Page 8 of Her Sensual Protector

“Nope. The idea of sitting in class and being lectured to was my idea of hell. That was the reason touring the world when I graduated from the International School appealed to me.”

“There were months and months that are unaccounted for during your tour. It’s bugging the hell out of our communications guy,” Leo laughed.

“What are you talking about? He could track me by my passport.”

“Sure, you entered India in April 2015 and eleven months later you showed up in Nepal. Kane’s still trying to figure out where you were during all that time in India.”

Daisy’s shoulders finally relaxed. She forked a bigger piece of her eggplant and ate it with relish. “It was a tough situation in India, but at least I could help.”

“So where were you?”

“I spent most of my time in the state of Bangladesh. There was bad flooding. I helped where I could.”

“That’s all you’re going to give me? Come on, give me more, I want to show up Kane. Please,” Leo wheedled.

Daisy laughed. “Are you and your team members competitive?

“Honey, competitive doesn’t even come close to covering it. Except when we’re in the field working together, everything is a competition.”

“Yeah, that’s the way it is with my brothers. Jim was never into contact sports because his goal was to be a surgeon. Eventually, that changed. He’s a brilliant scientist and works with a team to come up with different cutting-edge molecular and DNA sequencing that go into cures for some of the most virulent diseases known to mankind. But he still has a thing about hurting his hands. Meanwhile, Brian was into any sport that had a ball or a puck. They settled on golf. If I have to hear about one more round of golf, shot by fricking shot, I think I might put a bullet in one of their heads.”

“Who wins most often?”

“It totally depends on the time of year. Brian runs one of the biggest accounting firms in Richmond. If it’s near tax season he loses every time. Since Jim’s a surgeon, he’s constantly under pressure so he thrives on golf.”

“What about your sister? Is she competitive?”

“Absolutely not. You couldn’t get more laid back than Karen. She has three kids. She’s the quintessential soccer mom—totally supportive, tries to get them to eat well, but she’s not regimented about it. Her house is where all the other kids come to hang out. She met her husband in college and they still get caught by their kids making out on the sofa. I know because her fifteen-year-old daughter called and told me that she’s traumatized for life.”

“Traumatized? Just what were they doing?” Leo asked.

“According to Leah, it was everything. According to Karen, they had on all of their clothes. Paul’s not talking. I figure it’s something in between.”

They both started laughing.

“That’s quite the family you have,” Leo grinned. “So who’s in charge of making the stink back in the States?”

“It’s June, so that’d be Brian. Alistair is helping. All three of my siblings are distraught. Even Mom is. That’s the only reason I’m over here.”

“I would have thought Alistair would have been the better choice,” Leo probed.

“He’s having some medical issues right now. Where possible, he’s giving advice and counsel and family and friends are running with it.”

Once again, Leo saw her tensing up. “Is he okay?”

She gave a sharp nod. She wasn’t going to tell him anything else.

“Are you going to tell me anything more about the rescue plans for my father?”

“Right now we’re still intelligence gathering. I needed to find out what possible reason the Haqqani Network would have to kidnap your father; that was the reason for me being at the embassy, and our lunch.”

“Did you learn anything?”

“It sounds like your dad could have done myriad things to piss off some locals and made him a target for Islamic terrorists.”

“Yep,” Daisy said as she pushed her plate away. “That’s Ethan Squires for you, always available to piss somebody off. Be it a four-year-old or an international network of terrorists, he’s your man.”

“Can I ask you a personal question?” Leo’s voice was gentle.