Free Native Born by Jenna Kernan Page B

him what he should do. “What would you know about it?”
    â€œNot much. We were just the ones who had to clean up your mess.”
    Suddenly he needed to know about her time in the military. Had she seen action?
    â€œWhere were you deployed?”
    â€œI flew birds, Black Hawks. Medical transport mostly.”
    The hairs on his neck lifted again.
    â€œAfghanistan?”
    â€œIraq, 2003. Don’t worry. I didn’t transport you. I checked.”
    So she knew he’d been wounded. He didn’t like that she knew so much about him.
    How many broken, bleeding bodies had she carried to safety?
    â€œYou want me to go back in there?” She glanced toward his waiting family.
    He shook his head.
    â€œCall it a night.”
    She glanced at her watch. “Fine. See you at 0800.”
    For some reason he wanted to talk to her. Ask her about her tour of duty and maybe learn how she could still carry a gun and enforce the law and fight the bad guys when all he wanted was to stay here where things made sense.
    â€œYou know how to find the hotel?” he asked.
    â€œMy GPS does. Good night, Cosen,” she said. “Please thank your grandmother for the meal. She’s an excellent cook.”
    * * *
    T HE FOLLOWING MORNING , Cassidy left the tribe’s casino in the wee hours of the morning, passing through the din of ringing bells and the flash of colored lights that was way too bright for this early in the day. It seemed that most of the guests were white men and women, older, overweight and mesmerized by the whirling wheels and bright digital displays. They sat immobile on the wide stools with coffee and liquor waiting at the ready, their casino players’ cards connecting them like umbilical cords to the machines.
    Once outside the sun showed no hints of appearance but she paused to savor the clean air. She had spent a lonely night in her vacant hotel room with far too much time to think. Much to her chagrin, her thoughts lingered on Clyne and how he had cared for her when she had been shot. He’d been more than professional; he’d shown a kindness and concern that disquieted. One soldier looking out for another, she told herself. It had to be, because she was not willing to accept that the attraction she battled was mutual.
    She reached her vehicle and paused to admire the fine lacy pattern of ice crystals that frosted the windshield. Then she used her gloved hand to scratch an area big enough to peer through. March and still they had frost up here. It was the altitude, she knew, but the terrain was so different from Phoenix. Lovely, really.
    She had told Amanda all about her brothers last night. Even sent her the photo that Luke had shared.
    Today they would not be investigating Manny Escalanti or searching Salt River for Ronnie Hare because Clyne was heading to Phoenix for another rally against Obella Chemicals. That event would take place at 11 a.m., indoors this time in the civic center. Luke had point, Gabe accompanied Clyne and she had rear security. That meant another three-hour drive by herself behind Clyne’s vehicle where her only job was to watch for possible attack from every vehicle they passed. Oh, joy.
    At least they had a phone tap on Escalanti. She was considering how to place a camera and microphone in his crib as the procession departed.
    Cassidy peered through the gap in the frost as she drove until the defroster softened the edges of the ice, and she attacked the retreating edge with the wiper blades. By the time she reached Black Mountain the window was clear. By the time she reached the Cosen residence, the darkness receded to reveal a gray cloudy morning.
    She waited in the drive for the two men. Clyne cast her a glance. He cut a striking figure in his topcoat. She ignored the spark of interest, crushing it out like a cigarette butt.
    Luke stopped at her driver’s side. “Everything good?”
    â€œAll set.”
    â€œYou got