The SEAL's Surprise Son (The Admiral's Seals, #1) - Leslie North Page 0,24

sparked fire. “No chance of that. This is my business to run. I can’t let a threat to it go. And I’m capable of fighting my own battles.”

“No one knows better than me how strong-willed you are.” He’d misjudged that in the past and paid dearly for his mistake.

“Then you should know not to suggest it,” she countered.

He was tempted to kiss away her irritated expression—but he knew better, so he changed tactics. “You promised to let me be by your side when you hunt this guy.” He made his tone gentle to unruffle her feathers. “I need to know you’re going to keep that promise, because I can’t let the mother of my child walk into danger. Austin needs you too much.”

“Darn you,” she whispered, her face softening, and he knew he’d said the right words. “Okay, you’re right. I can’t do that to him.”

Zach reached for her, wanting to feel a connection to her. She didn’t resist, resting her head against his shoulder, letting him run his hands down her back to soothe her. He was going to leave it as just a comforting embrace until she tipped her face up to his and he forgot everything but how much he felt for her.

His lips touched hers, lightly at first but with increasing urgency when she responded to him. He backed her up until she bumped against the desk. He was considering sweeping the desk clear and making love to her right there when the office door opened.

“Oh! Sorry,” Charlotte said, and the door closed.

“My sister,” Carolyn whispered against his lips.

“I know. I don’t like her timing.” He wanted to be alone with Carolyn, but this wasn’t the place.

Carolyn laughed. “I think it’s just as well. You should go.” She gave him a playful shove back and smoothed her hair.

“Tonight?” Inside or outside her house, he’d be near her. He was hoping for in.

“Come over to see Austin,” she paused, “and you can stay.” He shot her a grin. “In the guest room,” she clarified.

9

Dale Huntly prowled past the front window, checking through the dusty blinds of the house he’d lived in for the past twenty years. The street outside was empty, deserted at this hour, but he never trusted appearances. He watched for any movement. The only motion came from tree branches scraping against the abandoned house across the street. Its front gate dangled open, and the sidewalk and street were cracked with age and neglect.

Dale hated this house, this neighborhood that he’d been stuck in ever since Faith Evert ruined his mother’s life. It was her fault he was there. Her fault they’d been reduced to crippling poverty. Her fault his sister and mother were dead and he was alone in the world. He stalked over to the last snapshot taken of his family. Gloria, already sick with the cancer that took her, was thin and pale. His mother, worn by age and worry, hadn’t even managed a smile. They’d been victims of the Everts, who were going to pay, every one of them.

The daughter with the perfect blond hair and little boy would be first. Carolyn Evert. God, he even hated her name. His mother had told him about the spoiled girl, always getting what she wanted. He’d take her down—her and her store with the stupid name. All That Sparkles. By the time he was done, nothing would sparkle about the jewelry store. He had plans to reduce it and the Everts to ruin and ashes.

And he was close to succeeding. But Carolyn was cleverer than he’d expected. She’d foiled the robbery, thanks to the dumbass druggie Dale had hired. The guy had come cheap. A few pills and the promise of more had been enough to convince him to commit armed robbery. It was just as well he was dead. The guy might have become a liability later.

The robbery had caused trouble for the store. That was good, very good, but they’d reopened too quickly. He was going to have to escalate his game to take them out. Computer sabotage was a pivotal part of his plan—and, conveniently, his area of expertise.

He sat at a card table where his computer was, focusing on the large monitor. He’d remoted in to his work, a job he’d pursued after learning that his employer was Carolyn’s tech company. Oh, the havoc he could cause.

Take that, bitch.

He’d seen her recent request for a security sweep come through. It would unearth some information but nothing that could tie