“He didn’t even ask for his hefty retainer back,” Tristan explained. “So we don’t have cameras in the individual offices. Since everyone’s married and somehow still horny, that’s understandable. But I caught sight of Gabby wandering. Probably looking for the bathroom, but she disappears down the hall where the servers are kept. She’s gone for at least fifteen minutes.”
“But that room would be locked,” Kenzie pointed out.
“And yet I believe she got through.” Tris looked grim as he took his phone back. “I believe there was never a missing wife. That meeting was taken to get Gabby in the building, in that room.”
Kenzie shook her head. “But Gabby’s specialty was stealing. She didn’t know the technical things. I could believe she could follow simple instructions, but getting into your dad’s servers wouldn’t be simple.”
“Sosa admitted they lied about their specialties.” Kala crossed one leg over the other, showing off the combat boots she wore. “It was something Huisman told them to do. Gabby was their hacker, and apparently an excellent one since she got around everything your dad and my aunt had. The question is, what did they take?”
It sent a shiver down his spine.
But that was a problem for another day. And he had them. He had all the days with her.
“I’m hungry,” Kenzie said. “I know they don’t have hot dogs, but Mom said something about the café having those fried dough things.”
He kissed the top of her head and slid off the bed. This wasn’t even close to his groveling, though Kala had pointed out that being Kenzie’s servant was all part of the contract. But this was part of being hers. “It’s calledtulumbichk, and I will get you that and some tea.”
The door came open and his future in-laws walked in with smiles and flowers.
Charlotte and Tasha immediately went to Kenzie’s side.
Ian waited back as Ben approached the door. “She okay?”
“She’s great. The doctors told us she’s recovering well. I don’tthink the damage is as extensive as what Kala went through, but I’ve got it on our calendar to pick a cardiologist in Dallas,” Ben explained. “I’ll make sure she goes.”
“Good, because she often forgets about herself,” Ian replied.
“I won’t let her.” He was planning on being everything Kenzie needed him to be. Her partner. Her top. Her husband. “And I’ve already talked to Joseph. I’m quitting. I’m moving to Dallas and I’ll be happy to consult, but the truth is I’m not a spy. I was Captain Ahab and my white whale has been defeated by one of the smartest women I’ve ever met. So I’m going to need a job.”
Ian frowned. “And that is my problem?”
“Ian,” Charlotte said.
“Dad,” the twins managed to say in stereo.
“Dad, how can he grovel if he’s in Canada?” Kala asked. “I’ve got a ten-page document detailing all the ways he has to serve this family. He’s going to learn how to make lemon tarts. I have a class set up with Marley Brighton.”
“He can start in the bodyguard unit.” Ian moved to join his wife. “And those tarts better be good. Damn kids always have their hands out.”
Kenzie grinned his way as she was surrounded by her family.
His family. They were going to be his.
“Love you, baby,” he said. “And I’ll get TJ a sandwich and drop it off.”
The words were easier now that he understood what they meant to her. Love for Kenzie was everything. Love was in the grand gestures and the small ones. She lived and breathed her love. It was in her every movement, every gesture.
He stared at her for a moment, just taking her in.
Ian kissed his daughter’s forehead and then joined Ben again. “You do the other thing?”
His future father-in-law had his own requests, though it wasn’t groveling. Quite the opposite. The task Ian Taggart asked him to complete was all about taking himself seriously. About understanding himself. About loving himself so he could completely love Kenzie. “I’ve got an appointment with Dr. Rycroft, and I’m going to take my training classes over again at Sanctum.”
“You’re ready.” Ian put a hand on his shoulder. “I’m proud of you, son.”
Damn. Dare told him it would be this way. “Thank you. For everything.”
For his kindness. For his tough love. He had the feeling he would learn a lot about being a good father from this man.
