Her Dominant SEAL(35)

“Then it’s still my favorite,” he said as he followed her into the kitchen.

“Lunch is ready,” Trenda said.

“Karen’s asleep, but I’m hungry.”

“Then let’s eat.” Drake took down bowls, and Trenda filled them with chili. He took them into the dining room. He was gratified that Bella even let him hold her during lunch without requiring payment.

It was when he was helping put dishes in the dishwasher that his phone rang. “I’ve got to take this,” he said as he saw it was Aiden.

“Hey, where did you go? It was longer than an hour.” Drake said as he answered the phone.

“I needed to check on something. I’m at the gate, let me in.”

Drake couldn’t decide if he was irritated or curious, so he decided to go with curious. He went back towards the security console and checked the screen. He saw both Evie’s car and Aiden’s SUV. He pressed the button to open the gate.

He went outside as the senior chief was getting out of his SUV. He watched as Aiden went over and opened Evie’s car door and put out his hand to help her out. She shoved it out of her way.

“Did you two come together, or is this just a happy coincidence?” Drake asked.

“There isn’t anything happy about this,” Evie said as she plowed past him up the stairs and slammed into the house.

“So, is she why you had to leave the house? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“You had your hands full.” Aiden’s eyes were icy blue as they stared at the door of the chalet.

“You found something, didn’t you?”

Aiden’s head whipped around to stare at him.

“Your Goddamn sister forgot to mention that her erstwhile employers aren’t in town this week. I don’t give a shit if they were fucking Medal of Honor Delta Force members, they can’t do her a damn bit of good if they aren’t there with her, can they?”

“What made you think to go to her place?”

“When you called and told me what had happened at Karen’s place, I called her. When I asked to talk to Blake or Jim, she said they weren’t available. That’s when I knew her story had holes. She tried to get me to believe that they were both out on a supply run at eight a.m.”

“Goddammit! What did you find when you got there?”

“Luckily, nothing, other than the fact that she’s working herself to a fucking crisp. While Eva was cleaning rooms, I broke into the office and helped myself to some information stored on the hotel computer system.”

“Contact information?”

“You got it in one,” Aiden confirmed, his smile grim. “Jim and Blake are in Australia for his brother’s wedding.”

“She just sat at breakfast and lied her ass off.” Drake shook his head in disbelief.

“Yes, she did,” Aiden agreed grimly. “When I spoke to Jim, he said to call somebody named Larry, and he would be able to arrange coverage in Eva’s absence.”

“Was there any trouble at the hotel?”

“Other than the fact that your sister damn near took my head off with a mop? Nope, there was no trouble.” Aiden’s face lost some of its icy demeanor as he looked up at the chalet. “Did your sister play softball?”

“She always swang for the bleachers,” Drake affirmed.

“But seriously, Avery, we need a strategy session. Eva told me you were out scouting the other night. What are we up against, do you know?” Aiden asked as they walked up the stairs.

The door swung open. “Yeah, Drake, what are we up against?” Evie stood there glaring at the two of them.

“Using the surveillance equipment, little sister?”

“It’s the only way I’ll find out what’s going on.”

“What an entire crock of bullshit. You could ask. And what’s more, if you wouldn’t lie, I’d treat you like an adult and share information with you. But no, you have to go off and put your life at risk. What the hell were you thinking, Evie Lavender?” Drake didn’t realize he had her in his arms until she was wriggling to get away.

“I have bills to pay!”

“I’d give you money.”

“Let’s move this inside, children.” Aiden herded them through the large door into the warm house.

“Jim and Blake depended on me. When they’re gone, I manage the hotel. No matter what you think, I’m not just the maid!” Her chin jutted out.

Aiden laughed, and Drake looked at her like she’d grown a second head. “Good God woman, you’re never going to be ‘just a’ anything.” Drake thrust his hand through his hair and heard smothered laughter, he glanced over and saw Karen was awake and grinning from her spot on the sofa. It was good to see her looking so much better than she had before her nap.