“You’re a saint. A beautiful, sexy, brilliant saint. Stay and have some with me.”
Sadness blanketed her eyes “I can’t.” She curled her hands around his triceps and gave him a little squeeze. “Your mom would be proud of you. I’m sure your dad is busting.”
He pulled her into his arms and held her close. “I don’t want you to leave, and I’m not talking about sex. Please, stay and have a bowl of ice cream with me. If you don’t, I’m going to eat the entire gallon.”
Her light-hearted laughter made him smile. “I would love nothing more than that.” She brushed soft fingers over his whiskered face. “But I have to go. Congratulations on today. You and your team did a kick-ass job.” And with that, she dropped a soft kiss on his lips and left him, yet again.
In bare feet, he hurried down the pier to make sure she got safely into her car. “Text me when you get home.”
With a quick nod, she hopped in, started the engine, and drove way.
“Time to lock that woman down and make her mine.”
1 4
C A R L Y ’ S D I S C O V E R Y
T he media heralded Monday’s gig, “Another Heroic Effort by ThunderStrike”. Maverick preferred flying below the radar, but in light of the recent fallout from the senate hearing, he welcomed the accolades. They’d put an end to the calls from concerned clients doubting ThunderStrike’s viability.
Wednesday, zero nine hundred. Maverick and Penelope finished reviewing current assignments. Two teams were out on local protection jobs. Five were overseas. Maverick hadn’t heard from one of them and was about to make a call when his phone rang.
“Hmm, a blocked number.” He flicked his gaze back to Penelope. “Call the team lead and confirm their whereabouts.”
“I’m on it.” Penelope left.
Maverick answered. “Hott here.”
“Good morning, Maverick. George Internado, here. How are things going?”
“What can I do for you, George?” Maverick kept his tone curt.
“Several months ago, I introduced you to a number of key players. They’ve let me know they’re concerned about your cockiness and rogue behavior. Quite frankly, so am I. They don’t want to do business with a maverick, Maverick.” Internado chuckled. “I’ve been reviewing the investigative report. To be honest, things look bleak, so I’m extending you an olive branch.”
Acid churned in his gut. “Go on.”
“Are you familiar with the Watergate steps?” Internado continued.
Those are on my Ironman training route. “The ones on Ohio Drive that butt up against the Potomac?”
“Yes.” Internado cleared his throat. “Meet me there tonight…say…eleven thirty.”
Maverick fisted his hand. “Why?”
“Poor decisions have consequences. Save yourself, boy.”
“I’m not your boy. And I’m not some pawn you can manipulate for your own gain.”
Neither of them spoke for several tense seconds.
“You’re making a grave mistake,” Internado said. “I’m going to bury you alive at Friday’s hearing.” The line went dead.
“Not unless I bury you first,” Maverick said, anger coursing through his veins. He high-tailed it down the hallway. First stop, Penelope’s office. She was on the phone.
“Hold on,” she said before addressing Maverick. “The team ran into a snag, but we’re working through it.”
“Good job.” Next stop, Gunner’s office. His second-in-command looked up from his computer and waved him in.
“The doctor is in. What’s out of joint today?”
