Page 23 of Call Sign: King
“The press recognizes Trevor. We sent him and Arrow back to the Regency as a decoy in hopes we can keep their attention on the wrong hotel for a few days.”
“Smart,” Ryder agreed before adding. “But any idiot could tell the difference between Arrow and the Queen.”
Despite how it sounded, Ryder wasn’t dissing his newest team member. It’s just that Abigail’s dark hair and part Vietnamese ancestry weren’t even a close match. Add that she was a good three inches taller than Khloe, and it became unlikely that she’d fool any of the waiting cameramen.
Tank grinned his lopsided smile. “Not after the production crew got done with her. She sat in makeup for thirty minutes before they left. Between the wig, clothes, and sunglasses, I think she makes a convincing movie star.”
Khloe chuckled in his arms. The lightness of her demeanor soothed some of his demons.
“I think she looked great,” Khloe agreed. “We kept one of the suites and she’s going to stay over there with Michael tonight, in hopes of throwing the paparazzi off base.”
“Shouldn’t Trevor stay over there, too, then?” Ryder questioned.
“I tried to convince him, but I don’t think he trusts us enough yet,” Reaper groused.
Ryder could hear an edge of annoyance in his team leader’s voice.
“I get that. He’s been with Khloe even longer than I have. He’s super protective.”
There had been a time early in their relationship the men had butted heads over Trevor’s protectiveness of Khloe. Now, Ryder treasured it. Knowing Trevor would give his life to keep Khloe safe was the only thing that allowed Ryder to feel confident leaving her side.
Hawkeye had been silent until now. “You’re a lot more trusting than I would be if my wife looked like her,” he said, thumbing in Khloe’s direction.
Looking back into Khloe’s eyes, Ryder answered, cupping her cheek gently. “There’s zero chance of Khloe cheating on me. The harder part is trusting someone to keep her safe when I’m not with her, and McLean has proven he’s up to the job many times over.” Glancing around at his BSO team, he added with a small smile. “You assholes, on the other hand, are still on probation.”
“Unbelievable. We complete over fifty cake orders for this jerk, and this is the thanks we get,” Reaper groused, his grin telling Ryder he had taken the barb as a joke, just as Ryder had meant it.
“Well, this is the most important cake order you’ll ever get.”
“What’s with all the talk of ordering cake?” Khloe’s personal assistant asked. “I’d kill for a slice of cake right about now.”
The entire BSO team burst out laughing, making Ricky’s face turn beet red at suddenly finding himself the center of attention.
Tank teased him back. “I’ll be sure to bring back cupcakes when I go out to pick up dinner.”
Ryder found himself wondering if he should have warned the crew about Ricky’s shyness around men.
“Don’t you dare,” Ricky complained. “I’ve already put on three pounds this week eating all the junk food you guys keep buying. I can’t add cake. At this rate, I’ll need to let out my pants.”
“Somehow, I don’t think Michael is gonna care one way or the other. I’ve seen the way you two look at each other,” Tank teased. “You’re probably pissed he’s gonna be stuck over at the Regency tonight, but at least I’ll get better sleep. You guys were super loud last night.”
Khloe’s tinkling laughter was the medicine he didn’t know he needed. Listening to his dangerous mercenary crew fitting into this side of his life helped Ryder finally relax enough to get a full breath.
Several minutes ticked by and the easy banter almost made him forget one of the most important reasons he was here.
“Did you bring it with you?” the usually quiet Hawkeye asked, bringing Ryder back to reality.
“Yeah. I picked it up at Quantico on the way to the airport.”
“Good. Just let me know when.”
“When what?” Khloe asked, obviously sensing the tension returning to his body as he held her.
“Later,” he said, wanting to wait until they had more privacy to prepare her for what was coming.
“No, now. As much as I appreciate you coming for a visit, I know you’re here for more than just a booty call,” she said accurately.
“Khloe,” he warned. “I said later.”
