Page 24 of Harmless Secrets

“Another coincidence.”

Micah chuckled. “Okay, I’ll let you tell yourself that lie. Are you going to call Jay?”

He nodded, thinking of his private pilot. He’d already warned Jay they might be heading back early. They definitely were now.

“I guess we should get some sleep. I take it you’re riding the couch?”

Devon glanced at the couch, and knew it was going to hurt like a bitch to sleep on it. He sighed. “Yeah.”

Micah turned to head to the bedroom, Devon thought about what had happened at Ali’s house.

“I think we should go back by her house, see if we can get anything.”

“If they didn’t destroy it.”

He nodded. “If they didn’t—or even if they did—there is a good chance they left some kind of evidence behind.”

Micah nodded. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

Once Micah left, Devon went to check on Ali and Bridget. They were both sleeping. Bridget was cuddled against Ali, who had her arm wrapped about the little girl. He sighed, sipping the scotch as he tried to come to terms with the way his life had changed in the last forty-eight hours. He had never thought to be a parent, but now…he had a little girl.

It was almost too much to deal with.

He walked back into the kitchen, then went out on the balcony. He sat in one of the chairs and watched as the sun came up over Seattle, mulling over what other changes were about to hit him.

Devon wanted to growl when Ali crossed her arms across her chest and raised her chin. Nothing was ever going to be easy with her. Never had been either.

“I think I should go.”

Of course she did, Devon thought. She’d been trying to tell him what they should do since she popped up out of bed that morning. The dark circles under her eyes told him she hadn’t gotten much sleep, but he hadn’t either. He didn’t have the patience to deal with her stubbornness. They had enough time to run to her house, then get to the plane.

“Not a good idea.”

Her frown turned darker. Devon was not going to budge. He really wanted to get the lay of the land and what kind of men were after them. With her expertise she could help, but she was still upset.

“But there are things I want to get. You might not understand.”

He found the tone in her voice mildly offensive. Maybe he hadn’t finished training, but he had eluded the Company for years. He studied her for a moment or two longer and then looked at Micah, who shrugged. No help from that end. Devon took Ali aside. If she wasn’t going to listen to reason, he would use the one thing in this world that would get her to do anything.

Devon straightened his shoulders. “I would rather you stay here.”

He thought he heard her growl. “I would rather go.”

“Listen, it might be kind of hard to see your house if they blew it to smithereens. I also want Micah to get a look.”

“What good is he?” she asked, then she looked at Micah. “No offense.”

Micah smiled. “None taken.”

“So?” she asked him.

“He was a bounty hunter. He could tell what kind of men are after you.”

She snorted. “I can handle that myself, thank you very much.”

“Are you okay with Bridget being left here?”

Alicia opened her mouth to argue, but stopped. She looked at Micah and Dee. Then back to Devon. “Okay, I better stay. Not that I don’t trust you two, but Bridget might not like it.”