Free Safe (The Shielded Series Book 1) by Christine DePetrillo Page B

and
amazed, Officer Lazitter.”
    I’m already aroused. Why shouldn’t she add shocked and amazed to
the list? What other long forgotten emotions could Dr. Foster Ashby bring to
the surface in her?
    Ghared lowered the hovercopter in the open patch and guided Zeke through
post-flight checks while Darina climbed out from the back. Foster met her on
her side of the craft as he stuffed his tablet into his pocket and zipped it
closed.
    Grabbing her arm, he stopped her from taking a step toward the fields. “I
think we need a little group meeting before I let you all loose here.”
    “You make it sound as if we’re animals.”
    Foster shook his head. “Not animals, just the unknown. I’m not the only
one who lives here.” He rubbed a hand down his face. “In fact, out of everyone,
I live here the least.” He looked past her and a dreamy expression washed over
his face. “I hope to change that one day.”
    Ghared and Zeke joined them, and Foster addressed them all.
    “This property is sanctuary for me… and some others.” He looked at Zeke
and gestured between the two of them. “Others like us.”
    “GECs?” Zeke eyes brightened as he looked around. “Where are they? How
many?”
    “Fourteen.” Foster glanced at Darina, waiting for her to… waiting for her
to what? Tell him he was crazy for harboring fourteen GECs? Who was she to say
a damn thing? She harbored one, but if she found more, she’d take them in too.
    Besides, he had them hidden away where no one would look for them. He was
playing the game way better than she was.
    “How long have you had them?” Ghared asked.
    “Different lengths of time, but all of them have been here for at least
five years.” Foster stepped ahead of them. “And I’ve never had guests like you.
I just got off the phone with one of them, letting her know we were on our way,
but that doesn’t mean you’re going to get a warm welcome.” He scratched at his
slight beard. “I’m not sure I’m going to get a warm welcome.”
    Releasing a breath, he walked toward a stone path and as soon as Darina
could tear her gaze away from the way his cargo pants showcased his toned ass,
she looked at Ghared and Zeke.
    “What have we gotten involved in?” Ghared asked, waves of protectiveness
coming off him.
    “I don’t know.” Darina reached for Zeke’s hand. “But you feel better,
right?”
    “I feel fantastic. Whatever he gave me totally lifted the fog.” He
pretended to search her pockets until she slapped his hands away. “Tell me
there’s more of it.”
    “There is.” She arrowed her thumb to Foster, still walking. “He’s got it.
I handed it back to him after administering some to you in the hovercopter.”
    “Then we’re going wherever he is.” Zeke jogged past Darina and Ghared,
his long legs allowing him to catch up to Foster easily.
    Darina watched Foster clap Zeke on the back when he noticed the kid next
to him.
    “Are we being stupid?” Ghared asked.
    “When have we ever been stupid?”
    “This is true.” Ghared elbowed her. “C’mon.”
    She stopped him and tugged him around to face her. “Thanks for coming to
get us.”
    “You know I’ll always come when you call, Darina. We always have each
other’s backs.” He leaned back and checked out her ass. “And may I reiterate
that your back is really something?”
    Now it was her turn to elbow him. “Sometimes I think all that flying you
do has turned your brain to mush.”
    He stuck his finger in his left ear, pulled it out, and inspected it. “Nothing
leaking out yet.”
    With a gruff chuckle that crinkled up the scar on his cheek, he jogged
ahead as Zeke had, and now Darina watched all three of them as Foster pushed
open a wooden gate. Curious as to what waited beyond that gate, she sprinted up
the path, arriving just as Zeke and Ghared passed through.
    Foster held open the gate and motioned for her to go first. “Rich bastard
or gentleman?” he asked so only she could hear.
    “Haven’t