Maverick (Elite Ops 2)

said, his tone sincere, though his gaze sparkled with pity and a hint of confusion as he glanced at Micah. “We couldn’t believe someone was trying to harm you again.”

“Risa’s fine; aren’t you, baby?” Micah’s hand tightened at her hip. “But if you’ll excuse us, we have a table waiting.”

“Of course,” James murmured, a frown touching his clear brow as he stared down at Risa. “Please call us soon, dear. We could have lunch and catch up.”

“Of course,” she muttered the lie. She wasn’t about to call either of them.

Not that she disliked them or that there was anything wrong with them. James and Corina had been one of the few couples whom Risa had actually enjoyed talking to at one time. But that time was long ago and far away. She hadn’t been an oddity then, or a topic of gossip and speculation. And she hadn’t been submitted to their placating attention. She’d always pitied those who had been years before.

She turned her gaze away as Micah led her through the restaurant to the table where Ian and Kira were watching them curiously.

“Trouble?” Ian asked quietly as he rose from his chair.

“Nothing important,” Micah answered as he helped Risa with her chair. “Acquaintances, I believe.”

“Acquaintances are about it,” Kira said softly so her voice wouldn’t carry. “James and Corina can only be taken in small doses.”

Risa lowered her head to her plate, wishing she had found a coat or a jacket to wear now. Anything but the skimpy dress and too-small wrap. She could feel the eyes on her; her skin crawled with the sensation of those looks.

“Risa, you’re looking lovely tonight,” Ian stated as he took his seat once again.

“Thank you.” Her smile was stiff as she glanced at him.

Kira, as always, was a goddess of perfection. Her long black hair was pulled back from her face with jeweled combs, her smoky gray eyes were sensual and mysterious, and the stunning red slip dress she wore was both daring and elegant.

Ian was the perfect counterpoint to his wife. With his dark blond hair, brown eyes, and sun-darkened skin, he was amazingly handsome in a tough, masculine sort of way. And when he looked at his wife, his gaze softened with his adoration of her.

What would it be like, Risa wondered, to be loved in such a way? To turn and see that look on a man’s face?

She pushed the thought away. Now wasn’t the time to reflect on what she didn’t have. She could do that later, after Micah was gone. If she lived that long.

She stayed silent as Micah, Ian, and Kira began to chat about Atlanta. Kira and Ian had a small condo they kept in the city for long visits. They were still close to the former SEAL members he had once fought with. They were a little more than close, Risa knew. They were also a working part of the group that Micah was involved with.

“Risa, that’s a stunning dress,” Kira commented, drawing her away from her thoughts.

“Micah has exceptional taste,” she murmured a bit mockingly.

God, she was going to have to stop this. She shook her head. “I’m sorry, Kira. It’s been a long day.”

She kept her voice lowered so diners at the nearby table couldn’t overhear her.

“And to top it off, you had to deal with James and Corina.” Kira smiled in understanding. “Here’s the waiter with our wine. A few glasses and a nice dinner, and you’ll be in perfect form.”

If only it would take no more than a few glasses of wine to put everything in perfect form.

She did drink the wine, and she managed to eat most of her meal. As Ian and Micah continued to chat over drinks, she let her fingers play over the stem of her empty wine-glass. The wine had helped. She didn’t drink often, and she rarely drank wine simply because of its mellowing effect on her.

“If you gentlemen will excuse us, Risa and I are going to go to the ladies’ room.” Kira rose to her feet and smiled back at Risa. “I hate going in there alone.”

No kidding. It was like a cobra pit, Risa thought, barely managing to keep from rolling her eyes. She didn’t patronize this restaurant for a reason. She and her grandmother had both agreed that only the snippiest, most condescending members of the community actually ate here.

But Risa followed Kira. She was amazed she did so without tripping over her feet as she felt the eyes following her. Thankfully, the wine had her just mellow enough that she, frankly, didn’t give a damn who watched her.

Maybe she’d had too much. She frowned at that thought as she and Kira entered the surprisingly empty ladies’ room. Kira followed Risa to the sinks where they washed their hands, dried them, and then looked around in amusement at the fact that the room was empty.

“And here I thought we’d have to fight our way in,” Kira stated with amusement.

“I prefer the silence,” Risa assured her. “So why did you drag me in here?”