Page 87 of Charmed Forces

“Can’t be disappointed about that,” said Lily.

After we hung up, I set out my clothes and headed into the kitchen to eat. Solomon left to collect all the equipment he said we needed, so I settled for frozen leftovers, then I began to shower and dress. I’d just finished blowing out my hair when Lily arrived, dressed in yoga pants and a thin sweater, a garment bag over her shoulder. “I told Jord I had to return some of your stuff,” she said, indicating the bag before handing me the beaded clutch. “He didn’t even question it. I suppose I should actually go through my closet and return everything sometime.”

“You have more of my stuff?”

Lily stilled. “Maybe?” she winced. “I like this dress. No one would suspect you were undercover at all. Definitely not the sort of thing Solomon could wear.”

“He wouldn’t fit in it.”

“Has he tried?” Lily’s eyes widened.

“No!”

“Jord tried my...”

I held up a hand. “Do not tell me anymore!” I said, taking a deep breath and Lily snorted a laugh.

“I’m going to change,” she said.

Solomon arrived a few minutes later while Lily was changing in the guest room. He gave me a long, appreciative look, then focused on my upper thighs.

“I know we’re married but eyes up here, buddy,” I said.

He laughed. “I’m focused on the gun nudging the outline of your dress.”

“Damn. I thought it was concealed.”

“It’s too big to conceal in a thigh holster,” he pointed out. “Plus, how are you going to explain it if there’s security and you’re frisked at the door?”

“I would point out to security that their hands shouldn’t be sliding up that far.”

“Before or after they drew their weapons on you?”

“Fine,” I said, since he had a point. I reached under my dress, pulled off the holster and slid my gun out. “Guess I’m not carrying heat.”

“Any trouble and Delgado and I will be there.”

“Guns blazing?” asked Lily.

“No, it’s a nice neighborhood. We’ll sneak in, spring you, and sneak you back out. Less guns are better for everyone.”

“I’ll try and get you something from the buffet,” said Lily. “Sweet or savory? What? Rescuing raises an appetite,” she said when Solomon shook his head.

“We can get burgers after,” said Solomon.

“Yay!” said Lily.

“I’ll put this in the gun safe and then let’s get you wired,” said Solomon, holding up a small bag.

We sat at the kitchen island and he laid the equipment out. “I figured we’d go for something as discreet as possible,” he said. “This brooch is a camera and a mic. You’ll need to wear it at your neckline, in the center of your dress, to get a good view. Just make sure you’re facing whomever you’re talking to or whatever you want us to see. We’ll watch live on our phones but the device will also throw out a recording into the cloud.”

Lily looked up.

“Not that cloud,” I said.

“Where’s the cloud?” she wondered.

“No one knows,” I said.