Brady pushed her from his mind, focusing on the deer path leading away from the condo community into the forest. He looked for signs anyone had walked through the brush and branches, pausing at intervals to squat and look at his surroundings from a different angle.
"Any luck?" Tim's voice interrupted his concentration.
"No, Tim," Brady said dryly. "While I'm searching the ground for footprints, you think you can find her using the technological powerhouse you're sitting on?"
"We've tried. She's off the radar. I created this monster that can hack into our systems and make herself disappear."
"That you did," Brady agreed. "You did good, Tim."
"Until a few weeks ago, I would've agreed. Can you move any faster?"
"We can find no trace of her yet. I can't forget your deadline. It's all I think about."
"Brady," Tim said, considering. "Did anything … happen between you two?"
Brady's jaw clenched. How did he tell his closest friend and benefactor he'd had a one night stand with his daughter?
"Interesting," Tim said. "Don't answer. I don't want to have to despise you. I guess this will work out after all."
"What will?"
"If you … when you find her, I'm assigning you as her personal protection and sending you both somewhere safe."
"My place is on the battlefield."
"You can manage battles from a distance," Tim replied.
"I haven't exactly done the best job keeping her safe. You sure you want me in that role?" Brady asked.
"Absolutely."
"You're the boss. I gotta go," Brady said and touched his net to close it. For reasons he couldn't explain, Tim's assignment irritated him. Brady belonged in the field with his men, and life after they found Lana was not going to get easier. The entire East Coast had to be purged and redeveloped.
He tried to tell himself this was why he was agitated. But it was the raw thrill at the idea of having her in his bed every night that lit his blood afire. He recalled one of their conversations from before their paths crossed, where he'd promised to marry her. He'd meant it as a joke only, something to make her feel better and take her mind off of the chaos around her.
Only now, he couldn't help thinking she was the only woman he'd ever met he would even consider taking such an oath to. It was part of the reason why he'd turned her down as a companion. He had too much respect for her and Tim to make her a mistress when he almost felt compelled to make her something more.