Page 76 of Mr. Dangerous

“I meant because there are no women SEALs… yet,” Alice said crisply. Rob opened his mouth to answer – I was willing to bet he had strong opinions on that – and Alice smiled back mischievously at me over her shoulder as she headed forthedoor.

“Hey! How are youdoing?”

Even from where I sat on the couch, I could hear Liam greeting Alice in the entryway. I rose to follow the sounds ofreunion.

Rob rested his hand possessively on my lower back. His touch sent a spark up my spine, but when we entered the big, Italian-tiled foyer, the warmth of his handfellaway.

Liam and Alice were disentangling themselves from what seemed like an awkward hug, their shoulders leaning together without their hips touching. The very awkwardness of it seemed to make them bothsmile.

“It has been a million years!” Alice said. “I’m sorry we’re meeting again under such unfortunate circumstances. I’m sorry aboutyourdad.”

There was a faint flush in Alice’s cheeks, and that combined with the rapidity of her speech made my want to grab my sister by the hand and hustle her out the door. Alice had no play-it-cool when it came to Liam, itseemed.

“It’s okay,” Liam said, his smile dimming. He was handsome like his brother, leanly muscled and square-jawed, although Liam seemed so much younger. “He’s going tobefine.”

Alice rested her hand on Liam’s forearm, looking up into his face with concern in her hazel eyes. “I’ll be prayingforyou.”

As far as I knew, Alice was a completely lapsedCatholic.

“Thanks,” Liam said. He took a step back. “Better pray for whoever hurt my dad. They’re the ones who are introuble.”

“Oh, Jesus, Liam.”Robsaid.

“What?” Liam demanded. “Like you’re not one hundred percent focused onfindingthem—”

“Yeah, to make sure Mitch, and you guys, are safe.” Rob’s eyes flickered to me apparently counting me in thatyou guys.I felt a surge of warmth at hisprotectiveness.

Something flared in Liam’s eyes. I felt my lips part, startled by the sudden anger written across Liam’s face, but Liam was already forcing a smile onto his faceinstead.

“Don’t let him worry you, Naomi,” Liam said, still looking at her directly. “Rob’s a worrier. Alwayshasbeen.”

“You’ve always given me reasons to worry,”Robsaid.

“I’m not worried,” I said. “I want to help. Any wayIcan.”

“That’s nice of you. But this is bigger than anything you can help with.” Liam said. He raked his fingers throughhishair.

“Okay, well, I should be going to work,” Alice said. She hugged me goodbye again. I wrapped my arms around her, surprised by the unnecessary second hug. Alice seemedunnerved.

Alice squeezed me tight, smelling of her usual rose perfume, her suit jacket slightlyscratchy.

The Delaney house–the Delaneyworld–was unsettling. Alice reminded me of the grounded real world outside those gates, even if this house was supposed to be where I was safest. Before Rob, the news sometimes made me anxious. But I had never been afraid of kidnapping or carjacking or that anyone would try to harm mepersonally.

“Come over tonight? If I’m still here?” Iasked.

“I have class.” Alice’s arms slid away, but even as she started to walk across the foyer, she couldn’t help turning back. “But, I’ll come over between. Late lunch? And if you need me, I can stay. Skip my class. I haven’t missed allsemester.”

I waved goodbye as Alice whirled around again and let herself out the front door. When it clicked shut behind her, Liam said, “Please don’t make her skipclass.”

“Liam,”Robsaid.

“What? There’s no need. It’s awaste.”

Rob gave Liam a dark,suspiciouslook.

Liam shrugged. “I’m going to go through Dad’s office and his room. I know it’s a long shot, but I thought I’d see if there’s anything there that might give usaclue.”

I looked at Rob quizzically. “I thought the police said the attack was probably random? That there were a series of homeinvasions?”

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