Page 81 of Gwen's Delta
Luke’s hand wrapped around hers. The small gesture made it even harder to keep from crying.
“I can’t fix this, but I promise to help you deal with it. Unless you’re upset with me, too.”
“What?” His words surprised her. “Why would I be upset with you?”
“Because I lied to you. I told you we were there to help you get your parents back when that was only part of it.”
“No, you always told me you had other things to look into. I’m not stupid, Luke. I knew they wouldn’t send a team like yours to help with a kidnapping.”
Luke sighed. “It will always be like this if we stay together. As long as I’m part of the team, when I leave, I won’t be able to tell you where I go, what I’m doing, or even how long I’ll be gone. Is that something you can live with? The never knowing what’s going on?”
Could she? The better question was, how could she even consider living without him? “I know it won’t be easy. And I may get pissy, but after seeing y’all in action, I have nothing but respect and admiration. Besides, you make my toes curl whenever you kiss me. I’m not sure I could find someone else to fill that position.”
Luke’s low growl made her smile. “You better not be looking for anyone, princess. I’m your one and only toe curler from here on out.”
The sheer silliness of the comment made her chuckle, and it released most of her pent-up tension. “What am I going to tell Grams and Gramps?”
“I’m sure when you were being interviewed, they reminded you that anything you did or saw while we were in Cairo is top secret and can’t be shared. Right?”
“Yes. But I have to tell my grandparents something.”
“You can tell them about the café and your parents’ part in it. Hell, you can tell them they’re CIA operatives. But that we’re Deltas and the rest of it never happened. I’m sorry it has to be that way.”
“I understand,” Gwen said with a sigh. “I’m not looking forward to hurting them, and I know when they find out about my parents, that’s exactly what will happen.”
“I’ll be with you for support.” Luke reached over and squeezed her hand.
It was like he knew what she needed all the time. “You’re staying? I thought you’d have to go back to post.”
“Nope. I’m staying for at least a few days. I’ll have to check in, but unless something comes up, you’ve got me all to yourself.”
That was the best news Gwen had heard in days, and relief filled her, replacing the anger and fear from earlier. She’d have Luke all to herself, and her insides got all tingly just thinking about it. She didn’t just look forward to making love with him, though the man had some serious moves. She wanted to wake up in his arms, listen to his heartbeat, and inhale the scent that was only his. She had it bad, but she’d take whatever he was willing to give her.
“First thing in the morning, we’ll need to go grocery shopping, or you’ll starve to death.” Gwen giggled as she remembered his grumbling about the lack of food in her house.
“There is that. I guess I can share you with the world while we do that. But we’ll have to be quick.”
His words helped soothe the ragged edges of her heart from her parents’ betrayal. Gwen loved him, all of him, from his alpha attitude to his sweet, caring concern whenever he thought she needed it. She wanted to tell him but was afraid of his reaction.
When Luke had asked her if she could handle his job, she’d wondered if he was going to confess his feelings. Karma or fate or whatever had been good to her so far—maybe she’d finally get her wizard.
They’d almost reached Lancelot, and Gwen borrowed Luke’s phone to call her grandparents. Hers had disappeared at some point. It was late, but she didn’t want to wait until morning. Gramps answered the phone in one ring, and she wondered if he’d been sitting next to it and waiting for it to ring.
“Hello?” Gramps sounded tired. He probably hadn’t slept since she’d left. It was hard to believe it was only two days ago.
“Gramps, it’s me. Luke’s bringing me home. We should get to Lancelot shortly,” Gwen replied. “Is it okay if we come over, or do you want us to wait until the morning?”
“Come on over. I’ll have Grams put on a pot of coffee.”
Gwen smiled. Some things never changed. “Okay, we’ll be there soon.”
Luke parked his truck in front of the bookstore and looked at her. “Are you sure you don’t want to go home first?”
“I just want to get this over with. Then we can go home.”
“You got it.”
By the time he helped her out of the truck, her grandparents were waiting by the open door of the bookstore.
