Executive Protection(30)

“You think he unlocked it?” Sam asked, incredulous.

“I don’t know. Why would he? I checked the security videos and nothing was out of place. The gate was secure, nobody was missing in their patrols and the electronic system was online.” It would have been impossible to get past security to reach the window last night.

“They let you see the videos?” Mike asked.

Thad did his best to appear contrite. “No.”

“You sneaked in and had a look yourself?” Sam laughed wryly. “I should have been a cop instead of enlisting in the army. You’re having all the fun.”

“Sam...”

“Anybody could have left the window unlocked,” Sam said, back to being serious. “Maybe one of the servants opened it for fresh air and forgot to lock it.”

That was possible. “Yeah. It’s probably nothing.”

“I think you should spend more time going after Mom’s hot nurse.”

The glimpse of Sam’s sense of humor was an encouraging sign that he was recovering, but Thad was in no mood to talk about Lucy. Not after last night.

“Having a male bonding session?” a familiar female voice interrupted.

Thad turned and saw Lucy enter the kitchen, aware of how Mike took notice of her, and almost hearing him agree with Sam. Lucy was hot.

“Lucy, this is Mike Harris and my brother Sam.” Thad made the quick introduction, reluctant to hang around for the coming exchange.

She stuck out her hand, and Mike took it. Sam received the same greeting.

“You’re in the military?” she asked. “I overheard...”

“Yeah, but may not be staying in,” Mike answered.

“Why not?”

It was an innocent question, but one that wasn’t received well by either man.

“Sam and Mike were both held captive in a foreign prison for three months,” Thad explained. “They’ve been home for almost six months now.”

“Oh.” She looked remorsefully from one man to the other, resting on Mike. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know.”

“It’s okay,” Mike said.

“Are you getting the help you need now that you’re back?” she asked.

A caregiver at heart, Lucy didn’t have any qualms about confronting touchy subjects, and this was a touchy one for both men. At least, it was for Sam.


Mike glanced at Sam, who gave no reaction. “We’ve considered it,” Mike answered, seeming to warm to Lucy. She did have a way about her. She genuinely cared and it showed in her eyes and the way she spoke, not overdone. Just matter-of-fact and full of kindness.

“Aside from the treatment we endured while in captivity, we’re suffering from some memory loss. I’m not sure how much of that I want to remember, though.” Mike again looked over at Sam, who still wouldn’t contribute to the conversation.

“Memory loss?” Lucy moved into the kitchen, finding a cup and then going to the coffeemaker. Mike was closest and lifted the pot and poured her some.

“Thanks.”

“You’re welcome,” Mike said like a man affected by an attractive woman.

Thad watched while Lucy’s sympathetic gaze softened Mike like an injured bird in her palm.

“I’m not sure I would, either, but you need help getting past something like that,” she said.

“Maybe.” Mike’s eyes traveled briefly over her upper body before meeting her caring eyes again. He was taking too much of an interest in Lucy. Okay, so she was hot. But she was his.

As soon as that thought came, Thad shut it down. Why was he thinking of her as his? Not in the sense that she was his girlfriend, he rationalized. He had noticed her first. And, yes, he had flirted with her, still was at times. Maybe that’s where the idea came from.

“I know some people who work with memory loss. There are some exercises you can do to help restore it. Would you like me to give you his name? If not, I can give you some links to resources online.”

Thad saw how Sam perked up with the mention of that.

“I’d like the online links,” he said.

“I’ll send them to Thad and he can pass them along.”

“You must have really caught Kate’s attention to have her bring you here as her home care nurse,” Mike said.

“Oh, I don’t know about that. I was her nurse at the hospital, that’s all.”

“What made you decide to get into nursing?”

Thad wondered if he’d have to step in. He felt like taking Lucy by the arm and escorting her out of here.

“My father is a doctor,” she answered. “I guess I saw how happy he was every time he saved a life.”

“Most people can’t handle the gore.”

“That took some getting used to. But when you work with it every day, it becomes routine and clinical. It only bothers me when they die.” Blowing on the hot coffee she held, riveting each man in the room as her lips pursed, she sipped her coffee.

“Did you just come by for breakfast?” Thad asked Mike, more of a confrontation.

Three heads turned to look at him.

“Uh-oh.” Sam’s mood brightened. “You’re homing in on his girl.”

Mike smiled. “I guess this is when I tell you you’re a lucky man. She’s a great catch.”