Page 46 of Unintended Love

“Perfect. They’ll receive one before you’re done with lunch.” Katlin’s gaze swept the table. “I’m very pleased with the way your teams have melded together. I have high expectations for the ten of you. Get some lunch. Enjoy your weekend. You will all be flying in the Black Swan jet. I want you in the sky shortly after dark on Sunday. You need to be on the ground in Montana before twilight on Monday.”

Katlin moved to the door. Before opening it, she gave the combined team one last look. “Enjoy your weekend. It might be the last R and R you get for a while.” With that ominous warning, their boss walked out of the conference room.

The food service people must’ve been waiting in the hall because as soon as she left, they brought in what Clint thought of as enough food to feed an army. His army, which for the first time in his life included men and women under a shared command. And for another first, he’d be working with his wife.

He glanced over at Ashlin, who was in a deep conversation with Piper. His heart warmed as he saw her in Lady Tiger mode. She was remarkable. He was actually excited to see these women in action. He had often worked with Xena and her team of men, but working side-by-side with Ashlin was going to be different.

When they were setting up lunch, Clint reached into the refrigerator for a soda. His private cell phone rang, the one only his family had. He fished it out of his pocket but didn’t recognize the number. The caller ID said it was from Texas. Maybe Theodora had a problem and had switched numbers.

“Clint Riggs,” he answered with his usual greeting.

“You promised to protect Theodora and her baby.” Kimmy’s voice screamed through Clint’s phone.

He automatically jerked the cell away from his ear, but before he could get a word in, she continued, “Theodora depends on you, and you’ve already let her down.”

He had no plans of taking care of her forever. He’d set her up with a car, a home, money, and medical care. What else did she and the baby need? He had never planned on settling near Theodora or in Texas. He was based out of Ethiopia. He ran one of his father’s companies out of Ethiopia. His family lived in Ethiopia.

“Kimmy, please take a deep breath.” Clint used his most soothing tone. “Kimmy, I need you to calm down.” Her normal high-pitched voice was irritating enough to him, but her screaming was even worse. It was an octave higher.

“I’m not going to fucking calm down when my daughter is in the hospital and has almost lost the baby.”

Chapter 18

Ashlin realized at that moment that she really didn’t know Clint all that well. She couldn’t tell whether he was nervous, angry, or upset. He certainly wasn’t happy because she’d seen him happy, especially in the last two days. Who the hell was Kimmy? Ashlin had always thought of that name as belonging to a child…or a stripper. She didn’t know any adult woman who would allow herself to be called Kimmy. But most of the women she knew were warriors. Certainly not someone trying to relive her youth. So, who was this Kimmy? And who almost lost her baby? Clint’s baby? Was his baby mama the one who was depending on Clint? And who was Theodora?

The more she thought about that name, Theodora, it sounded familiar. Then, as though a cartoon character lightbulb went off above her head, she remembered that Theodora was the widow of his NCO that he’d buried earlier that week in Texas.

Still holding the phone a foot from his head, Clint asked, “Kimmy, what are you talking about?” Irritation evident in his voice.

“You need to be here. You can’t be running all over the world. Theodora and the baby need you here in Texas. Now!”

“Kimmy, Theodora and I have already talked about this. She understands that I am still working, and like her husband used to be sent on missions, I still do.”

Ashlin’s gaze swept the room. Every member of their new team was staring at him. If she had questioned his loyalty to her, those questions must also be running through their minds. She needed to show them that everything was all right between her and Clint, and most of all that she supported him. She stepped next to her husband and put her arm around his waist. He looked down at her and smiled, then kissed her on her forehead.

“Kimmy, if you don’t quit yelling, I’m going to hang up,” Clint warned, but the high-pitched screaming continued. He touched the disconnect button, and the room went silent.

Ashlin snickered, “You warned her.”

“I need to call Theodora. I’ll step out.”

“Don’t bother,” Mia said as she picked up a plate and started to load it with food. “We’re all invested now. We want to hear what—what the fuck’s her name—has to say.”

Clint looked down at Ashlin as though asking for permission. She wanted to know what Theodora had to say, too.

“Just make the call. It’ll be easier than telling everybody later.” Ashlin then went up on her toes and gave him a quick kiss on the lips. Hopefully, that was enough of a message to let him know that she understood his situation.

“Thank you,” he said with a smile then dialed the number. Everyone in the room could hear the phone ring as many followed Mia’s lead and plated up their lunch.

Before Clint could even say hello, the woman on the other end started apologizing. “Clint, I am so sorry. Obviously, my mother called you.”

“Yes, she said you are in the hospital.”

In a controlled, natural tone, Theodora replied, “I am, but I’ve been assured there’s nothing to worry about. The baby is fine. I’m just a little black and blue where the intruder grabbed my biceps and tossed me around a little.”

“Someone tossed you around?” Clint said through clenched teeth.

Everyone in the room stepped closer to him. Several of his men, especially the ones who knew Javier well, came and stood beside him.