My chin trembled, and I sighed. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Foster is sending Priest and Cameron with you to be on the safe side. Both of them are former… oops, not former. Just a heads up, never use the word former to describe a Marine. There’s no such thing.”
I nodded and said, “Good to know.”
“Okay, so both Cameron and Priest are Marines and well-trained, from what Hayden said. He and Declan wanted to go with you, but Foster asked them to go with Jackson and me. Something about recon and profiling, I don’t know. He just asked them to go to New York, where they would best put their skills to use.”
I nodded. I knew all the people here protecting Jackson and Katie were well-trained, but I didn’t know the details, and hadn’t been curious enough to care.
“That’s fine, but I don’t know that I need both of them.”
“Again. I’m the messenger. All this is protocol, or so I’m told. Well, Hayden and Declan argued that we send a full detail with you. I asked why we weren’t, and Foster said it should lessen the threat to you since I’ll be in New York.”
I nodded. Priest and Cameron were nice. Whenever Priest was around, I laughed so hard. He was this naturally funny guy who kept all our spirits up over the last few days. We’d needed it because Katie’s stalker was still at large, and he’d made a grab for Katie and her soon-to-be stepmom. Some pretty scary crap, so I was perfectly fine with being followed around by Priest and Cameron.
Katie dug through the bag, turned for the closet, and came back with a stack of clothes and underwear. “I grabbed comfy stuff. Unless you want something dressier?”
I shook my head, and she packed the clothes, then went back into the closet and came out with a dressier outfit. “Just in case. Isn’t that what you always say?”
I huffed a sad laugh and smiled. “Yeah. I can’t thank you enough.”
“No thanks needed. If it wasn’t for me you’d be home with your dad and not here dealing with all my stalker crap.”
She zipped the bag, then clucked her tongue at my bare feet. “Cute pedicure, but you’re gonna need some shoes.”
I stared down at my toes. She returned with a pair of white, flat-bottomed board shoes that matched the army green joggers and white tank I wore. After I slipped them on, she handed me a denim jacket and threaded a silky soft black sweatshirt through the handles of the bag.
She was learning. I couldn’t help but be a little proud. I wasn’t a fashionista by any measurable standard, not like Jackson’s sister, Olivia, or Katie’s soon-to-be stepsister, Ava, but I did okay. Katie, on the other hand, sucked at dressing herself. I’d been teaching her and was happy to see she’d absorbed at least some of the knowledge.
“Okay. I think you’re ready. If you need anything, you put it on my cards. No arguments. And call me when you land and once you know what’s happening. No matter the time. I’ll keep my phone on me. And if you can’t call, just text.”
I nodded and followed her down to the kitchen. The house was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. In the kitchen, Walker, Declan, Hayden, Foster, Priest, Cameron, and Jackson sat waiting for Katie and me. Priest stepped forward, taking the bag from Katie.
“Is this it?”
Katie and I nodded, and he whistled.
“Y’all just made my heart pitter-patter.”
I smiled, but it faded when Hayden barked at him. “Priest!”
“Damn dude, one would think reuniting with the hubby and keeping half the house horny with all the sex noises for the last few days would fix that mean-ass attitude.”
Priest walked out of the house, winking at me as he passed me. Cameron placed a comforting grip on my arm as he followed Priest.
I didn’t know what to do. Should I follow them, or was I waiting for instructions about the flight? I cleared my throat, but Walker came forward and dropped a kiss on my forehead.
“Fly safe. Let us know if you need anything.”
I nodded and tears pricked my eyes. He looked at Declan and nodded before he left. Katie and Jackson followed after him once they hugged me.
Katie even reminded me about the expenses. “Remember what I said. Anything you need goes on the card.Anything.”
Foster came forward, squeezing my arm as he whispered, “I’m driving you guys. I’ll be in the car.”
“Thanks,” I murmured.
Over the last week, I’d noticed Foster had an insanely comforting dad vibe, but no Daddy vibe.
