Page 18 of Complicated Past

He’d known that when he picked this as their safe house. What did that mean? “You two should take the main bedroom. I can sleep on the couch.”

“We’re good. He’s got the fort, and a couch is a step up from the Army bunk I’ve been sleeping on.”

“All right.” She picked up her computer bag and purse. No point in fighting him on this.

“Let me find you something more comfortable to sleep in.” He headed back into Dev’s bedroom.

“It’s okay. We’re invading his space already.”

Despite her protests, Linc opened the dresser drawers and pulled out a T-shirt and a pair of gym shorts. “He won’t mind,” he promised, laying them on the bed. “See you in the morning.” He closed the bedroom door behind him.

In the otherwise silent house, Kendra made out Jalen asking to call his mom to say good night, then left an excited messagetelling Bri about making a tent and how he would sleep in it. He added that he missed her and wanted to hug her soon.

Kendra sniffed back tears. I would be so hard for Jalen if Bri went to prison or worse.

“Go to the bathroom. Then I’ll read you a story,” Linc said.

“I don’t have my jammies.”

“You don’t need them tonight. Bri,” Linc’s voice got louder, like he’d moved closer to the primary bedroom to keep Jalen from overhearing. “We got your message to Regina. Jalen’s with me, and I won’t let anything happen to him. If you get this, do whatever you have to do to get back here.”

TEN

Linc managed to catch a full seven hours of sleep before jolting awake at dawn. With Jalen still sound asleep, Linc checked his phone to see if there was a message or text from Bri or the police about finding Regina.

The only text was a response from Dev with the combination to his gun case.

Rather than wake Kendra, he texted to let her know he was going out for provisions and asked her morning beverage preference in case she preferred fancy coffee drinks. With Dev’s loaded Sig Sauer strapped on, Linc grabbed Dev’s keys and slipped quietly out of the house.

He’d nearly finished in the grocery store when his phone chimed.I don’t deserve it, but I need a miracle.

It was just Kendra replying instead of Bri orClara. He backtracked and picked up a box of English Breakfast tea. Good thing he asked. So far, he’d been off on everything he thought about Kendra.

He’d been wrong about her reason for rejecting him, but that she didn’t date military guys made it a moot point. That’s who he was. The military had been his best option when he aged out offoster care. It provided financially and had given him skills and access to higher education that had otherwise been out of his reach. He had twelve years of service behind him and planned to do at least another eight to hit twenty and full retirement. He’d likely stay in longer. His team was his chosen family, and he wasn’t giving up on them or his career because of a woman, especially since marriage was not in his plans. Not with his past. It’s one reason he’d pursued the dangerous path of Special Forces. He wouldn’t have to worry about leaving a wife or kids to manage on their own if something happened to him. Not the way he and Bri had been left behind.

That Kendra didn’t give details on what happened with the military guy she dated, despite disclosing everything else, had kept him awake last night. But he hadn’t asked. She’d gotten stuck in this situation and was helping him out. No point in pressuring her when there was a lot of family history there already. Too much to overcome. He’d learned you couldn’t make people change their prejudices, and it wasn’t worth trying. Better to let it go and not let them hurt you more.

“Your Uncle Linc’s back,”Kendra said when the garage door went up. She couldn’t blame the boy for being anxious after he woke up to find Linc gone. She’d panicked that he’d taken off for Mexico and left her here with Jalen until she saw the text he’d sent. Hopefully, he’d accepted the futility of trying to rescue Bri on his own, though she doubted he gave up easily.

“Help me with these groceries, J-man.” Linc entered carrying several bags.

“Did you get me chocolate milk?”

“Of course. I’m your favorite uncle for a reason.”

Jalen gave him an adoring smile, and Linc smiled right back. “And Captain Crunch?”

“Yes, since it’s the weekend.” Linc handed two of the bags to Jalen, and they carried them into the kitchen. Then, he went out and retrieved another load.

“How long are you thinking we’re going to be here?” Kendra eyed the covered island. She’d thought this would be a day or two at most. She had a job and a life—andhe probably thought he was doing his by keeping her safe.

“I don’t know. Hopefully, this is overkill. I can always take the food to Bri’s, but if I go down to Mexico, I want you and Jalen to have what you need so you don’t have to go out.”

And poof went her hopes they could avoid another difficult conversation.

“Can you open dis?” Jalen handed her the cereal box.

“Sure.”

---