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“I hope to fuck it’s lucrative.”
“It is.”
He grinned as he nodded. “So what about it. Are you here alone?”
While Jameson knew the basics of my times served in the army, and that I’d come here to heal, I’d never told him the specifics. The fact he’d never asked had solidified our odd friendship. “Actually, I did bring someone, but she’s not what you think.”
“Uh-huh. Isn’t that what men always say at first?” He chuckled as he stirred the drinks.
“She’s a… client that I’m protecting.”
“Client, huh? That’s interesting.” He thought about my comment as he brought me one of the drinks. “Funny how I can smell her all over you.”
I closed my eyes, trying to keep from groaning audibly. “Are you a detective now?”
“You’d be surprised what I need to do in my business. Why don’t we sit out on the patio? I missed being here. I bet you did too.”
I followed him outside, remaining standing. He had a spectacular view of the ocean. The house would always need work, but it was comfortable and offered everything a man needed.
Except for love.
Shit. Where had that come from? That last thing I’d ever need was to get into the middle of a long-term relationship. For some reason my thoughts drifted to Willow and the story she’d told about Buddy. She had the same kind of commitment to the animals as I’d once had with the army, even more so. She’d almost had her heart broken because she didn’t think she was good enough. Sighing, I took a sip of my drink, realizing I’d missed talking to the guy.
“What’s the story, or can’t you tell me?” Jameson asked.
“Not much. You know the drill as well as I do.”
“Yeah, I do. I take it this isn’t a one-time gig.”
“Probably not but we’ll see.”
“A new mission then. You haven’t reenlisted so it’s a private gig. No, wait. A secretive operation.”
I shifted, throwing him a look, laughing more to myself. “You could call it that.”
“Enough said. Is it dangerous?” The man never took no for an answer.
“Yes.”
“Ah. You came to warn me, fearful I’d lost my ability to shoot.”
Exhaling, I turned to face him. “Once a sharpshooter, always a sharpshooter. Right? I wanted someone to know I was here and that you’d notice I made connections to the satellite.”
“I already told you before. Any time. Pops made certain every member of the family knew you have carte blanche when you were here.”
“You know what’s sad? I never got to ask my father why he was so close to your Pops. I’d never heard about this place or your father’s name up until I returned home. Yeah, that was a shit time.” My poor father had dealt with a raging maniac for almost four months before saying enough was enough. He forced me to sit my ass in a psychiatrist’s office three times a week for two months then suddenly mentioned I was taking a vacation. Alone. He’d all but dropped me off on the island, telling me to heal myself.
I shook my head. If only my father could see me now. He’d call me fucking nuts for getting involved with Eagle Force. Maybe he was right.
“You know my dad,” Jameson said. “He’s not a big talker about family or friends. Hell, the man barely says a full sentence to his kids. I think his time in the Army took a toll just like when I was in the Marines.” His laugh was a boisterous as I remembered. “He gets worse as he gets older. Truthfully, though, all he said was that he owed your dad his life. Nothing more even when I asked.”
“Well, I’m grateful to your family’s hospitality.”
He snorted. “Cut the crap. You’re not here to stroke me any more than I am for you.”
I burst into laughter. He always managed to see through me.
“What’s on your mind, Santiago? I don’t know you that well, but I can tell when you’re troubled. From what you told me about your last gig overseas, I’m surprised you agreed to serve again.”
