“It’s nice, Wyatt. Really nice,” Trap said. “It feels like a home, not a mausoleum.”
“I can’t wait to meet your grandmother,” Draden said. “You talk so much about her, I feel as if I already know her.”
“She’s the best cook,” Malichai said. “I’m not even hungry. Well…” he hedged. “Okay, an hour or so after I eat, I go back for more. And there’s always more.”
“Which reminds me, you need to go out and check the traps,” Wyatt said. “You’re depletin’ the supplies.”
Laughter rang out again. Wyatt started to pull open the door just as the laughter faded to be replaced by the sounds of the bayou. The rhythm was broken. Off.
Someone’s out there watchin’ us, Wyatt said.
I feel them, Ezekiel said. I can slip around back and go hunting.
Take Malichai. I want to see if Whitney’s soldiers have been called in to guard the compound or to track Pepper and the baby. If they have, it will make things much harder and more dangerous for everyone when we go in to get the other two babies out. Supersoldiers are unpredictable and volatile as a rule.
He made them into throwaways, just like he did those babies, Trap said, an edge to his voice.
He did, Wyatt agreed, but they were willin’ participants for whatever reasons, just as we were. We knew goin’ into this that the outcome might not be all we wanted it to be. Those babies – and the women – had no choice.
He yanked open the door, just a little bit harder than necessary. He detested reminding himself just how ridiculous he’d been allowing enhancements, although honestly, he knew he wouldn’t give them up now.
“We can’t help being who we are, Wyatt,” Trap said quietly, placing one hand briefly on his shoulder. “You have a mind like mine. We ask too many questions and we need answers. You know me. I can’t sleep for days on end sometimes when I’m working on something interesting. And when I’m bored… That’s the most dangerous time of all.”
Nonny greeted the two newcomers with a big smile. Both men towered over her diminutive figure. “Trap, it’s good to finally meet you. Wyatt told me so much about you over these las’ years. He tells me you boys serve with him.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Draden acknowledged with a slight nod of his head. “We’re in the PJs with your grandson.” The Pararescue Jumpers were the Air Force Special Forces team.
“Thank you for comin’,” she said with great dignity. “The house is sturdy and warm and the fixin’s are good, although nothin’ fancy.”
“We’re not used to fancy, ma’am,” Draden said, and then glanced over his shoulder at Trap. “None of us.”
Her smile widened. “Wyatt tells me you boys know your way around a weapon or two. We may need that ifn’ those men come lookin’ for Pepper and Ginger again.”
Pepper sat at the kitchen table and rose slowly to her feet as the two men came in. Her gaze jumped to Wyatt’s face and then came back to rest on the newcomers. She’d argued about bringing in more men. Wyatt knew she still didn’t trust the situation, not any more than he did. They were still learning how to cope with her enhancements and his reactions to other men around her.
He saw Draden stop dead, his mouth forming a silent “O.” Trap’s reaction was a hesitation and a frown before he ran his hand through his hair.
“My fiancée, Pepper. She’s the mother of my children.” He wanted to stake his claim immediately and also indicate he expected them to protect her and give her respect. “Honey, this is Draden and Trap.”
Draden nodded his head. Trap just stared at her. Wyatt knew he had to get used to men’s reactions when they first saw Pepper, but still, it got under his skin.
“You can stow your gear in one of the bedrooms,” Wyatt said to distract them.
“I expect you’re hungry,” Nonny said. “You can talk about your break-in over food. Night’s still a couple of hours away and you’ll need your strength.” She looked around, frowning. “Where are Malichai and Ezekiel?”
“They’re off scoutin’ a bit, Nonny, nothin’ to worry about. They’ll be back soon,” Wyatt assured.
What’s wrong? Pepper asked, glancing out the window anxiously. Have the elite trackers come after us? I told you we couldn’t wait very long before we went after the children.
Trap glanced sharply at the two of them. His eyebrows shot up. “Is there something you two want to say to the rest of us?”
Wyatt shrugged. “She’s upset thinkin’ we waited too long and the supersoldiers have come to make our lives more difficult.” He turned to Pepper. “We had to beef up security, and you needed time to get on your feet. I told you that you had to come with us and you were too sick.”
“Wait,” Trap held up his hand. “You didn’t say anything about the woman coming with us to rescue those kids. Now isn’t the time to bring an unknown into the mix, Wyatt. It’s too dangerous and you know that.”
“The children know her. I know her.”
“Well, I don’t,” Trap disagreed, always the hard-ass. “You don’t either, Wyatt, whether you think you do or not. She could be part of a conspiracy. You said yourself Whitney might be setting you up.”