“In my duffel bag.” He pointed at the rental car. “I’ll go grab it.” He meant the bag. Being outside, he wanted his weapons close. Hurrying along the sidewalk and across the plowed driveway, he clicked the keys in his pocket and popped the trunk. He grabbed his duffel, shut the trunk, locked the car, and met up with Joseph and Mia on the sidewalk.
“I thought maybe you’d put the coat on?” Mia said, holding her bare hands together in front of her and blowing on them.
Zeke had the oddest reaction to that. He wanted to take her hands in his, warm them up with his larger hands, and blow on her fingertips to get them warm. She met his gaze over her joined hands, and something flitted in her eyes. Did she know he was thinking odd thoughts?
Movement at his two o’clock.
Zeke whirled in front of Mia, unzipped his bag, and pulled out his M4A1 at the same time. Luckily, the clip was in. He dropped the bag and held the A.R. steady with both hands.
“Whoa!” Mia cried out in surprise.
“Come out nice and slow,” Zeke commanded.
“Cap.” Joseph’s voice held a soft warning. “It’s Mia’s security guard. You can put the gun away.”
“I’d like to see who it is for myself,” Zeke said. He trusted Joseph completely. He didn’t trust the dude he’d seen earlier tonight, and he wasn’t certain if Joseph would’ve picked up on those vibes. Joseph was an impressive man in many rights, and well-trained by his father the famed admiral, but Joseph hadn’t trained and served and fought on the front lines for over thirteen years.
The man walked out from the side of Keith and Myrna’s garage. It was the same dude from earlier. He pointed his gun levelly at Zeke and advanced slowly.
“Put it down,” the guard told Zeke, as if he were in charge here.
“After you.”
“You want to have a go, then?” the guy challenged, his blue eyes glinting colder than the air.
The man was just trying to rile him. He wasn’t trying to force Zeke away from Mia and expose her, so that was a point in his favor. He had also let Zeke go into the house earlier today. Her security knew who Zeke was, but Zeke could easily guess they wouldn’t like that Joseph and Holly had brought in American special ops. Zeke could imagine that his presence ticked this guy off pretty bad, actually. He would’ve felt the same.
“Anytime, anywhere,” Zeke said.
“Cap … Commander … Both of you stand down. Now.” Joseph’s voice was not a request.
Zeke wanted to take this guy out just to prove he could, but he recognized her dad’s security wasn’t a threat to Mia and he had too much respect for Joseph not to listen. Joseph’s first request to put the gun away had been a request. This was a direct command. He squatted next to his bag, placed the assault rifle in it, and zipped it shut. Standing, he came face to face with Mia.
Her mouth was soft and her golden-brown eyes wide. Her gaze swept over him and she said in a soft, breathy voice, “You. Are.Brilliant.”
Zeke had no idea how she meant that. He had done nothing besides obey Joseph.
Crisp steps drew his gaze from Mia to the guard. The guy had a smug look on his face, as if he’d won this round. Zeke clenched his fist, more than ready to put him in his place.
“Commander Blaine Lewis, Captain Zeke Hendrickson.”
Zeke forced himself to unclench his fingers and extend his hand. Lewis looked down at his hand then back up, a look of disdain on his face, but he transferred his rifle to his left hand and crisply shook Zeke’s hand.
Zeke resisted the urge to wipe his hand on his pants after. It was more than his lack of liking human touch. This guy was repulsive to him.
“Lady Mia.” Lewis’s gaze swept over her, hungry, possessive, obviously enthralled with her. No, it was worse than that. This guy had touched and held Mia before and could hardly wait to repeat the actions.
Zeke stepped in front of her. “Back off,” he snarled at Lewis.
“You believe you’re in charge here, American?”
Folding his arms across his chest, he said, “I know I’m in charge. This is my detail and you’re simply the security rotation. I’ve been asked to stay by Mia’s sidenightand day and take charge of her safety.” He lifted his eyebrows, not sure why he’d emphasized night but loving the way it ticked Lewis off. “And from my understanding of the British Naval rankings, Commander is below Captain.”
Lewis looked like he might slam the butt of his gun into his head or maybe put a bullet through his skull. Zeke gave him a challenging look. He’d love to see the guy try it.
Mia put her hand on Zeke’s wrist and came around to his side. Instead of moving away from her touch, throwing her hand off, or even startling, Zeke felt each centimeter where the warm pressure of her delicate fingers and palm touched the bare skin of his wrist. An unexpected current pulsed through him. Had he just been electrocuted? In the most pleasant and gentle manner ever created?
“Zeke, Blaine.” Mia gave the loser a beseeching look. “Please don’t be put out with each other. I’ll need you both to stay safe from the stalker.”