Kay smiled. The Alexanders really were just the nicest people. If she didn’t already find Eli so fascinating, she’d probably like him just for his family.

“That’s really nice of her.”

“Raina and I definitely hit the jackpot when it comes to having the best mother-in-law ever. Oh, just one more thing.” Ridley paused and then blurted, “Don’t tell Eli. Okay, see you tomorrow!” There was an audible click as the call disconnected.

Kay stared at her cell phone in shock before a giggle erupted. She wasn’t sure how Ridley thought she was going to go on a date without Eli noticing. The last time he’d been shadowing her, he’d followed her everywhere, to the point of driving her insane. She’d actually locked herself in the bathroom a few times to get some privacy.

“Oh Ridley, what have you gotten me into?”

CHAPTER SIX

ELI LOOKED OVER at Kay playing with her daughter. After their awkward encounter that morning, they’d come to an unspoken agreement to act as though it had never happened. He’d accompanied her to her job as an administrative assistant to his younger brother, Nick, and then to the studio to record for an hour.

After that, they’d picked up her daughter from her parents’ house. He’d watched in awe as she’d made dinner, finished some laundry, and entertained the baby all at once. In the time since they’d gotten home, Kay had yet to sit down for even a minute. She lived a quiet life but one that required a lot of stamina.

He was ashamed to admit that he’d never realized just how much work was involved in caring for a baby.

When he’d been protecting them last summer, Hope had been so small. She’d been attached to Kay the majority of the time. He wasn’t used to thinking of Hope as a separate entity. Part of him figured that was because he didn’t like to think about where Hope had come from. Thinking about that led him into the uncomfortable mental terrain of thinking about the man who’d hurt Kaylee.

Somewhere it was much better if he didn’t allow his mind to go.

But now he was forced to view Hope as her own, well, person. He felt foolish thinking it, but she seemed like a tiny person with her big, knowing eyes and babbled phrases. She’d taken one look at him and broken out into delighted squeals. He hadn’t thought she’d remember him even though they’d spent time together over Christmas, but apparently she did. Her tiny little face had lit up, and she’d started a long, animated conversation with him in what sounded like a mash of English and Klingon. Kay had seemed just as surprised as he had, so he could only assume the reaction wasn’t typical.

“Eli, do you want something to eat?” Kay stood in the kitchen, a dish towel thrown over one shoulder. The sight sent a sharp stab of longing through him. It had been a long time since anyone other than his mother had been so concerned about his welfare.

“Sure. Whatever you have handy is fine. I’m not picky.”

Kay grinned. “I’ll make you a plate.” She trotted over to where Hope was busy eating cut-up pieces of chicken from her high-chair tray, catching her before she threw a handful of food on the floor. Eli smothered a laugh. He was glad the incident that morning hadn’t made things too awkward. Living in close quarters was bound to introduce strange situations such as accidentally seeing each other half-dressed.

Not that Eli regretted it, per se. Although he shouldn’t want Kay looking at him like that—it was better for her sake if she didn’t find him attractive—he couldn’t deny enjoying her obvious admiration of his bare chest.

His phone buzzed in his pocket, so he turned back to the living room. “This is Eli,” he barked without even checking who it was.

“Elliott. Glad I caught you. I have some information I’d like you to look over.”

“Agent Harris. It’s been a while.”

“Things have been quiet. However, the group is recruiting heavily again and we’ve got leads. Word is that Zeus has made an appearance. We really need you on this one.”

“I’d like to help, but I’m not sure that I can. I’ve told you before that I never met Zeus. I was just a low-level grunt. I did the dirty work, but I wasn’t in the inner circle.”

“I know, but it’s imperative that you tell us immediately if he attempts to contact you. The agency considers capturing him a top priority. We have reason to believe he’s trying to reassemble the old guard. The group has sustained a lot of losses over the past five years, and he’s probably looking to regroup. Rebuild the ranks.”

“I understand that and I wish I could help. However, I think you’re wasting your time with me. The Circle always went for young guys. Strong, healthy, young. He’s going to focus on college towns first. If he hasn’t already left the country, that is.”

Glad he’d stepped away so Kay wouldn’t overhear him, Eli gripped the phone tighter. “Agent Harris, this really isn’t a good time.”

There was a pause. The other man obviously hadn’t been expecting him to say no. “Mr. Alexander, I don’t think I need to remind you that one of the conditions of your release was full cooperation with the FBI’s investigation.”

Eli gritted his teeth. “No, you don’t need to remind me. Can the information be sent through e-mail, or do I need to pick it up?”

“You’ll receive a secure e-mail in the next hour.”

Eli hung up without bothering to say good-bye. It was his own fault that he was in this situation. The mistakes of his youth were going to haunt him forever it seemed.