Vendetta by Capri Montgomery Page B

little, and take away some of the distraction.”
     
    She pulled him in for a hug. “Don’t be distracted; okay? I really want you to come home to me and you can’t guarantee me that if your head is here when it should be there. I’ll be okay.” She took his hand and placed it over her belly. “We’ll be okay. Just come back to us.”
     
    “I will,” he assured her. No matter what happened he was determined to come home to his family. He leaned down and kissed Zenya’s belly. “Where’s the other one?” He grinned. Normally, Patience was singing to the top of her lungs whenever she was awake. Their little girl was destined to do something with music just like her mother. Zenya’s cousin, Australia, was determined not to have any children of her own, but that didn’t mean that she wasn’t planning to help with Patience’s musical education. She had bought her a mini-drum set the last time she came to town and she had showed her how to play. So between singing and banging on the drums, he was sure Patience was going to be in music—he was surer of that than anything.
     
    He was happy that his little girl was exploring her talented side, but he wasn’t always happy with the noise. Australia was fine with dropping off the drum set because she didn’t have to be there to hear Patience trying to play every day. Spoil and run, he had always said. That’s exactly what any visiting family member did; leaving gifts behind that he had to try to sort out. Zenya wasn’t any help in matters. She always said they should let her explore her musical options. He just wished she would explore them a little more quietly. Right now things were too quiet and he wanted to know what she was doing.
     
    She laughed. “Sleeping. She had a long day. Do you want me to wake her?”
     
    “No,” he pulled Zenya into his arms. “I’ll be here tomorrow. We’re all meeting up here, so I won’t have to go until after we meet here.”
     
    “Ooh,” she smiled. “So I have you all to myself for at least another day. Whatever shall I do with you?”
     
    “I can think of something,” he slid his hand down to her behind and pushed her flush against his body. He could think of a lot of things they could do tonight, all of those things involved being in bed with each other, making love until the sun came up.
     
    “Hmm…have you talked to Drake?”
     
    “You’re thinking about my brother right now?” He pulled back and looked into her eyes, onyx meeting his striking blue gaze.
     
    “I’m worried about Geneva. How is she taking this?”
     
    “I think he’s having the same conversation with her right about now. But I know he’s prepared her for this. He took on a more extensive role searching for Sabian and when he did that he kept Geneva in the loop. He might not be the one who found the bastard, but he’s very much dedicated to stopping him and she knows that.”
     
    “I should call her.”
     
    “Tonight?”
     
    “No. I think tonight she’ll want to connect with her man just as much as I want to connect with mine. I’ll call her tomorrow. I can see if she wants to come stay here. I know she has some promotions with her album and all, but some time in Texas could be nice for her.”
     
    “Then think about her in the morning,” he brushed his lips against her cheek. “Think about me tonight.” He captured her lips in an intense kiss, demanding her full attention in this moment, in their passion and in their love.
     
    “I’m all yours,” she whispered breathlessly as she clutched his biceps, pulling him closer to her. “Make love to me, Mike; right here, right now.”
     
    He hoisted her and she wrapped her legs around his waist as he carried her to the bed, kissing her hotly, passionately, as if this kiss could be the last kiss they would ever share. He wouldn’t allow that. He would come back home.
     
    This mission, like every other mission he had gone on before he retired, would be one he came