Page 41 of Caught in the Crossfire

“Together, Mason.” She cupped his cheek with her palm. “We face everything together. We’re a team. Don’t forget that.”

He turned and pressed a kiss to her palm. Invisible bands tightened around his chest. He didn’t deserve her and never would.

“Enough mush for now. You’re making me miss Delilah. What did Cindy send us?” Matt asked.

Mason tore his gaze from the woman he loved. “Chicken and dumplings, green beans, and an apple pie.”

The medic rubbed his hands. “Fantastic. I’m starved.”

So was Mason. Whether he’d be able to eat or not was the question. The ache in his jaw had intensified in the past few minutes. “I’ll take the watch while I’m waiting for the ice to numb my jaw.”

A nod. “I won’t be long.”

After Matt went to the kitchen, Mason pressed his forehead to Nicole’s. “You should go eat, too.” From the way she was leaning heavily against him, his bride-to-be was almost asleep on her feet.

She shook her head. “I’ll wait for you.”

No point arguing with her. Truthfully, he enjoyed holding her and, after the confrontation with Fitzgerald, Mason needed her gentle touch and comfort. The confrontation had left him scraped raw inside, ripping open wounds that never fully healed.

He guided her to the window and nudged her back against the wall to make sure she wasn’t visible to anyone outside the house. With an arm around her waist, Mason eased the curtain aside.

The night was dark and peaceful. Hopefully, the killer would still be regrouping and leave them alone for the night. All of them could use sleep.

“Does it hurt?” Nicole murmured, her cheek resting against his heart.

“Oh, yeah. A kiss will make it better.”

She smiled. “When you’re not on watch, I’ll give you as many as you want.”

He groaned. “You shouldn’t tempt a starving man, Ms. Copeland. I’m tempted to nibble on you instead of chicken and dumplings.”

“I wouldn’t protest.”

A vehicle drove slowly down the street. Mason tightened his hold on Nicole. Had the killer come out of hiding after all?

When it continued past the house, he relaxed. Three other vehicles came and went before Matt returned.

“I’ll keep watch from the security room. That way, I’ll be able to keep track of anything happening at the front and back of the house.”

“Good idea.” His cousin, Rio, had installed a security room complete with a computer screen split into six sections corresponding to the security cameras mounted around the house. The room also included a weapons vault and some medical supplies. Most of his cousin’s equipment and supplies were stored at the huge Victorian house where he and his wife, Darcy, lived.

After they finished their meals and cleared the table, he walked to the living room with the women.

“I’m too wound up to sleep,” Dawn said.

Nicole rolled her eyes. “I think you want to wait up for a certain PSI instructor to arrive.”

“I’m allowed to wait for a friend.”

“A friend, huh? That’s a change from a couple of days ago.”

Dawn shrugged, cheeks turning pink. “Are you up for a movie while we wait?”

“I have several DVDs in the entertainment center,” Mason said. “Pick what you want.”

“Even a chick flick?” Nicole teased.

“Ha. I have a wide selection of good movies. No chick flicks allowed.”

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