Page 74 of Luck Be Mine
She smiled. “Good luck, sir. As your wife frequently tells you, no blood. Want me to call her?”
“Nope. I’ll do it first chance.”
She raised a brow in judgment.
“Last time was different.”
“They all are.” Her dry tone made him grin. He would remember this time.
Hunt left her to her tasks and mentally sorted through the list of hot spots being tracked. He passed his XO in the hall. “Safe trip. Tell your mama to get better.”
“I will. Where you headed?”
“Nowhere you need to know. Go get on a plane, brother.”
Doogie stopped in the hallway, but Hunt didn’t. “Not telling. You go. Your mother needs you.”
“Timing sucks.”
“Timing around here always sucks.” Hunt dropped his phone in the pocket by the door and entered the secured operations area. He didn’t often go anywhere without his long-time swim buddy at his back. This would be a major challenge.
Mentally setting a reminder to text Cait as soon as he left the room, he approached the commander and put his mind to the job.
Commander Gregg’s exasperation showed. “Barzan Madari.”
Hunt swore a litany of profanity in his head. They’d been tracking his nasty work all over southeast Asia. He tightened down his emotions. “Where is he and what’s he up to?”
“Africa and killing people. We’re going to return the favor.”
“Africa is a big place.”
“Yes, it is. Ready for briefing?”
“Whenever you are, sir.”
He should have sent his wife more than flowers.
§§§§§§§§§§
◊ Four Years with Friends ◊
Cait closed the file on the latest round of new people QM International hired and celebrated the presence of one woman. Geesh, they’d just welcomed seven new men. Honestly, they were hiring at light speed, but she didn’t know how they managed their corporate bodyguard activities without any women. They needed eight or ten more. But she was only the Chief Medical Officer and didn’t have a say in the hiring unless one of them had health issues.
“All a go?” Quaid’s deep voice startled her.
She dropped back in her chair and gave him a bland look. “Yes, and I’m guessing you peeked before I did.” He lounged in the doorway of her office.
“I might have. We have work arranged for all these people.”
She quickly cleaned off her desk. “Several of them need shots before you send them out of country, but other than vaccine updates, they’re clear. You’ve added another dozen people to the roster. Congratulations.”
Quaid grinned. “We’re good. What can I say? It’s a success when there’s enough business to hire so many and keep you, too.”
She studied his serious expression. “Why are you hanging out in my doorway?”
“You’re working too hard.”
“Who says?”
