“As simple as that?” Auralia was stunned by this revelation. “I thought you told me it was because your teammate Lynx was kidnapped, and Amy didn’t like that you spent all your time trying to save her.”
“There was definitely that, for sure. I could put up with Amy’s grousing. She could move on if she wanted, but I weren’t walking her to the door.” He pointed a finger at Auralia. “You’re a journalist by nature. If she got your blood to boiling enough that you stepped out of that role in defense of me and my future, you had my full attention. And you didn’t tell me what you thought of her behind her back. You told her what you thought of her to her face. That’s conviction, not—” Gator held up a finger as his face stilled, obviously listening to someone in hisear. Gator pressed his fingers against his sternum. “Gator. Copy. Out.” When he let his hand drop, he focused back on Auralia. “Seren, Creed, and me are on the clock here, and they’re telling me in my ear that the mayor just pulled around back. We need to get a move on. Listen, are you and Doli wearing the bullet-resistant vests I sent over?”
“You didn’t say why,” Auralia wanted the scoop both professionally and personally.
Gator tapped her back where he could feel the plates beneath Auralia’s jacket, “I appreciate you doing that. Doli, too?” He looked over at his commander, Striker, and called out, “We’re on the way!” He turned to Creed and sent a silent message that fixed their features in what Auralia called a battle-ready state. She’d seen it all over the world and in all manner of cultures. Something dangerous was in the wind.
Gator turned his gaze to Auralia. “Make sure, Doli, too. Y’all be good now. Safe. Today isn’t going to be a walk in the park. Antennae up and ready to get off your X and get gone.”
“Okay, oh Harbinger of Doom.” She grinned, but Auralia felt trepidation congeal in her stomach.
Since Creed was on duty, Auralia didn’t kiss him but squeezed his arm in parting and headed back to the spot where Doli was camped out.
As Auralia approached, Doli tipped her chin up and squinted her eyes. “You look a strange combination of bemused and, yeah, I don’t know, miffed comes to mind.”
Auralia thought that through, and Doli was off, but not that far off. Unsatisfied maybe?
If Gator knew since his wedding, then Mamma knew, too. Hell, everyone in the family probably knew, and they were quiet about it so “the young’uns could tell us in their own time.”
Yeah, she’d admit it. Auralia felt like this whole thing was high schoolish. She hadn’t meant it to be. She simply wanted togive Creed and herself the space and time without expectations from the family; no snide “and now, when are you and Creed going to tie the knot” pressures would mean that she was exploring her feelings and their relationship without the sideline cheer squad.
They’d made a good decision. But the banality of their coming clean with the air of “We all know” was as irritating as getting rose hip seeds down the throat.
“Gator wants me to make sure you have the vest on,” Auralia said. “Don’t ask me why. I don’t think that even Gator knows.”
“Despite the attack on journalism from last time, what could go wrong today? Do you have any new crimes to accuse the guy of doing?”
“I’ve got nothing but curiosity. Morrison wasn’t originally slated to speak, but his name was suddenly added to the roster. Color me suspicious. That’s why we’re here. This is my story, and I don’t want anyone to scoop me.” Auralia lifted her chin so that Doli would turn and see that Kamar Brown, along with his photojournalist from the International Associated Press, had arrived.
“Good to see you,” Auralia called out. “It feels likedeja vu.”
“We figured you’d be here to listen to the Morrison lament and that you might have some pointed questions. The last mob action garnered us a lot of exposure. We thought this might be the ticket to another good ride.”
His wording seemed unfortunate, and the way Auralia received the words made Kamar stop and rethink, but he obviously didn’t see how exploiting a woman’s work and calling it a “good ride” might not be a good look.
“I see you’re not wearing combat helmets,” the videographer called over. “You’re brave as hell.”
Doli opened her jacket to reveal her bullet-resistant vest.
“Shit.” Kamar strode across the short gap between the crews to whisper, “Do you think it’s going to turn to live rounds?”
Auralia grinned. “I think I have a protective big brother who's here on work detail.”
“Iniquus? I saw they have a team out here. Who are they protecting?” Kamar asked, turning as the videographer joined them.
“Mohammed,” the guy said, moving his camera from right to left hand to free himself to shake hands with Doli and Auralia. “Glad to meet you. Heroes, both. Big fan of your work.”
“Thanks,” Auralia said. “Iniquus isn’t protecting anyone. They’re here to provide oversight on the property, is all.”
“That’s what your brother told you?”
“Nope. My brother doesn’t share Iniquus information with me. But I can guess. Creed Duchamp has his K9 here, and her job is nose only. If they thought they’d need to take down people brandishing guns, they’d have brought along a tactical K9 who would be overjoyed for the opportunity to bite a bad guy.”
“No tactical dogs?” Mohammed looked relieved.
“Not this time,” Auralia pointed, “just that little black puppy heading toward the security gate. Looks like the crowd is starting to come in.”
“All right. Well, I’m setting up just over there.” Kamar pointed. “I don’t mean to crowd you. But you two were the money shot last time.”
