Page 85 of Nanny for the SEALs

“I came down to talk to Rogan.” I gestured at the screens of data. “What’s all that?”

“Social media account information. IP data, routing information, and details on the device it was connected to. I’m trying to track down the social media accounts that have been threatening Amirah Pratt.”

“Any luck?”

He pursed his lips in thought. “I’ve narrowed down the source location for the accounts. They were all created in Southern California, but their traffic was routed through VPNs to make them look like they came from all over the place. France, Turkey, Hawaii.”

“Why would they do that?” I asked. “If they threatened Amirah directly, it stands to reason they would beherein Los Angeles, where they could make good on their threats. So why make it seem like it’s coming from elsewhere?”

“I don’t know yet. But I’m hoping to find out.”

“What about the knife?” I asked, pointing at the weapon on the desk. It was in a zip-lock baggy. “Did that lead you anywhere?”

“We grabbed two fingerprints off it, but they aren’t a match for anyone in the criminal database. I submitted a request to the American and British military databases, but I doubt they’ll respond. They’re always careful about protecting their own. We turned over the information to the police in case they get a hit in the future. Otherwise, it’s a dead-end.” He stretched and looked at his watch. “I need to eat something. I forgot about lunch.”

“I did the same thing.”

He smiled at me, then looked bashful for smiling. “I, um, worked up an appetite last night.”

I couldn’t help but grin at his boyish cuteness. “Me too. The kids are napping right now, so try not to make any noise.”

“Not a peep.” He held his finger to his lips.

He looked like he wanted to kiss me, and I was about to take the initiative and do it myself, but then he dipped his head and left his office.

I need to get you to come out of your shell,I thought.One step at a time.

Rogan was in his office two doors down. He smiled wearily when he saw me. “Not often you venture down here.”

“Brady’s watching the kids while they nap. Got a minute?”

“I’d love to be distracted.” He got up, hugged me, and then sat on the edge of his big mahogany desk next to a vase of orange daffodils. “I’ve been on the phone all day. Word is spreading about the attempt on Amirah’s life. Our other clients are upset, so I’ve been doing damage control.”

“Damage control? But you stopped it,” I said. “Shouldn’t they be praising you?”

“If only the world worked the way itshould,” he said bitterly. “Everyone is alarmed the gunman was able to get that far into the property. Our clients pay us to discover and neutralize threatslongbefore it gets to that point. Yeah, I stopped the guy, but only by a few seconds. That’s still a failure.”

“Fuck that,” I said, slapping the desk with my palm for emphasis. “You saved someone’s life last night. I’m proud of you, even if nobody else is.”

“Thank you.” He kissed my forehead. “Amirah is grateful, too. These flowers were from her.” He gestured at the daffodils.

A flare of annoyance climbed up my gut. “Oh.”

Rogan raised an eyebrow. “Is that jealousy I detect?”

“No.”

“They’re only flowers. And you said it yourself: I saved her life.”

“That doesn’t mean she has to get allblahabout it,” I muttered.

“I’m not interested in Amirah. I’m interested in another woman.”

“Uh huh,” I said doubtfully.

“The woman I like ismuchprettier,” he murmured into my hair. “And she’s absolutely adorable when she’s jealous.”

“I’m not jealous,” I said, resisting the urge toaccidentallyknock the flowers off the desk. “But speaking of jealousy, I came down here to tell you something.”

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