Chapter 26
Two Months Later…
“I’d say there’s tension among the ranks,” Leo swore. “I hoped to have this concluded by now.”
“Did he suspect anything?” Leo asked.
“No. He thinks he’s too smart to get caught,” Cole smirked. “He’s always acted full of himself. The only time he acted like a decent person was when Colonial Rutherford made a visit. His replacement, according to my buddy, has only made one appearance in the last two months.”
“Hmmm,” Leo said, stoking the scruff along his jaw. “Let’s return to base. We have the others ‘fixing’ the compromised parts. They’ll return shortly, and we’ll put our heads together. I’m calling home. I haven’t seen or talked to my wife. How are Liam and Apollo doing?”
“They’re a good match. He fits right in with the team,” Cole admitted. “We need to find more men like him to handle the other K-9s.”
“When we get back,” Leo promised as they entered the base gates. Pulling out their IDs, they waited while the guards searched underneath the vehicles.
As they approached their barracks, Cole heard Apollo bark. He glanced at Leo, giving a slight smile as Liam stood on the opposite side of the door with his weapon drawn.
“Any problems?” Leo asked.
Frowning, Liam lowered his voice. “Sparky has garnered some attention with a few of the men. They harassed her earlier. Ice got between them.”
Leo gave a chin nod and headed to find her.
“I’m sending photos to Bear. When I return, I’ll keep Apollo with me while you shower,” Cole offered.
“No. I’ll take him with me,” Liam said, glancing down the hall. “I’ll tell Leo after he checks on Sparky. I kept an eye on her, but something tells me they wanted a diversion.”
“I’ll take watch while you call Addyson,” Cole said. “I spoke with Stormy this morning.”
“Thanks,” Liam said, a smile playing on his face.
“Man, you got it bad,” Cole teased. “Stormy and I hit it off fast. She’s my forever. It seems like you and Addyson moved fairly fast after she ran down the runway.”
“We’re doing nightly texts. Her shifts and mine haven’t lined up for the last couple of weeks. Damn, I miss her,” he said, sighing.
“Then stop wasting time talking to me,” Cole punched him in the shoulder. “Come on, Apollo. We don’t want to watch them make googly eyes at each other.”
* * *
Liam hurried to the communications room and video-called Addy.
His heart raced as he waited for her to pick up.
Her image came across the screen, and she smiled. “Hello, handsome. Where’s Apollo?”
“He’s making a perimeter check with Cole while I visit with you. It’s nice to see your beautiful face. How are things on the mountain?”
“Pretty busy,” she replied. “We’ve taken a dozen admissions this week. My nurses have taken it all in stride.”
“What about Zeus?” Liam asked.
“He’s good.” She moved the camera to show him the dog sleeping at her feet in his bed.
“Tell him I said he’d better guard you while I’m gone,” Liam said protectively.
Addy chuckled, sounding like music to his ears. “I’m better off with the alarm. Any word on when you’ll return home?” she asked anxiously.
“No,” he said disappointedly. “I miss you.”
“I miss you, too,” she whispered. “If you return soon, I promise to make another runway scene,” she teased.
“I don’t care how much shit I get or if they call me Hollywood. It’ll be worth it to hold you in my arms,” he said, grinning.
“You seem tired,” she said, giving him a once-over.
“We’re taking precautions,” he explained. “We all have someone we want to get home to.”
She smiled as she glanced down and then back up at him. Liam wanted to crush her close to him and kiss her forever.
“I have to go,” she told him. “I’m leaving in half an hour for work.”
“I’ll look forward to your text tonight,” he murmured.
“Stay safe,” she whispered softly, and he heard the anxiety in her voice.
“I’m staying very vigilant, and these men have my six. I can’t be in better hands,” he assured her. “Hopefully, we’ll be home soon.”
“I love you, Liam.”
“I love you, Addy.”
He leaned in to shut down the computer when Leo ducked his head into the room.
“Did you finish your conversation? I’m hoping to catch Catherine.”
“Yeah,” Liam said. “Come on in, and I’ll give you some privacy.”
“When the rest of the men arrive, let me know. We might have a lead,” Leo informed him. “I’m ready to leave this sand bucket behind and get home.”
“Copy that,” Liam said before closing the door.
* * *
Leo called Kit Kat. The phone rang, and Grace answered.
“Daddy,” she exclaimed.
“How’s my Grace?” Leo said, surprised, she answered the phone. “Where’s Mommy?”
“She’s in da bafroom,” Grace informed him. “When you come home?”
“Soon,” he said. “Where’s Melody?”
“Grace, Mom said, don’t answer her phone,” Melody bossed her younger sister, taking away the device and disconnecting it.
Leo face-palmed himself. Waiting a few minutes, he tried again.
This time, his wife answered, holding Derrick. “Hi.”
“Hey, Kit Kat. How’s it going?” he answered, happy to see her.
“It’s busy. Hold on.” Catherine turned away and said, “Melody Armstrong, if you don’t sit down and finish your homework, you won’t get any reading time tonight.” Derrick tried to grab the phone, pulling Catherine’s long red hair in the process and getting it tangled around his wrist and the device.
“Geez. Give me a sec,” she said as she set Derrick in his playpen and untangled the phone. The baby started crying.
“Melody, can you keep Derrick entertained until I get off the phone?”
“But you told me to do my homework,” Melody shot back.
“Mommy, me hungy,” Grace said, yanking at her pants.
Kit Kat picked up Derrick, and he instantly quieted as she opened a package of yogurt fruit chews.
She sat on one of the hospital couches and held the phone out.
“How’s everything?” she asked. “I hoped you might be back by now.”
“Me, too,” he said, “It’s hotter than Hades here. Of course, Taco’s complaining about his dry skin. Patch and Knight are chomping at the bit to return.”
“I saw Claire today, she’s doing great and glowing. Gabby’s suffered some morning sickness, but it’s subsiding,” Kit Kat informed him.
“What about you?” he asked softly.
“I’m fine,” she assured him. “Today’s the nanny’s day off. Chaos has once again ensued.”
“Mom, Grace spilled her yoggies all over the floor,” Melody yelled.
“Can you please help her pick them up and throw them away?” Kit Kat asked.
“She’s eating them off the floor,” Melody said, disgusted by her sister’s actions.
Kit Kat rose and knelt to pick up the rest of the mess. Leo stared at the floor as she picked up the berries. Grace let out a war cry as she lost her snack. Going back to her bag, she pulled out another pack and poured it into her bowl.
“Sit in the chair. Mommy’s trying to talk to Daddy,” she explained.
“Just a normal day at the office, huh?” Leo quipped. “Why did you go to work already?”
“As you say, no easy day but yesterday,” she said, sitting back on the couch. “I’m working in one of the hospital rooms while they spray for bugs. Everything’s a mess. Avie’s coming in later today, and Mom’s picking up the kids for a play date.
“You’re exhausted,” Leo swore. “I’m trying to get home as soon as I can,” he assured her.
“It can’t be quick enough. Derrick is teething, and Grace must be going through a growth spurt. She’s eating everything in sight instead of picking at her food.”
“I’ll talk to the kids in a minute. I’m worried about you,” Leo said, trying to convey his concern about the black circles under her eyes. She didn’t have the healthy glow she carried with their last two children.
“I’m sorry, Leo. What do you expect when you knock up your wife unexpectedly when she has three other children to raise while you’re gone?” she snapped. “Grace, sit down,” she ordered as her daughter rose from a hospital chair.
“I know. I know,” Leo said. “I’ll try to get home to you as fast as I can. I miss you.”
“I miss you, too,” she said. “Will you be able to talk later? I need to get the kids sorted for my mom.”
“I’ll try to call after the team meets. I love you, Kit Kat,” Leo said, staring at her. Even with Derrick’s hand tangling her hair, no makeup, and exhaustion written all over her face, she still rocked his world.
“I love you, too. Hopefully, we can actually speak without getting interrupted,” she said.
“Come talk to Daddy before he has to go,” she said to the kids.
Melody ran to the phone. “Hi, Dad. I got an A on my spelling test. Emma, Miya, and I are going swimming tomorrow after Aunt Kassie finishes working. Gram Carol’s taking Grace and Derrick. ”
“Good job, June Bug. It sounds like you’ll be having fun. Make sure to help your mom until I get back, all right?”
“I will, but I’m not changing Derrick’s poo diapers. He reeks,” Melody replied. “Bye, Dad. Love you.
“Love you, too.”
Kit Kat held the phone to Gracie’s face. “How’s my girl?” Leo asked as Grace popped another yogurt-covered berry into her mouth.
“Me want more,” she said, pointing to her empty bowl.
“Don’t forget to practice your muscles,” Leo told her.
Grace grinned, pulled up her sleeve, and made a fist. “Me gots big mursles.”
“They’re getting bigger,” he said. “Daddy loves you, Grace.”
“Me wuv you,” she said, pressing her lips against the screen. “Mwah.”
Leo blew her a kiss.
Kit Kat rolled her eyes as she placed the phone in front of the baby.
“There’s my big boy. You listen to me. Stop giving your mama trouble,” he said firmly. “Love ya, big guy.”
Kit Kat moved the screen to her face. “We’ll talk later, all right?”
“Sure,” he said. “Please ask for help if you need it. If you need to add on to the nanny’s hours, do it. You know Carol and Jake will gladly assist you, and I know the women will give you a hand.”
“I’m used to it,” she admitted. “Let me get your heathens corralled, and then we’ll talk. I promise to ask for help. Be safe.”
“I’ll talk to you soon,” Leo said, disconnecting the call.