Page 49 of Blackstone's Heart
“Thanks, I think.”
Lance smirked. “That was a complement. Krista, over the last few weeks, and this is the part that confuses me, I’ve started to like you. No not like boss man does, but like one of my teammates. I don’t trust people easily, but I find myself trusting you.”
Krista could tell the Marine was uncomfortable with voicing these thoughts. So she reached out and laid a hand on his forearm. “Thank you Lance. That means a lot to me. You and the other guys of Blackout mean a lot to Ethan. I want you, all of you to know that because of that fact alone, you all mean something to me.”
Lance nodded in understanding. Suddenly feeling vulnerable, a feeling he hated, he turned away and moved to the fridge. He could feel Krista studying him as he moved around the room. He finally returned to the island and met her gaze.
“What?”
“Do all you guys know how to cook? I thought the Marines trained you for combat, not cooking school.”
Lance laughed, genuinely laughed. Outside of his teammates and family, it had been a long time since he laughed in front of someone. “Actually, Ethan and Tony taught me. When I got my house after we set up Blackout, I thought, ‘hey dumbass you might get hungry.’ So, Ethan and Tony volunteered to teach me.”
Krista giggled into her mug. “I will say Ethan is a hell of a cook. He’s made me a few meals. Of course, Ruby is a helluva cook so he had a good teacher.”
“What about my mom?” Ethan asked walking into the kitchen.
“Oh Lance was just telling me how you and Tony taught him to cook and I told him that you had a good teacher since your mom’s such a great cook.” Krista explained.
Ethan moved to her and kissed her forehead. “Yeah she is. So, how you feeling babe?”
Krista shrugged a little. “I think I’m still a little numb. Like it hasn’t fully sunk in that he’s gone. What about his parents?”
“Your mother was on her way to get them and bring them to your parent’s house when Ethan came to get you.” Lance said from the stove.
“Good. Well, want to fill me in?” Krista inquired, meeting Ethan’s eyes.
Ethan didn’t want to talk about this, but knew that she needed to know. “Wilson says the guy dressed like a doctor and that’s the most likely way he was able to walk right in and no one noticing him. As for the package and letter, Jimmy and Cain have the letter and Wilson has… the package.”
Krista took a slow breath. “Alright. When, um, when was Jerry…”
“Wilson said approximately around six this morning.” Ethan finished.
Krista frowned. “But the date on the letter and package were dated yesterday.”
Lance pulled out a large meatloaf from the oven. “Yes, but Ethan, Wilson and your father think this asshole is forging the postmarks.”
Krista looked from Lance and back to Ethan. “I can see it in your eyes, you guys think he’s here in Austin don’t you?”
“Yes we do. I won’t lie to you Krista; I just feel in my gut that the bastard is here.” Ethan nodded.
Krista fell silent. She watched as Ethan and Lance started plating up dinner. If Ethan was right, and she believed he was, she knew that now her security would be beefed up big time. Either Ethan or one of his guys would be with her at all times. Or at least that’s what she suspected would happen. All she could do know was wait and see.
***
Krista sat in the living room trying to work while Lance and Ethan were watching some action movie. Sighing, she shifted her position on the couch then stared back at her screen. Nothing. For the first time in nearly six years she had a severe case of writer’s block. Growling she practically slammed the laptop closed, got to her feet and stormed into the kitchen.
Ethan and Lance watched. When Ethan started to get up, Lance stopped him. Something passed between the men and Ethan nodded and sat back on the couch. Lance stood from the armchair and headed for the kitchen. He found Krista leaning against the counter next to the coffee pot.
“You okay?” Lance asked.
“No. I’m scared, I’m pissed, I’m hurting and to top all of that off I have writer’s block from hell.” She answered, her voice hitching. Lance moved to her side. Taking a breath, Krista continued. “I’ve always been able to use my writing to help me deal with all the emotional bullshit in my head, but now? Nothing.”
“I don’t know what it’s like to be a writer, but I do know what it’s like to not have a release for the emotional shit.” He said.
Krista took a sip of her coffee and glanced over at him. “So, what do you do then?”
He chuckled softly. “I used to drink or go looking for a fight. Once I got into the Marines, I would go to the range or hit the gym.”
