Chapter 6

CHAPTER SIX

Safe was exhausted. He hadn't slept much the night before, and tonight wasn't looking much better. But he was also keyed up. Tonight hadn't gone the way he'd expected. Yes, he'd planned the trip to Wren's apartment as if it was a SEAL mission, but he'd learned the hard way that people couldn't be trusted to do the right thing. And, unfortunately, tonight he was proven right.

The man Wren knew as Matt had not only already been to her apartment, and had apparently trashed it, he'd returned to lie in wait for her to return home.

The police had taken her statement, advising her to stay away from her apartment until they could figure out who Matt was and hopefully find him. Neither Safe nor Kevlar had mentioned they already had someone looking who had a much better shot at figuring out the mystery before the cops did. Tex could find this Matt guy, then notify the police.

And Safe had no doubt when Tex found the guy, he'd use his computer skills to make sure the man's life went to shit. It was amazing how much everyone's lives were connected to computers these days, even when they actively tried to stay off the radar. And Matt would find out the hard way. He'd be ruined after Tex got his hands on his electronic footprint.

As pissed as Safe was at this Matt person, at the moment, he was more worried about the woman on his couch. He couldn't keep some of the things she'd said tonight out of his head. When he'd asked her to get under the bed to hide, she'd been truly terrified. It was the kind of terror that went bone deep. Her breathing had spiked, her pupils had dilated, and her limbs were frozen.

Her words echoed in his head…

When I was little I had to hide under my bed from the men Mom brought home who didn't think anything was wrong with having sex with an eight-year-old. I was terrified they'd find me and hurt me.

The thought of any child having to hide under their bed from real-life monsters rather than make-believe ones was infuriating. He wasn't na?ve. He knew the kinds of evil that existed in the world better than most. But the thought of Wren suffering…it hurt him in a way he couldn't explain.

Then there was her obvious unease with the police. Yes, things had been tense when the cops first arrived. When they didn't know whether he, Kevlar, and Wren were good guys or bad guys. But even after that had been straightened out, Wren remained uneasy.

She'd been the same way with him when she'd woken up in his home. Skittish and not very trusting, which was totally normal considering the circumstances. But she'd relaxed fairly quickly. Not the case with the police. He was surprised to find she didn't relax even a little with the officers. He was well aware there were shitty cops out there, men and women who gave the badge a bad name, but most people were relieved to see the police after a break-in.

Not Wren.

He remembered her comment about how things didn't turn out well for her when she spoke to the police. That comment, along with other things she'd said, made him think not a single person had stepped up to help her escape her obviously shitty home life. Which sucked.

Safe was sitting in his recliner, his mind racing, while Wren slept on the couch. She didn't want to be alone when they returned to his house, so he'd suggested she sleep out here. She hadn't agreed until he'd reassured her that he'd be right here as well, in the chair.

As she slept, Safe studied her. Her short black hair was sticking up all over her head, which made him want to run his hand through it to smooth it down. She didn't have any makeup on, but her lashes were long and her lips seemed naturally plump. Curled into a small ball on her side, she looked vulnerable, more so than usual.

What was it about this woman? Why was she getting under his skin so fast? Was it that she'd needed him to play the knight in shining armor? Safe didn't think so. Yes, Wren might've needed help in Aces, but he had a feeling she wasn't the kind of woman who relied on others much. She'd even been practical about all her possessions being trashed.

No, it wasn't that. It was…simply her .

Wren intrigued him. He wanted to know everything about the woman with the apparently horrific childhood, who was still brave enough to try to meet new people. Wanted to know how she'd survived growing up in a household where hiding under her bed was a regular occurrence.

Hell, he still didn't even know where she'd moved here from or what she did for a living. All he knew was that she had to go to work in the morning. Not knowing even the simplest things about her made Safe want to wake her up to talk. But that was the last thing she needed.

So he settled back in his recliner and kept his gaze locked on the woman who'd intrigued him without even trying.

Eventually, he fell asleep, but not before vowing to do right by Wren. He wanted to show her that not everyone was out to do her wrong.

Wren woke up and for a split second, she tensed, wondering where she was. Then she remembered. The date at Aces with Matt, being drugged, breakfast with Bo, going to her apartment last night, the police…

It was a lot. Even for her.

She was used to life giving her shit sandwiches, but the last couple of days were a bit much. Turning her head, she saw Bo asleep in the recliner. One leg was peeking out from the blanket over him, and his chest was also uncovered. He had on a pair of sweats and a T-shirt, and Wren had the sudden thought that she wished he wasn't wearing anything so she could get a better look at his muscular body.

The thought shocked her. She wasn't a prude, wasn't a virgin, but this was the first time in her life she was as drawn to anyone as she was to Bo. It wasn't just his body, although that wasn't a turn-off for sure. He was just so… good .

It was kind of sad that she was attracted to a man just because of his goodness, but it was true. She'd learned, because of the way she grew up, how to distinguish fake niceness from genuine concern and goodness in others. And Bo was a good man from the top of his head down to the tips of his toes. Kevlar was the same way. She assumed the rest of the men on their SEAL team probably were, as well.

Sadly, Wren knew how rare that was. She'd learned the hard way that people were generally selfish. They'd do things to look good to others, not because it was the right thing to do. And if money was involved in any way, they'd do whatever it took to either get their hands on that money, or do as little as possible so they didn't have to spend money.

It was a horrible way to look at life, but it was what Wren knew.

As she stared at Bo, he stirred. His eyes opened, and the first thing he did was swing his gaze toward her.

"Morning," he croaked huskily.

The hair on her arms stood up at the sound. His voice was deeper than usual, and the immediate thought that sprang into her mind was how intimate it was to see him seconds after he woke.

"Hi," she said, feeling shy all of a sudden.

"What time is it?" he asked.

"No clue."

"What time do you need to be at work?"

Work. Shit! Wren had forgotten all about it! If she hadn't just started a new job, she would totally call in sick. But she couldn't. They were currently planning an important overseas trip that she was a large part of, so she couldn't miss a day. "Eight."

Bo sat up, reached over to a small table next to his chair, and grabbed his phone. "Six forty-five. What time do you need to leave to get there on time?"

"Um…probably seven-thirty," Wren told him.

"Shit. You probably need to start getting ready then. You want cereal this morning? Or do you want me to make you something different?"

Wren blinked. "I have plenty of time to get ready," she told him.

Bo's gaze focused on her. "Yeah?"

"I'm sure you didn't miss it but my hair is short. It doesn't take long for me to shower and run a brush through it. I don't need hours to get ready. Fifteen minutes, tops."

She couldn't interpret the look on Bo's face. Then it hit her—and she grinned. "You were stereotyping me, weren't you? Figured since I'm a woman, it would take at least an hour for me to shower and get ready for my day."

He looked a little sheepish. "Yeah, I guess I was. Sorry."

That was new. A man apologizing when he was wrong.

Internally, Wren sighed and shook her head. That wasn't fair. And now she was the one stereotyping. She knew it, but it was difficult to change her thinking when she'd been let down so many times by men. Well…and women, actually. "It's okay. We all do it sometimes. And cereal is fine. It's what I usually eat every morning."

"Can I ask you something?"

This was kind of nice. Lying under warm blankets, not having to leap out of bed and rush around. She and Bo waking up together, quietly talking. "Sure."

"It's okay if you don't want to say, but I was wondering where you work. What you do."

"Oh! It's weird. I feel as if we've known each other for a long time, but I guess we don't know even the most basic things about each other, huh?" Wren asked.

"Pretty much."

"It's not a secret. I moved here from New York last month. I work at BT Energy. It's a part of the pipeline sector. Their specialty is gas pipelines. I'm their PR person. Have you seen Criminal Minds ? I'm kind of like JJ, the girl who was the liaison between the BAU and the media."

Bo sat up, lowering the footrest on his recliner and leaning forward. "Really?"

"Yeah."

"That's…cool. I mean, that's an important position. I know we rely on people like you when we have high visibility missions and have to get information out to the general public, and yet still have to keep certain things classified."

"Yeah. I'm still learning the ropes of the company, but so far I like it. We're actually in the middle of installing a new gas pipeline in Africa, and believe me, there's been a lot of interest and information we have to get out."

"Africa?" Bo asked with a frown.

"Yeah. It's going to be a great boost to the local economy and it should bring a lot of jobs too, which they need."

"Where in Africa?"

Wren's brows furrowed. The sleepy tone in Bo's voice was gone. Replaced by a stern, bossy Bo. "South Sudan. "

"Sudan," he repeated.

"South Sudan. It's different from Sudan. They got their independence in two-thousand eleven."

"I know," Bo bit out.

Wren hurried to continue. "I know the country has had some issues lately, but the people I've been interacting with to plan the trip have been lovely," Wren said a little defensively.

"Wait, what ? What trip?" Bo asked.

"The media blitz trip, when we announce the pipeline and talk about the logistics of installing it," she told him a little warily. She wasn't sure she liked this side of Bo. The feeling reminded her that she really didn't know him. Just because he'd helped her…twice…didn't mean he might not be hiding a temper and wouldn't hurt her if she said or did something he didn't like.

"Are you fucking kidding me?" Bo asked. The question was all the more scary because of the low, controlled way he asked.

"Um…no?"

"You can't go to fucking South Sudan!" he exclaimed, louder now. Then he stood up, making Wren flinch with his quick movement. But he didn't come near her, simply began to pace back and forth across the small room. "There's a level-four ‘do not travel' advisory for the country! That means the US Embassy has suspended its operations! The State Department has ordered all US direct-hire employees and family members to get the hell out. Our government can't offer routine or emergency consular services to any US citizens in the country because of what's happening there. And you're going? Voluntarily? For a job ? "

Wren sat up and wrapped her arms around her knees protectively. Bo wasn't telling her anything she didn't already know. She'd been concerned when she'd heard she would be traveling to the country with her new boss and a few of his top executives. She'd researched the country online and hadn't liked what she'd read. But when she'd brought up security concerns to her employer, he'd blown them off. Saying that it wasn't as bad as the media was portraying.

"We'll be in the southern part of the country, down in Juba, the capital. That's where the pipeline is going to start. In the mountains south of there. It'll eventually go through the country, through Sudan, and end up at the coast, but we're starting with a press conference in Juba to introduce what's happening. They need the money, there are a lot of famine and food and water issues there. This will help ."

But Bo was shaking his head. "I can't believe this."

Wren swallowed hard.

"Sudan. Fuck!" he exclaimed. He turned to her. "We just finished a mission in Chad. It's to the west of Sudan and South Sudan. It was horrific. The people over there…they're suffering. They're desperate. And desperate people do things they normally wouldn't otherwise. Fuck, I'm not supposed to be telling you any of this—but, Wren, trust me when I say you cannot go to Sudan."

"South Sudan," Wren corrected without thought.

"You aren't listening to me!" Bo yelled.

And just like that, the fear and unease Wren had been feeling disappeared. Anger welled within her. Bo was treating her as if she was an idiot. As if she didn't know the dangers of traveling to a country the State Department had issued warnings against entering. She did. She was already scared, and she didn't need his judgment on top of all the other stress she was under at the moment.

Standing, she stalked over to Bo, who was glaring at her. She poked him in the chest with her finger. "I know," she said between clenched teeth. Then repeated herself as she poked him again. "I know it's bad over there. But this is what I was specifically hired to do, travel with the team when they go to different countries to be a liaison between the execs and the media. I didn't know South Sudan was on the agenda when I got the job, but honestly, it doesn't really matter. I don't have a choice, Bo. Can you go to your boss, commander, whatever, and tell him that you don't want to go to Chad? No. You can't. You do what you're told because it's your job !"

"My job and yours aren't the same," Bo protested, reaching up and grabbing hold of her finger so she couldn't poke him anymore. But he didn't squeeze it. Didn't shove her away. Simply held onto her finger gently.

"No, they aren't. But I just got this job. I actually like it. Enjoy talking to locals, encouraging them to see the good side of what my company does. I realize that some will think we're exploiting natural resources, but I truly believe the jobs it'll create, and the money it'll bring into the area, will help. I literally don't have a choice other than to go, Bo. Housing isn't cheap, and now I have to replace every single possession I own—as you well know! Money isn't going to rain down from the sky and fill my pockets. I have to work. I need this job more than ever. And right about now, I could use your support. Even your expertise, to tell me what I should and shouldn't do if anything goes wrong. Not your lectures and judgment and anger."

Wren was panting by the time she finished. She was also shaking. With frustration, fear, and worry.

Bo let go of her finger, then wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her into him.

She was getting used to being surrounded by him like this. Plastered against his front, her nose buried in his chest.

"I'm sorry," he said quietly. "I just… fuck , Wren. I've been there. South Sudan. It's…not a place for someone like you."

"Someone like me?" she mumbled into his chest.

"Yeah."

He didn't elaborate. Wren wasn't sure she really wanted him to.

"Is there any chance this trip won't go as planned?"

She shrugged against him.

"When are you supposed to leave?"

"Just over two weeks."

" Shit . Look at me," he ordered.

Wren didn't want to. Wanted to close her eyes and avoid reality for a little longer. But life always seemed to have a way of kicking her in the ass. She lifted her head.

"Talk to your boss. I know you're new, but tell him that you know people, a team of SEALs, who are willing to come in and talk to the group that will be traveling to South Sudan. We can give you all tips on what to do if shit hits the fan. Violence, threats, kidnapping."

Wren froze. "What?"

"We can come to your offices. Meet with the group. Answer questions. Give advice. "

"You'd do that? When you think it's a horrible idea that we're going in the first place?"

"It's definitely a horrible idea," Bo said. "But I understand not having a choice. I want you safe. As safe as you can be under the circumstances. If you have to go, I want you to have as much information as you can about what to do if things go south. Information is power, and I'm in the unique position to have information about the region you're going into."

Wren's eyes filled with tears.

"Don't cry. Please don't," Bo begged.

"I can't help it," Wren said as she lowered her forehead to his chest. She felt his hand push through her hair and cup the back of her head. His other hand pressed to her lower back, holding her against him.

"This isn't the way I envisioned this going," he muttered above her.

"Envisioned what going?" she asked softly.

"Courting."

Wren tilted her head back, but he didn't take his hand out of her hair. "Courting?" she asked with a small frown.

"Yeah. Usually when someone meets a person they're interested in, they take them out for coffee. Then maybe a dinner or two. Goodbye kisses at the door. Maybe a movie date where there's a little making out on a couch. Then another dinner, more romantic this time, some fancy restaurant with flowers and candles, and if he's lucky, he brings her back to his place and she lets him make love to her all night long. Then more dates, more loving…eventually they move in together, he proposes and they get ma rried. Maybe have a kid or two and live happily ever after."

Wren's heart felt as if it was in her throat at his words. She'd never seen any of that for herself. She'd always felt too…broken. A happily ever after wasn't ever in her visions for her future. Maybe snatching some good times here and there, but she didn't think anyone would be able to put up with her quirks long term.

She wasn't sure what to say to him, but Bo didn't seem to expect a response. He went on.

"Instead, I whisk you to my house while you're unconscious, where you wake up in a strange location with a man you've never met. Haul you up to your balcony with a rope, break into your apartment, discover it's been trashed by a psycho, take you back to my house instead of to a hotel. You sleep on my sofa instead of a bed, and the next morning, I proceed to yell at you for something you have no control over."

"Honestly, this feels more appropriate for my life," Wren told him.

Instead of smiling at her joke, Bo frowned. "I don't know much about you, Wren Defranco, but what I do know is that you're strong as hell. The last couple of days has shown me that crystal clear. And if you forgive me, and let me start over, I want to court you properly. As properly as I can, considering we skipped a few steps and we're already living together."

Wren couldn't help but giggle at that. "Just until they get this Matt guy."

"Right."

Given his wry tone, she didn't know if he was agreeing with her or arguing with her. But she supposed it didn't matter. "I probably really do need to start getting ready for work now. Even though it doesn't take me all day to shower and change, I'm guessing I'm going to be cutting it close in getting to work on time."

"I washed your clothes from yesterday, they're in the bathroom already. I'll get a bowl of cereal ready for you for when you get out. I'll take you to work and pick you up when you're done. If you give me your sizes, I can stop by My Sister's Closet and see if Julie can help pick out a few things for you until you have time to shop for yourself."

Wren was floored. "You want to get clothes for me?"

"Well, yeah. We can continue washing what you've got every night, but I'm guessing you don't want to wear the same thing every day for the next however many days."

That wasn't quite what Wren meant, but he wasn't wrong. "I can stop by a big box store and get some things," she told him.

"Or I could stop by my friend's store and get you some good stuff. It's not new, but it's still nice."

"Okay," Wren said softly. She was almost overcome with emotion. It wasn't the fact that Bo was going to get her clothes, it was more how he made what he was doing for her not seem like it was a big deal. For her, it was a huge deal. Her own mother didn't go out of her way to do anything for her daughter. She certainly didn't bother herself with what Wren was wearing.

"Talk to your boss," Bo told her, making it clear her pending trip to South Sudan was still very much on his mind.

"I will. "

He pulled back slightly and moved his hand from her hair to her nape. He stared down at her for a long moment.

"What?" Wren asked.

"I want to kiss you."

Her heart skipped a beat and she licked her lips. His gaze tracked the movement before meeting hers once more.

"Yes," she said with a small nod.

Bo smiled a little before lowering his head. His lips brushed against hers in a chaste, sweet kiss. Then he looked her in the eyes before lowering his head once more. This time the kiss wasn't sweet. It was electrifying.

He licked her lips, asking for permission to enter, which Wren gave right away by opening to him.

He dominated the kiss, but not in an overbearing, macho kind of way. He groaned low in his throat, letting Wren know he was as overwhelmed by their instant chemistry as she was. She grabbed his shirt in her hand, wrinkling the material but needing something to hold onto as he took possession of her mouth.

His fingers tightened on the back of her neck as he held her and they kissed for what felt like forever. She felt surrounded by him. Safe.

She felt safe with Safe. There was nowhere she'd rather be than right here. In his arms. His tongue swirling with hers. His taste on her lips.

This time when he pulled back, they were both breathing hard.

He licked his lips and smiled gently at her. He ran his thumb over her bottom lip. "We might not be conventional, but I'm still definitely courting you. In case you didn't know. "

"I'm okay with that."

"Good."

His hands dropped from her and he took a step backward. "Go shower, Wren. I'll have breakfast and coffee waiting."

Wren swallowed hard and nodded. Then she backed away, not wanting to lose eye contact with him. At the last minute, she turned and headed down the hallway toward the bathroom.

It was crazy how much her life had changed in the last couple of days. She'd gone on a first date, and ended up basically moving in with a different man that same night. But she couldn't help but think that she hit the jackpot.

Bo Cyders was a good man. Things might not work out between them long term, but she was going to enjoy the ride for as long as it lasted.