“Take out!” Robin said gleefully.
“Uncle Jude better remember how to cook because you’re not living on that,” I stated, folding my arms and looking stern.
Raven laughed and threw herself at me. “Daddy, Uncle Jude doesn’t cook. He does a real man’s job!”
I blinked. Did my seven-year-old daughter insult me? Dynamo snickered loudly.
“Did she…? Did I…?”
“Get thoroughly dissed by your kid? Yeah. Better fetch your apron, bitch,” Dynamo murmured the last word and chuckled.
“Okay, you horrible brats, I have a real job. Now let’s get you settled.”
“We’ve had baths,” Robin stated.
“Then time for bed.”
“Daddy, Dynamo has to tell us a story,” Raven demanded, and Dynamo froze on the spot. She sent me a terrified glance, and I instantly felt bad.
“Not tonight, girls; Dynamo has to help me with some work,” I said, coming to her rescue. The one thing I adored about my kids was how easy they were.
“Okay, Uncle Freddie can,” Raven declared.
I nodded. “Go get into bed, and I’ll send Uncle Freddie. Give kisses, love you guys.”
“Love you, Daddy,” the girls chorused, and then flung their arms around Dynamo. “Goodnight, Dynamo.”
“Night,” she replied somewhat faintly.
They rushed down the hallway, and I walked Dynamo into the acting command room.
“We need that fuckin’ land like a week ago. We’re too exposed here,” Jude complained the moment I appeared.
“Freddie, the girls want a bedtime story,” I called.
Freddie unfolded from his chair and left without a word.
“The sale’s processing,” I said to Jude.
“Make it happen yesterday,” Jude retorted. “Dynamo.” He nodded to her.
“Captain,” she replied.
“Sorry to interrupt your date, but this couldn’t wait. Caleb picked up chatter at twenty-one hundred hours. It mentioned a hit on a former ACI member with two kids. The buyer wanted you dead, and the hitman could do what he wished with Raven and Robin. They’re a bonus for him,” Jude stated coldly.
Inside, he was raging. I’d known Jude for over twenty years. The colder he got, the angrier and more methodical he became.
“Rules every fucker out apart from me.”
“Why?” Dynamo asked.
“I’m the only one with kids. Threat level?”
“Ten. It’s solid. Rainbow collected,” Caleb replied.
I absorbed the words and let them sink in before throwing my head back and laughing. “That fucker wants to come afterme? I’ll rip him apart with my bare hands.”
“I’m missing something here,” Dynamo said quietly.
