Sam brushed his hand over her hair. “I like that sound.”
She loved his touch and hearing his voice. She had no idea where they went from here though. “What is next for you?”
“Not sure until I meet with Logan, but I have no regrets so don’t you dare worry.”
She would have a huge one if he lost his place with men he clearly respected and cared about.
Nitro walked over to them. “How’s the shoulder, Partyman?”
“Sore, but usable by tomorrow.”
Shaking his head, Nitro said, “You have to let your body heal.”
“I may have lots of time for that,” Sam admitted with a sad smile. “Thanks for all you did when I put you in a spot I never meant to do.”
“No thanks needed. It’s what we do, Cuz.”
Hallene asked, “What about the Collector? Did anyone find him?”
“No, and I would have been surprised if we had,” Nitro said. “The Collector hasn’t been known for kidnappings of this level before and never kept a captive near him for more than three days. In the past, he took contracts for powerful cartels and some in the Middle East.”
Sam said, “We won’t stop looking for him.”
Nodding, Nitro said, “He just moved higher on the international most wanted list and your intel is going to help, Hallene.”
“Thanks.” Hallene appreciated the way Sam’s team gave honest answers on what they could share. She asked, “What about the submarine? Will the US and China be in conflict over this?”
“Hopefully not,” Nitro replied. “Our boss interacts with governments in different countries and has been talking to the State Department here. If things go as expected, China and the US will remain in neutral positions.”
So much fallout from all of this. Hallene wondered about the captain of the Chinese sub who had to sail it home to face his superiors even if he had been blackmailed. Then there was the senator’s family. After suffering the media blast that trashed her family after her father’s scandal, she felt for the senator’s family who would have it far worse.
Then Nitro went over to check on someone else.
Thinking back on Nitro’s words, Hallene turned raised eyebrows at Sam. “Partyman?”
Curling his lips, Sam said, “The team has always made fun of how I’ll sit around reading during downtime instead of partying. They stuck me with that nickname.”
She put her arms around his shoulders. “I like that you’re a bookworm.”
“If you’re up for a little trip to Clercville, I might put my books aside.” He hooked his right arm around her, pulling her close. “I’d like to read your body right now, starting with those lovely titties and kissing my way to—”
A trip with him that didn’t include people shooting at them sounded wonderful. She kissed him, cutting off his words before he said more. She whispered, “Do not speak like that in front of your team. They hear everything.”
Grinning big time, he said, “They aren’t paying any attention to us.”
She cut her eyes to the side. “Every one of them except Blade is watching us.” Blade stood with Phoebe who held a phone to her ear. “Oh. Blade is waving me over.”
Sam released her but walked with her.
Nitro caught him on the way and held Sam back to quietly say, “Logan wants to see you in the morning. He’s flying in.”
Heaving a deep breath, Sam said, “I know what this means. Thanks. I can never repay you.”
Tears pooled in Phoebe’s eyes. She handed the phone to Hallene. “I talked to Mum. She sounded weak but glad to ’ear from me. A doctor wants to talk to you.”
Hallene took the phone. “This is Hallene Clarke.”
“Hello, Miss Clarke. I’ve completed most of my tests on your mother and ... told her what I found. I explained the treatment to clear her body of toxins. It’s not an easy treatment and there is risk since she’s so weak from how long her body has been under attack. She’s asked that you and Phoebe come home. Now.”
