its not about Blair Powel .
“No, its about the first
daughter.
“Yes. And I imagine that makes it al the
harder.
“Theres a reason youre my best friend, you know, Blair said
softly.
“Besides the fact that Im smart, beautiful, and wel -connected in the art
world?
“Those are definite pluses, but you might be the only person other than
Tanner whos ever understood that having a famous father mostly just
sucks.
“Yes, I never did think living in a mansion was al that cool when it came
with a bunch of state troopers hanging out on the front porch. Diane tried
not to shiver from the cold. She sensed Blairs mood beginning to lighten
and wanted to keep her talking. “Tanner could relate, because she had
to put up with a lot of the same thing. Not the bodyguards and
everything, but having a lot expected of her because of who her father
was.
“Mmm, Blair said, pat ing the sand shed squeezed into a hard bal back
into the ground. “Tanner understands. But shes not a girl, like you are. Its
not the same.
“You mean you wouldnt snuggle with Tanner in the dark? Diane
teased.
“Snuggling is not what I had in mind with Tanner. Definitely not when
we were teenagers. Blair thought back to how wild and drop-dead sexy
Tanner had been then. “And I dont think I would, even now. After al ,
Ive had a lot more practice resisting you.
“Thanks, I think. Diane kissed Blairs cheek. “We have to go inside,
sweetie. Ive of icial y frozen my ass of .
Blair reached for Dianes hand as they rose. “Thanks for coming out to
get me and just forget ing it.
“Cams going to be okay, Diane said gently. “Shes amazingly good at
what she does, and besides, Felicia and Renée are with her.
“I know. As they started back toward the house, Blair added, “Cams
going to figure out a way to help Valerie, too.
“Thats what I keep tel ing myself. I have to believe it, because I cant
stand to think of anything else.
“Sometimes its bet er not to think. Blair stif ened. “Did you hear a car
door slam just then? She hurried up the stairs, tugging Diane behind her,
and rushed past Hara into the kitchen. The room was empty. She raced
toward the front of the house, Diane right behind her. “Paula, is someone
here? Is Camoh my God!
Blair skidded to a halt, barely stopping herself from throwing her arms
around a beaming Mac Phil ips. He was unnatural y pale, and whereas
hed always been slim and muscular, now he was simply thin. But
his gaunt face was stil handsome and his blue eyes bright and merciful
y pain-free. She hadnt seen him for several weeks, and he had stil
been in the rehab center then, recovering from the gunshot wound that
he had sustained while protecting her during the at ack on the Aerie.
“Oh my God. What are you doing here?
Mac clasped Blairs hand, half shaking it, half holding it. “I got a cal
late this
morning from the commander to pack my bags, and Id barely finished
when a
Humvee with two of Tanners people showed up, andhere
I am.
“Did you know about this? Blair asked
Paula.
“No. Paula tried to look serious and in-charge, but she couldnt help
grinning at their old team member. “Apparently it was arranged after
we left DC. She careful y clasped Macs shoulder. “How are you
doing?
“A hel of a lot bet er than I was yesterday. Im of icial y cleared for
light duty starting next week, but Ive been sit ing around al
doing nothing but going crazy. He reached down for his suitcase but
Wozinski grabbed it first.
“I have that,
sir.
Mac raised an eyebrow. “Jesus, Greg. Im not your
boss.
Gregs face was total y serious. “No sir. Anything you need, just let me
know, sir.
Mac looked perplexed, but Blair understood. Mac had almost died
trying to save her, and when an agent was wil ing to make the
ultimate sacrifice, other agents considered them heroes. The same
thing had happened to Cam when Cam had been shot in the line of
duty, and Cam was just as uncomfortable with the adulation as Mac
seemed to be. Blair hooked her arm through Macs and gave him a lit le
hug. “Does Felicia know youre coming?
“Im not sure, Mac said, blushing and looking even more handsome.
“She told me about her new posting with the commander. He met
Paulas gaze. “And Renées.
Paula nodded, realizing that they had more in common than ever. She and
Mac were al that remained of the original team. Theyd been together
before the commander took over, and now they were the veterans.
And they shared something else, something almost more criticalthe
women they loved were both
part of the commanders OHS team. Renée and Felicia were
involved in something potential y more dangerous than any of them had
ever experienced. She squared her shoulders. “Shes real y happy about
it, and I think its exactly where she belongs.
“Yeah. Mac nodded. “Felicia
too.
“Come on back to the kitchen, Blair said. “Are you
