Page 62 of Fighting for Brielle
“Yeah. There’s been discussion about a nosyChicago Sun-Timesreporter asking a lot of questions. She’s kicked a hornet’s nest, and they’re not happy.”
“Did they mention a name? Brielle told me her best friend Faith is a reporter for theChicago Sun-Times.”
“No, but they tend not to.”
“Okay. Keep on it. See if you can make a deal. In the meantime, I’ll call Brendan McAdams.”
Brendan didn’t answer his cell phone, so Justice left a message. Two hours later Brendan returned his call. “Thanks for calling me back.”
“You said you have news?”
“I do.” After he explained what little information they’d gleaned, he stated, “Surely Homeland Security already knows this.” He kept the part about the mayor’s yacht to himself.
“Some of it.”
“What about theChicago Sun-Timesreporter? Do you think it’s Faith Stoker?”
Brendan let out his breath. “If I had to guess? Yes.”
“Well, you’d better keep an eye on her, then.”
“Eyes are already on her. The best. Tex Keegan is tracking her.”
“What? You’re kiddin’ me. What’s their connection?”
“She’s the niece of Tex’s former FBI commander. Tex keeps tabs on everyone in his, I mean, Tex’s, inner circle. Tex’s former SEAL team are often in danger and need his help, and he always has their back. I hope to God I’m wrong about Faith being involved in this mess. If anything happens to her, there will be hell to pay.”
Chapter 16
Justice set a vase of fresh flowers for Brielle on the table on his deck and checked to make sure everything was perfect. After all, it wasn’t every day your girlfriend made SWAT. The grilled salmon lay on a bed of jasmine rice along with a combination of sautéed squash and zucchini. A bottle of fine French champagne chilled in an ice bucket. He’d actually bought fancy china and silverware, too, at Tawny’s insistence. The setting, however, wasn’t complete until the woman he’d been waiting for his entire life joined him.
Wearing a yellow and white checkered sundress, she glided up the steps to his deck. Backlit by the sun, she looked like a goddess rising from the sea.
Suddenly tongue-tied, aware for the first time of strange, new feelings she invoked in him, he just gazed at her, soaking up her beauty.
“Wow. Um, you look really lovely.”
Her eyes swept the table. “You did this for me.” It was a statement, not a question.
“Yes. I hope you like salmon.”
“I do.” She leaned over to smell the flowers. “These are beautiful.”
“They’re for you.”
When she lifted her eyes, they glittered with unshed tears.
“Allergic?” Justice teased her, smiling gently.
Brielle let out a little laugh and shook her head. “My first bouquet of flowers.”
He lifted an eyebrow. “Aw, come on. You mean what’s-his-face never gave you flowers?”
“No. The prevailing attitude among the few men I’ve dated in the past was that they preferred not to waste their money on something that was going to die in a week or sooner. Or maybe they thought I wasn’t worth it.” She shrugged.
“Fools. I think you’re worth more than a bouquet of flowers. Far more.” Cupping her face, he caressed her mouth with his.
Several long moments later he seated her and popped the cork off the champagne bottle. He poured two glasses and offered one to her.
