Read Online Shadow Soldier by Dana Marton - Free Book Online Page A

it didn’t make up for the years of neglect. And it was hard to forgetthat she was in this situation because of his job, a job she’d hated since she’d been a child.
    â€œTomorrow I’m going to—”
    â€œListen, I better go now,” she said, cutting him off. She was glad to hear he was well, but beyond that they had little to say to each other. “Take care of yourself. Be careful.”
    She could hear him take a deep breath.
    â€œYou, too,” he said.
    Â 
    N OT HAPPY TO SEE his SUV go, Alex watched Spike drive down the long driveway without turning on the lights. Now he was stuck with Spike’s black sports car—faster than the SUV, but not nearly as good on dirt roads if things came to that again. Unfortunately, since the shooter already knew his vehicle, he had no choice but to trade it for the Batmobile that screamed its owner had more testosterone than common sense.
    No, that wasn’t true. Spike had plenty of common sense, just not when it came to danger or cars or women. Still, Alex trusted few men as he trusted him. When it came down to the wire, the man knew how to get things done.
    He had asked him to check out Shaozu, even though he itched to do it himself. After some pressing, Nicola had admitted to a couple of business lunches with the man. More than was warranted, inAlex’s opinion. And now the flowers. He didn’t like the idea of Shaozu sniffing around her.
    He turned back into the house, locked the door and set the security system. Didn’t look forward to the night. Spending it in the same room with Nicola gave him zero chance of sleep. He looked up at the sound of her feet on the stairs as she came down.
    â€œThere’s nothing up there.”
    He tried not to laugh at her accusing tone. She had probably gone up to check out the sleeping arrangements. Had to be awkward for her, too, first time with a live-in bodyguard. He wished he knew what to say to set her at ease, but he wasn’t exactly at ease himself.
    â€œWhere will we sleep?”
    Leave it to her to tackle the question head-on. He liked that about her, the unflinching honesty and guts to face things even if they were uncomfortable. “You take the pullout sofa, I’ll make do.” He carried a chair to the window and settled into it. He was used to sleeping in a sitting position.
    Nicola looked over the sofa, then began to set it up. He didn’t offer to help. She managed fine on her own. The farther he kept from her, the better. “Sheets and pillows are in the hall closet.”
    Once they were in Washington, the Colonel would round up some extra bodyguards from the FBI to share shifts. He might even be able to talk the maninto letting him go after the shooter. Not that he didn’t think Spike capable. Spike was good, maybe even better than him for this particular operation. He spoke both Mandarin and Cantonese, in addition to another dozen or so languages. He had come to the SDDU from the FBI’s language program.
    Alex had come from the Army Special Forces. He and the others, Rangers, Marines, SEALs, Special Agents, had their old connections, making it easy for the SDDU to draw on the strength of a variety of organizations. That was the beauty of the SDDU—its people. The Department of Homeland Security had handpicked them from the best sources.
    Nicola was lucky, even though she would never know who protected her. Alex leaned back in the chair, folded his hands behind his head and stretched his legs.
    She finished the bed and was settling in for sleep. Without a blanket. The night was definitely warm. He turned his head toward the window to find a safer view.
    Â 
    N ICOLA WOKE to the sound of running water. Couldn’t have been more than four or four-thirty, judging from the faint light of dawn outside. She was used to getting up early, especially on the days when she worked out, but today it pained her. It seemed they’d only gone to sleep