“I…” Austin refocused. “I haven’t really seen her much. I’ve had my head in these reports.”
And she was the main reason he’d had laser focus today—partly because she did such an amazing job with Bella, they never needed him, and partly because he felt so physically and emotionally satisfied, he had his head in the game.
He looked at Decker, but his mind drifted back over the night before. Over his utterly axis-tipping night with Everly. “Something wrong?”
He didn’t immediately answer but finally shook his head. “Suppose not.”
“Where did you put Green and Washington?” he asked of the two extra guards on duty.
“On an east-westerly rotation every two hours.”
Austin nodded. That would give the two weakest access points to the property—by road and sea—extra coverage. “It’s been a rough few days, but we’re home now.”
Decker nodded and turned toward the house.
Austin glanced south and caught movement among the trees. “I think that’s them.”
Decker refocused as Everly came up the path. But as soon as they came into full view, Austin knew something wasn’t right. Everly was running with Bella in her arms.
He put down his pen and stood.
When she came closer, her expression confirmed his suspicion. But whatever was bothering Everly hadn’t registered for Bella. His daughter wore an ear-to-ear grin.
Everly came to a stop on the pool deck and put Bella down. Resting her hands on her knees to catch her breath, she told Bella, “Go wash your hands. I’ll get your gummies.”
Bella ran inside. As soon as she was out of earshot, Everly straightened and turned a sharp, frightened gaze on Austin. “Are you training tonight?”
“No, why?”
“Because there are men…” she said, pausing to pull in air. “On the property.”
Austin’s mind sharpened into combat mode. “Where?”
“How many?” Decker added.
“What did they look like?” Austin prodded as she pulled in air.
“Three, maybe four,” she said. “They looked just like your guys. Camo. M4s. American.”
“How do you know they’re American?” Decker asked.
“I heard them talking, and I’m pretty damn sure ‘dude’ is exclusive to the States.”
Decker shot a look at Austin and pulled the radio from his belt. “Possible hostile sighting in southeast quadrant, camo and M4s.” He walked to the edge of the pool deck, issuing orders for the security team. “Reportedly American. Hold fire.” He got off the radio and cut a look at Austin before turning toward the garage. “I’ll be back with gear.”
“Dispatch the drone,” Austin told Decker, then gripped Everly’s arms and bent to look into her eyes. Her pupils were dilated. Her quick pulse throbbed at the base of her neck. “Get into the house and lock yourself inside. Tell Renalda not to open the doors for anyone but me or Decker.”
“Austin—”
“No time,” he told her. “There are weapons locked in a safe in my bedroom closet. The combination is Bella’s birthday. Go to Bella’s bedroom and read her stories, break out the Legos, turn on The Little Mermaid, feed her gummies. Just keep her distracted.”
He released her and turned to follow Decker.
“Austin.” Everly grabbed his arm and met his gaze with a familiar intensity. “Don’t let your guys shoot anyone.”
“This is my property,” he bit out. “They’re coming after my daughter.”
“They’re American,” she repeated. “If this is Seaver and you kill one of her men, you can bet your ass she’ll be using it to her advantage. With her political pull, you could find the Costa Rican government giving that Hague Convention a closer look. You could blow your little haven to smithereens.”