Ghostwalker 08 - Street Game

happened. It didn’t look like it was going to happen anytime soon.
    “We’re a family,” Kane added. “We’d never leave you until we knew the threat to you was past. So we’ll be moving in here for a long while. We’ve already gotten permission. The boys are setting up their rooms; we’ll be here with you. You’ll be safe.”
    “What does Sergeant Major want in return? He doesn’t do anything for free.”
    “That’s for us to worry about,” Mack said. “Not you. Let’s just enjoy whatever time we have together while we figure all this out. I missed you, Jaimie.” There was an ache in his voice. An unexpected lump in his throat. She had no idea. He’d felt shattered. Fractured. And he’d had no idea how much he needed her or depended on her until she was gone.
    There was resentment in him. Stubbornness. She’d left him. Walked out.
    Whatever her reasons, however stupid he’d been, she’d left him. For a moment it took all his discipline not to yank her out of the chair and shake her into seeing sense.
    They were meant for each other. He’d thought—hoped—that when he saw her again, the impact she had on him would lessen, but it was worse than ever. He craved her like some terrible addiction. He wanted the adoration back, that look of absolute love in her eyes. He wanted her soft body streaking fire through his. He wanted the sound of her laughter and her trust. More than anything he wanted that back.
    Jaimie pushed both hands through her hair. Living with Mack again. She doubted she could survive it. But what else could she do? She wasn’t stupid. Someone had sent GhostWalkers after her and that meant Whitney was probably on to her and she was in danger. If he knew the evidence she’d been compiling against him, he’d never let her live. And she was tracing his connections, getting closer to his supporters. They would be even more dangerous than Whitney. He was obscure. A ghost. But his backers had political lives. They were powerful men with lots to lose and they’d never let her expose their crimes to the world.
    She’d known when she started researching and documenting that she was entering a dangerous game, but she had always known she had to find a way to protect her 66

    family. She loved them and she wasn’t going to see them thrown to the wolves. No one was going to set them up to be killed by sending them on a bogus mission. She’d make certain of that.
    “Can’t you stay in one of the places around here, Mack? I’m used to being on my own and you’re bossy.”
    Kane made a sound in his throat that was cut off when Mack shot him a warning look. “I’m not in the least bit bossy. I know how to keep you alive, and you tend to trust everyone.”
    She scowled at him. “I do not. Do you see what I’m talking about? I’ve been in business for two years, Mack. I haven’t needed you to tell me who I can work for.”
    “That doesn’t mean you couldn’t have benefited from my experience.”
    A slow smile curved her mouth. “Now you’re just teasing.”
    “I’m glad you remember what teasing is.”
    She deserved that, she knew. Mack and Kane were the two people she loved most in the world and she hadn’t exactly been hospitable. She’d accused Kane outright of betrayal, and there was still a certainty that he had known the address was wrong. He had been close to the one new man when they’d come into her home, the one they weren’t certain of, and it had been Kane who had blocked his weapon, almost before Mack had identified her.
    “Okay, fine. But you’re getting your own beds. I mean it. I’m not sharing my bed.”
    “Who wants that tiny little thing?” Mack scoffed. “We’ll get manly furniture tomorrow.”
    The two poking around are leaving, Top. I have the feeling they’ll be back, Gideon reported. But they’re going to do a little investigating. Superman has slipped away.
    Did he see you? Mack asked.
    Naw. I just became part of the wall. Never moved.
    We’re going to get some sleep. Thanks, Gideon. Be careful. And don’t trust anyone not our own.
    Okay, Mom. Gideon laughed softly in his ear.
    Mack sighed. Trying to keep them all in line was difficult. “We can turn in. The threat’s over.”
    “Lucky us,” Jaimie muttered.

    67

CHAPTER 5

    Morning light filtered through the windows when a loud blast shattered the peace of sleep. Kane and Mack leapt to their feet, both reaching for their weapons, or at least both tried to. Kane nearly crashed