“Get a room,” Ashton and Summer both said at the same time.Ashton winked at her.
“And don’t think you can dazzle me with your flattery, Matarazzo,” Laura said against her husband’s mouth.“You’re still in big trouble.”
“If it helps, he told me to practice acting surprised so I wouldn’t blow it for him,” Summer told her friend.
“Not at all.That’s even worse.”Laura laughed and they began walking again.
Summer wrapped her arm around Laura’s waist.“Congratulations, Mama,” she said softly.
“Thanks.”Laura beamed.
They made it into the conference room where Chloe took turns charming the pants off everyone and running in circles.Ashton helped as much as he was able, knowing Summer was as exhausted as him.
They both looked relieved when Steve announced an hour later that the safe house was ready, reasonably baby-proofed and had a crib set up.It had been used by a young couple in witness protection a few months ago.They’d also had a toddler.
An Omega guard would be posted in the front hallway twenty-four hours a day.Plus no one outside of Omega Sector would know where she was.Especially not Curtis Harper.
A few minutes later, when someone showed up with some of Summer and Chloe’s items from their condo, they were free to leave.Summer said her goodbyes to everyone.Chloe continued her reign of charm by blowing kisses at everyone on her way out.
Roman and Lillian walked down the hall with them.They would be following in their car to help ensure no one was tailing Ashton and Summer to the safe house.Probably an unnecessary precaution, but Ashton wasn’t taking any chances.
“I hope your kid runs for president one day, Summer.I’d vote for her.”Roman chuckled as Chloe began running down the hallway on wobbly legs.
“She’s quite a character,” Summer agreed.
Roman nudged Lillian with his arm.“Lil, do you think any kid you popped out would know how to reload a Glock from birth?”
The smaller woman smirked.“I don’t plan to find out.I’m not parenting material, if you know what I mean.”
“You and me both, sister.”Roman held out his fist and Lillian tapped it.
“But that one is pretty cute,” Lillian said, pointing at Chloe.
“Yeah, she’s a riot unless she needs a nap or has a dirty diaper,” Summer muttered.
Ashton laughed at the horrified looks that crossed his fellow SWAT members’ faces.He’d been witness to said dirty diapers and knew they were definitely something to fear.
The car ride to the safe house proved uneventful.The trip took them an hour, although it could’ve been made in twenty minutes.Ashton wanted to make sure nobody could possibly be following them.He knew Roman and Lillian did the same.
When he received a text from them that they hadn’t spotted anyone either, Ashton finally took Summer and Chloe to the house.Chloe had long since passed out in her car seat.
Summer gently removed the baby from the restraints and walked inside with Ashton leading the way.He showed her the room with the crib and Summer laid her daughter down.They brought in the rest of the stuff from the car.
Ashton gave her the tour of the small house, glad he was familiar enough with it to do so.It really only consisted of two bedrooms up a small flight of stairs, a kitchen with an eat-in section and a small living room on the bottom floor.Its only unique features were the number of exits: the front door, a back door and both bedrooms which led out to a small balcony that also had a staircase leading outside to a wooded area.
He showed her the safety features of the doors.Except for the front, all of them could only be opened from the inside.
“Don’t walk out on the balcony and let the door close behind you because you’ll be locked out.”
She shook her head.“I hope I’m not going to be here long enough to want to do any sunbathing.”
God, Ashton hoped so, as well.
He showed her where the guard would be posted in the outer hallway and introduced her to Patrick, the one who would be on duty for the next twelve hours.
“I’ll text you with the identity of the new guard.They change every twelve hours, so hopefully we’ll have Curtis Harper after only a couple of shift changes.”
Summer paced a little in the living room.“Okay, good.I wish...”She faded off, staring down at her feet.
