They had another day before that happened. Maybe two. After that…
I’ll never see her again.
The gnawing feeling from before began to twist at the thought of what could very well happen to Kam if he did as planned and put her life in Webb’s hands.
At best, she’d end up behind bars with the charge of murdering an American soldier. At worst…
The bastard would have her killed.
Van pulled in a deep breath, being sure to keep the movement of his lungs silent to avoid alerting her to his disturbing thoughts. Officially, SECNAV would never condone or commission the killing of a foreign citizen without first allowing them the due process they deserved. Unofficially…
Enemies of the State disappeared all the time. Some were kept in undisclosed locations for as long as the government deemed them useful to their cause. Others, well..
They simply vanished, never to be seen or heard from again.
I can’t let that happen. Not to her.
He wasn’t sure how he’d be able to prevent it, but the decision was made. Despite his team’s earlier agreement with Webb, Van would do whatever it took to keep Kam as far away from the man—or any other government entity for that matter—as he could.
Because she was innocent of that which she’d been accused. He knew it in his gut…and in his hardened heart.
Now he just had to prove it.
CHAPTER 13
“I cannot eat another bite.”Kam settled back against the wooden booth’s high back and sighed.
“I have to admit…” Van took a swig of iced tea and swallowed. “You make damn good mac and cheese.”
She laughed because the macaroni and cheese side dish she’d been in charge of making had come from a box. “And you, sir, seem to have mastered the art of grilling a frozen hamburger patty.”
“We make a good team.”
Van’s response seemed to be spoken without thought, the slight widening of his black eyes giving away the man’s own surprise at his own rumbled comment. Kam smiled to herself, wondering if he even realized he did that.
She hoped not, because she found it absolutely adorable.
“Are you finished?” She slid out of the built-in booth that made up one half of the boat’s small kitchen.
He nodded, wiping his mouth with a paper napkin after having taken another drink. “I am, but I can?—”
“Nonsense.” Kam was already reaching for his plate and silverware. “You drove in the sun for hours while I sat like a bump on a log. The least I can do is take care of the clean-up.”
Rather than argue, as she’d expected, the sexy former SEAL relented almost instantly. “Thank you.”
“Of course.”
Their gazes held a moment longer before she turned and headed for the sink. Sliding his large form from his seat, Van spoke from behind her as she turned on the water and began filling the tiny sink with hot, soapy water.
“If you’re good here, I think I’ll go rinse off for the night.”
“Go.” She waved him away without looking up from what she was doing. “Relax. You’ve more than earned it.”
From the corner of her eye, Kam saw him disappear into his bedroom, sliding the pocket door behind him as he went. Several minutes passed as she took care of the clean-up, doing everything she could to ignore the running water coming from the other side of his door.
Van. In the shower. Naked.
Not a good idea, Kam.
