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I released a breath and stubbed out my smoke.
It felt like it took no time at all to arrive at the red rowhouse that belonged to Shay’s aunt.
Reese climbed the steps too fast for my liking and rang the doorbell. “Quit draggin’ your feet.”
I sucked my teeth and joined him on the stoop.
We heard voices coming closer. I hurriedly ran a hand through my hair. Reese did the same.
Shay opened the door with a big smile.
I loved him. We hadn’t exchanged those words yet, but I fucking loved him. His big heart, every dirty-blond hair on his head, the vivid color of his greenish-blue eyes, his fantastic body, each tattoo, every mark and scar, his bravery, his wicked sense of humor.
“Hey, you two!”
“Hey, sweetheart.” Reese grinned and pressed a kiss to Shay’s forehead. “I’m afraid we’ve already messed up—we didn’t bring wine or anything.”
“There’s certainly no need for that.” The voice came from Melanie as she joined Shay in the hallway with a smile that reminded me of his. Her hair was darker, but it was clear they were related. “It’s great to finally meet you guys. Come on in.”
I took a steadying breath and kissed Shay’s temple on the way in. “How you doin’, pup?” I asked quietly.
“I’m amazing—you’re here.” He flashed me a carefree grin and turned to his aunt. “Aunt Mel, meet River and Reese. Reese is the one with the tattoo on his neck.”
I smirked faintly.
Reese was better at coming off as if he had no troubles, and he shook Melanie’s hand. “Tattoo On His Neck is my middle name. Thank you for invitin’ us.”
Melanie laughed softly. “My pleasure—the food arrived just before you did, so I suggest we dig in before the boys eat it all.”
The boys would be TJ and Levi, Shay’s brothers. One hormonal teenager and one book-loving preteen.
I shook Melanie’s hand too. “Good to meet you.”
“You too, River.” Her smile was warm—I liked that. Maybe I could relax after all.
* * *
Reese Tenley
2023
Halfway to Bakersfield, we drove down a long dirt road toward a run-down farm. We were surrounded by fields and desertscape, with the closest neighbor some ten minutes away. An old friend owned the land, so we didn’t have to worry about intruders.
The more I thought about it, the dumber I felt. The signs were fuckin’ everywhere. This old friend who owned the property—he was just gonna do a “couple more gigs” for Hillcroft, then retire as a PMC and turn this place into a cattle ranch.
How many times had we spoken those words? How many times had we heard them? Elliott and Tariq had semi-retired almost a decade ago but completed their last mission less than twelve months ago. Now Tariq was dead, and Elliott had been pulled back in. Darius had lasted, what, five years? Five years of retirement, and then he’d rescued his hubby Gray from human trafficking, after which they’d “helped out” at least twice. Last year when Crew was taken, and right now… Same with River and me. Emerson and Danny too. Coach, William, Griffin, James, Dante, Arden in his own way… We all got sucked back in at some point.
I slowed down as we reached the farm, and I drove over to the barn we’d prepared for our stay.
We had another car here too.
The sun wouldn’t be up for another few hours, so we’d be careful with the lights. We had no running water, but we had power.
I killed the engine and jumped out of the truck, and Luiz yelled something incoherent, the sound muffled by the duct tape.
River went over to open the barn doors.
“Leave the lights off,” I reminded him. We didn’t need any nosy fuckers back on the main road thinking someone had moved in.
