Page 22 of Protecting Clove
“We’ll be fine. Don’t worry about us.”
“But—”
“No, really. Don’t worry. If we end up having to help him see the light, no one will know it was us.”
“I don’t know what to say.”
“Don’t say anything. I don’t want you sleeping alone in your place until you get a good alarm installed. We need cameras and every window and door monitored.”
“But—”
“I’ll sleep on your couch.”
“No. That will be uncomfortable.”
“Where do you think we sleep when we’re on missions? A couch is a hell of a lot more comfortable than the rocky ground.”
She hadn’t thought about where they would sleep on missions. “So you don’t stay at a hotel?”
He threw his head back, laughter booming through the house, drawing both Thario and Neo’s attention. He pulled her into a loose hug as he shook his head before leaning in close and whispering in her ear.
“The places we go don’t have hotels we could stay at. Plus, we don’t want them knowing we’re there.”
He let go, and she wished she was still in his arms. The idea of Bud being in her place, sleeping on her couch, sent a shiver straight through her. She would have to control herself because having that man so close would wreak havoc on her libido.
19
Bud wasn’t sure why he’d suggested he could sleep at Clove’s place. When he’d hugged her earlier, she’d felt right in his arms. The hug had been an impulse, one he should have controlled.
After thanking Thario for everything he was doing, they headed home. He kept checking, making sure no one was following them. It was hard to keep up with the traffic, but no one turned behind them on the road that led to their neighborhood. He wished Thario lived closer, but Thario’s place had wide doorways and supports in the bathroom, so Bud understood why Thario wouldn’t want to move.
After parking, he checked the area, looking for any cars that didn’t belong. He didn’t see anything new, and no cars were driving down their street.
Clove got out of her car and helped Neo out of the back seat. Neo grabbed her school bag and slung it over her shoulder before grabbing the keys from her mother.
“I want to go to the library and get a book about prosthetic limbs this weekend.”
Clove smiled down at Neo and nodded. “Sure, honey. We can go tomorrow morning.”
Neo raced to the front door and entered the place. Bud chuckled and shook his head.
“She’s a smart one.”
Clove angled her eyes his way. “She is. She used to straight up ask people what happened, but I told her she can figure it out on her own. And she can, usually.”
“Well, she’s a good kid and smart.”
“Do you think Thario got mad that she made a comment about his legs?”
He shook his head. “No. Thario doesn’t shy away from it.”
“Good. I wouldn’t want him angry. He seems like a good guy.”
“He is. I need to do a few things inside, and then I’ll be over.”
She nodded then winced. “I ate a little bit of the food but froze some of the meat. I can pay you back for?—”
He held up his hand, cutting her off. “Don’t even think of paying me back. I’m just happy the lunch meat and cheese didn’t go bad.”
