Page 88 of Good Enough

“Yup. But the fact that he ran into that trouble makes it clear that he’s on the right track and that Ka-Bar is still out there somewhere.”

“Why not ask Jacques where he is?”

Waters sighed. “We can’t. He was in a car crash.”

She picked her head up, and he looked her in the eye. “Jacques is dead?”

Waters brought her hand up to his mouth, kissing the back of it. “Yeah. It looks like a truck ran through an intersection by accident, but… unlikely. Too coincidental.”

“What happened to Steel?”

“While he was looking into a warehouse we figured that Ka-Bar was hiding out in, a small explosion went off. More of a deterrent message than a large-scale destruction situation. Luckily for Steel, he was at the periphery. Sent him flying into a brick wall. He’s incredibly lucky he got away with only a dislocated shoulder and a concussion.”

They lay in the quiet. A minute or so later, she asked softly, “Your guy, Demon. He’s not here to give you medical reports.”

He closed his eyes and kissed the top of her head again. “No, baby, he’s not.”

“You have others here?”

“Yes. Two more.”

“Where are they? Are they on the crew?”

“No. They’re on overwatch. You’ll never see them.”

“Are they good at what they do?” She gave a short laugh. “Stupid question, I guess. I can’t see you working with less than good.”

He rolled her over onto her back, settling into her side, raising himself on one elbow over her. He brushed her hair back from her forehead, trying to reassure her with his steady gaze.

“Nope. I only work with the best. When Steel’s former teammate comes calling needing a favor, he gets what he needs, no questions asked. He’s Tribe by default since they served together.”

“I get that someone thinks I have something. But they could just steal it, like they tried to at my trailer and here. There’d be no need to protect me. So what’s with the bodyguards?” she asked.

“Babe,” he started, then stopped. “I need you not to panic.”

She grunted. “When have I ever gone into panic mode?”

“This is a little different than a Big Bird molting.” He exhaled. “Ka-Bar is either hiding well, or they have him, and he’s not giving up information. They know you have this ‘package’ or at least believe you know where it is.”

“I’m in danger.” It wasn’t a question. “You think they’re coming for me, either to use me as leverage to get Ka-Bar to talk or get the information out of me.”

He refused to lie. “We think so.” He brought his lips to hers, brushing them softly. “I won’t let anyone hurt you, Kubrick.”

“I know.” She smiled gently at his serious face, caressing his cheek. Then she closed her eyes, her hand flopping back to her side on the bed. She sighed. “Fuckin’ Ka-Bar. I am so going to kick his ass.”

He grinned. “Get into trouble often, did he?”

The snort she gave this time was less than ladylike. “You could say that. But it sounds like this time it might be the royal fuckup of all fuckups. Especially if someone might be coming after me for something I have no fuck-all clue about.”

Waters chuckled. “How many times can you use ‘fuck’ in a sentence, woman?”

“Don’t know. Never counted.”

“Mmm.” He kissed her again, then nuzzled her nose with his. “Such a lady.”

“Fuck that noise,” she teased. “I am many things, but I have never professed to being a lady.”

His mouth traveled down to her jaw, then to the hollow of her throat, the tip of his tongue barely brushing there. “Fuckin’ noise is correct. You’re loud.”

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