realized this was much bigger than him and his loved ones, but it would give him even more motivation to serve and protect them and many others if he knew the truth.
She nodded shortly. “He’s only holding back until he gets the Delta secret.”
Braden’s eyes widened. It seemed like a hundred years ago that he and Bailey had innocently tried to hike to the secret in the seemingly peaceful Colorado mountains. “The secret is that huge?”
“Yes. That’s why we have to protect it at all costs and why I need any information you have about Admiral Seamons and his affiliations. We were hoping you could be an inside man, but …” She shrugged. “It’ll all work out. Somehow.” Her voice sounded defeated. He didn’t like that.