CHAPTER SIX

Ten men had followed in other vehicles once comms gave them the warning that a car was in the parking lot of the café with two suspicious men. They all fired back toward the car shooting at Moose, Erica, and Jennifer. By the time they were able to open the gates, the car had sped away.

"Pigsty? Follow that fucking car with a drone if you have to," said Christian. He reached for Moose and the others. "Let's get back to the cafeteria."

Moose got Jennifer and Erica settled into his ATV, Matthew riding with the other men. As they moved further away from the gates, he felt safer, but Erica was shaking with fear and shock. He stopped the ATV, wrapping her in his arms, just rocking her with Jennifer sandwiched between them.

"It's going to be alright. You're okay now. We'll find out who that was," he whispered. She just nodded, unable to speak at first. "Erica? Why did you leave? I thought things were going well."

"You're going to get back with your ex," she sniffed.

"What? What would make you think that?" he asked.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to see it, but she sent you a text message on the household tablet that controls the air conditioning and security. I heard it beep several times and thought I'd forgotten to do something. I didn't mean to see it."

Moose looked down at his phone, seeing the message that Ece had sent.

We both know this was a mistake. Just call me and I'll come back.

"Erica, I never asked her to come back. Nor will I. I have no interest in having her in my life."

"Really?"

"Really," he grinned. "I know we both struggle with trusting others, but believe me, I'm the most trustworthy man you'll ever meet. All of us can be trusted. I would never, ever do anything to hurt you or Jennifer. Never."

"I think I knew that in my heart, Moose. It was my head that wasn't catching up. I don't have much experience with this, with relationships. Gordon was my first and last, and I obviously stink at making choices. Well, he wasn't my choice, but you know what I mean."

"Me, too," laughed Moose. "I stink at choosing as well. Until now. I don't know how things like this happen, Erica, but I know that you and Jennifer were placed in my cottage for a reason. I was sick watching you leave. Sick. I don't know what tomorrow will bring us, but I'd darn sure like to try and find out."

"What are you asking?" she whispered. He smiled down at her delicate face, pushing back the strands of dark hair clinging to her neck.

"I'm asking you to stay. You and Jennifer. Stay with me. Let's get to know one another, go on a date, and enjoy one another's company. Just don't leave me. I honestly don't think I'd survive if you did."

"Sh-she called you da-da."

"She did," he grinned. "That could just be baby babble, or it could be her thinking I belong to her. I'm okay with it either way." The little girl was cooing in her mother's arms, chattering away. They both laughed, looking down at her. Moose tilted Erica's chin upward, placing a soft kiss on her lips. It was unlike anything he'd ever experienced before. It wasn't instantaneous fire and need. It was sweeter, longer lasting. Permanent.

Soft, pliable, sweet, plump. It was everything a first kiss should have been. And more. He wanted to continue, to explore, but not with a one-year-old between them.

"I like how you kiss me," she said, staring at him.

"Me too, honey. What do you say we finally get some lunch? Together." He wanted to add ‘as a family' but thought it would be too fast for Erica.

"I think I could use some food," she nodded. He unwrapped his arms from her, gripping the steering wheel, and froze. "What's wrong?"

"You're bleeding," he said, staring at his hand. "Fuck! You're bleeding!"

Someone tapped on his window, but they were both so lost in the moment they hadn't noticed that the others were waiting for them, not moving for fear of someone coming back. Moose froze. He never froze, especially in high-pressure situations.

"Moose! Open the fuck up," growled Cruz. Moose opened the door, his hand covered in Erica's blood. "Where are you hit?"

"It's not me. It's her," he said, pointing. He lifted Jennifer from her lap, watching as Cruz went to the other side of the ATV. Turning her, he raised her blouse, frowning.

"It's okay. It's a flesh wound, but it's just bleeding a lot. Come on, we'll get it fixed up at the office so you don't have to go back toward the gates." Moose just sat there, staring. "Moose! Get in the fucking ATV and get her to the office."

"Right. Yes. Right."

Kate and Ajei waited for them, knowing Cruz had it all under control. They took Jennifer to lunch, then back to the house to give her a bath and a nap. Moose stood over Cruz as he cleaned the flesh wound, dressing it for Erica. He'd walk away, then walk back, staring at him.

"If you don't take a damn seat, I'm going to get Team Big in here to strap you down," growled Cruz. "I know what I'm doing."

"She's bleeding," Moose repeated over and over.

"Dude, it's fine. She's fine," said Eric. He looked at her face, and she nodded, giving him a half-grin.

"I'm okay. It stings, but I didn't notice it at first. I guess the adrenalin and shock of being shot at and you distracting me. I'm fine. I promise," she said, reaching for his hand. His massive paw enveloped her tiny hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.

"You're good to go," said Cruz. "Go get some food and just relax. Kate and Ajei have Jennifer handled."

Moose reached for her, wanting to lift her in his arms, but instead, carefully walking with her out of the office. Cruz stared at the other men, shaking his head.

"That's a man in love, and he doesn't even know how to show it," he said. "Maybe we need to get Katherine to speak with them."

"Them? I think it's just him," said Eric. Cruz looked at him, frowning.

"Then you don't know shit about women. That girl is terrified, and not of him. She's terrified to allow herself to be vulnerable, and that's exactly what she needs to allow to happen if they're going to have a shot at this."

"What about the shooters?" asked Cam, turning to speak with Pigsty and Hiro.

"We lost them," said Hiro. "We have the license plate, but it's stolen. I'm looking through our footage to see if we can get an identity on the faces. I took her phone from her. It was pretty complex, but there was tracking software on it that had been installed remotely. It led them right to here. It's off now, so hopefully, they'll think she was at the café or one of the shops out front."

"I think we've got to look into the fact that maybe our two North Korean assassins didn't leave the area," said Luke. The men nodded, still watching as Moose walked at a snail's pace with Erica under his arm. They chuckled, shaking their heads. Hex sobered and turned to Hiro.

"Find Ece. Figure out what the fuck she's up to and why she reached out to him. We need her to go away, and if I have to, I'll make sure it's permanent."