Chapter 12 #2
Bodie wrapped his knuckles on the table, then stood.
“I keep digging into the salvage ship, Vasquez, the mission. Where those assholes got that drone. Figure out why someone targeted that ship, and why it’s all cropping back up now, a year later.
” He tucked his laptop under his arm. “Greer’s running the partial numbers you got off that camera recording.
Hopes to have it narrowed down to something useable soon.
Though, I wouldn’t hold my breath. If they got away with sinking a Coast Guard research vessel, I doubt the plate will pan out.
I’ll give you a shout when I have more intel, and you can come by the office. ”
Zain shook Bodie’s hand. “Thanks, brother. I owe you.”
“I’ll be in touch.”
Zain made his way over, shouldering up beside her as the front door opened, then closed, Bodie’s truck roaring to life a minute later. “You look exhausted.”
Saylor huffed. “Were you always this charming?”
“You know what I mean.”
“I could use some coffee.”
“How about we take a breath, grab a bite at the Lighthouse Café, then see if we can pick up a few things from your place. With any luck, Bodie might have a bit more intel by then.” Zain reached over and tucked some of her hair behind her ear.
“I did promise to make you breakfast, and it’s already time for dinner. ”
Chase coughed. “You gotta say yes, because I don’t think we have enough fire extinguishers for Zain to attempt coffee and food.”
Zain flipped the guy off. “He thinks he’s funny.” He smiled, and her damn heart kicked into gear, racing like it had last night when he’d loved her. “C’mon. As great as Kash’s coffee is, you can’t survive on only it and a bagel.”
“I’ve survived on less.” Saylor smiled. “And I’m in, as long as this isn’t your way of saying you’re tired of loaning me your clothes.”
He grinned. “I was thinking more along the lines of socks and underwear.”
“Deal.”
Kash pushed to his feet. “Mind if we tag along?”
Zain arched a brow. “Are you gonna roll your eyes if I hold her hand or give her a kiss?”
“Absolutely.”
“Jackass. We’ll meet you there. ”
Kash frowned. “You are leaving now, right? This isn’t code for you two sneaking off for a few rounds, first?”
“Just shut up and get in your damn truck.”
Kash grinned as he grabbed Jordan’s hand and headed off, Nyx trotting beside them. Zain shook his head but followed suit, still holding Saylor’s hand as they headed for town, a comfortable silence hanging over them.
Saylor gazed out at the passing scenery, the previous few days looping through her head. It didn’t seem real. The ship, the revelations.
Finally moving beyond friends with Zain.
She smiled at the thought, turning to look at him when he squeezed her thigh. Damn, he was handsome. All that short brown hair spiked up, giving him a sexy just-rolled-out-of-bed vibe. His blue eyes reflecting the last of the sunlight peeking out from beneath the thick clouds.
Zain’s smile flourished. “Not sure I want to know what you’re thinking about because you look more than a bit lethal.”
“Pretty sure you know exactly what I’m thinking about.”
He coughed, drifting onto the shoulder for a moment before yanking the truck back. “We’ll make this quick, then.”
She grinned, loving the way he had to drag his gaze away — focus on the road. Not that he wasn’t still super-vigilant. But knowing she tested his control…
It warmed her chest. Made it hard to concentrate on the situation .
She reached out and traced her finger along his arm. “Do you really think more of the crew might be alive?”
His jaw tightened, accentuating the fine lines around his mouth. “I think someone targeted that ship, and I can’t see that happening without inside help.”
“I wish I could remember what they were testing. It’s probably the one piece of intel that would break this wide open.”
Zain focused on her as he stopped for a red light. “You survived. In the end, that’s all that matters.”
He hit the gas, heading toward the café when her phone buzzed. “That better not be Atticus sending you on a rescue.”
She sighed. “I’m sure Mac’s read him the riot act after everything that’s happened. Not that Atticus wouldn’t push his luck if he deemed it worthy.”
She swiped the screen, frowning at the message on the home page.
Zain slowed and angled the truck over to the curb, Kash pulling in behind him a few seconds later. “What’s wrong?”
She glanced at him, then back to her phone before handing it over. “A motion alarm just went off in my boathouse.”
“Just the motion? No door alarms?”
“It’s the separate one you set up. I believe you called it a failsafe.”
Zain shoved the truck in park, then jumped out, jogging back to talk to Kash. Saylor watched him in the rearview, arching a brow once he’d returned.
He shifted it into drive, then spun the wheel, heading back toward her place. “Jordan’s calling Greer to let her know we’re checking out a possible break and enter. With any luck, it’s only a malfunction.”
“If you thought it was a malfunction, you wouldn’t have that furrow along your brow.”
Zain chuckled. “The timing just concerns me.”
“You think that guy from my apartment’s back for a second round?”
“I think we need to be prepared for anything, so stay close. This could get ugly.”