Her gaze sharpened. “What fun thing do you have planned?”
Devin grinned. “A paintball fight. There’s also a campground on the property, so we’ll circle the buses, have a campfire, drink some beer, throw some horseshoes and give everyone, including the drivers, a night to just chill out.”
“Paintball,” she repeated. “You do realize paintball guns are actual guns?”
“There’s where the fun part comes in.”
“And you’re telling me that you just decided to put yourself in danger—”
He held up his hand to stop her impending tirade. “The Big Sky HR department personally signed off on all of the crew. I’m not in any danger from any of the people on these buses. Big Sky also approved this outing and paid for it. I’m assuming they didn’t announce that Devin McClain was reserving the place for his touring entourage.”
“You didn’t think to run this idea by me first?”
So that’s what’d put the starch in her spine. “It’s not a security issue—it’s a personnel issue. And I’m tellin’ you now, aren’t I?”
Liberty glanced down at her feet. He saw her inhale deeply before she dragged her gaze back to his.
“Darlin’, I don’t like that smirk you’re wearing. What gives?”
“Oh, I was just imagining if I wasn’t tasked with guarding you how much I’d love to plug your ass with a dozen paintballs.”
Devin leaned closer. “Bring it. Obviously, you and me have some issues to work out too.”
Her humor fled. “Sorry. That was unprofessional.”
“Liberty, I was kiddin’. As long as we’re actually talkin’ for a change, instead of avoiding each other on the bus and faking a happy relationship in public . . . I have to know if you’re ever gonna forgive me for the mistake I made that day at the truck stop.”
“I heard every word of all fifteen apologies you gave me.”
But it wasn’t enough. He knew she’d reported the incident. What she didn’t know was Devin had called both Garrett at GSC and Carl at Big Sky. He swore to them the crazed-fan ambush had been a wake-up call and he wouldn’t fight any of the security requirements for the rest of the tour—but only if he could retain Liberty. The men had conferred and agreed to let her stay, but warned him another incident like that would end her employment with him.
Devin didn’t kid himself. Pulling Liberty from this duty wouldn’t be to reprimand her—but to punish him. It wasn’t a coincidence that Carl mentioned the LaGruder goons as replacements if he screwed up again. Just thinking about those Robocop clones caused him to shudder.
“Did you have something else to say?” she prompted.
“Actions speak louder than words. And I’ve followed your instructions over the last three weeks. When that woman accosted me at the meet and greet two weeks ago, I didn’t try to handle it on my own. I immediately called for security.”
Liberty just blinked at him.
“Last week when the PETA protestors rushed me in the parking lot because of my support for Wyoming furriers, I didn’t engage them, even though I wanted to beat their hemp-wearin’ asses for their urban ignorance of real life in the West.”
“I sensed that,” she said dryly. “Although adding the PETA—People Eating Tasty Animals—bumper sticker to the back of the bus was a little over-the-top.”
Devin held up his hands. “Totally Sarge’s idea. I swear.”
“Look. I realize it’s been difficult to change your normal reactions of self-protection first, so I appreciate that you’ve been working with me, instead of against me.”
“So you know I don’t wanna backtrack and lose all the ground that I’ve gained. Which is why you should rise to the challenge of bein’ on a paintball team.” He displayed a sly smile. “Against me.”
“No way, guitar slinger. You want to participate in a paintball fight? Fine. But I’m not letting you out of my sight, so it appears you and me are partners.”
That wasn’t what he’d been going for. “I already promised to be Crash’s partner.”
“Too bad you’ll have to renege,” she said sweetly.
“How will I explain why I’m partnered up with you when I won’t let Tay and Jase, or Odette and Steve partner up?”
She shrugged. “Tell them you’re a terrible shot and you need me to teach you how to be a straight shooter.”
“FYI, sweetheart, I am a damn good shot. I’ve been huntin’ since I was five.” He issued a challenge. “Or maybe you want to partner with me because you have lingering combat issues and you expect me to keep you from goin’ ballistic.”
Liberty paled.
Shit. With as many times as she’d been in the thick of overseas conflicts, she probably did have some issues from that. He stepped forward and curled his hands around her biceps. “Dammit, Liberty. I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking. I’m a jerk.”
She stared at him, clearly debating on what to say.
“Come on. Chew my ass.” His hand slid down her arm to her wrist. He then formed her fingers into a fist and brought it up to his jaw. “Or better yet. Punch me.”
Then she did the oddest thing. She opened her fist and cupped his face. “I’ve witnessed the stubborn set to this jaw too many times to count in the last month. Even if I did pop you one, I’d probably hurt my hand.”