Page 56 of Stockman's Showdown

‘Wow, we’re really getting into costume.’

‘Leo mentioned he’d spent time in the military. If he’s growing a big cash crop out here, he’ll definitely have cameras as part of his security.’ He dug around his box and pulled out some compact, camouflaged 360 cameras. ‘While we’re there, let’s leave some of our own. These will blend right in with the surroundings.’

‘Nice…’ Dex tucked them into his small pack. ‘But wouldn’t the wildlife trigger the cameras?’

‘Leo will have his set at a certain height for a man, not a wallaby.’ He smeared on the face paint. ‘If you need a leak, do it now.’

‘Good idea.’ Dex wandered off.

‘Bree, where are you?’ She’d disappeared behind the bushes somewhere.

‘I feel so underdressed for this party.’ She pointed at Ryder’s vest and guns. ‘Ooh, make-up looks so good on you, cupcake.’

‘C’mere.’ He hooked his finger into the waist of her jeans and pulled her close to smear camo paint on her pretty face.

‘Are you available for face painting at children’s parties too? I want a fairy face, please.’

It was hard to keep a straight face when Bree was like this. She had such a gift of being playful at the worst of times.

‘Do you have your weapons?’

‘Sure.’ She had her bushman’s knife sheathed on her belt and her rifle strapped over her shoulder. She also looked hot in skin-tight black.

‘As I don’t have a spare vest for you, I think you should stay here.’ Ryder wanted her safe. Even though they needed Bree to show them where the pipe was, he still had hope of talking the pretty little outlaw into staying on this side of the fence and not entering no-man’s land.

‘Not now I’m all dressed up, cupcake. It’s rude to take a girl out on a date and then make her stay in the car.’

‘I wouldn’t class this as a date.’

‘But look at you.’ She flicked at his Kevlar vest. ‘I can tell you enjoy wearing this can’t-see-me kit.’

‘It’s been a while.’

‘Have you ever tried cosplay?’

He arched his eyebrows at her. ‘What?’

‘Hmmm… It might be the perfect way to teach someone like you how to play.’ Bree purred, and it was the sexiest sound he’d ever heard.

He wanted to bring her close to his chest just to let that sound vibrate against his skin.

‘I have this mask fetish for Ghost.’

‘Who?’What?

‘Ask Ash. He’ll tell you who Ghost is. You share the same build.’ Bree grinned in a sinful way, her eyes all sparkly. ‘I think Ghost is a lieutenant in the British Special Forces or something.’

He growled. That’s right. A deep growl rolled like thunder in his chest all from some other soldier Bree was swooning over.

‘We ready?’ Dex came round from the other side of the ute.

‘Yeah.’ Ryder wiped his fingers free from the camo paint, dropping the container back into the box on the back of his ute full of his specialised gear.

Bree peeked inside the metal box. ‘Are you preparing for a zombie attack?’

The surprised chuckle spilled free, as he locked up the metal box.

‘Aw, look at that. He’s ready to party.’ She playfully messed up his cap, knocking his night vision goggles out of place.

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