When Day Breaks (KGI #9)(53)
Author: Maya Banks

He cast a glance in Skylar’s direction, knowing that in order not to be a complete dickhead he needed to remark on her appearance. He was far more used to seeing her in fatigues and camo and with blood smears, but she was indeed a very beautiful woman.

“You look gorgeous, Sky,” Swanny said sincerely.

Skylar actually gave him a shy look from underneath her lashes and flashed a smile through perfectly white, straight teeth. It amused him that the all-American cheerleader-looking woman was a kick-ass operative on a highly trained special ops team. Personal remarks had no place on the job, right in the middle of bullets flying and bombs going off, but here, though, it was not only appropriate but the right thing to do.

Skylar had been very nice to Eden. The women had acted as though they were well on their way to a friendship. And Swanny appreciated that because he wanted Eden to be accepted by his team. His family. He didn’t dig too deeply into the reasons why, but they were there, hovering on the fringes, for him to ponder more deeply or perhaps admit to his own self that Eden was coming to mean a hell of a lot more to him than she should, given she was a job. A client.

Not that such a thing had ever ruffled any feathers within KGI, since most of the men had met their wives on missions. It had become a running joke in the ranks of KGI that if any of them had hopes of finding a woman, it would have to be on a mission since they were gone so much and a relationship with a hometown girl in Tennessee seemed impossible.

“You do look beautiful,” Edge said gruffly, almost as if he’d been shamed by Swanny’s compliment because he hadn’t yet offered his own.

Skylar performed a cheerful curtsy and then to Swanny’s shock pulled up one side of her dress. Then he realized why.

Holstered to the inside of her thigh was her smaller Sig P250 sub-compact.

Then she unzipped the small clutch she held to show them an identical pistol there with two extra clips.

“Never let it be said that vanity replaced readiness,” she said with a grin.

Swanny laughed. “I don’t think anyone will ever accuse you of not being prepared, Sky. You’ve earned your position on this team and you’ve certainly earned your team’s respect and confidence. No need to prove anything to us. We’re a unit. Family,” he said once more.

God, he was feeling actually mushy. Maybe it was the effect Eden was having on him. She was definitely bringing him out of his solitary existence, the wall of silence he usually stayed behind. He’d become practically verbose since this mission had started, acting more like the team leader than following the lead of the Kelly brothers.

Thank God they didn’t have egos and act like he was trying to subvert their authority. It had never been that way with their team anyway. Rio and Steele? Absolutely in control of their teams. Their authority unquestioned. Their teams did exactly as they were ordered. Their team leaders commanded—expected—immediate, unquestioning obedience. He admired the two badass team leaders, but Swanny’s team was different.

Their situation was different. They were led by not one authority figure but two. The twins, Nathan and Joe. And the two didn’t handle their team as Steele and Rio did. He wasn’t critical of Rio or Steele in the least. They kicked ass and got the job done no matter what. But Joe and Nathan included their team in all the decision making. They worked as a true unit. From the outside looking in, Swanny wasn’t even sure someone would even recognize who was considered the “leader.” They worked in perfect harmony, each stepping up at different times when the need arose. Just like Swanny was doing when it came to Eden. And well, he’d be lying if he said he didn’t have a very personal stake in this mission.

He was grateful that no one had tried to talk him down. Say shit like he was letting his emotions get involved or warn him that he was losing objectivity. They accepted it calmly just as they did everything else thrown their way. It was another thing he admired about his team. They never got worked up or sweated the small stuff. They were laid back except when it came to a job. Then they were all business and worked seamlessly, feeding off one another. That kind of loyalty and camaraderie was never just there from the start. It was something that had to be worked on. Earned. And for the first while after their team had been formed, they’d spent most of their time together, learning one another and bonding. It had made them stronger both individually and as a team.

They were a small team compared to the others. One fewer member than Steele’s team. Two fewer than Rio’s original team. Rio had lost one man several years earlier when the Kelly matriarch had been abducted from the hospital, and then he’d lost another more recently, though the man wasn’t dead. Lucky, but not dead. Swanny understood now the control it must have taken for Rio not to kill his man after he betrayed Rio’s woman, Grace. Because he’d damn sure lay to waste anyone who f**ked with Eden. Especially if it was someone he trusted.

But Sam had made noises about adding another member to Rio’s team, which would put them at six, which would then leave Swanny’s team with five. They could probably use another man—or woman—but Swanny was reluctant to compromise what they already had. A tightly knit, loyal group that worked together like a well-oiled machine.

“Swanny?”

Eden’s soft voice came from behind him, shaking him from his thoughts. Damn, but he was still standing in the open door, Skylar and Edge in the hallway while they talked stupid shit and Swanny was getting in touch with his inner self. He mentally rolled his eyes. Man, he had to pull it together. His mind was turning to mush and he needed to be on alert. Especially given that there would be only three people for Eden’s protection tonight.

Eden pushed her way up beside Swanny and then smiled in delight at Edge and Skylar.

“Skylar, you look amazing!” Eden exclaimed. “Did I not tell you the saleslady would not steer you wrong? That dress looks absolutely stunning on you.”

Skylar’s eyes glowed with pleasure at the compliment from Eden. And it was said so sincerely that there was no doubt she wasn’t speaking from the heart. No artifice or careful politeness from her. No, she was expressive and refreshingly honest and straightforward. Yet more things to add to the quickly growing list of things he loved about Eden.

“And Edge. Wow!” Eden said, casting an admiring gaze up and down his huge physique. “You clean up damn good. You look polished and yet you still have that air of danger that surrounds you, like someone would have to be the world’s biggest dumbass to ever piss you off. I have to say, women totally dig that. Skylar will have to be careful or you’ll have women crawling all over you tonight!”