Page 59 of Gwen's Delta
“Grams or Gramps. They have keys to the house. I go away sometimes to visit my friend in Dallas, and they come and check on him. He’s never happy when I return, and I usually end up with a few scratches for punishment.”
Destiny shook her head at the cat as he bathed on the bed. “Wow, Sir Galahad, that’s not very nice.”
The cat stopped mid-lick when he heard his name and gave them a bored look.
Gwen ruffled his head. “I’m going away for a few days. Don’t trash the house, mister, and I’ll get you a present.”
He meowed in response, but she doubted he understood.
Chapter 16
As soon as Merlin pulled up in front of the bookstore, Gwen ran out to meet him. He’d known she’d be watching for him, so it didn’t surprise him. He’d used every argument he could come up with to keep her in Texas, but his team had shot them all down. With no other choice, he’d resigned himself to Gwen accompanying them to Cairo. He might have given in, but they knew without a doubt that he wasn’t happy about it.
“Hi, princess. How are you holding up?” He followed her into the store and pulled her against him for a hug and a quick kiss.
She sighed. “I don’t know. Numb. Worried. Scared. I’ve been trying not to lose it in front of my grandparents.”
“I’m sure they’d understand,” Merlin said as he pushed a lock of her hair behind her ear.
“Maybe. Probably. But I’m worried about them, too.” Gwen stopped and looked up at him. “You need to know that I’ll do whatever it takes to get my parents back.”
“I know you will, but you won’t be alone. We’ll have your six.” Merlin grabbed her hand and laced his fingers with hers, hoping to give her some of his strength.
The flight would take about fifteen hours, depending how often they would need to stop to refuel. While they were in the air, he’d tell her as much as he could about the plan, and hopefully, it would help her relax. What he wouldn’t give to make her scream his name with a good orgasm and pass out from exhaustion. But she’d probably kick him in the balls if he suggested it. Thinking about his little bookworm getting feisty almost made him smile.
Everyone had gathered in the kitchen, and a pot of coffee and cake sat on the table. Had she been drinking coffee all day? No wonder she was trembling—caffeine overload would do that.
Destiny shot him a brief smile and nodded, letting him know Gwen was holding up okay. He didn’t know how he’d repay her, but he owed her big time.
“Is that cake?” Merlin asked, trying to ease the tension that filled the kitchen.
“Yes, Grams and Destiny baked. It’s delicious,” Gwen said as she cut him a slice. “It’s sour cream coffee cake.”
“With cinnamon?”
“Good sniffer. Yes, the swirly stuff is cinnamon and sugar,” Grams answered with a smile.
The moist cake melted in his mouth, the cinnamon and sugar coating his tongue in sweetness. They weren’t kidding. It was delicious. “It’s delectable, Becca and Destiny,” he said with a grin. “I’d have a tough time not eating it in one sitting.”
Destiny laughed. “You and Trent both. But I have the recipe, so if he likes it I can make it for him.”
“And we made an extra one for you to take on the plane. It was the least I could do. You’re doing so much for my family,” Grams said as tears filled her eyes.
“You didn’t have to do anything. It’s what we do. But I’m sure the guys will fight over it.” Even Duff wouldn’t be able to pass this up.
“Maybe I should have made two for you,” Grams said.
“No, one is fine. But I’d bet the guys turn up for a visit after we get back,” Merlin warned.
“You’re all welcome. Anytime,” Gramps said.
Merlin was pleased to see Gramps had mostly recovered from the morning’s shock—at least on the surface. He couldn’t promise them a successful mission, though he’d already done it with Gwen. But he needed to offer them hope. “We’ll do our best to bring everyone home safe.”
“I know you will, and that’s all we can ask,” Gramps said with a nod.
“We should get going,” Merlin said as he popped the last bite of cake into his mouth. “Are you ready, princess?”
“I guess so.” Her answer didn’t convince him, but he hoped to fix that by the time they landed in Cairo.
