Nobody's Lost (Rescue Me Saga #5)(12)

So he hadn’t had the idyllic childhood she had. “What kinds of things did you learn?”

He took a bite of his omelet and chewed slowly. She thought he was going to evade the question, but he washed the last of his eggs down with his juice and sat back in his chair.

“Hunting. Fishing. Drumming.”

“Drumming! My family has a cabin up in the Black Hills that my brother is fixing up, and I spent a couple of summers there. We went to a powwow every summer. Also learned to fish. Didn’t really care for hunting, though. Something about those cute furry animals—well, I couldn’t kill one.”

“We only killed what we needed to survive. It was never about the sport of killing.”

“Oh, I’m sure it wasn’t!” She didn’t mean to guilt him out about it. “I’m just, well, rambling, I guess.” She stood and started clearing the dishes from the counter. “When would you like to go shopping?”

He hesitated a moment. “Any time you’re ready. You sure you don’t want to try to get some sleep first?”

She shook her head. “No. This coffee will keep me going for a few more hours, I’m sure, and I’m anxious to see if I can get what I need out of my cloud.”

“Cloud?”

“It’s where my current work is stored. Like a back-up system in the sky.” She grinned at his expression. Apparently, he didn’t use computers much.

After rinsing and stacking the dishes in the sink, she grabbed her purse. “Ready when you are.”





Chapter Four





Ryder rode shotgun as her metallic blue Ford Escape sped to the mall. He hoped he wasn’t making a mistake leaving the condo unguarded. One thing was certain—he’d rather be alone with her there than have to face all those people at the computer store. No way would he let her out of his sight, though. No harm would come to her on his watch.

When he could get some time alone, he needed to call Top and update him on the situation—what he could figure of it, anyway. He wished the woman would let him take her out of the city for a few days. He could protect her so much better at his place.

Whoa there, buddy.

The thought of taking a woman to his place was dumber than a sack of nails. That house was way too isolated for someone used to living where she did. Then again, it sounded as though she had spent some time in the country at her family’s summer cabin.

Too soon, she pulled into the parking lot for the mall. Jesus Christ, wall-to-wall vehicles.

“I may have to park out a ways.”

He wished she’d been deterred and would give up on the idea of shopping now. “Maybe we should try during the dinner hour. I hear there are fewer people shopping then.”

“I’m sure they aren’t all headed to the computer store. It’ll be fine.”

Ryder began scanning the scene for any threats to her safety, but the pounding of his blood rushing in his ears blocked out all use of that sense. Sweat broke out on his upper lip. What if he couldn’t protect her from harm?

“Ryder, are you all right?”

Belatedly, he realized she’d found a place and parked. Now, she stared at him and wondered what the f*ck his problem was. How could he explain?

“My breakfast isn’t setting too well. Haven’t eaten like that in a while.”

“Oh, I’m sorry! Let’s go back to my place then.” She inserted the key in the ignition and turned the engine over.

He refused to allow his fears to hinder her from doing what she needed to do. She needed that computer to be able to get back to work.

Ryder reached out and placed his hand lightly on top of her wrist. Soft. He pulled away again. “No. Let’s go on in. They’ll have bathrooms if I need one, but you need to get that computer.”

“Are you sure? I can wait.”

He opened his door. “Yes. I’m fine.” After exiting the Escape, he scanned the lot, but only saw a dozen or so shoppers either heading inside or returning to their cars.

“You look like you’re expecting a full-on attack.”

He met her gaze. He was, but wouldn’t tell her that. She’d think he was crazy like all the other civilians did.

Maybe he was.

“Never hurts to be aware of your surroundings. Marine training.”

She nodded and smiled. “I have two Marine brothers. I understand completely.” She started toward the mall entrance again and turned back to make sure he was following. “Sooner we get this done, the sooner we can get out of here.”

She winked, and his defenses dropped. Or maybe his big head just deferred to his little head’s judgment. What the f*ck?

Focus, man. This is Top’s sister.

She continued toward the store, her hips swaying in her jeans. He forced himself to keep careful watch over her without ogling.

Ryder followed a few feet behind so she wouldn’t become alarmed by the way he continually scanned their surroundings looking for any unusual activity. Once inside the doors of the mall, an assault of sound and movement bombarded him.

He came to a halt as he tried to process the scene.

Shoppers rushing toward them with bags in both hands. Merchandise. Not suicide bombs.

Screaming kids heightened his senses, but they weren’t solemn like the ones in Iraq.