All the puzzle pieces needed to be in place so he could get access to Black Bay through his daughter.
His snack made, he patted his pockets like he’d forgotten something and headed into his office. The curtains were closed, but he still made sure to palm the burner phone so no one saw it while he rummaged through the desk drawer. Standing up, he frowned and looked around like he couldn’t find whatever he’d been looking for. Heading for the door, he discreetly tucked the phone into the deep pocket of his robe.
For anyone who might be watching, he’d finish the movie, eat his snack, then he’d head to the bathroom and turn the shower on to muffle any sound. Only then would he risk calling Godwin back.
Something was wrong with Kong. Katherine wasn’t sure what, but since leaving the pool, he seemed distant. Most notably, his smiles were missing. He’d driven them to the mess hall and he’d gotten an ice cream sundae while she’d gotten a hot chocolatelike they’d planned but there was tension between them that she could feel – like he’d put up a wall. What had happened?
Maybe she was reading too much into it. He could just be deep in thought. She did that sometimes. She’d start thinking about something so hard that the rest of the world just kind of slipped away.
Cocking her head, she grinned playfully at him and nudged him with her foot under the table. “A dollar for your thoughts.”
Kong blinked, jerking his head up from his ice cream to look at her. Aha! She’d been right. He’d been chewing on something in his head and spaced out. Nothing to worry about.
“Isn’t it only supposed to cost a penny?”
Taking a sip of her hot chocolate, she eyed him over the rim. “Inflation.”
Her joke landed flat. He didn’t crack a smile. His lips didn’t even twitch. Instead, he leaned toward her, all serious. “I shouldn’t have brought you down below. It was a massive breach of security.”
Katherine’s stomach clenched. “Are you going to get in trouble?” Would General Davies punish him?
“You can’t say anything to anyone, Katherine. Do you understand? Not a word.”
Her eyes widened. His expression was so fierce she almost shivered. She swallowed hard. “I won’t.”
“Give me your word, Katherine. Promise me.”
Good Lord, how much trouble would he get in? “I promise, Kong.” Reaching out, she took his hand and squeezed his fingers. “I won’t tell anyone.”
With a sharp nod, he returned his attention to his dessert and that’s where it stayed.
That wall she’d felt was still there. As they finished up, there was no playful flirting, no joking around, no smiles, and when they were done at the mess hall and he dropped her off at her place, there were no kisses goodnight, or promises that he’d see her again.
Katherine was so disappointed that she didn’t even stop to admire the new TV that Kong had arranged to be installed while she was at work. She went straight to bed.
The general stomped around his desk, red-faced and pissed off. “What were you thinking? She’s August Cleary’s daughter! August Cleary! The man we – you! – currently suspect is trying to start a war. Maybe we should give her a tour of our defense systems too!”
Kong stood at parade rest in General Davies’ office and silently took the reprimand. The question had been rhetorical. The general didn’t care what he’d been thinking. This was about chewing Kong out for breaking the rules. He deserved it. He hadn’t been thinking tactically, just romantically, and now his stupidity might come back to bite them all in the ass.
“Well? What do you have to say for yourself?”
Kong looked at the man who he loved like a father. “I’m sorry, sir. It won’t happen again.”
“You’re damn right it won’t happen again!” Having blown off the initial head of steam, the general expelled a hard breath and scrubbed a hand over his face. Returning to his seat behind his desk, he motioned for Kong to sit.
“Lark told me that she interrogated Katherine Knox, and I believe her when she says the woman isn’t here to spy, but that doesn’t mean she gets a free pass on my base. Allowing her into the residential area was one thing, but bringing her down below crossed the line.”
“Yes, sir.”
“In regards to Cleary. Do I need to keep you out of the loop? If you can’t stay impartial…”
Kong sat up straighter. “No, sir. I can do this.”
“He’s her father.”
Kong hesitated. If they found proof, how would Katherine react to discovering her father was attempting to start a war? Would she hate Kong for what he’d have to do?
The general sighed. “Look, son. Why don’t you take some time and think about it.”
