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  This was more serious. The assailant had looked like a professional, in Kenton’s estimation, based on his clothing and the type of weapon he’d carried. The missed shot surprised Kenton, though. Unless the intention had been to frighten him. If so, message received.

  When he was satisfied the house was safe for the moment, he went to Mia. She looked up at him from the living room floor with less panic in her eyes but no smile. The girls were putting pieces in a children’s puzzle and seemed unaffected.

  “We’re safe for now,” he said, wanting Mia to have that much comfort. “I need to make some calls.”

  “What happened? What was that man trying to do?” She kept her voice level, but it was underpinned with stress.

  “I don’t have all the answers yet. Just give me a little time.” He went to his office and called his commanding officer first, describing what had occurred. He was told to expect a call back within the hour. Next, he talked to Anderson and Patrick to review it with them. Re-examining the incident helped Kenton comb through the details in his mind. Each time, he played the scene in slow motion again, looking for any clue he may have missed.

  By the time he finished with that, his CO, Colonel Schaffer, was back on the line.

  “Do you have a woman and two kids living with you?” the colonel asked immediately when Kenton picked up the call. “I thought you were single.”

  “I am. They’re living here temporarily.” Kenton explained briefly about the fire and his mother’s offer for Mia and the girls to live in his house.

  “Bad luck for them,” Colonel Schaffer said when Kenton finished. “Intelligence has picked up a threat against you. No details, but there’s some international chatter. We haven’t narrowed down who it is, but they appear to know about your houseguests.”

  “You think the threat could be directed at them as well.” Kenton didn’t like the sound of that.

  “It’s possible. If someone wants to hurt you, getting at the kids or her would be a way of doing that,” the colonel said.

  “But she’s not my girlfriend, and those aren’t my kids. I’d never even met them before I arrived home a few days ago,” Kenton argued. This was turning into a nightmare. He could handle a threat against him. It wouldn’t be the first one. But including Mia and the girls…

  “You can imagine how it looks,” Colonel Schaffer pointed out. “Anyone might assume there’s more of a connection than there is. Keep a sharp eye out, and we’ll get back to you as soon as we have more info.”

  “Son of a bitch,” Kenton muttered when he put his phone down. A series of things had become obvious to him. One: he and his house had been watched, probably starting before he’d arrived home from his recent mission. Two: he wished his mother had never offered his home to a stranger who was now potentially in danger. That led to three: he had to protect Mia and her nieces, and he would have to keep them close to do that.

  That last was a complication he didn’t want or need, but he felt obligated. Before going to speak to Mia, he called Patrick and Anderson back, updating them with what the colonel had said. They both agreed he needed to sit tight and keep his guests safe and offered to respond at a moment’s notice if he needed them.

  The statement was unnecessary, since they’d had each other’s backs since elementary school, but it was good to know that help was a call away.

  “The guy went for the kids first,” Anderson had pointed out during the conversation. “You know what I’m thinking. It could be connected to Ocampa.”

  Anderson was right: he hadn’t needed to spell it out. Kenton had already thought of the same thing.

  He rose and went to find Mia, knowing she wasn’t going to like what he had to say. No one would. When he reached the living room, it was eerily quiet. Mia sat on the couch, folding a basket of laundry. The girls were sleeping on the rug by the fireplace with an afghan over them. Even Eliot was calm for a change.

  “They look peaceful,” he said as his eyes swept over the room.

  “They didn’t see enough to be scared,” Mia said, but her tone suggested that she had.

  “Nothing to worry about right now. The house is secure.” He wanted to give her some comfort. She looked tired and drawn, which wasn’t a surprise since she’d been up since four and worked a full shift—and was caring for two toddlers. What must it have been like for her to suddenly be a parent? That and the loss of her sister must have been tough enough. And then the apartment fire. A lesser person might have crumbled, but she must be the resilient type. He hoped so, given what he was about to say.

  “Good. That’s good,” she repeated as if trying to convince herself. “The girls and I will be out of your hair by tomorrow, or the next day at the latest, so you won’t need to worry about us anymore.”

  “What?”

  “I’ve got two leads on other places to stay.” She matched up socks as she spoke. “I’ll decide tonight and make the arrangements.”

  “You can’t go,” he said, putting it bluntly but keeping his voice gentle. “It’s not safe for you.”

  “What do you mean?” She looked up at him, and he saw the panic return to her eyes.

  He crossed the room and took a seat next to her. “The attack today wasn’t just on me. I think it included you and the girls, too.”

  “What?” She angled her body toward his. “What are you talking about? Wasn’t it some random thing?”

  He shook his head, trying to figure out the best way to explain that an international criminal was watching them and might be contemplating something far worse.

  She blinked rapidly, but he saw tears forming in her eyes. The glow of happiness he’d seen in her was completely gone, and he wasn’t sure what he could do.

  “Please try not to worry,” he found himself saying. What did he mean? Of course she should be worried. “That is, I’m going to take care of this. I’m already working on—” Oh, crap. She was looking even more upset now. “I mean, anything you need, I’m going to—”

  “I could do with a hug,” she said, giving him a weary smile despite the tears that ran down her cheeks.

  He hesitated. He wanted to comfort her, but dealing with women in distress wasn’t his norm. “Sure,” he said and pulled her against him. They were still sitting on the couch, but she buried her head in the crook between his shoulder and neck. He placed one arm low on her waist and the other around her shoulders and held her. A soft sound came from her, and he assumed it was a sob, but he didn’t know what to say to make any of this better. So he just held her and massaged little circles across her shoulders.

  When she pulled back a few minutes later, her eyes were red, but she seemed steadier as she straightened her posture and put a little distance between them. He immediately missed her softness against him. What was that about? He wasn’t a hugger by nature, but she’d felt right in his arms.

  “We have to stay?” She rubbed her fingers over her cheeks, removing the last traces of the tears.

  He nodded. “We’ll have to work out a schedule.”

  “We do?” She sounded instantly wary. Did she think he was trying to control her?

  “I need to know when you’re coming and going,” he explained. “When the girls are outside playing, for instance. Everything has to be coordinated so I can provide maximum security.”

  “Oh, I hadn’t thought about that.” Some of her stress lessened. “If that’s what it takes to keep them safe.”

  “And you, too.” It was just as important to keep her out of harm’s way. He’d never forgive himself if his mother’s kind gesture of providing shelter for a woman in need resulted in something tragic.

  “I’m an adult,” she said. “I can manage myself. All that matters is the girls.”

  Kenton almost smiled. There was something momma-bearish about her that appealed to him. He understood that need to protect others, to keep them safe. As the captain of his SEAL team, he felt that responsibility whenever they were on missions. Maybe his role was like being a pare
nt. He performed it through careful planning and extensive training. There wasn’t time for the latter in this situation, but he could put plans in place.

  He studied her for a minute. Mia had gone back to folding laundry, but he’d seen enough to recognize a soldier ready to do battle. He could work with that.

  “We’ll figure it out together, then.” After the girls were in bed for the night, he’d pull up a spreadsheet and outline a daily schedule.

  “How long will this last?” Mia asked.

  Was she thinking she’d be able to move out next week or in a month when her apartment was refurbished? He had to put an end to that kind of thinking. “Until the threat is neutralized.”

  “Oh,” she said. “I guess… that makes sense.”

  6

  Kenton hadn’t liked that the twins went to day care the following day, but he hadn’t seen a better option. He had run a check on the facility and noted its excellent safety record and firm policies about who could pick up kids. He’d deemed it acceptable since Mia had to work. Still, when he was out running some errands, he drove by the day care twice. Each time he parked across the street for a few minutes and watched.

  He’d seen nothing to worry him, but while he worked on projects around the house and kept up with communications with his CO, he considered a different option for the coming days. If he kept the twins at home with him, he could guarantee their safety. He would know where they were and what they were doing every minute. There would be no unknowns. With that in mind, he researched how to care for toddlers. He avoided the free-range parenting sites and focused on a more traditional route. After three hours of reading, he concluded that eighteen-month-olds didn’t seem that complicated. Certainly nothing he couldn’t handle as long as he went into it prepared.

  After dinner, he helped Mia clear away the dishes while the twins lingered over cookies. He thought it a good time to inform her of his plan to watch the kids. The more he’d thought about it throughout the day, the better he felt. It eliminated a place where the kids were more vulnerable and helped her with a childcare problem she’d mentioned.

  “I’ll take care of them tomorrow,” he declared without preamble.

  “Huh? What?” Mia had been bent over the dishwasher and straightened up quickly. “Take care of the girls? Why?”

  “Didn’t you say you’d have to take the day off tomorrow because the day care wasn’t open?” She’d mentioned this when she got home. The day care was having professional development for their staff, and Mia had forgotten about it. She needed to keep a calendar so those sorts of things didn’t catch her by surprise.

  “Well, yeah, but…” She looked toward Emma, who was mushing the remains of her cookie between her fingers.

  “I’ll watch them so you can go to work,” he said. “Besides, I think they’ll be safer with me.”

  “Have you taken care of kids before?” Her gaze was back on him.

  “I’ve babysat some enlisted men. Does that count?” He shot her a grin to which she rolled her eyes. “I haven’t, but I did some online research and downloaded a book about establishing routines with kids. I haven’t read the entire thing yet, but I’ve skimmed most of it.” It had been organized in chapters dedicated to different age groups and activities, making it easy to get through the relevant parts quickly.

  “A book.” She drew out the word, her tone more teasing than condescending. “Sounds like you are all set and will whip the girls into shape and out of toddlerhood in a week.” She put the last of the items in the dishwasher, closed it, and pushed the start button.

  “Your confidence in me is exhilarating.”

  Her lips thinned as she held in a laugh. “I believe that’s just your confidence rousing you.”

  “Possibly.” Kenton smirked, undeterred. “I’ve worked out a daily schedule on a spreadsheet, but I’ll print out some quick-glance guides to have with me during the day.” He planned to put those on card stock and place them around the house for easy access. “You might want to use them, too.”

  She leaned against the counter. “Your reconnaissance mission sounds like it was a great success. I look forward to seeing you in action.”

  He eyed her. Was she agreeing to this too easily? Her face gave nothing away. Which meant either she was being sincere, or she had one hell of a poker face.

  “Okay, then,” he said. “I’ve got kid duty.”

  The following morning, Kenton checked his watch. He had time to take Emma and Ava for a short walk before their morning naps. He’d seen on the refrigerator the nap, snack, and play schedule that the day care provided and decided to use it as a guide, since they were professionals. So far, he’d been right on with breakfast and morning playtime. He’d even managed to get them dressed without incident. He dressed Emma in red and Ava in yellow. He was pretty certain he knew which twin was which at this point, but he didn’t want to get confused over the course of the day.

  Since he didn’t have a play set available, their scheduled outdoor time would have to be accomplished with a walk around the neighborhood.

  “Okay, girls, time to get in the stroller,” he said, filling his voice with enthusiasm.

  Ava looked up from where she and her sister were playing with blocks but didn’t move. Emma ignored him entirely as she snapped together two colorful, oversized pieces.

  “Stroller time,” he repeated. “Don’t you want to go for a walk?”

  Why was he asking toddlers questions? He stopped himself. He was the adult in charge, and they should do what he asked. He moved closer to them. Ava got to her feet and toddled toward him, so he picked her up.

  “Leave the blocks, Emma.”

  “No,” she said.

  Kenton had heard that word often enough from her. She’d said no to a pair of socks, to cereal, and even to moving from the kitchen to the living room. She was testing him. He’d read that some toddlers did that. He hadn’t overreacted, which had allowed him to accomplish his goals. She’d put socks on, although not the ones she’d said no to. She’d eaten breakfast, a different kind of cereal. He couldn’t claim victory for the room change, because Ava had taken Emma’s hand and led her twin to the living room.

  “Don’t want to,” Emma said, not looking up from her play.

  “That’s not an option. Ava and I are going for a walk, and you’re coming.” He stepped closer, and the ball of his foot landed on the edge of a block. “Son of a…” Kenton bit off the rest of the phrase. He wanted to hop around the room holding his foot, but he had a child in one arm and had to be the adult in the room.

  Emma’s attention was still focused on the blocks. Jesus, she was stubborn, and he was getting irritated. What had the book suggested he do in this situation? He thought back to the chapter on toddler behavior but couldn’t remember what it said.

  “Okay, you in the stroller first,” he said to Ava, making up his mind. He went to the entryway and strapped her in. Before going back for Emma, he checked the bag with water bottles and snacks he’d put in the basket under the stroller earlier. Being prepared and organized were keys to being successful with little kids. With anything, he thought.

  As he turned to go back into the living room, he felt little hands on his leg. Emma was using him as a ladder to climb into the stroller.

  “Glad you could join us,” he said as he did the buckle on the strap. He wanted to gloat, since he’d won in a way, but that would be childish. Plus, he had to admit that he had no idea what he’d been going to do in the living room to make her comply.

  Before opening the front door, he took a minute to scan the street. Nothing seemed out of place, so he pushed the stroller through and started on a course through the neighborhood that he’d already mapped out in his head. He might have to cut it short, since getting the kids into the stroller had taken longer than he’d expected.

  After ten minutes of walking, he pulled up in the shade of an oak tree and reached for the twins’ water bottles. It was a cool day, but hydration was impo
rtant. He handed one to Emma, but she batted it out of his hand.

  “No,” she said as the bottle rolled across the sidewalk. Her little jaw stuck out, letting him know she was displeased.

  “Mine,” Ava said softly.

  “Yours?” Kenton retrieved the bottle that had rainbow stripes going around it. “This one is yours?”

  Ava reached for it, giving him a shy smile. He stroked a hand over her hair. This one was a sweetheart. Emma had her good qualities, too, but the twins were night and day.

  “So I take it this belongs to you?” He held out the bottle with stars on it to Emma, who immediately took it. “I didn’t know there were so many rules,” he muttered to himself. “How about a snack?” He pulled out two small bags of crackers he’d found in the kitchen.

  “Don’t like those,” Emma said. When he glanced at Ava, she was quietly shaking her head.

  Why were they in the cabinet if neither of the girls would eat them? Well, that’s probably why they were there and not in the basket of snacks on the counter. He blew out a breath. He should have realized that.

  “Let’s go home,” he said half to himself and began pushing the stroller again.

  When they were halfway there, a bee buzzed close to Ava. She squealed and swatted at it, bumping Emma in the head with her hand. Ten seconds later they were both crying, and Kenton had no idea why. The bee had flown off, and Emma couldn’t be hurt.

  “Hey, it’s okay,” he said, trying to soothe them. “Nothing’s wrong.” But they both continued to cry, and despite his efforts to locate the problem, they kept it up until falling asleep just before they reached home.

  Usually, when he approached his house, it was with a sense of pride in the knowledge that he owned the beautiful property. That day, he was filled with relief. It was a beautiful, crisp autumn day, but he felt nothing but frustration at the circumstances he found himself in. He wasn’t meant to be the guardian of kids who weren’t his.