Page 48 of Jack

Astrid raised a brow. “Shadow?”

Jack and his team were the only people who knew about Shadow Elite and he needed it to stay that way. A team like the one he’d assembled needed to work in total darkness to function the way he needed them to. Fortis and Zenobi couldn’t know about them, but she was there, and if they were going to create a life together he’d have to be honest with her, even if that meant being honest about the fact he couldn’t tell her.

“Can we talk about this later?”

“Yes, of course. Or not at all if that’s better for my mental health.”

Jack shook his head. “No, we’ll talk. Just not now.”

“Whatever you need.”

“Okay, back to the subject at hand. Let’s operate on the premise that Frederick is still playing his own agenda and Ravelino isn’t an issue for the moment. Do we have any sightings of him anywhere?”

“No, he’s laying low, but we’ll find him. I have every programme known to man, and a lot that aren’t, running, and they’ll flag any sighting or mention of his name.”

Lopez was watching Astrid again, and Jack didn’t like it. He needed to find out what the issue was if there was one. They’d all been working around the clock the last week and needed to get some sleep. “Okay, everyone, tonight I want you to get some sleep and let Fortis handle things. People are starting to look burned out, and that means mistakes we can’t afford.”

Blake chuckled. “Sleep, Jack? Is that what we’re calling it now?”

“Yeah, well, enjoy it while you can because I hear you won’t be having much in your future.”

Blake gave him the finger and Astrid frowned as she looked between the men. “No way! Is Pax pregnant?”

Blake glared at Jack. “Thanks, asshole.”

Jack shrugged but remained silent.

“Yes, she is, but it’s early days, so keep your mouth shut about it.”

“Blake, watch how you speak to her.” He loved Blake like a brother, but he wouldn’t tolerate anyone speaking to Astrid like that.

“It’s fine, Jack. He didn’t mean it.”

Blake folded his arms. “No, I didn’t, and I’m sorry.” He eyed Jack. “Next time though, maybe keep my private life private.”

Alex slung his arm over Blake’s shoulder and knuckled his head, hard. “We’re family. We don’t have boundaries and congrats, man. Evelyn will be happy to have someone in this with her.”

“She already has Autumn with them both due so close together.”

Alex paled a little, and Jack fought the urge to laugh at his friend’s terror. “I know, and it’s only ten weeks to go. It’s scary and exciting.”

Jack loved to see his men so happy and becoming fathers, and he knew he’d do whatever it took to make sure they were around for those babies.

Astrid grinned at Waggs. “What about you, Waggs? You want more kids?”

Waggs held his hands up. “Wow, hold up. I haven’t got a ring on Willow’s finger yet, and we have already one that I’m still figuring out.”

“He’s adorable, though.”

She turned to Liam, who stepped back as he pointed a hand at Jack. “Jack, control your woman before she jinxes us all. I want Taamira and I to keep practising for a while before we jump on that wagon.”

Astrid laughed as Jack hooked her around the waist and brought her close for a kiss. He would never get enough of this woman, and a child with her sounded like something he’d like one day. “I could never control her, and I don’t want to. She’s perfect as she is.”

“Ah, Jack, that’s so…”

He placed a finger over her lips. “Don’t say it, firefly.”

She smirked and went to bite his finger, but he pulled it away and kissed her again.