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“Kill me now, I can’t handle it!” Nate grips his chest dramatically.
She shoots him a smile. “If I hadn’t fallen ass over heel in love with Achilles at sixteen, you’d totally be my type.” There’s a giggly slur in her words.
“Baby, the saying is ass over elbow,” I correct.
“Whatever.”
“We’re trying to talk these guys into joining our security team,” Cooper throws out.
She shakes her head, her sleek hair swishing in the air. “Not happening. Achilles is becoming an accountant.”
A couple of throats clear while Ford outright laughs.
“I’m not becoming an accountant.”
“If you change your mind, I’m always in need of a good tax guy,” Mike eggs me on.
“See, you can be a part of the family business.” She pokes my side. “It’s a perfectly safe occupation.”
“Ace as a bean counter.” Talon tilts his head, studying me. “Not sure it fits. He’s a little too edgy.”
“Gotta agree, Harley. Ace is the type of man that would rather shoot at targets than click away on a calculator,” Mike prods her.
“You make it sound frumpy. Achilles would make a sexy accountant.”
“How about we give it a rest?” I slide my hand around her waist and tuck her close.
She gives in. “Are you having a nice time?”
“I am drinking a beer, shooting the shit, and watching you strut around while sucking down martinis. It’d be hard not to have a nice time.”
“Do you work next Sunday?”
“Not sure, why?”
“We are invited to a Christmas party.”
“Another one?”
“This is more of a family event. Santa’s popping in to surprise the kids.”
“You’re all welcome to come,” Declan extends the invitation.
“Appreciate it, but we’re working overtime at the football game,” Talon answers.
“You may get the better deal. It’s a nuthouse. The chaos is off the chain. But these women always find a reason to have a party.” Declan glances at his wife with admiration, clearly not caring.
I peer back down to Harley, feeling the same. She enjoys a party, loves people, and is a natural hostess. When we have our own home, I expect to have family and friends invading often. Which means I’ll need to curb my voracious need to have her alone most of the time.
It’s not happening.
But I’ll pretend to try.
She sips her drink, eying me knowingly. “Whatever you’re thinking is naughty.”
“Not to me.”
I lean in to kiss her, but only get mid-dip before my phone vibrates in my jeans.
It’s on my mind to ignore it until Talon’s low hissing snaps my attention. The three of them are looking at their phones, and their expressions say it all. The four of our phones getting a message can only mean one thing.
We’re up.
Time to head out.
Ford’s gaze meets mine, silently explaining.
Someone has made contact. And it’s not good.
“No. Please, God, no.” Harley clutches my shirt, her voice a desperate plea.
A heavy darkness settles in the air, and the crowd around us closes in. Mike’s the only one to speak.
“All okay?”
I drop my eyes to Harley, my heart cracking at the raw pain etched on her features.
“We have a situation.” He steps closer, aware of what our situation has to do with.
“What can I do?”
“Take care of my girl.”
Harley shivers, and a little cry escapes. To the side, I catch Jewls moving close to Major and him squeezing her hand. There’s a similar pain on her face. Mike notices, too, nodding.
“We’ll take care of them.”
“I’m guessing this isn’t a cop call-out,” Declan assesses correctly. “We’re here for whatever you need.”
I jut my chin in appreciation and wave at the others. “We need to get to the house.”
“Go out the side door, easier access to the elevators and less chance of getting mobbed.” Mike takes Harley’s glass and kisses her cheek, telling her he’ll check on her soon. I guide her around the room, the others following, and get her to my truck before she loses it.
She whimpers when I try to put her in the passenger side, tightening her clutch. I toss my keys to Talon, climbing in the back seat with her and not bothering with a seatbelt.
“Please, please, please let this be a false alarm.”
My hands scrub through her hair, holding her gently.
Because there is no false alarm. This is as real as it gets.
One of our own is in danger. Deadly danger.
And our job is to get him—or them—back.
22
Harley
I stand immobile, staring into the open bathroom, but not seeing anything. Achilles is in the closet changing, and the silence is deafening. My gaze drifts to the wall where we had sex earlier tonight.
It seems like a lifetime ago.
South America…
Going in hot…
Two dead….
Team and three civilians missing…
All of this jumbles in my mind, replaying until my stomach turns.
Achilles asked me to stay with Jewls and let them take their call with Willie. But I couldn’t handle the wait and listened outside the door. Most of what they said didn’t register, except these that stuck.
