He looked in the direction she indicated, and a slight frown creased his forehead. Cam's and Rafe's gazes were locked in challenge. Then Erin moved deeper into Cam's embrace and murmured something in his ear. Rafe smiled ruefully and raised his beer in a toast, grateful for whatever she had said to make Cam relax. Cam returned the toast, ever so slightly mocking.
"Oh, good girl, Erin," Hannah was pleased.
Colby smiled down at her. "My son chose well," he said teasingly.
"That would be MY son, thank you very little!" she retored tartly, but she laughed up at him. "Who is that, Colby? What's going on between them? And why did he give in?"
"Rafe Kenyon, former Navy SEAL. He replaced Darren on David's team. As for the rest of it, you'll have to ask Cam."
"And is he trying to replace Darren where Verity's concerned, as well?" Hannah's eyes darkened as she demanded an answer. She'd seen the way he looked at her daughter.
Colby looked thoughtful, a smile playing on his lips, "He might well be. Which might account for some of Cam's aggression."
Hannah's eyebrows shot up. "Are you saying you approve of him?"
He laughed as he pulled her in for a kiss. "I'm saying it's Verity's decision," he murmured in her ear.
"Just like Justin was Keeley's?" Hannah's eyes were alight with mischief. She giggled as he tickled her lightly.
He smiled as he replied, "Well, they're married, aren't they?"
"Mmm, and with a child on the way, Grandpa!" She burst out into peals of laughter as he growled and nibbled at her neck.
-----
Cam choked with laughter at the sight of his parents necking in a public place. He laughed even harder when Tyler blushed and rolled his eyes. Agents who'd been with the FBI for a while only smiled, but the newer agents stared at Colby and Hannah in open jawed surprise.
"I'd have thought you'd be used to it by now, Tyler," Cam was still laughing.
Tyler shook his head ruefully, "I should be, but no, it still embarrasses me."
"But, Tyler, why?" Erin asked softly, eyes shining, "I think it's really romantic. I never would have thought he would be the romantic sort, from what he's like at work."
Giselle laughed, a soft, throaty laugh, "Because he's more like his father than he'd like to admit." She was amused when Tyler glared at her.
Cam stiffened when he saw Verity approach Rafe. He watched her smile and say a few words to him before moving on to join her siblings.
"Leave him alone, Cam," Verity said softly, looking into her brother's eyes. "It's really none of your business, you know."
He searched her eyes, "Maybe not. Then again, maybe it is."
Verity shook her head.
-----
"Granger."
Cameron looked up. "Kenyon."
"I never thought we'd meet again," Rafe said softly, "I've rehearsed what I would say about a million times, but all of it escapes me now." He watched Cameron, but somehow, he knew from the shuttered eyes that there would be no response.
Quietly, Rafe continued, "It's important to me that you realize I'm grateful to you for saving my mother's life. And I appreciate you saving mine as well." Was that surprise in Cameron's eyes? Rafe wasn't sure.
"But I'm not my father. And I didn't kill him. Even if the bastard did deserve it for hitting my mother." Rafe was relieved to see Cameron finally relax. "I hope you didn't get into too much trouble. How did you explain away the body?"
Cameron shrugged, "There were lots of eyewitness accounts from trustworthy sources like the preacher where your mom went to church. Enough to convince the police that it was accidental. And my dad helped them work out that the timing was wrong so I couldn't have done it. The official ruling was accidental death." He eyed Rafe. "If you didn't kill him, who did?" He smiled faintly when Rafe's eyes went carefully blank.
"All I can tell you is that I didn't kill him."
"Fair enough."
They looked at each other warily, each with secrets that needed to remain hidden.
"You were both pretty badly beaten up that night."
Rafe nodded, eyes dark as he thought back to that fateful night. "She had several broken ribs, her arm was broken, as well as her nose and jaw. My arm was broken in two places. He'd hit me with a tire iron as I tried to shield her. But we healed once we got away. I'm glad we got to keep our own names, or this life wouldn't have been possible."
He drew a harsh breath before he continued, "I know you're concerned about your sister."
"I don't want any member of my family hurt. Not my sister, not my father. Especially, not my father," Cam's voice was a cold warning.
Rafe's eyes widened slightly. He'd expected the warning about Verity. Softly, he said, "You didn't know either."
"Know what?"
"I found out recently that I owe your father almost as much as I owe you. Apparently, I would never have been able to get into the Navy if it hadn't been for his help. And his recommendation helped get me into the FBI."
Cam's eyes lit in amusement and admiration as he laughed, "The old man's wilier than I gave him credit for!"
Rafe smiled, "It was all behind the scenes. The last time I had seen him before I joined the FBI was that night. I knew that someone was helping me, but I didn't know who." Then softly, "I can't get Verity out of my mind. I'm sure you know how that feels." Watching Cam's eyes, he continued, "I plan on waiting till she's ready to move on with her life." Hesitating now, Rafe said, "If you asked me to, I would drop it all. I owe you more than that. But please. I hope you won't ask me to." His eyes pleaded with Cam.
Silence stretched for several minutes till Rafe thought he would scream.
"She's right," Cam murmured, "It isn't any of my business." He smiled at the relief in the other man's eyes. Then he laughed as he said, "Let me be the first to warn you that it's no picnic when all four Granger men attack you. Which, I assure you, WILL happen if you hurt Verity. Navy SEAL or not."
Rafe laughed, "I can deal with those odds."
-----
Note:
The events that Rafe and Cam are talking about is also referenced in D is for Dinner.