Page 107 of Hot & Heavy

Ian had come back. He stomped up to her, picked her up so her feet barely touched the floor and kissed her handily. Then he left, though still stomping.

Not a word had been exchanged, but they'd both said much.

Men will be men…

For the next three hours, Ian didn't think about Maddie at all. He couldn't. When a SEAL, or any special forces operative, went into battle mode, his focus had to be centered on one thing and one thing only: the enemy.

He and Joan went into the park, which was not by any means empty of people. Everyone there was either CIA or SEAL, even that man and woman wheeling a baby carriage, which held not an infant but an AK-47. He and Joan set up a blanket and opened a picnic basket. Ian uncorked a bottle of wine and leaned over to kiss Joan, as if they were lovers enjoying a day in the sun. Joan set out an assortment of cheeses and fruits and smiled up at him.

Then all hell broke loose.

A gunshot, which came from north of the park behind the restrooms, hit Joan in the shoulder and knocked her backward. The shot was probably intended for him, because they would surely want Maddie alive. He pulled out his own pistol and threw himself over Joan, covering her with his body. It was hard to tell from his vantage point who was shooting at whom now, so loud and rapid was the gunfire. He could tell from the firing sounds what kinds of weapons they were, but who was firing, he was in no position to judge. These days, the tangos had just as sophisticated weapons as the U.S. military, thanks to profitable underground arms sales.

Ian would have liked to be up and actively participating in the action, but he would only get in the way at this point. The gunfight lasted only fifteen minutes or so. Even once it was over, he and Joan lay low.

They both pulled concealed weapons out and snaked themselves on their bellies over to a thick bush.

In the end, three tangos were dead, two were seriously injured and captured, and two more were in custody for questioning. A successful operation, as far as he could tell. Dozens of SEALs, CIA, police and special ops guys from the other services crowded the park.

He and the other SEALs in his squad stood about for a long time afterward, patting each other on the back. Recounting every aspect of the op and what they'd done right and wrong.

They all went back to the base together and spent another hour or more with the SEAL commander, once again discussing every aspect of their mission, what they might have done differently, what they needed to study for future reference.

After that, he and his squad members went to the Wet and Wild to celebrate and once again pat themselves on the back and wind down from the adrenaline rush that accompanied any op, whether local or OUTCONUS. Cage had called Geek hours ago to tell him that the mission had been successful.

Now, after two beers, Ian decided he wanted to celebrate in the best way possible. With Maddie.

The tango was more than a dance…

Madrene was happy and angry at the same time.

Geek had told her hours ago that the mission had been successful, and, except for a wound in Joan's shoulder and some abrasions on Sly's face from pieces of flying metal, everyone was all right on their side. That was a good thing, of course. But she was still fuming over not having been included. She was going to make the brute pay for that chauvinistic move, but not too long. Her relief at his safety made any other emotion petty.

But one hour went by, then two, then three. Still, Ian had not come home.

"They're probably at the Wet and Wild," Geek told her.

She arched her brows in question.

"It's a bar where lots of the military guys hang out. Drink a few beers. Listen to the music. Dance." Geek must have realized his mistake the minute the word came out. "I mean, after an op, the men like to wind down and rehash—"

"Dance? There are women there?"

"Yeah, but—"

"I'm going for a walk."

"I don't think that's a good idea. I have orders to keep you here."

"Then leave me alone or I fear I may wring your neck since you are the only male in sight."

"You sure you don't want to practice your letters some more?"

She sliced him with a look that told him exactly what she thought of that suggestion.

"I guess not." He ducked his head and went to the office to play with his come-pewter.

Madrene sat at the kitchen table drinking a cup of the pungent tea Omar had brought her yestermorn.