“New target?”
Graham shook himself and pulled a new target from the clipboard attached to the wall and hung it on the clip before starting to crank it out. He looked down at her seated form—her head only came up to his shoulder—even on the tall stool. “How far do you want to go?” Her eyes flared, assuring him the double entendre wasn’t lost on her.
“All the way,” she replied, smiling a temptress’s smile.
Graham ignored his erection, which was now bordering on obscene, and cranked the target out to the end. He stepped back to stand behind her and watched in awe as she raised the .45 and unloaded the seven-round magazine in less than ten seconds. Except for the first shot, which had gone a little high, she’d grouped her shots within a circle the size of a softball. Not bad at all. She re-engaged the safety, ejected the magazine, and handed both back to him with a grin.
“I think that means I get to ask the questions now.”
Graham opened his mouth to reply, but was interrupted.
“I think I’m in love with your girl.”
Graham and Rowan swung around to see Travis and Jamie standing just inside the closed door.
“I don’t know about love, but I’ve definitely got a boner for her. Damn, woman,” Jamie said.
Graham’s jaw clenched as annoyance surged through him. He wasn’t sure why he cared, but this had been their moment, and the intrusion was decidedly unwelcome.
“What do you need?” Graham bit out.
The grins evaporated, and both men straightened into posture that spoke of years in the military. Travis looked like he was about to salute.
“You weren’t answering your radio, G. Ty mentioned you’d headed for some target practice. Two of the perimeter sensors have tripped. Thought you’d want to know.”
Graham looked down at the radio strapped to his belt. The green light was off. Fuck. He was so goddamn caught up in Rowan that he didn’t even realize the battery was dead. Graham grabbed an extra magazine from his cargo pocket and loaded the M1911 before handing it back to Rowan. Her features screwed up in confusion. He looked to Travis and held out a hand. “Give me your radio.”
Travis also looked confused, but complied. Graham turned up the volume before setting it on Rowan’s lap. He dragged the stool across the room and pulled her up next to the door and in front of the counter that ran along the back wall of the room.
“Do not move from this stool. Bolt the door behind me. You’ll be able to hear everything that’s going on, but don’t use the radio unless someone speaks to you directly. I’ll be back as soon as I can and radio to let you know it’s me. Do not open the door until Zach or I come for you.” He opened the cabinet on the wall above her head. “There’s water, food, blankets, lanterns, and a whole bunch of other crap in here. I shouldn’t be long, but if I am, you’re well-provisioned.”
When she opened her mouth to protest, he kissed her. Hard. “I need you safe, babe.” He pulled away and pointed to the section of the floor to the right of the stool. It was covered by worn, gray industrial carpet squares. “If things go bad and someone tries to breach the building, I expect you to carefully hop off this stool, shove the carpet aside, and turn the round metal handle that is recessed in the concrete. It will trigger a hydraulic system, and a small section of the floor will lift like a trap door. You get down the ladder without hurting yourself and hit the red actuator on the wall behind the ladder. It’ll release the hydraulics and engage a lock. No one will be able to get in from up here until you hit the actuator again.”
Ro’s mouth dropped opened, and her eyes widened almost comically.
“With the supplies down there, you’d be set for years.”
“Holy shit. Who are you guys?” Ro whispered. She glanced at the contents of the cabinet in front of her. “And you have peanut butter Power Bars …” Her expression turned blissful before sobering, as if just remembering the seriousness of the situation.
Graham smiled, ducked in for another kiss and turned back to the men.
“Let’s go.”
Graham stalked across the compound and headed straight for the command post and the armory. He needed another sidearm.
“I’ll bring you another .45 and a radio, G,” Travis said, reading his mind. “And Jonah already has Allison and Grace in the bunker under the kitchen. Beau’s locked down in the clinic.” Graham nodded and swung into the command post. Ty was waiting.
“Damn, man, radio broken? Or did you say screw target practice and decide to fuck your girl on that counter in the range? It’s the perfect height. I can just imagine. And your girl’s got that luscious ass and perfect tits …”