"Thanks, Karen, I appreciate it."
"Farmer, how's Austin?" Kieran Chase's voice interrupted the call.
"Hey, Boss. He's holding on. I'm on an open line at Elizabeth Reed’s. I'll let her talk to you about Newsome."
"Mr. Chase, thank you for your help. Please send me the bill." She rested her cheek against Martin's palm.
"No worries. Terry’s an old friend. Farmer, I told Zach, and I'll tell you, whatever she needs."
With his call complete, Martin’s expression turned sexy. "How about an omelet?" He boxed her in between himself and the counter. His lips brushed over hers until the kiss deepened.
"Mmm." She coiled her arms around his back. "That sounds delicious." She suckled his bottom lip and scooted free, then cracked eggs over a bowl. “So, Kieran is your boss? You guys sound tight.”
"We’re family. Part of my job is making sure everyone stays safe." Martin tossed some cut-up bacon into a skillet.
"Someone would want to hurt them?" Elizabeth blinked rapidly.
"Ian and Kieran are wealthy men. They also own a business where enemies are part of the job. Spouses and children are inherent weaknesses." His demeanor hardened.
"I'm sorry to ask so many questions; I'm nosy."
“I want you to ask. Sometimes, I won't be able to tell you things—not because I want to keep secrets, but I'm required to. Can you live with that?" Martin secured each of her hips with strong hands and stole another kiss.
"I think so. I can't share some things about my patients. I heard you mention qualifications tests?"
Martin smiled. She was adorable. "We have four levels of operators, and everyone has to pass a biannual test.” He went on to describe all four levels and their skills and qualifications.
"Are you a level four?" Her eyes widened.
"I passed the exam a month ago."
"What happens if someone fails?"
"We throw them in the street." Elizabeth looked horrified until she focused on Martin's smiling face. "We downgrade them a level with a chance to re-test in three months. If they fail again, they can repeat in six months. If they fail a third time, the downgrade is permanent. No one loses their job as long as they try their best. They’re placed somewhere else in the organization.
"Wow. Mercutio?" Elizabeth peered over her shoulder at him before putting some bread in to toast.
"I bought a foreclosure on Lake Barcroft, six bedrooms and five baths—enough room for family and colleagues. Mercutio showed up on my deck one night and never left. He's a giant Maine Coon cat. The first time he came out of the darkness, his eyes were magical." Martin unraveled the towel from the top of Elizabeth's head, burying his nose in her hair scented of coconuts. "I want you to meet him and see the house." He opened his phone and showed her a picture of the cat lying in the sun.
"Oh, my. I'm in love."
"Me too." He cuddled her.
Elizabeth's stomach growled. "You made me hungry." She hurried to the table before she gave into other urges.
"Are you going to be all right by yourself tonight? With everything going on with the police, I worry. I'm going to head to my folks’ to shower and change, then stay with Austin."
"I’ll be fine. I need to process this. My body needs to rest." She blushed.
"Did I hurt you? You need to tell me." A pained look crossed his face.
"Did I say that? I said I need to rest. Build some stamina." Her eyes filled with love.
Marty stared at her, his thoughts turning darker. "Tell me the truth. Do you think Austin will make it?"
"Every day he lives, his chances increase, but, Marty, I don't know. He was down a while." She fiddled with the sash of her robe.
"Sunshine, I shouldn’t put you on the spot like that.” He swiped at his face. “I know in my heart you did everything possible." He played with a piece of toast.
