She winced. “I don’t know what to say about him. Yet.”

“Well, he throws a good punch.” Her dad nodded as if in approval. “And he seems smart. Definitely knows where you are at all times, which ain’t a bad thing.”

She blinked rapidly. “Are you saying you like him?” Her voice was hushed.

“Aye. There’s a lot to like.” Her dad leaned toward her. “But if he hurts you, I’ll sink him to the bottom of the Atlantic. Just say the word.”

Man, she hoped he was kidding. “Um, thanks? But I’ve got this, Dad. You can trust me.”

“I do.” He sobered. “I trust you, baby girl. You’re a smart one, you are. Just like your mama.”

Her heart swelled, and her eyes ached. Had he just said that? She pressed her lips together to keep from bawling like a moron. “I’ve missed you.”

“Me too.” Were his eyes misty? “How about you promise to come home for Christmas this year? We can do it up right. Big tree, presents, music and your mom’s Tom and Jerry recipe.” He shook himself out of it. “And you can bring that Raider, if you want. I won’t drop him in the east pasture for the night this time.”

She coughed out a laugh. That shouldn’t be funny—it really shouldn’t. But Raider was always in control, always knew exactly what he was doing. The thought that anybody could get the drop on him and leave him nearly hogtied in a field was inappropriately funny. “I don’t know. He might want payback sometime.” She couldn’t think beyond the next week with Raider right now. It all was too much.

“Aye. Can’t blame him.” Sean studied the peeling paper on the wall. “I like this place.”

She blinked, looking at the dented conference table and rough concrete floor. “Seriously? This office is a dump.”

“Yep.” Sean ran his hands over the rough wood of the table. “It’s the shiny government offices that give me the creeps. This one is well worn and remote. Obviously you all aren’t in the good graces of the HDD, and I think that’s a good thing.” His eyes twinkled. “You can get away with more sh—stuff that way.”

Maybe. Having better resources would be nice, though.

The elevator dinged in the other room, and heat rushed through her body like she’d been plugged into an outlet. Heavy footsteps sounded, and Raider carried in a dirty metal container the size of a large postal box. “Agents just delivered this,” he said.

Brigid moved the two pizza cartons, and Raider deposited the box in the middle of the table.