Page 20 of Caught in the Crossfire

The PSI instructor exited the vehicle and slowly circled the hood toward the passenger-side door, his gaze scanning the area as Matt and the St. Claires parked behind them. Linc stood beside the door while Trent escorted Grace to the house. Matt joined Linc.

“Why are we waiting now?” Dawn asked.

“For Trent to signal Linc that the house is safe.” Mason kissed the top of Nicole’s head. “Another couple of minutes and you can go to bed.”

“How do you know so much about security?” Dawn asked Mason.

“Rio and Trent. I’ve been on several missions with them to help with night watch.”

“Have you spent much time with Linc?”

Nicole smiled despite her churning stomach. Her friend was smitten with the PSI instructor. Nice.

“Not as much time as I’ve spent with Durango and Bravo, but we’re friends. He’s a good guy.” He sent her a pointed look. “He’s not dating anyone.”

She whipped around to stare at him. “I didn’t ask that.”

“You wanted to,” Nicole said.

“Maybe,” she muttered.

Trent reappeared in the doorway of his home and signaled Linc and Matt. They opened the passenger-side doors of the SUV. “Let’s go, Dawn.” Linc assisted her from the vehicle and hurried her toward the St. Claire home.

Matt waited until the two were inside the house before saying, “Your turn, Nicole. Mase, get out on the other side and come around. Go to Nicole’s left side. I’ll take the right.”

Mason joined Matt and held out his hand to Nicole. He gathered her against his side and hustled her toward the front door.

They arrived without incident, but Nicole felt as though someone watched them take every step. Ridiculous. How would the killer know she’d go to Trent’s?

She shivered. Anyone who knew her would suspect the likelihood of her staying with her sister was high. After all, she’d been injured, and Grace was a nurse.

Only a fool would take on Trent St. Claire, though. Her brother-in-law was a skilled black ops soldier and a Navy SEAL. No one sane ticked off Trent.

Her gaze slid to Mason. Her husband-to-be was no slouch in the security department, either. He might not be an operative or allowed to carry a weapon, but he knew how to handle himself and protect her. She trusted him with her life as well as her heart.

Matt secured the door. He turned an assessing gaze on Nicole, then glanced at Grace. “Do you have a soft drink with ginger or chamomile tea?”

Nicole frowned. Did she have a sign on her forehead warning others she was sick to her stomach?

“Both. I know not to incur your wrath.”

He snorted. “Brat.”

Grace grinned as she headed for the kitchen.

“Your room is ready, Nic,” Trent said. “Dawn has the guest room.”

Dawn frowned. “What about Linc and Mason? Where will they sleep?”

“On the couch in shifts,” Linc said. “The person on night watch will alternate between the living room window and the back door in the kitchen.” He slid a glance toward Mason. “Although I suspect Mase won’t be sleeping at all.”

“Why not?” Nicole asked. Mason had to go to work early in the morning.

“He’ll sit by your bedside and watch over you when he’s not on night watch.”

“No.” She frowned at Mason. “You have to be at work early.”

“So do you. I’ll be fine. One night short on sleep won’t hurt me.”

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