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But they’d do this right. Jane deserved a proper courtship.
With Tai in the lead, and Mason, Kate, Fenn, Paige and Jane bringing up the rear, Bridger led a blindfolded Kellen down the hall toward the boy’s room.
Once in the doorway, Bridger whipped the blindfold off. “Surprise!”
Kellen’s jaw dropped. His room had been transformed from a seven-year old’s space into a Special Ops haven. Camo netting concealed the desk and study area beneath the raised-up bed. Model planes hung from the ceiling. Mason had hung real tactical gear on the walls, while Fenn knocked together a custom-made desk designed to resemble a command center.
Vibrating with joy, Kellen zoomed from item to item, touching each with a thin finger. “This is so cool! It’s like I’m a real soldier now!”
The entire team beamed. Everyone except Jane, who beamed and cried.
She dabbed her eyes with the cuff of her sweater. “You guys went overboard again. But I love it.”
And he loved making her and Kellen happy.
It had only been a week since Kellen’s maternal aunt agreed not to fight Jane for custody. Three days since the county social services office officially declared her Kellen’s foster mother, and prospective adoptive parent. Two days since the team started Mission Redecoration.
And five minutes since he’d last kissed her.
While the team milled around the small room, banging into each other as they raced to show Kellen all the bells and whistles, Jane squeezed his hand, as if reading his mind.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
Kellen spotted a walkie-talkie strapped to the leg of the bed. He grabbed it, looking up at Tai. “How come there’s only one? Who am I gonna talk to?”
“We’ve got the others at headquarters, dude. You’re part of the team now. Gotta keep you in the loop.”
Kellen’s lips moved, but no sound came out. Finally, he put the radio to his mouth. “Alpha Bravo, this is Home Base. The eagle has landed, I repeat, the eagle has landed.”
Bridger mussed the boy’s hair. Jane wrapped her arms around them both.
For the first time, Bridger felt at home. Now he just had to convince Jane he was here to stay.
He was contemplating digging into the pizza in the kitchen when his phone buzzed in his pocket. He checked the screen. An encrypted text from Jason.
“Hey buddy, I need to take this call real quick,” Bridger said to Kellen. “You enjoy your new room. I’ll be right back.”
He stepped outside onto the front porch. Punched in the number.
“Go secure,” Jason said.
Bridger glanced around and ducked behind Jane’s truck. “Secure.”
“It’s done,” Jason said. “The assassin’s been neutralized. I’m on to the next target.”
Bridger gripped the phone tighter. “Let us help you, man. You don’t have to do this alone.”
“I can’t risk it,” Jason said. “This is my fight.”
“It’s our fight,” Bridger argued. “The Consortium got to all of us. Let us watch your six.”
“It’s too dangerous,” Jason said. “I need to know you’re all safe.”
Bridger leaned against the truck in frustration. “We’re ready to help,” he said again.
Silence filled the line. Then Jason cleared his throat, redirecting the conversation. “So how’s Jane doing?”
“She’s great, now.”
