He reached the porch, locking everything behind him, just as Patch rolled up, lights cutting a swath through the darkness. “Forget something?”
Patch shrugged as he slammed his door, padded up to the porch. “Figured you were likely going stir crazy and were headed out to patrol the area. Thought you could use a wingman.”
“What’s wrong? No gators to wrestle tonight?”
Patch grinned. “It’s like they know.”
He fell in behind McGuire as they scouted the perimeter, flashlights sweeping the shadows, checking the skiff docked on the bayou before heading back, avoiding all the traps McGuire had rigged around the property. They rounded the corner, stopped dead.
Patch slipped in behind McGuire as he motioned to the house. “You leave the door unlocked?”
“I’m hurt, dumbass, not stupid.”
“Didn’t think you were.”
McGuire quickstepped across the front porch, then up the steps, avoiding the soft spot on the upper right where the wood groaned from any amount of pressure.
A single light brightened the main living space, exactly the way he’d left it. Patch nodded at the door, gun at the ready, as McGuire turned the handle, slid it open. He moved slowly, avoided the tell-tale creak of the hinges until they could slip in.
He made a few hand signals, clearing the main living space and the kitchen before heading for the bedroom. He showed thecountdown on his hand, then barreled through, Patch going low and left while he went high and right.
Shadows stretched across the room, the light through the windows casting everything in an eerie gray. A solitary figure leaned against the sill, dressed in nothing but an old blue shirt and some socks.
Riven lifted one of his mugs, took a sip before she sighed, nodded at him and Patch. “A little jumpy tonight, boys?”
McGuire stared a few seconds longer, nothing getting through. “Jesus, I…”
She smiled, the simple tilt of her lips kickstarting his heart. “Speechless? That’s a first.”
That got him moving. Six strides, and he’d crossed the room, had her within reach. A few more, and he’d backed her against the wall, fingers fisted in her hair, her body pressed against him as he leaned in, kissed her.
Love.
That’s what she tasted like.
The future he’d thought he’d lost.
Riven wrapped her arms around his neck, pulled him back down when he’d broken away. Held him there until he thought he’d have to breathe through her.
She stared up at him once they’d come up for air, eyes heavy lidded, her lips slightly swollen. “Good answer.”
He nuzzled her nose, getting in another kiss before sighing. “When you didn’t call, and Savvy hadn’t heard from Hale…”
“I know, and I’m sorry. There was an incident at the hotel. I had to smash the damn cell, then Hale insisted we take the freaking scenic route back here so he could make sure we weren’t followed, and?—”
“Incident? What kind of incident?”
“Nothing I couldn’t handle. Like I said, the cartel still has people looking to even the score. Which is part of the reason I’mback. You did say I should have a team, right? That you’d always have my six?”
He arched a brow. “So, you’re here for backup?”
Her face scrunched up, creating adorable lines across her nose. “I’m here because I fell in love with this jackass in Colombia. And I can’t seem to get him out of my head.”
Her words washed over him like a cleansing rain, the truth settling in his heart. He grinned, tugged her impossibly closer. “Still not the pet name I was hoping for.”
“Then, tell me you love me, and I’ll consider changing it.”
“You sure you can handle it?” He laughed when she swatted him, dragging her against him for a long, slow kiss.
