“Not if their captain orders them to keep quiet.” Archer shook his head in earnest.
“But how?—”
“Michael Webb is the Secretary of the Navy,” Logan explained. “When we were still with our SEAL unit, many of the orders we received, as far as ops went came down from him. He also served with my dad back in the day.”
Van watched Kam closely, studying her reaction with a trained operative’s eye. He was half-waiting for a sign of recognition or nefarious interest, but none were there. If anything, hearing the news that they knew Webb on a personal basis appeared to bring relief to the mysterious woman.
“What about Johnson?” Archer asked of the client who’d lost both his pilot and jet.
Logan ran a weary hand through his short, brown hair. Regret filled his hazel eyes. “He was understandably upset at the news that his pilot and friend had been killed. But he didn’t give a shit about the jet.”
“I’m assuming you left out the part about the bomb?”
The question came from Lucky, to which Logan confirmed with a nod. “Until we know for sure who rigged the landing gear with the explosives, I think it’s best we keep that part to ourselves.”
“What about the police?” Kam asked again. “Won’t they be able to tell the explosion was intentional?”
“The cops?” Van shook his head. “Probably not. The FAA, absolutely.”
“And this Webb person…you’re certain he can make sure those agents keep what happened here confidential?”
“Webb’s on our side,” Logan assured her. “He’ll keep this thing quiet.”
“Hayes is right,” Chase backed up their teammate and friend. “The guy has the president of the United States on speed dial. Literally. Trust me, keeping Eagle’s Nest out of thenews is low on the list of things that man is capable of pulling off.”
She nodded, seemingly accepting of all that they’d shared. As they continued to talk while waiting for the all-clear to leave, Van found himself unable to ignore the blood staining her dress. It washisblood, which had been transferred from him to her when she’d helped his teammates carry him out of the jet.
Kam helped us get you out.
He studied her again, mentally noting how her unkempt appearance did very little to detract from her beauty. She’d survived not only the attack on their hotel, but their forced crash landing less than an hour before. And still, despite the messy hair and ruined dress, she was the most stunning woman he’d ever seen.
“Well, this is a new one.” A familiar voice sounded from somewhere behind him. “Even for you guys.”
They all turned to see Detective Travis Knox and his partner closing in on where they still stood.
“Yeah, well…” Lucky grinned. “We do enjoy keeping you on your toes.”
With a huff of a laugh, the tall, fit detective went to Logan with an outstretched hand. “Good to see you again, Hayes.” The two men exchanged a quick but firm shake. “And congrats on the new baby.”
“Thanks.” Logan grinned. “I have to admit I’m surprised to see you here. Didn’t know plane crashes fell under the jurisdiction of Seattle’s Homicide Division.”
Knox’s intelligent, blue eyes glanced around at the small group. “I was the closest to the scene, and since a death was involved, they called me in to assess until the FAA guys can get here.” He looked back toward the jet and released a low whistle. “I swear, it’s like the five of you have nine lives or something. Any idea what happened?”
“Nothing we can confirm.” Logan didn’t exactly lie. “I’m sure the crash investigators will figure it out eventually.”
“Oh, yeah.” Knox nodded. “Those guys are good at what they do.” With a quick glimpse in Van’s direction, a few strands of the man’s dark blond hair blew with a passing breeze. But then his expression became serious as that same gaze slid to Kam. “Who’s this?”
“She’s with us.” Van heard himself say.
The surprised looks on his teammates’ faces matched the way he felt inside. He had no idea why he’d done that. Any one of them could have answered the man’s question. But the moment Knox’s investigative stare met hers, Van’s first thought had been to protect.
What the hell?
“Van’s right.” Logan cleared his throat and shoved his hands into his pockets. “And I know it goes against everything you stand for, but for now, that’s all we can say.”
Not looking surprised in the least, Knox shrugged it off without so much as a hint of annoyance or anger. "I expected as much. My captain already informed me that the situation here was of a…delicatenature.” His blue eyes shifted to Van’s focused stare. “And given your team’s track record when it comes to protecting your women, I’m perfectly fine being kept in the dark.”
Van opened his mouth to make it clear that Kam wasn’t his. But Lucky slapped a hand on one of Knox’s shoulders and grinned.
