Page 88 of Protected By Her Mate

Your brother needs his head examined,Charlie says to me, setting to work on the suitcase bomb.

Not gonna argue with that,I respond.

I can hear you, you know,Lock says and, when Charlie looks at him, her expression one of betrayal, he explains,We’re family. Thoughts are clearer and more easily shared during times of stress.

Aww, fam,Magdalene sighs happily in our collective heads, as though we aren’t trying to stop a potential apocalypse.

I shut the connection down, growling out loud, “Stay out of her head while she’s working.”

“Stay out of my head always,” Charlie mutters, turning her attention to the bomb. “This one is more complicated.”

After a few minutes of examining parts, she reaches for her toolkit, humming the tune for a commercial to herself. She explains, “I listen to music when I’m in the lab diffusing fake bombs. It helps me concentrate.”

“I could sing?” Magdalene offers.

“No, thanks,” Charlie says quickly, then looks up at us. “I’m done.”

A bead of sweat trails down her forehead, touching the edge of her eyebrow before continuing down to her jaw. I lift my hand to her helmet, caressing it. “You’re amazing.”

“I know,” she says beaming. “Let’s get out of here.”

As we head toward the stairs leading out of the basement, boots thunder toward us. We watch as several people dressed similarly to Charlie rush through the door.

She points. “There’s one over there and one in the boiler room. Both have been disarmed and are ready for disposal.”

“Good job, Investigator,” one of them says. “We brought a TCV in case you needed it.”

I read her mind and realize they’re referring to a Total Containment Vessel; a unit meant to contain a blast in case a bomb can’t be disarmed.

“Good thinking,” she says.

We emerge from the building and into a chaotic scene of flashing fire trucks, police cars, and masses of people. More people dressed in bomb disposal gear pass us, heading into the building with dogs to search for other bombs.

Detaching the air hose, I help Charlie take her helmet off and bend to kiss her. “I’m very proud of my mate.”

She grins and says, “It’s about time I got to show you what I’m capable of.”

“I know exactly what you’re capable of.” I can’t wait to get her out of the suit and back home so I can show her what I’m capable of.

We kiss again, but we’re interrupted by the insistent ringing of my cell phone. It’s Charlamagne.

“We have a problem,” he launches right in. “The Washington Monument bombs have been disarmed as well as two more at the Edinburgh Peace Monument. The Hiroshima Peace Memorial has been rigged as well and their people are working on it.”

Charlie says, “Make sure they know they only have about 35 minutes.”

“Acknowledged,” he says grimly, and continues, “More were found in the Palace of Nations in Geneva, but their bomb unit was called to a threat across the city. They don’t know if it’s a distraction, but the call came in before the Palace bombs were discovered.”

I glance at Magdalene who says, “Sure, why not? Your magical transport witch is ready and waiting. Please make sure all arms and legs are inside the vehicle as we travel.”

Charlamagne gruffly adds, “No word on the sixth and final target. We’ll keep working on it.”

Magdalene steps behind a fire truck, giving us a modicum of privacy as she waves her hand, conjuring a pool of light.

Chapter 33

Da Bomb

MAGDALENE RAGE WITCH

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