was Gunner. What imprinted on her brain was Fuse’s last words.
I renovated the house for you, Brit.
She wanted to ask if he meant it. Did he spend hundreds of hours constructing a home in the image of their dream from years ago? Instead of questioning him, she stayed silent, letting him lead her around the house to the front.
Along the way, he stopped to talk with the men on guard. As they discussed keeping her safe, Brittany continued to dwell on his comment about the house. Until then, he’d been firm about not returning to the past. Clear there’d be no second chance beyond a few sweet nights in bed. When the op was over, so were they.
His comment indicated something else. It spoke of a reconnection, if not a promise for a future together.
“Ready to get back inside, Brit?” Grabbing her hand, he didn’t wait for a response before continuing along the path to the steps to the front porch. Stopping, he let go of her hand, taking one more look around as the sun began to set.
“When do you think they’ll attack your house?” She hated to think of the beautiful home being gutted by gunfire, overrun by men who thought nothing of killing and destroying.
“After midnight. If it were me, I’d wait for two or three in the morning when the people around and inside would be at their most vulnerable.” He looked at her and grinned. “That’s when I do my best work.”
She couldn’t help the bubble of laughter. He’d always been able to turn the worst situation into a reason to smile.
“Let’s get inside. I want to monitor the comms. Even though I’d attack after midnight, it doesn’t mean the Devils and Russians aren’t thinking something else.”
Brittany followed him inside, although she wanted to stay on the porch to enjoy the sunset. She knew everything he did was to keep her safe. As much as she wanted to rail against the forced confinement, Brittany wasn’t that woman. Someone who threw herself into possible danger for the sake of having her way.
“Can I stay with you?” The question came out before she could stop it.
Those few words made her sound weak, vulnerable. Neither acceptable when it came to Fuse. She already felt exposed. Knew she’d be released back into her normal life in Phoenix when the danger was contained. Alone again, without the man she loved more than her own life.
“Sure. You might want to grab coffee or a soda, Brit. This isn’t exciting stuff. I’ll take a soda.”
Thrilled to not be shoved back into the room, she headed to the kitchen, grabbing two sodas from the refrigerator. Fargo was making dinner for everyone. A huge pot of spaghetti. It smelled great.
“Hmmm…”
Fargo gave her a lopsided grin. “It’s my mom’s recipe. I had to cut it down ‘cause it feeds an army.”
“Large family?”
“Nah. Mom just doesn’t know how to make less. I’ll shout out when it’s ready.”
Gripping the cans of soda, she headed back to the office where Fuse was already deep into his work. “Here you go, Scott.”
He didn’t look up before taking it from her hand. “Thanks, babe.”
Brittany’s stomach clenched at the endearment. She reminded herself he probably used it all the time with the women he’s seeing. Someone like the mysterious Linda. The thought turned her stomach.
“This screen shows the cameras around my house.” He indicated one of the four screens attached to the wall. “You can see the men patrolling their assigned areas.”
“Do you know them?” Brittany asked.
“Most of those outside the house are Kell’s. The ones inside are Eternal Brethren. Rock, Ghost, Wrangler. Rock and Ghost transported us from my place to here.”
“I remember. What is this screen showing?”
“Those cameras are positioned to monitor the roads to my house. Right here.” He tapped an image of a man on a bike parked between a couple bushes. “A Brethren keeping watch on the highway.”
Brittany leaned closer, studying each image. “It’s so interesting.”
Chuckling, he rested his elbows on the table, clasping his hands. “Yeah? You’re the only one who’s ever thought it interesting, Brit.”
He laughed outright at the withering glance she shot him. “Okay, what about this screen?”
“That shows various views of the outside at this house. You can see Bas and Chaos on these two shots.” Again, he indicated two separate images. “Gunner is in the back yard right now, and Deke is using his phone near the fountain with benches.”
Both hands pressed over her mouth. “You don’t mean someone could’ve seen