Donovans 03 - Pearl Cove

their way into the elevator and out at a lower floor. The smell of a swimming pool greeted them as soon as they stepped out of the elevator. Along with chlorine came the musky odor of a well-used gym.
    “Ah,” Honor said, making a wry face, “the sweet scent of men.”
    “Women don’t sweat?” Hannah asked, her dark eyebrows raised.
    “Of course not. We glow like the delicate little flowers we are.”
    Hannah was still laughing when they rounded a corner. The double doors leading to the gym were wide open, giving a good view of the various instruments of torture that were the hallmark of a well-equipped gym.
    She barely looked at the collection of bars, barbells, pulleys, rowing machines, and the like. Her whole attention was fastened on the two big, physically well-matched men who looked like they were doing their best to kill one another. Hands, elbows, knees, and feet moved in blurs of speed as the men sparred—dodging, weaving, luring, trapping, and escaping in a deadly ballet. Blows landed, a man grunted and spun away, only to return with flashing speed.
    Frozen, she stood and stared. She hadn’t seen anything like it since Archer had fought their way through a riot. Then he had been burdened by Len. Today Archer was free. His speed and stamina were frightening.
    “Whew,” Honor said. “Archer’s not wearing any padding. He must have really needed a full-adrenaline workout. Either that or Jake’s getting fat and lazy.”
    “If Jake is the one fighting with Archer, he’s not fat or lazy.”
    “Yeah.” Honor smiled and silently saluted Jake as he ducked under a blow and flipped Archer over his back. “Looking good, honey. Looking real good.”
    Catlike, Archer landed fully balanced and ready to counterattack. Jake went down as his feet were scissored out from under him. More blows landed while the men scrambled to their feet and fought for position. Archer was protected only by his speed, his skill, and his partner’s unwillingness to do real injury. Though padding protected Jake, Archer still pulled his punches; he wanted to keep the edge on his fighting skills, not to hurt the man who was his best friend and his sister’s husband.
    He threw Jake, followed him down, and set up for a killing blow. Jake could have dodged or counterattacked. Instead, one of his hands slapped the mat. “That’s it, Archer. This old boy is ready for breakfast.”
    Instantly Archer stood, offered Jake a hand up, and then gave him a brief, rib-cracking hug. “Hell of a workout. Thanks.”
    Jake stretched his shoulders cautiously beneath the padding, and said, “My pleasure. Like hell.”
    Laughing, breathing hard and deep, sweat soaked from scalp to heels, the two men stood for a few moments longer on the mat, enjoying each other and the feeling of a good workout. When Jake began removing his padding, Archer turned toward the showers. The instant he saw Hannah, his smile vanished. So did his easy relaxation. Between one heartbeat and the next, he was fully on guard.
    Honor saw the difference in him immediately. Archer’s distant, ruthless side was one that he rarely showed to his family. Or needed to. She looked from her brother to Hannah’s beautiful, shadowed eyes. Hannah, too, had lost her smile.
    “I see you’ve met,” Archer said, striding across the gym floor toward the two women. “Hi, sis. Want a hug?”
    With a wary eye on her oldest brother’s sweaty body, Honor blew him a kiss. “Consider yourself hugged.”
    “Huh. Is that what you’re going to tell Jake?”
    “Jake’s sweaty body is different from any other sweaty male body on earth. He’s sexy.”
    “Not to me.”
    “I’m soooo relieved.”
    Grinning, Archer turned to Hannah. But it wasn’t her that he looked at. “Hey, Summer,” he said gently. “How’s the most beautiful angel in heaven?”
    At the sound of her name, Summer lifted her head and looked around for one of her very favorite human beings. Archer held out his hands. She abandoned Hannah’s well-chewed ring and waved her arms happily.
    “She’s teething again,” Honor warned. “The drool factory is working around the clock.”
    “That’s my girl,” he said approvingly. “You need teeth in this world.”
    Despite Summer’s eagerness, Hannah didn’t want to hand the baby over to a man who just moments ago had been fully focused on turning himself into a deadly weapon.
    Archer saw the hesitation and simply lifted Summer into his own arms. “Don’t worry,”