The outhouse was ready. It took some dusting and cleaning out of a few spiders, but we were good to go. Before I ducked out of there, I placed two toilet paper rolls next to the shitter and poured a bottle of disinfectant in the tank.
“James?”
“Yeah?” I trekked back to the cabin and arrived just as she came out of there.
“How did you bring so much?” She was holding two handfuls of spice bags and stock cubes—and one jar of strawberry preserves. “I thought the hot sauce and salt were luxurious enough, and then I saw a pouch labeled ‘Kitchen’ attached to your rucksack. I hope you don’t mind that I snooped. I didn’t touch anything else.”
It was fine. I could go withI have my ordersagain, but that might get repetitive. “I didn’t bring all of it. We have people like your friend’s husband in all countries we work in. Nobody knows everything, but each one knows something. One guy will keep supplies stocked for us. Another will act as a courier. Someone will…you know, be in charge of surveillance at a safehouse.” I lifted a brow at her.
She smiled sheepishly. “I’m guessing you know Noura’s husband by name now.”
I did. “He won’t get into trouble.” We wouldn’t be using that location again anyway. “As for all this—” I gestured to her hands. “Call me comfortable. I don’t like my fish bland.”
It wasn’t technically a lie, but I wasn’t about to divulge that I was preparing the location for two operators who were going to spend three months here soon. The helicopter had way more supplies in the cargo; it just wasn’t for me to use.
Kiera squinted up at me and tilted her head. “I think you’re withholding something, but I’ll allow it. I’m just curious. Food’s ready soon.” She turned and headed back inside.
Her ass was still too sexy for her own good, but I’d allow it.
One would think a fantastic meal would silence just about anyone. And if that didn’t do the trick, then how about the view?
Kiera had a nice fire going in the pit a few paces away from the camp, and we were currently eating soup and freshly made bread in front of it.Plus, the view. Did that shut her up? Not one bit. She hadn’t been lying about being curious.
“Siblings?”
I shook my head and dipped the bread into the soup. It was fucking amazing. She’d turned canned tomato soup into something worthy of a restaurant menu. She’d used rice, green lentils, freeze-dried chicken, and chili. And the bread was fantastic. I tasted olive oil and rosemary.
“Small family, then?” she asked.
I shrugged. “Not really. My grandparents had two boys. One had one child—me—and the other had eight.”
“Wow. So a lot of cousins. Are you close?”
“Not really,” I repeated, even though I hung out with a couple of them from time to time. “I’m close with my folks. That’s plenty.” I shoveled more food into my mouth and eyed her. Family was important to her—that much was clear.
My folks were about as married to their careers as I was. Even now when they were getting closer to eighty, Ma was involved with activities for the children at her church. She’d always loved being a teacher. And Pop could be found under the hood of a car.
It made me think of something, because there was one more.
“You haven’t asked about my grandparents,” I pointed out.
She widened her eyes, and it was fucking funny.
“I-I’m sorry,” she said. “They’re alive?”
“I woulda said yes if you’d asked me last year,” I answered. “Gramps kicked the bucket last September, but I have my nana around.” Wretched woman. She always cheated at poker and stole my whiskey.
Had to love her, though.
“Oh, wow. That’s impressive.”
I narrowed my eyes at her. “How old do you think I am?” Let’s face it, Iwaspretty old. Gramps had died at the young age of ninety-nine.
Kiera bit her lip. “Um…forty-three?”
I snorted. Horrible liar.
“You know it’s more than that,” I drawled. “I turn forty-eight in three months. It’s totally fine that you didn’t think I’d still have grandparents.”
