Page 145 of Dangerous Mission

His sad smile makes my emotions climb up my throat leaving a stinging trail.

Before I can say anything too sappy, Griff huffs. “So you’re marrying this fuc—I mean—this jerk?”

There’s no bite to his words now, they carry almost a teasing affection.

“That’s my plan.”

He chuckles. “Scout, when I told you to stay away from my sister, this is why. I just had a bad feeling she’d fall for those damned spooky blue eyes, and then I’d be stuck with your annoying ass.”

My irritation starts to rise, but he quickly sticks his hand out to Scout. “Welcome to the Kane family. I’m happy she didn’t fall for some Air Force dork.”

Scout’s brows go up, and he starts to laugh. “Me too.”

They share a hearty handshake followed by a violent back slap. “Thanks, man.”

“Break it up, you three.” Justice hustles into the tent. “Time for huggy-huggy later. It's game time.”

Motioning around to different things, Justice puts the guys to work before winking at me. “Figured you could use a break from those two.”

I shrug, a hint of a smile sneaking through. “I don’tknow. It’s kind of like watching a car sliding on ice—there’s this strange fascination. You’re just waiting to see if it’ll glide to a safe stop…or if something gets dented with a bang.”

When I finish my weird analogy, I realize Justice is looking at me with his complete focus. “That’s so weird you said that.”

“Why is that?”

Truck limps into the tent. “What are we talking about?”

“About—” I start, but a whistle cuts through the air.

Truck holds up both hands. “Hold that thought, I’ll be back.”

Only I don’t see him again and I realize there’s some kind of big discussion going on over by the water. Beast and several men are motioning toward the cave. The professor is there. Someone’s voice goes a few decibels louder.

I growl in frustration.What is going on?

Stupid feet. Being bundled in gauze was fine as long as I was in bed with Scout. But now, I’m stuck waiting until someone comes back.

It seems like a petty problem though. Everyone is in mission mode at that point and I don’t want to be a distraction.

Justice and Beast suit up in record time. There’s no sign of Camile this morning, and I wonder if she’s staying away because she’s upset. From what the team said about the cave last night, I’d be too.

Is it greedy of me that I’m happy Scout’s not diving?

Yes, I decide, but I’m lucky this morning that he’s not. Griff too. But soon my brother will be back doing what he does. Rescue diving is Griff’s life.

Scout… I’m not even sure what Scout’s life is.

I scrub my hands over my eyes. “I can’t believe I don’t…

Scout appears at my elbow. He drops down on his haunches and looks at me with those cool, pale blue eyes that did have a hand in stealing my heart.

“You talking to yourself now, sweetheart?”

Before I answer, he’s pressing his lips to my temple. “I’m going to pick you up.”

“Where are we going?”

“As much as I want to carry you back to the truck, I’m not. I’m taking you over to the water’s edge with the rest of us. I don’t want you here by yourself.”

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