Mommy Midwife by Cassie Miles Page B

investigation.”
    “Investigation?” Her dad lowered himself into his chair. “We’re not investigating.”
    “We should be,” Mom said brightly. “The best way to eliminate a threat is to find the source.”
    Olivia wondered how often the gourmet dinner parties that her parents arranged were covers for investigations or opportunities to gather intelligence. Being spies meant they were constantly on the lookout, constantly under threat. The fact that she and her sister had managed to sneak out of the house for late-night parties was kind of amazing.
    “Here’s an idea,” Bianca said. “Why don’t we call the police?”
    “Oh, my dear.” Mom looked down her nose with none-too-subtle disparagement. “This is much more than a simple police action. The CIA and various homeland security agencies are involved. I would imagine that Troy has also been in contact with military intelligence and NCIS.”
    “Why?”
    “It has something to do with a sleeper spy named Kruger that your father and I might or might not have known.” She raised her wineglass toward her husband, and they clinked rims. “I must say, I’m enjoying this new atmosphere of truth-telling. We should have done this years ago.”
    Bianca stared across the table at Olivia. “Make it stop.”
    “Too late,” Olivia muttered.
    Her sophisticated parents—Mr. and Mrs. Super Spy—were obviously enjoying themselves. They had so much in common. Shared occupation. Shared interest in the arts. Shared love of world travel. Both slim and elegant, they looked like they belonged together.
    When Olivia spotted Troy sauntering down the hallway toward the table, she knew they’d never be a perfect match like her parents. He was a marine, first and foremost. His training directed him toward quick, aggressive action. Her career was all about patience and nurturing. They’d grown up in different worlds, experienced different things.
    He straightened his shoulders before entering the room. His chin lifted, and his easygoing manner was replaced by determination. She recognized his attitude in the tensing of his muscles, and she knew he was preparing for battle. Neither she nor her family was the enemy, but they were all strong personalities. Dealing with the Laughtons was difficult, and she admired him for taking on the challenge.
    He never gave up. How many times had he proposed marriage? At least a dozen. Any other man would have turned his back and walked away. Not Troy. When he set a goal, he was relentless.
    Her hand rested on her belly. Until last night, she’d thought his only concern was the baby and his responsibilities as a father. The way he’d held her and touched her made her think otherwise. He was after her, as well. He wanted her.
    And she enjoyed being the object of his pursuit. Seeing him was a pleasure. Looking at his gorgeous body and handsome face made her heart jump. Physically, he was everything she wanted in a man. If he turned away from her now, she might reverse course and start going after him.
    Unlike her parents, she and Troy weren’t birds of a feather. They were an unlikely couple, but their bond grew stronger every moment they were together.
    The atmosphere around the table changed when he returned to his seat beside her. His bearing was serious, but his voice was matter-of-fact and calm. “I’ve just gotten off the phone with Gunnery Sergeant Nelson. He’s my point man on the Hatari terrorist cell, and he’s coordinating intelligence with several other agencies.”
    “Including ours?” her mother asked.
    “Yes, ma’am. CIA is front and center. They have the most intelligence on Kruger, who they suspect of involvement in financing arms deals through Africa.”
    “Recently?”
    “Yes, ma’am.”
    “That’s how he might have come into contact with Hatari,” her father said. “Has Kruger been identified?”
    “He’s still under deep cover.” Troy took out his cell phone, tapped a few buttons and pulled up a photo.