Vivian Arend - High Passion

Only the glance Becki gave the woman proved that Lana’s ploys were known to at least one of the couple. Devon ignored the urge to comment. There were times that keeping his mouth shut would be just as effective, especially if Becki knew what was going on. He didn’t envy the hurt that Lana would have coming her way if she crossed a line in Becki’s opinion.

Becki was more than able to defend her own.

They split into two groups, and Devon was surprised when Lana joined them, climbing gear in hand.

Xavier glanced at Devon behind the woman’s back but hid his displeasure when he spoke. “You doing wall work today?”

Her grin was huge. “Marcus said I should, because then you’ll have two pairs climbing at once.”

“And I agreed. It’s a good idea to mix it up.” Becki stepped into the conversation. “Having consistent partners for climbing is positive for some reasons, but it can make you sloppy. It’s good to have to concentrate and stay aware instead of falling back on familiarity.”

Devon stepped into his harness. It made sense. Still, for some reason the idea of Lana belaying Alisha filled him with dread. He flashed a smile and decided to face Alisha’s potential wrath later. Making sure he was the one stuck with Lana was his first priority. “Well then, can I offer you a lift?”

Lana blinked. “You want to belay me?”

“Love to.” He stepped in closer and checked her harnesses, careful to keep his touch professional, but chatting on the flirty side to ensure she didn’t get any ideas about suggesting to switch partners.

Alisha returned from the storage area with new body harnesses in hand. She eyed Lana and him, one brow sneaking upward. She didn’t say anything, though, just turned to Xavier and flashed him a big smile. “So, big guy, you want to play with me today?”

“I thought you’d never ask.” He took one of the harnesses. “This is different.”

“More loops around the back. It’s rated for higher weights. Thought it might be good for winter work when we’ve got sleds to deal with.” She laid the harness on the ground and began a systematic check through all the webbing. Xavier squatted beside her and did the same for the one she’d brought for him.

The exercise was going well, he supposed, as he and Lana followed Becki’s directions and worked the side of the tall tower outside HQ. There were stairs on the interior he’d run a million times during training, but here and now it was the climbing holds on the exterior they focused on.

Around the opposite side of the Lifeline yard, Erin was working her new helicopter, turning it and hovering, moving into position and waiting while Anders lowered Tripp over targets. The sound of the props was constant in Devon’s ears even though they were far enough around the corner to be out of sight most of the time.

He concentrated on the wall. On Lana. On following directions instead of staring at Alisha as she and Xavier laughed and worked the kinks out of the new gear.

Lana climbed well for the most part, but she seemed to have the same trouble as him, her gaze drifting to Alisha and Xavier far more often than it should. When her feet hit the ground after one climb, Devon waved a hand in front of her face. “Hey, they aren’t the ones on the end of your rope.”

She blinked and turned to smile at him, all contrite. “I’m sorry. I’m just . . . curious about the new gear.”

“Stay on task.”

She nodded and focused a bit better for a few minutes before the side-eyed looks started again. Lana was halfway up a climb when Becki stopped beside Devon. “How’re her skills, in your opinion?” she asked quietly.

Devon was honest. “I want Alisha on the end of my line when we’re out in the real world.”

Becki nodded before glancing up. “Lana. You’re following a nice straight path, but you’re using too much arms. Major muscles, remember? You’d blow up too fast on an extended climb at this rate.”

“Okay. I’ll remember,” Lana sang back sweetly, and Devon wanted to gag.

Becki was better than him and kept a straight face. She waited until Lana faced the wall again, then patted him on the back and spoke softly. “Trust me, I want Alisha belaying you.”

She stepped away to work with Alisha and Xavier as Devon hid his grin.

Lana had just landed on the ground when the unusual silence in the air caught his attention. A moment later the speaker on Becki’s hip buzzed with Marcus’s signal. “Sorry to interrupt, but can I steal someone from you?”

Becki frowned even as she signaled for Devon to unclip. “I can give you Devon, but what’s up?”

“Tripp’s not feeling a hundred percent. I’m sending him home, but Erin and Anders need more practice. That requires a body.”

That was where the silence came from—the chopper was grounded. Devon dropped the rope and followed orders, waving at Alisha and Xavier as he jogged toward the main building.

Tripp passed him outside HQ doors en route to a taxi waiting in the yard. “You going to live?” Devon asked.

His teammate’s face was white and he swallowed rapidly. “Stomach flu or something. Hit hard.”

“Damn.” Devon checked the chopper waiting for him. “Do you want me to drive your truck home later?”

Tripp nodded and passed over the keys. “I’d appreciate it. I’m too dizzy to drive—but some of that might be Erin’s fault. She’s got a lot of pendulum happening in the new bird. I think I set a new record for spins per minute.”

Devon laughed as he escorted Tripp to the taxi. “Thanks for the warning. Don’t go getting Jonah sick.”

Tripp made a face. “He probably gave it to me—there’s always one bug or another going around the school.”

Devon’s walkie-talkie squawked. “Anytime, Mr. Leblanc,” Marcus drawled.

“Just tucking Tripp into bed, sir. I’m on my way.” He broke into a jog and headed around the field. He hoped his stomach was ready for whatever twisted routine Erin was about to put him through at the end of the rope.

Alisha sent the e-mail message from Vincent to archives. It was another of the not-creepy-enough-to-be-useful and yet not-ordinary-enough-to-avoid-being-creeped-out variety, and she sighed.

Devon paused at a set of lights. “You’re wearing that face again.”

Alisha took a deep breath and looked him in the eye. “I have a face?”

“A Vincent-the-Vamp-is-annoying-me face. What’d he do now, order your bridal gown?”

The light changed and Devon was forced to turn his attention to the road, giving her a chance to consider for a moment. “The last time I showed you one of Vincent’s messages, you taught me new swear words.”

“I’ve matured since then,” Devon quipped. He laid a hand on her thigh and squeezed lightly. “Let me help if you need it, okay?”

Alisha knew that. Needed that. “He pointed out that if I book my flights home now, we’d have time to attend the governor-general’s Christmas ball. He has two tickets and really should RSVP soon.” She didn’t mention that a link to the gown he’d picked out for her was included in the e-mail.

The warmth of his palm on her thigh was reassuring and more as he slipped his hand slightly higher. “You are not required to do what he wants.”

“Nope. You’re right.” She stared out the window at the houses passing them. “And not to change the subject, but this is where your parents live?”

Devon smirked, both hands back on the wheel. “Welcome to the family homestead.”

Sheesh. She caught herself before she pressed her nose to the window to rubberneck at the acreages going past. She hadn’t realized until that moment that there were details missing from what she knew about him as well.