“We’ll deal with it then.”
“Oh, willwe?”
Her sarcasm was hard to miss. “Yes.Wewill,” he stated firmly.
“Don’t tell Parker anything. Please.”
“Why not?”
“Because there isn’t a damn thing he can do from where he is except worry,” she said. “They use live ammo in training, you know. I’d rather he concentrate on his surroundings, not on what’s happening here.” She placed her hands on her forehead and closed her eyes.
“Headache?” he asked.
“No. Despair.”
“Misty…” He gathered her into his arms and let her weep.
* * *
Misty had to take some time off from the bank for her MRI. When she explained the reason to her boss, Adam was understanding—a littletoounderstanding.
He dragged his chair around his desk and leaned forward to place his hand on her knee. “I’m here for you if you need anything, Misty. Anything at all.”
“I, uh, appreciate that, Adam.”
“Would you like me to go with you? I have a meeting with a client, but I can reschedule.”
“No. Gabe is taking me. Thank you, though.”
Adam leaned back, and his expression grew chilly. “The firefighter who’s responsible for destroying our vault?”
She knew he wasn’t fond of Gabe, but seriously? “The damage is covered by insurance, right?”
“Uh-huh. So was the cash. How do you know him, anyway?”
“We grew up together. He was my brother’s best friend, and his family lived down the street from us.”
“Was? I take it they aren’t friends anymore.”
“No, that’s not what I meant. We moved when I was twelve, but he and Gabe stayed in touch all those years. Parker would take the T into the city once in a while.”
“Didn’t you go too?”
“I was too busy. Dance classes, field hockey, and school stuff… I would have been welcome, though.”
“Hmph. Well, since your brother isn’t around, the other guy is probably acting as his surrogate. Another big brother, in other words.”
Thinking about the incredible night they’d spent together, Misty almost laughed. “I know what a surrogate is, and no. Gabe isn’t a big brother to me. He’s a friend.”
“Just a friend?”
“Why all these questions about Gabe? I like to keep my personal life kind of private.”
“Of course.” He rose and dragged his chair back behind his desk.
She rose too, a little more slowly. “Can I go? He’ll be here—” She glanced out his glass office wall just as Gabe strode in. “Oh! There he is.” She couldn’t help the grin that spread across her face.
Gabe spotted her, smiled back, and waited outside the office.
