Protecting His Kidnapped Family - Leslie North Page 0,38

Levon asked, standing beside Olive. “If you need anything, just let us know. Otherwise, we’ll see you in the morning.”

“Sounds good, man. And thanks again.” Noah reached over to shake his friend’s hand while Serena gave Olive a hug.

“Thank you,” she said, tears prickling her eyes before she blinked them away. Must be the exhaustion. “Sleep tight. We’ll see you in the morning. Hopefully Gracie doesn’t wake you up.”

“Are you kidding?” Levon chuckled. “After Allie’s first few months, I can sleep through anything.”

Once they were alone, a bit of awkwardness crept in. This was really the first time they’d been on their own, without Gracie as a buffer between them, since the whole debacle at the casino. She had to admit Noah’s confession earlier, his clear sadness over how much he’d missed of his daughter’s short life so far, had given her hope that maybe he’d want to stick around once the mission was over. But she’d be lying if it didn’t bring out her anxieties too.

Not to mention the fact that the true puppet master behind everything was still out there, lurking. She shuddered at that thought and reached over to take his hand.

“I’ve got a plan, you know,” he said, rubbing the pad of his thumb over her knuckles. “Me and the guy at SSoF. Remember what I said before about thinking too far ahead. It’ll only get you in trouble.”

“I know.” She sighed and sat back, nestling into his side when he put his arm around her again. “It’s nice here.”

“Yeah.” He kissed her temple. “You should settle in here with Levon and Olive. Concentrate on taking care of you and Gracie for a while. Let me handle the rest.”

She wanted to. Really, she did, but it was hard. Serena frowned and placed her hand on his chest, the steady beat of his heart grounding her. “It’s just weird for me. I’ve always been a crusader. Learned that from my mom. I’m used to fighting for my wellbeing and that of others. And now, with this person still out there, trying to get me…” She took a deep breath. “The thought of leaving my daughter alone brings out all my momma bear instincts, I suppose. I feel like I need to know what’s going on.”

“I get it. I do.” He ran his fingers through her hair, lulling her to relax against him even more. “But think about Gracie. You can’t take care of her if you’re out crusading to save the world. I’ll still keep you informed of what’s going on with the investigation and you can share any information you have with me to take to the guys, but otherwise, you’re safer staying out of it.” She balked at that and started to sit up, but he held her fast.

“I’m not giving up my charities and causes, not forever anyway,” she said. “People need me, and my work is important.”

The moment stretched out taut between them until finally Noah said, “Did you ever think that maybe your work is what started this whole mess to begin with?”

Serena wanted to deny it, wanted to rail against his assertions, but dammit. Deep inside her something froze. Could he be right?

17

The next day was difficult, at best. Gracie was fussy and Serena was doing her best to adjust to this new life where Noah wasn’t around all the time and they weren’t on the run. At least Olive was there to keep her company.

After they’d put the kids down for a nap, Olive made them both tea and they sat at the table in the kitchen to rest and regroup before the next round of feedings and diaper changes and play times.

“Is it always this quiet around here?” Serena asked, listening to the birds tweeting outside.

“Yep.” Olive smiled. “Probably a big difference from what you’re used to.”

“It is.” She sat back and sipped her herbal tea. “Being locked in that villa was quiet too, but in a more sinister way. Like I never knew from what day to the next what would happen or if I’d even be alive.”

“That must’ve been horrible!”

“It was.” Serena shuddered. “Then after Gracie was born, it was nice to have the company, but also more worrying because I had to protect her as well as myself. Then Noah showed up.”

“Like a knight in shining armor,” Olive said, grinning. “Did he ride a horse too?”

Serena snorted. “No. And he crashed in there more like the Hulk than Sir Galahad, but yeah. I was glad to