techs working near her back door.
Xavier and Sarah closeted themselves with Sykes only after guards had been posted to assure complete privacy. When Sykes was ready with paper and pen—to take notes the old-fashioned way—Sarah began. She outlined the sequence of events, starting with Xavier getting bashed over the head. She skirted around what they’d been doing directly before, Xavier noted with an inward grin. Sykes didn’t need to know, though Xavier would bet he could guess from the way Sarah blushed and stuttered until she’d gotten past that part.
Sykes listened, asking questions here and there as they laid out the timeline and series of hellish events they’d been through that night. Xavier didn’t make any effort to hide how close he’d become to Sarah. He sat beside her and held her hand when she related some of the tougher parts of the action they’d just been in. Sykes didn’t even raise an eyebrow, leading Xavier to believe Sykes was well aware of their growing relationship. Good, Xavier thought, it would come as no surprise when he wanted to keep her close.
“All right. The rest can wait until later. You both need some downtime.” Sykes put away his pen, looking from Xavier to Sarah and back again. “Grab a few hours. We’ll pick this up later, once I’ve had a chance to get these names to the people who can help track them down. I’m posting a security detail around the house—both visible and invisible. There will be one of the county patrol cars out front and a team of my men deployed around the perimeter. I intend to keep you both safe, although I believe the immediate danger is past, now that Sellars is gone.”
“Roger that, Commander.”
Xavier realized the rest break was likely more for Sykes’s benefit than for theirs. He looked as if he’d been through the ringer trying to get back to New York as fast as possible. It was late for him, considering he’d been strictly on day shift since this whole operation started. He would no doubt ask better questions when his mind was sharp and able to assimilate their information. Xavier had a powerful need to hold his woman. He wanted to hug her tight and make promises he’d never expected to make in his life.
“Officer Petit, I’ve got your chief’s agreement to keep you on our team a little while longer. In fact, I want you to start thinking about a career change. I’ve been authorized to offer you a job as a civilian contractor. We can talk more about this later, but I wanted to give you a heads-up so you can start considering it.”
“Thank you, Commander.” Sarah looked uncomfortable. “I’ll definitely give it some thought.”
“If it’s any incentive, you’d be working with Xavier. You two make a good team and there are very few people who can operate safely around these creatures. We need you, Sarah. Your country needs you.”
Sarah swallowed hard and nodded. “I’ll consider it, Commander, and I’ll be interested to hear more about the position next time I see you. For right now, you’ll have to forgive me. I need to spend a little time figuring out where my career and my life are headed.”
“I understand. Probably better than you think. My own career path went careening off the rails onto a whole new set of tracks when this problem first started. I still don’t know exactly where it’s going to lead.” Sykes offered his hand and she took it, shaking affably. “You did good work tonight, Officer Petit. Thanks for your help.”
Xavier went outside with Sykes, ostensibly to see him off. He also wanted to eyeball the team that would be watching the house and grounds. Xavier didn’t recognize the men but knew with a certainty they were spec ops. Probably SEALs, considering Sykes was navy. Xavier got a glimpse of the team dressed all in black before they faded away into the shadows around the house. They had let themselves be seen on purpose, and the leader had nodded to Xavier before disappearing like a ninja.
“Damn showoff SEALs,” Xavier muttered as he reentered the house, shutting and locking the door behind him. Sarah was waiting for him, a look of concern on her beautiful face.
“Something wrong?”
Xavier walked over to her and enfolded her in his arms. “Not a thing now, chère. I was just griping about the team Sykes has got watching your house. Navy spec ops. Looks like a whole SEAL team out there.”
“Really?” She