Page 37 of Keeping Her Safe

“Laptop?”

“I don’t see one. Desk drawers are all over the floor.”

“I figured. Can you open the closet? Are there boxes on the floor?” Zachary sat down at the top of the stairs again.

“I am not taking boxes!” Travis complained.

“Have they been moved?”

“Doesn’t look like it, this guy didn’t put anything back.” Travis was looking at the mess again in the room, Zachary could tell.

“Can you take out the boxes? In the back corner, left side, there is a hole under the carpet,” Zachary asked.

Travis cursed, and Zachary heard the man moving boxes out of the closet. It took longer than Zachary had thought it would.

“I got the gun case.”

“Open it up and take out the USB drives. Grab them all. Shove them in your pockets. All of them—you cannot leave any.”

“Okay, Zach.”

“I got them. What do you want me to do with them?” Travis asked.

“Do you have a safe deposit box?” Zachary couldn’t think of a safe enough place for them. Odd, since Zephyr had kept them on a shelf in her kitchen.

“Yes,” Travis replied.

“Put them in there until I get back.”

“Okay. What are they?”

“I can’t tell you right now, but when Zephyr is safe, I’ll get you a beer and tell you everything,” Zachary promised.

“How is your almost-little sister?” Travis knew the story since he was the one who helped get the information together on Zephyr’s sisters. The man knew she was an author but had no idea what she wrote. Zachary could imagine his face when he found out how much those USB drives were worth.

Before answering, the only image that came to Zachary’s mind was her sleeping in bed, sexy, exhausted, and spent. “She’s great. I can’t wait until this is all over. I want you to meet her.”

“I knew it! After seeing the sisters, I knew you wouldn’t keep your hands to yourself.” Travis was still laughing when Zachary hung up on him before he could say anything else.

A few minutes later, Zachary had changed out of yesterday’s clothes and into a clean set. Sitting on the bed, he strapped his gun to his leg. Turning to Zephyr, he brushed a curl from her cheek, then pulled the sheet and a blanket over her. He regretted blocking the view but knew she would get cold without it.

Before leaving the room again, he bent to push a curl off her face and kiss her soft lips. He wanted to crawl back into bed with her, but she needed sleep, and he knew he wouldn’t be able to stop touching her if he was back in bed with her.

The decision was made when he heard the door to the house open downstairs. Max was here with breakfast. Leaving her behind, he hurried down to see the host.

To his surprise, it wasn’t Max who was busy in the kitchen when he made it there. Della was gathering pots and pans and handing some to the little girl she brought with her. Della heard Zachary walk into the kitchen and looked up. Smiling, and said, “Good morning, Zachary. Zephyr still sleeping?”

“Yeah, she was working on her paper into the night, so I’m letting her sleep,” he explained. “Who is this?”

“This is Molly, and she’s helping me this morning.” Della touched the little girl's head as she walked by her.

“Daddy is sleeping. We didn’t wake him,” the little girl grinned.

“He needs his rest. So, what are you in the mood for?” Della asked.

“Pancakes?” Molly asked.

“Yes.” He turned to the little girl and smiled. “Pancakes sound wonderful.”

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