Page 90 of Special Agent Murphy

Chapter Fifty-three

It seemed to take forever before Kayti saw Murphy again. He strolled into Mark’s room – his alone since they air-vac’d Misti to Washington – leaned over and kissed her like he meant it. Then he turned to Mark. “Hey, kid.”

Was he like a dog marking his territory? She loved it no matter why he chose to openly acknowledge their relationship. It tickled her silly when she looked at the man and knew in her heart of hearts he’d let her in.

“You’re the cop from the cabin. The one who shot the nutcase trying to kill Kayti.”

“And the only reason he didn’t succeed was because you took her bullet.”

“She’s my friend.” Mark looked sad. “Kinda like my only friend.”

“And now you have two.”

“Yeah?” Mark appeared skeptical.

“Yeah.” Murphy stared him down until she saw the kid accept his word.

“She told me she likes you.”

Kayti cut in. “Mark, that’s not true.”

“Fine, she told me she loves you.”

“Mark! You monster. I told you I admired him more than any other person I’ve ever met is what I told you.” She turned to Murphy in time to see him wink at Mark and Mark’s wide grin in return.

Murphy took her hand and made his sexy voice soothing. “Settle down brat, I admire you in the same way.”

Mark piped up, “That’s not very romantic, guys. You’re supposed to kiss.”

Murphy ruffled his head teasingly. “Yeah, well we’ll keep that for later when we’re alone. For now, I have something to share.”

Kayti saw Mark’s distress and prayed the news was good. They’d argued earlier when Mark warned her that officials would be after him, and he’d have to go along with them.

Murphy’s tone became serious, and he started with words that broke her heart. “Claudine from Social Services was here looking for you.”

Mark’s eyes filled. He turned her way with a clear message… I told you so.

“I sent her away with the promise that you’d be hanging out with Kayti and me until after the new year. Then I’d be filing foster papers to make that legal. You okay with that arrangement?”

Kayti’s heart burst wide open and joy flooded through the breach. She didn’t know who kissed who more – her all over Murphy’s face, or Mark on their clasped hands and then shyly her cheek.

Once the excitement settled, Murphy stood and beckoned her to come to him. “You okay here until tomorrow, Marko? I believe they’ll be releasing you after lunch. I’ll be here to pick you up.”

“I’ll be waiting.”

Kayti watched Mark’s gleeful expression. Her eyes took in the bandages on his shoulder and the IV where they were feeding him antibiotics. Pride filled her for the boy who’d gone along with everything they’d done to him, no whimpering, no complaining. Just a good kid with a big heart who’d decided she was his.

Well, he was hers now too. And so, when she leaned over to kiss his cheek goodbye, she whispered what was in her heart. “I love you.”

From the shining look of adoration and the mouthing of, “Me too,” she knew they’d bonded, and it was solid and forever.

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