Accidental Shield (Marriage Mistake #6)(61)

I frown at him.

“I know!” Bryce answers, disappearing down the hall.

Flint shrugs. “For a kid who loves the water, he went through a stage where I damn near had to force him to get in the shower a few months ago. I don’t remember being like that. Then again, I didn’t start spending half my time in the water until I enlisted.”

I laugh, casting a skeptical look his way. “Oh, you think so, huh? Ask your mother, you were probably just like him at one time. I’m sure it’s a phase most kids go through.”

“Yeah? Did you remember you’re a child shrink, too?”

It’s my turn to shrug. “Who knows. Sounds a lot more believable than freaking turtle tours.”

He laughs so loud I can’t keep my annoyed face on. I start snickering along with him.

“I don’t see it, Val,” he snorts. “You running after kids all day? Nahhh.”

I straighten up, tossing a pillow at him. “What makes you say that? I love kids!”

He catches the pillow with zero slip. Ass.

“Just a guess,” he tells me.

I lift my chin. “Yeah, well, when I get my full memory back, you’ll be shocked to learn that’s exactly what I am. A child psychologist. That’s the proper term with all its syllables.”

He laughs harder. “You’ll be just as shocked as me. I’m thinking you were some hot little English teacher with your syllables and shit.”

Laughter bubbles out of me. He’s too good at pressing my buttons.

“You’re right about one thing: I’d be shocked.”

He clicks off the TV. I watch with a confused look as he gets up and creeps slowly across the room, then halfway down the hallway.

“I’m listening for the shower,” he whispers back.

For a second, it’s dead silent.

Then we hear the water running.

I shake my head, trying to avoid another outbreak of laughter. “Maybe you’re the child expert, Mister.”

He gives me a smug grin.

“I mean, a conceited one,” I say, laughing again.

“Nope. Just a father, babe,” he tells me.

“Of a really good kid,” I say, finally easing up on the crap I keep dishing out. “Seriously. You have a lot to be proud of with Bryce.”

“Thanks. Every day he’s happy and breathing is thanks enough. In a few more years, I’m sure he’ll go far.”

“You should be proud of yourself, too,” I say, flicking at my hair, hoping my cheeks aren’t turning into beets. “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”

“Maybe so. In this case, I hope after he’s done falling, he rolls downhill to a happier place than my hill. All I’ve ever wanted for my son.”

I don’t want him to think I’m still teasing. “You’ve done a great job with Bryce and with your life. It shows. I’m grateful Cash brought me here.” Here comes the guilt again. I pause, clearing my throat. “But...well, I’m still really sorry for pulling you into my family’s crap. Sorry you felt you had to go to such extremes to make me feel comfortable.”

“The whole fake marriage story? Forget it, honey, already water under the bridge.”

I nod limply. It should sting less than it does to hear him still calling me honey. But he does it with this weird easiness that almost feels right.

“That was Cash’s idea, remember? I went along with it because I thought we’d crack the case in hours, maybe a couple days. We’ve rescued whole groups of people in under forty-eight hours in the past. But it’s damnably hard getting to the bottom of this case. There’s no rhyme or reason why anyone would want to hurt you, or why you were on that ship.”

I look up, wishing I had his certainty. “How do you know, Flint? You don’t know who I was or what I was doing. I could’ve been a terrible person, just like—”

“No. Not like your fuck of a brother,” he growls, his eyes turning to slits. “You wouldn’t have drawn him roaring in your face if you were tight with him, waist-deep in illegal shit. Trust me, I’ve been working on it since Cash brought you here. Your family has their hands in the muck, something underhanded. But you don’t.”

“We can’t know that,” I say. Goosebumps take over my arms.

“Val, the whole reason you’re here must be because you got in the way.” He pauses. “Think you tried throwing a wrench in Ray’s gears and almost paid the price.”

It’s my turn to pause before I ask, “So will you tell me what you’ve found out about what’s going on? What’s caused all this trouble?”

He stares at me for a second, his eyes lit like dancing blue flames, then shakes his head. “Not yet, babe. Soon.”

“Why? The amnesia? You’re afraid I’ll just—”

Flint stands up taller, this dark, imposing knight. “Because. I don’t think it’ll help you right now. You could’ve fucking drowned today, babe. I’m not gonna be the man responsible for blowing up your head so bad you have another accident. You’ll know when you’re meant to. You’ll remember. I’m trying to help.”

I can’t say his response makes me mad, but it does make me curious. “Yet, you thought a fake marriage would be the ticket for a trip down memory lane?”