12. The Mission
12
THE MISSION
EVERETT
I stand at the edge of my property, blueprints in hand, squinting against the late afternoon sun. Axton's beside me, pointing out potential weak spots in our security setup.
"We should add another camera here," he says, tapping the paper. "Covers the blind spot near the treeline."
I nod, making a mental note. "Good catch. We'll need to upgrade the system to handle the extra feed."
Axton grins, clapping me on the shoulder. "Look at you, all high-tech now. Remember when our idea of security was a trip wire and a can of beans?"
I snort, shaking my head. Those days feel like a lifetime ago. "Yeah, well, times change. We've got more to protect now. "
His eyebrows waggle suggestively. "Speaking of which, how's the new nanny working out?
I shoot him a warning glare. "She's fine. Does her job well."
"Uh-huh," Axton drawls, his grin widening. "And that's all there is to it?"
I turn back to the blueprints, ignoring the heat creeping up my neck. "We've got work to do, Ax. Focus."
"Sure thing. But you're still grumpy, so that means you're not getting any?—"
"Watch it."
He holds up his hands in mock surrender. I grunt, not dignifying that with a response.
We spend the next hour walking the property, discussing sight lines and potential vulnerabilities. It feels good, falling back into our old rhythm. Axton's always been able to read my mind, finishing my sentences before I can even get them out.
As we head back towards the house, Axton's expression turns serious. "Hey, there's something you should know."
I stop, turning to face him. "What is it?"
He hesitates, which isn't like him at all. "Ian's been hanging around town, asking about Kenzie. He's been to Steph's shop a few times. "
My jaw clenches, a surge of anger rising in my chest. "What the hell does he want?"
Axton shrugs. "Not sure. But he's not being subtle about it. Paige is losing her mind, from what I hear."
"Great. Just what we need. More fucking drama."
"You want me to have a chat with him?" Axton offers, cracking his knuckles.
I'm tempted, but I shake my head. "No, let's not escalate things. Just... keep an eye on him, yeah?"
Axton nods, and then a sly grin spreads across his face. "You know, if you're worried about Kenzie's safety, you could always keep her closer. Maybe upgrade her to your room instead of the guest room?"
I glare at him, but there's no real heat behind it. "You're pushing it, O'Connor."
He laughs, holding up his hands. "Hey, just looking out for my brother."
"Speaking of which, how's Mel doing these days?" It's my turn to grin now. "Oh, so we can talk about Kenzie, but Mel's off-limits?"
Axton's smile falters, and I see a flash of pain in his eyes. "That's different. You know that."
I soften, feeling like a jerk. "Yeah, I know. Sorry, man. Low blow."
He shakes it off, his easy smile returning. "Nah, it's cool. You're right, though. Let's keep the personal stuff personal, yeah?"
I nod, grateful for the out. "Roger that."
We head inside, refocusing on the mission at hand. I pull out the dossier for our upcoming job, providing sniper support for a high-profile extraction. It's the kind of work we excel at, but it never gets easier.
"We'll need to be in position by Friday night," I explain, laying out the timeline. "It's a 72-hour op, minimum. You good with that?"
Axton nods all business now. "Yes, sir. I'll make the necessary arrangements."
We spend the next hour going over the details and ironing out contingencies. It feels good to slip back into this mindset.
Simple. Straightforward. No messy emotions to complicate things.
As Axton gets ready to leave, he pauses at the door. "Yo, Ghost?"
I look up from the papers spread across my desk. "Yeah?"
He hesitates, then says, "Be careful, all right? With Kenzie, I mean. I know you're not looking for anything, but... just be careful."
I want to brush him off and tell him he's seeing things that aren't there. But I can't lie to Axton. Not about this.
"I hear you," I say instead. "I've got it under control. "
He nods, not looking entirely convinced. "All right. I'll see you Friday."
After he's gone, I sit back in my chair, letting out a long breath. The house feels quieter now, almost too quiet. I can hear Kenzie moving around in the kitchen, her soft humming drifting through the halls.
I close my eyes, trying to focus on the mission ahead. But all I can think about is Ian, skulking around town, looking for Kenzie. The thought of him anywhere near her makes my blood boil.
But it also shows that no one in the buzz circuit has blabbed their mouths about her working for me.
Before I can talk myself out of it, I'm on the phone with my security contractor, arranging for additional cameras to cover the entire property. It's overkill, I know. But the thought of Kenzie, or the girls, being vulnerable while I'm away... I can't stomach it.
As I hang up, I hear a soft knock at my office door.
"Come in," I call out, already knowing who it is.
Kenzie pokes her head in, a dishtowel slung over her shoulder. "Hey, I was just wondering if you needed anything. I'm about to start dinner."
I open my mouth to say no, but what comes out instead is, "Actually, yeah. You got a minute?"
She looks surprised but nods, stepping fully into the room. "Sure. What's up?"
I gesture to the chair across from my desk, and she sits, tucking a stray curl behind her ear. I try not to notice how the fading sunlight catches the gold flecks in her eyes.
"How are the girls doing?" I ask, realizing I haven't really checked in with her about it. "Are they behaving themselves?"
Kenzie's face lights up. "Oh, they're wonderful. Harper's been helping me in the kitchen, and Hazel's got quite the green thumb. We started a little herb garden yesterday."
I blink, surprised. "A garden? Here?"
She laughs, the sound warm and rich. "Just a small one, in pots on the back porch. I hope that's okay. I should have asked first."
"No, it's... it's fine," I say, still processing. "They've never shown interest in that kind of thing before."
Kenzie shrugs, a soft smile playing on her lips. "Sometimes all it takes is someone showing them it can be fun. They're energetic, curious kids. You should be proud."
I am proud, but hearing it from her... it hits different.
"Thanks," I manage. "I'm glad they're not giving you too much trouble."
She tilts her head, studying me. "Is everything okay? You seem... I don't know, tense."
I consider brushing her off and keeping things professional. But something in her expression, open, genuinely concerned, makes me pause.
"Work stuff," I say finally. "Nothing for you to worry about."
Kenzie nods, but I can see she's not entirely satisfied with that answer. "Well, if you need anything, even just someone to talk to. I'm here, okay? We're a team."
The offer catches me off guard. When was the last time someone other than Axton asked if I needed to talk?
"I appreciate that," I say, meaning it.
She stands, smoothing down her jeans. "All right, well, I should get back to dinner. You hungry?"
My stomach growls in response, and Kenzie laughs. "I'll take that as a yes. I'll bring you a plate when it's ready."
As she turns to leave, I find myself not wanting her to go. "Kenzie?"
She pauses at the door, looking back. "Yeah?"
I struggle for a moment, not sure what I even want to say. Finally, I settle on, "Thanks for everything you're doing here. It's... it's good for the girls."
Her smile softens, and I forget how to breathe for a second. "It's my pleasure, Everett. Really."
After she's gone, I try to refocus on work, but my mind keeps drifting. To Kenzie's laugh. To the way she is with the girls. To how different this house feels with her in it.
It's dangerous territory, I know. I've been down this road before, and it didn't end well.
Jillian and I thought we had it all figured out, the perfect balance of career and family. But in the end, the job won out for both of us.
I can't go through that again. I won't put the girls through it.
But as I sit here, listening to Kenzie moving around in the kitchen, humming softly to herself... I wonder. What if it could be different this time?
The thought terrifies me. And yet...
A knock at the door pulls me from my thoughts. Kenzie's back, a steaming plate in her hands.
"Dinner's ready," she says, sitting it on my desk. "You should eat while it's hot."
I nod, suddenly realizing how hungry I am. "Thanks. It smells great."
She hovers for a moment like she wants to say something more. Finally, she asks, "Do you want company? Or would you rather eat alone?"
I hesitate, torn between the desire for solitude and the inexplicable urge to keep her close.
"I've got some work to finish up," I say finally. "But... maybe after? We could have a drink on the porch? "
Kenzie's eyes widen slightly, surprised by the offer. Then she smiles, and it's like the sun coming out after a storm.
"I'd like that," she says softly. "Just come find me when you're done."
As she leaves, I stare at the plate she's brought me. It's nothing fancy. A simple meal of grilled chicken, roasted vegetables, and rice. But it's been prepared with care and plated beautifully.
It hits me then, how long it's been since someone cared enough to do something like this for me. Not out of obligation but because they wanted to.
I take a bite, and it's delicious. Of course, it is .
Everything Kenzie does seems to turn out that way. It's like the woman has magic at her fingertips.
As I eat, I review the documents for the mission ahead. The logistics, the potential risks, and the contingency plans. But my mind keeps reverting to Kenzie and the drink we'll share later.
It's just a drink, I tell myself. But even as I think it, I know I'm lying to myself.
Because with Kenzie, nothing is ever simple.
I finish my meal, savoring every bite.
Setting the empty plate aside, I turn back to my work. The mission details are spread out before me, demanding my attention.
I have to focus. Lives depend on it.
But as I pour over the plans, I start cataloging all the ways Kenzie's managed to breathe life back into this house without even trying.
The first thing that comes to mind is how the laughter of Hazel and Harper seems to echo more brightly through the halls since Kenzie arrived. They chatter animatedly now, a contrast to the silence that used to fill the air.
She's found little ways to engage them that I hadn't thought of—a simple game of hide and seek, or teaching them to bake cookies in the kitchen, flour dusting the countertops.
Then, there's the way Kenzie effortlessly organized the chaos in the kitchen. She transformed it from a cluttered mess into a warm, inviting space. I catch myself wandering in there more often, half-expecting to see her humming as she prepares evening meals.
It’s not just the food she makes. It's how she sets the table, with mismatched but charming place settings, making every meal feel special, as if we’re celebrating something important, even on the dullest days.
With Kenzie here, I even notice I’ve slept better at night, no longer restless from guilt or worry. It’s as if her presence calms the chaos inside me.
I think of the way she tucks the twins in on those evenings when I’m mired in work, her soft voice reading bedtime stories, weaving magical tales that lull them into peaceful dreams. She’s become so integral to their routine that they often ask for her when I announce it’s bedtime.
And then there are those quiet moments, like when I walk into the living room after a long day, only to find her on the couch with the girls, their heads bent together over a coloring book. She’s patient, encouraging their creativity, and watching them share crayons and giggles reminds me of the sort of family I’ve always wanted.
Kenzie has transformed this house from a mere shelter into a home filled with warmth and love, and I find myself smiling at the thought.
How did I ever get so lucky to have her in our lives?
Kenzie's humming drifts through the house, a soft melody that seems to wrap around me. I close my eyes, letting it wash over me for a moment.
I gaze at a photo on my desk when I open them again. It's of the girls and me taking a camping trip last summer. We're all smiling, but there's a sadness in my eyes that I can never entirely hide.
I pick up the frame and study it. The girls look so young, so innocent. They deserve better than a father who's always half-present, one foot out the door on the next mission.
They deserve someone like Kenzie.
The thought grips my heart. I set the photo down, my hands shaking slightly. Because she's not ours to have.
But as I sit there, listening to Kenzie move around the house, I let myself imagine what it would be like. To come home to this every day. To have someone to share the burden with. To not feel so damn alone all the time.
I stand abruptly, needing to move. To clear my head. I pace the length of my office, trying to shake off these thoughts. But they cling to me, persistent and alluring.
A soft knock at the door startles me. "Come in," my voice rough.
Kenzie pokes her head in, a concerned look on her face. "Everything okay? I heard you pacing."
I nod, not trusting myself to speak. She steps fully into the room, her eyes scanning my face. "You sure? You look... I don't know, upset about something."
I take a deep breath, centering myself. "I'm fine," I say, forcing a small smile. "Just... thinking about work stuff."
She nods, but I can tell she's not convinced. "Well, if you need to talk..."
"I know. Thanks. "
Kenzie flinches slightly at my tone, and I immediately regret it.
"I'm sorry," I say, softer this time. "I didn't mean to snap. It's just... it's complicated."
Her expression softens, and she takes a step closer. "I get it. Really, I do. But Everett?—"
My mind knows it's wrong, but my body doesn't care. The moment Kenzie steps into my office, my control snaps like a fraying thread. I can’t stop myself, closing the distance between us in two long strides.
Her eyes widen at my sudden movement, but they have no fear. Only surprise. And maybe, if I'm lucky, a hint of the same desire is burning in my veins. My hands cup her face, tilting her chin up to meet my lips.