Chapter Four
ANDRE WATCHED THE woman in his arms and fell deeper in love with her. Yeah, their relationship was in the early days, at least the romantic one. No way was he telling her how he felt yet. Knowing Riley, she’d dump him in a heartbeat and run for the hills. His woman was as skittish as a baby goat.
Andre wasn’t taking a chance that she’d run from him instead of run to him. That outcome would require careful maneuvering on his part. He didn’t intend to lose this game with Riley. His entire future depended on winning her heart.
He looked to his other side, where Christopher leaned heavily against him. Concern rolled over him in a tidal wave. The things Chris shared worried him because he was holding back.
Andre wouldn’t pry, and this wasn’t the time to push Chris’s boundaries. That meant someone else had to dig for information.
His wariness came not only from what he suspected the boy had gone through while held captive, but also from the small red flags Chris dropped about his father.
Because he never talked about her, Andre suspected the mother wasn’t involved in Chris’ life.
Were other relatives available who could raise Chris?
It was a lot to ask, but Chris’s future was at stake.
He refused to ask the ambassador anything. For one thing, the man would lie. For another, the process took time if you went through proper legal channels. He’d rather contact Maddox and let him and Zane confirm or refute his suspicions, then come up with a plan to help Christopher.
Riley moaned in her sleep, the sound soft as though even in sleep she continued to hold back, perhaps to protect herself.
Andre drew her closer and whispered in her ear, “You’re safe. I’ve got you.” He lapsed into silence, waiting to see what she would do.
Riley sighed and went limp in his arms.
He waited for her to pull away from him. Instead, she wiggled closer until her ear rested over his heart.
His heart skipped a beat, then raced ahead.
Did she trust him after all? She trusted him to watch her back on missions like he had today, but this was a deeper trust. Did Riley trust him deep inside as well?
Definitely food for thought on nights when he stood watch or when he couldn’t shake insomnia.
Seth walked down the aisle, whispering to each operative who was awake as he ambled toward the back of the jet. Finally, he reached Andre’s row, his gaze taking in the sight of Christopher on one side and Riley on the other with his arms around her. He inclined his head toward the boy. “How is he?”
“Putting on a good show.”
“I was afraid of that. Does Sorenson know what he’ll be dealing with?”
“I sent him a message about my suspicions. He’ll be ready.”
Seth frowned. “You’re concerned about something more than the terrorists. What or who?”
“His father.”
Echo’s leader closed his eyes for a beat. “You sure?”
“No proof, just suspicions based on things Chris said.”
“What’s wrong with his father? This kid is one of the smartest, well-behaved children I’ve ever met.
” He paused. “And the behavior thing isn’t normal.
I should have caught it. I’m around a pack of kids every time I visit my family and, as much as I love them, they’re not nearly as well behaved as Chris. ”
“He’s afraid to step out of line or make a mistake for fear of swift, painful punishment.”
“We can’t accuse an ambassador of child abuse if we have no proof.”
“That’s why I’m not going to him. I’m going to Maddox. I held back when we were on that conference call because I didn’t want Chris to know what I suspected.”
“Well, you’re in luck. The boss is meeting us in Bayside since we have two injured operatives.”
“We’re not critical.”
A shrug from Seth. “Standing watch and helping where he can is his way of caring for his operatives.” Seth watched Andre for a moment.
“As important as it is for Chris to be treated properly, you and Noah also need Sorenson to check you. You’re not skipping out because you want to figure out who’s threatening Riley, then take her someplace to have her all to yourself. ”
He chuckled. “Guilty.”
His team leader rolled his eyes. “Make sure you’re seen by Sorenson, and that’s an order. Hear me?”
“Yes, sir.” Although he didn’t like it, he’d obey the order.
Seth continued to the back of the jet, making a return trip up the aisle minutes later. Must be checking that everything is still secure. He would have done the same himself if not for the woman and child leaning against him.
By degrees, Andre settled into a light sleep. Like his teammates, he wouldn’t fully rest until Riley and Chris were safe.
And there was the problem of his gunshot wound. Andre hated being shot. It freaking hurt, and the wound ached for months as it healed outside and inside. He hoped Riley didn’t mind a boyfriend a little banged up by life. He had scars everywhere. If she wanted perfection, well, that wouldn’t be him.
He scowled. Andre hoped she wasn’t that shallow because he didn’t think he had it in him to let her go if she preferred pretty to loyal.
As though she heard his inner debate as he drifted deeper into sleep, Riley moaned softly. “Andre.”
“Right here, baby. You’re safe,” he murmured near her ear.
“Need you.”
“You’ve got me.” Heart and soul. “Sleep, now. We’ll be in Texas in a few hours, and then the fun will start.”
Andre woke the moment the jet’s altitude changed and the hum of the engines dropped into a different pitch. He glanced around as his teammates stirred, though Riley and Christopher slept on.
Hoping to let them sleep a little more, he remained still, watching as members of Echo and Artemis checked their gear and Go bags.
Seth made eye contact with him, eyebrows raised. “Need anything?” he mouthed.
Andre shook his head. He had it all right here.
Christopher sighed and opened his eyes. For a moment, he looked startled to see Andre so close, then he smiled. “You stayed.”
“Told you I would. How do you feel?”
The boy nodded. “Better. Still tired, though.”
“You will be for a few days. Takes a bit for your body to heal.” The mind, though, took a lot longer and might need outside help to come to terms with things that happen.
Christopher’s gaze dropped to Andre’s side. “You were shot. How do you feel?”
“Like a truck ran over me.” When Chris laughed, Andre ruffled the boy’s hair. “You need anything? Drink, food, bathroom?”
“Bathroom,” was the quick reply.
Yep, he figured as much. “You remember where it is?”
The boy nodded. “It’s okay?”
“Sure. Just don’t dawdle in there. We’ll be landing soon.”
“I won’t.” Christopher hopped up and hurried to the bedroom.
Andre turned his attention to the woman curled up against him. He kissed the top of her head and said, “Riley.”
Immediately, she sat up and stared into his eyes. “Andre?”
“That’s me.”
“You shouldn’t have let me sleep on you for the entire trip. You couldn’t have been comfortable.”
“Shows what you know. I enjoyed it.” Weak description of how much he craved holding her. “If you let me, I’d do this every time we traveled.” And at any other time she’d allow him to hold her. Man, he was such a sap.
A ghost of a smile touched her mouth. “Good to know. Questions?”
Might as well find out where things stood. “Yeah. How do you feel about dogs?”
She blinked. “What does that matter?”
“I’m a dog person myself. Cats might be independent, but they have too much attitude. They have to adopt you, not the other way around.”
She stared. “I love dogs. They love you unconditionally and don’t judge you for your actions as long as what you’re doing doesn’t hurt them.”
“Are big or small dogs your favorite?”
“Medium.”
He gave a slight nod, already rifling through his mental file of dog breeds.
He settled on a Golden Retriever. Perfect.
They were a great fit in a family, plus he and Riley could take the dog on runs when they were training.
He wanted to laugh at himself for planning so far ahead. She might not agree to date him.
At the moment, he hadn’t even secured the first date, and she couldn’t say yes if he didn’t open his mouth and ask her to go to dinner with him.
The worst that could happen is she turned him down flat.
Wasn’t it better to know now than fall even deeper for her only to have his heart ripped out and stomped on?
Andre opened his mouth to ask how she felt, but what came out was, “Have dinner with me.” Holy smoke. He wanted to smack himself on the side of the head. He hadn’t asked her to go to dinner, but demanded it. Good grief. He was hopeless at this dating stuff.
“Yes.”
He froze. “Yes, you’ll go with me?”
She laughed. “You seem surprised, Andre. I’d love to go to dinner with you. No Oriental food. Everything else is fine.”
“You’re sure?”
“Definitely no Oriental food. The MSG doesn’t agree with me.”
He shook his head. “Are you sure you want to go to dinner with me?”
“Are you trying to talk me out of the date?”
“No way. I just thought you might be second-guessing yourself.”
“In the past ten seconds? No, Andre. I want to date you. I’ve waited for months to have this chance, so I’m not changing my mind.” She tilted her head. “Are you trying to convince me to back out because you changed your mind?”
“No, never.”
Christopher chose that moment to return.
“Hey, buddy.” Andre’s gaze skimmed over him. He still didn’t like the haunted look in the kid’s eyes. He hoped Dr. Sorenson had excellent psychologists he could recommend.
Andre also needed to have a word with Maddox.
Maybe the boss knew more about Christopher’s home situation because Andre wasn’t sending the kid back to an unsafe environment.
Yeah, he might be wrong in his assessment.
He wasn’t. Something was wrong in the ambassador’s household.
“We should strap ourselves in. We’re landing soon. ”
“Where are we?”
“Bayside, Texas.”
Christopher frowned as he dropped into his seat and fumbled for the seatbelt. “Why are we going there?”