Tough Luck (A-List Security 1)

“I grew up in Nebraska. Trust me, snow and small towns aren’t all that.” I laughed before checking the empty closets and rattly window locks to make a note of additional security concerns. “Your brother would love for me to stay in LA. I had this stupid idea of just heading out on the road, seeing where I end up. Duncan says that’s a recipe for disaster.”

“A road trip?” Daniel made a delighted noise like I’d proposed something far more exotic than my Bronco and I tooling around out west. “That’s not stupid. It’s brave, traveling alone. And probably fun, after all your time going where the navy sends you. It’s okay to wing it as far as future plans, or at least that’s what I keep telling myself.”

“Eh. Duncan’s probably right.” I still wasn’t sure what I’d end up doing. Couldn’t couch surf forever, and I wasn’t sure I wanted to be one of Duncan’s SEAL reclamation projects. But Daniel seemed like the impulsive type, and it probably wasn’t best to plant ideas in his head about road trips. “Truth be told, I wanted to pretend this SEAL retirement wasn’t coming. But now it’s here, and bumming around the country isn’t the most practical.”

“But it might be fun.” Eyes dancing exactly how I’d predicted, Daniel turned in the doorway to add, “Don’t listen to Duncan. Go for fun. Go on your road trip. Meet some pretty girls.”

“Now you’re pushing it.” I chuckled as we made our way back to the upstairs hallway. “Think I’m too old to figure out dating.”

That little admission stopped him midway to the stairs. “You’ve never dated?”

“I spent the majority of my service deployed. Didn’t want to do that to someone.” It was my standard married-to-the-navy answer, but for the first time, it felt rather hollow. I’d seen buddies make long-term relationships work with a ton of sacrifices, but I’d never been tempted. Plus, it wasn’t like I’d had the best role model for marriage. I wouldn’t know where to start with serious dating, but I’d already shared enough with Daniel.

“Where do these other stairs lead?” I asked, pointing at a narrow, curving flight that arched upward.

“My favorite spot. Come on, I’ll show you.” He grinned at me, the same toothy smile he was famous for, but he somehow managed to make me feel like we were sharing some sort of secret mischief. He took the stairs with nimble grace, scampering up to a small room, which had to be the turret I’d seen from the street. Unlike the rest of the sparsely furnished house, it was cozy with a small bookcase topped by an LED lamp and speakers and a rainbow-striped rug littered with a stack of cushions and several fuzzy blankets. He spread his arms wide. “I call it the crow’s nest.”

“I like it. Reminds me of a clubhouse a friend had growing up.” I inhaled, and for a second, I was in Kevin Heuter’s backyard, in the fort his dad made, swinging back and forth on the rope later and wishing I could live there instead of my own house.

“That’s exactly the vibe I wanted.” Daniel lit up, a sort of inner glow I hadn’t seen from him yet. “A clubhouse or secret fort. I always wanted one of those. Sometimes I even sleep up here.”

I took another look around the space, which was open, more covered porch than actual room. “Maybe not the best idea.”

“No one’s getting in here unless they have wings.” He laughed, but I didn’t.

“Two stories? I could figure out how to scale this house in about twenty minutes, even without ropes.”

“Yeah, but you’re a SEAL.” He stretched, lean torso rippling. I made myself glance away.

“Don’t assume your stalker isn’t.”

“Point taken.” He gave a sad sigh like I’d told him the truth about the tooth fairy. “Let’s get on with the whole security system thing. Tell me how many cameras and alarms I need to go back to sleeping where I want.”

“I’ll see what I can do.” Seeing the light leave his eyes hit me square in the chest. However, it was rapidly becoming apparent that a proper security upgrade would be a multi-day project, and probably more than I could do on my own. I’d do my best, though, because I didn’t like him all down at all. “If we install enough cameras, motion sensors, and lights…yeah, you can move around more freely.”

“Good.” He kept the stubborn jut to his chin. “Isn’t the view pretty at least?”

“It is.” It was a nice view of the steep hills surrounding us and the pool and backyard below. But I was more concerned with what I didn’t see. “Why isn’t there a back fence?”

“Oh. The realtor said it’s way too steep for that. There’s the low fence for the pool area per local regulation though.”