Siren in the Wind Book One of the MIT Series

Chapter Twenty Five

La Coraggio was packed, Max and Johnny sandwiched Abby on the bench. Max pulled a dollar bill out of his wallet and folded it into a sword shape as Lizzy chattered away on the other side of him. Abby had initially sensed his impatience with her bubbly friend when they'd first met, but Max now saw the girl beneath. Intelligent, kind and courageous.

His mouth turned up as Lizzy made a silly joke, but Abby was thoroughly absorbed in his sexy hands folding with confident precision. His long fingers so capable. Capable enough to take away life or to protect it. Well-trained hands decorated with a few rough calluses and light scars. Feeling them run down her back or stroke her arm always resulted in goose bumps.

Max stroked her calf with his foot; who knew that the game of footsy could be so damn sexy? The small paper dagger was waved in front of Lizzy, who snatched it up. He needed to smile more often. He had the sexiest smile, and combined with those piercing eyes, the result was heart-stopping.

Kris made his way through the crowded patio and Max turned serious. Abby hoped they'd form a bond and now was as good a time as any. Kris could occasionally act like an ass, but his heart was in the right place. Besides, the past couple of weeks had been torture for her friend. Seeing your teammates blown away by poachers. Max should know how that felt, to lose a teammate. Abby rose to greet her friend.

Kris pulled her in. "I'm sorry," he whispered, "about the other night. I'm a complete idiot."

Abby tried to extricate herself, but Kris held firm. She tamped down the urge to shove him away; Kris was like a brother and oldest friend rolled into one.

"Have you been drinking?"

"Just one beer. I swear."

"I'm worried about you."

Kris drew her head in, and she felt his lips against her ear. "It goes both ways, I'm yours, you need to know that."

That was an odd thing to say.

"You look beautiful by the way."

Abby smiled her thanks. Heated stares greeted them as Kris pulled her into the chair next to his, causing Max to stiffen. After all-around introductions, Kris slouched back, slinging an arm over the back of her seat. The sudden silence had more of a deadly feel as opposed to uncomfortable, although Abby could happily tick both boxes.

Kris was no match for Max's stone-washed glare in the mini staring match that commenced. The stillness running through Max caught Abby by surprise. It was the trained soldier in him but needed dialing back, if they were to keep this pretend-couple subterfuge thing going.

***

Mature, Max thought as he read Muller's wrinkled T-shirt: Game Rangers do it in the bush.

Judging from the bloodshot eyes and flushed cheeks, Kris was juiced up again. Max knew he should be more understanding. PTSD varied from person to person. Hell, after the Black Friday bombing, Max had suffered nightmares and cold sweats.

Kris spoke up first. "All these Americans at the table... You're making me feel like the bloody foreigner in the room. So, Max. Abby tells me you sell tactical gear, shoes and shit?" Muller's trembling fingers toyed with his car keys.

Max smiled benignly. "Yeah."

"What brands?"

"Arc'teryx, Mechanix Wear, Crye..." Max said.

"Interesting." Muller gave Max the once-over. "You look like a fit kind of guy."

"I work out."

"Did you serve?"