22

Releasing a breath, Hunter dropped into a chair by the table that matched the one in Khalia’s room, wishing he was still with her instead of here. If Tom hadn’t called, he’d be buried inside her as deep as he could go right now,

absorbing more of those sweet little cries as he took her to heaven and back. He swallowed a groan at the thought and focused on the matter at hand. How the hell long was this gonna take, anyway?

No yelling from the bathroom. That had to be a good sign. Unless Gage was still working up the guts to dial.

While he waited he texted Tom. He’s calling now.

Sighing, Hunter leaned his head back and closed his eyes. Would be real interesting to see what came of this.

Gage had faced the attacking line of Taliban fighters that afternoon with barely a rise in his heart rate, yet at the prospect of this phone call, his hands and feet were cold and his heart knocked against his ribs. He scowled at his phone. Talking to Claire always made him feel like he’d swallowed a mout