She thought about lying. She really did. “I knew.” Facing him, she forced a smile. “I kept track of you a little bit. Nothing stalkerish or anything. I always wanted the best for you.” It was true. Even though he’d broken her heart when absolutely not meaning to do so, she’d wanted him to have a good life.
“Why didn’t you reach out?” He did exactly that, his thumb and forefinger grasping her chin so she couldn’t look away.
Why not? The one time she’d tried, he’d rejected her. Sure, he’d been hurt and angry and possibly had not wanted to use her, which made him decent. But still. “I’ve been busy,” she said, a bit lamely if asked.
“You haven’t married.”
Was that satisfaction in his gaze?
She gently tugged her face free. “No, but I was engaged until a couple of months ago.” So there.
His hand dropped to his lap. “Why did you call it off?”
Now that was sweet. She tried for flirty, narrowing her eyes. “Who saidIcalled it off?”
He frowned. “Is there something in your eye?”
Crap. She blinked. “It’s okay now. Um, I called it off because it just didn’t feel right.” Kyle was a good guy. A marine sniper. But something was missing, and even he seemed relieved when she said they should go on like friends. “He’s a great guy. Stationed overseas for now.” Why was she always in the friend zone with great guys? Wasn’t this the time of the geek?
Hugh reached for the remote control, rolling slightly away from her. “I guess we should get to work.”
Relief flushed down her. She was so much better at work than at feelings. “Yes.” Opening a cabinet behind her chair, she drew out several notepads, pens, and highlighters. Then she set them carefully on the table, back in control of herself.
“I’m glad we didn’t date in college,” Hugh said absently, opening several more file folders on the screen.
Hurt slid through her, and she calmed her expression. “Really? Why?”
He paused, turning to face her, his eyes burning. “Because we have nothing bad from the past to deal with.” He smiled, the sight a bit intimidating. “It’s a new start for us.”
Chapter Three
The end of the world has most likely started. But I have Nora by my side, so we’ll create a better world. Hopefully.
—Deacan Devlin McDougall, Brigade Notes
Deke finished checking the armory, pleased with the organization set into place by Connor Lewis, the guy in charge of weapons. A whisper of sound caught his attention, and he turned to see Nora by the door. “Sweetheart?”
She leaned against the doorframe, looking luscious in her tight jeans and blue shirt. “There’s a credible threat against the Internet. A virus that can infect the servers.”
Shit. He slipped a Glock into its slot and turned completely to face her, his mind rapidly calculating variables. “I’ll contact a friend in the Teams. We have to take out the nuclear threat.” More people were in danger from that. Well, probably. “Then we’ll go after the hackers.”
She nodded, her stunning eyes somber. “What do you think of him? Of Hugh?”
Deke studied the woman who held his heart and always would. “You’re more insightful than I am. What do you think?”
She bit her lip, making him want to take a bite as well. “I like him. The country-boy act is both genuine and fun, but he’s obviously bright. And he didn’t balk at jumping into the fray here with us.”
Deke scratched the scruff at his jaw. He’d forgotten to shave again. “Ivan’s analysis seemed spot on, while I’d have to say that Eleanor’s was a little nostalgic.” He’d just put together his team, and he was still learning their tics. Eleanor’s weak spot seemed to be Hugh Johnson himself. “I do like the guy, though I don’t want my computer specialist distracted.”
Nora moved for him then, sliding her hands up his bare arms. His body sprang to life. “Why not? Distraction is good.”
He had to agree with her there. Except when he lowered his head to take her mouth, movement at the door stopped him. Damn it. He paused, looking up to see his intelligence specialist waiting expectantly. “Ivan?”
Ivan Milleroff was so smart he was dangerous. Deke had scouted the genius from the CIA the second he’d put together the Brigade, and even he didn’t know what all was in Ivan’s personnel file. Ivan cocked his head to the side, his eyes burning. “The president is dead. Bret Atherton is stepping up within the hour.”
Deke straightened, his chest filling. He’d liked the president. Both of the now deceased presidents, actually. “Things are changing too fast.”
“Amen to that,” Ivan said. He paused. “And there might be a problem with your boy. With Hugh. Just found it.”
