say any of that, only nodded. “I guess. I’ve kinda got a long day tomorrow anyway.”
She watched as he gathered up his wallet and keys, and then she walked him to the door. “How long are you in town for?”
“A week or so.”
“Well, maybe we could get together before you go. I won’t fall asleep on you again, I promise.”
He smiled. “Sure, I’d like that. Did you have anything in mind?”
“Oh, man.” She hesitated, unsure whether or not to ask, but Geo reached out to touch her arm encouragingly.
“What is it?”
“Could you, uh, maybe take me to meet Bosch?” Wincing, she waited for him to refuse, because hadn’t he said Bosch wasn’t a pet, but a weapon? It’s not like she’d ever ask to visit his gun.
“That would be my very great pleasure.” The sincerity in his voice sounded genuine, and she couldn’t help a tiny squeal of delight.
“Yay! Text me when you’re free?”
“You got it.” Stepping closer, Geo reached out to tuck a lock of her hair behind her ear. “Gonna be okay?”
“Gonna be fine,” she whispered. “You?”
“Yeah.” He drifted his thumb lightly along her jaw, leaving delicious tingles in its wake. Then he bent his head, and it felt like the most natural thing in the world to lift her face, even as she thought, “Oh, please, God, don’t let me have a booger hanging from my nose right now.”
Well, even if she did, it didn’t stop him from kissing her gently on the cheek and leaving her with a most reluctant goodbye.
Chapter Eight
“K9 out!”
Geo released Bosch from his tether and the dog streaked off into the darkness.
“Copy that,” the reply crackled in his ear. “Decoy ready.”
Trotting after Bosch, Geo muttered into the comms, “Steak dinner says he pancakes your ass.”
“In your dreams. Get ready to pay up, bitch.”
He and the decoy, a white guy named Laz, traded a few more insults before they went silent to let the dog work. The wind buffeted Geo from all sides, and he peered through his NVGs as Bosch, nose to the ground, chased the elusive scent eddies being tossed around like leaves in a river. He winced. Bosch would have to be on his A-game to even locate the decoy, much less get the drop on him.
For his part, it took all Geo’s concentration to dodge the manzanita bushes that seemed to be everywhere.
“Prickly motherfuckers,” he muttered, freeing himself from yet another thorn snagging his uniform sleeve. Ahead, Bosch zig-zagged across the rocky terrain, changing course multiple times until at last he sat down, ears up, and stared off into the distance.
Ha, ha, Laz. You’re toast.
After hissing the “attack” command, Geo followed the dog as he bounded up the side of a small hill. He scanned the area ahead, his NVGs giving him a sight advantage Bosch didn’t have, and...there! Laz was crouching next to a small rocky outcropping, an otherworldly green silhouette in a glowing alien landscape.
“I see him,” Laz murmured in Geo’s ear. “And I’m gonna dodge him, no problem.”
Geo bit back a curse. If Laz could see Bosch heading for him, he’d be able to sidestep his attack. That meant no free steak dinner tonight.
Suddenly Bosch veered from his straight-line trajectory, darted around some scrub brush, and disappeared. Shouting, Laz leapt to his feet, whirling around just in time to catch Bosch’s sixty-five-pound body square in the chest.
“Holy shiiiittt!”
He slammed down on his back in a mighty explosion of dust. Geo ran up to see Bosch clamp hard onto Laz’s bite sleeve and shake him like a rag doll.
Barely able to contain his laughter, Geo gave him the “out” command, and Bosch immediately dropped Laz’s arm. Once he was safely tethered, Geo tossed him a Kong, and Bosch set about happily gnawing on it while Laz sprawled out drunkenly.
“What the fuck was that?” he slurred.
Geo grinned. “A goddamn hair missile, that’s what.”
Laz groaned and sat up to lean against a nearby boulder. “I saw him comin’, clear as day. Still managed to pancake my fuckin’ ass.” He shook his head in grudging admiration. “That’s some dog.”
“He’s the best.” Geo crouched down and patted Bosch’s neck and sides.
As Laz caught his breath, Geo dug Bosch’s water bowl from his pack and gave him a drink. Then they trudged toward the road where a helo would soon pick them up. In fact, Geo could already hear the faint echo of rotor blades off in the distance, the sound of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment conducting their own exercises