“Comforting.”

“It doesn’t matter. Unless you want to do something with me that you don’t want them to see. In which case I’ll have to go up there in the rocks and forcibly remove them. It would be entirely worth it.”

She started to laugh. “Tanner.”

“No? Just a thought.” He was rubbing the back of her neck. “Relax. We have a little time before we have to go face the dragons. Close your eyes and think of Maria and fretting grandmothers and Tchaikovsky.”

“What a mixture.” She’d rather think of Tanner and she thought he knew it. She was feeling all the tension and sadness of her disagreement with Maria flowing away from her. He had wanted that to happen. The edginess and uncertainty were vanishing, too. That was probably why he’d brought her here, so that she could have this time to gather herself together before the storm. She drew closer to him. “I adore the idea of fretting grandmothers, and Maria, and Tchaikovsky.” She kissed him. “And there’s an excellent chance that I might positively love you, Logan Tanner. Thank you for coming into my life.” She kissed him again. “Now we’ll stay like this for another few minutes and then we’ll go face those dragons. If that’s all right?”

He didn’t answer. He just drew her even closer.

And that was fine. That was more than enough.

* * *

Taj Safe House
7:05 P.M.

Rennell was backing the Land Rover out of the garage.

No more time to wait. In a minute he’d be gone.

Maria stepped out into the driveway and blocked his way.

Rennell put on the brakes and got out of the car. “You’re having trouble? I don’t have time for you right now. Go find Mallory.”

She made a face. “That would be awkward since I just sent him to the music room to adjust Lara’s keyboard. It would only confuse him. I won’t keep you long if you’ll be reasonable.”

“You won’t keep me long, period. I have a job to do. Get out of the driveway.”

She shook her head. “I’m going with you. You’re not going to get rid of me. You shouldn’t even try. I’ll help you.”

“Bullshit. You don’t know what you’re talking about. If I’d wanted help, I could have drafted someone who knew what they were doing. You’d just get in my way.”

“No, I won’t. I’m only here to protect, and to even some scores. And you didn’t really want anyone who might think they knew how the job should be run and might question you. You don’t want a partner. You need someone who will do exactly what you say. That’s me, Rennell. I believe you know what you’re doing. If you want to kill anyone out there, I won’t blink. I’m strong, and I’ll never say no.” She paused. “Unless you tell me to do something that might hurt my daughter. That’s out of the question. But that’s not on the agenda tonight, so I don’t have to worry about it. You’re going after the bad guys, and I’m going to help you.” She looked him in the eye. “Aren’t I, Rennell?”