I’m aggravated ten minutes into my morning. My night was fraught with visions of bodies strewn across the dead foliage of the plantation’s pastures. Amongst the dead lay an angel whose golden hair was bathed in red. A weeping hole oozed from her chest, her essence dripping onto the greedy earth.
Yes, my night fucking sucked.
Running ten miles in the humid air did nothing to relieve the tension. Even the cold shower was lacking. Tired of the stress-relieving techniques, I hustle to the gym in search of Von Bremen. Information came back on the sheriff that’s wrapped up with Lou and this sex trafficking ordeal.
Security measures need to be taken. Of course, these measures will have to be taken in secret as Commander will not take kindly to our meddling in her life.
The house is quiet since the guys have been volunteering at the Veterans Association, most of them gone before sunrise. Only Lawson and Vic stay behind. It’s too soon to allow Lawson free reign again. Yeah, we’re keeping his ass here for now just in case he decides to go after Lou on his own. Which is not so much if he decides but when.
Vic isn’t so much a flight risk like Lawson but he has trouble being around children. And children are everywhere in the small town of Madison. Vic lost his son a few years back and hasn’t been able to overcome the grief that came along with it. I understand more than anyone how that feels. The guilt that you lived and they didn’t. It breaks a person.
Music wails from behind the door to the gym. What the hell is Theo listening to? His musical taste is straight-up garbage. Every single time I catch a little of what blares through his headphones, I’m disappointed. For a pro ballplayer, I’d expect him to listen to some kick-ass rock or rap. Hell, even some Queen would suffice. Anything to inspire a win. But nope, Theo listens to wailing, crying blues rock. It’s annoying.
Undeterred by the obnoxious sounds, I push through the door and freeze. In a backbend, the middle of Anniston’s back balances on the soles of Theo’s feet. He’s on his back, his legs bent as he holds still, allowing Anniston to reach for his outstretched arms. Her eyes are closed as their bodies move in sync to the music. It’s an incredible sight, I might even call it beautiful.
The heavy bass of the guitar picks up pace, and Anniston and Theo bend with it like they are doing a secret dance. His hands grip her wrists as he propels her body over his, allowing her to flip over him, coming to rest on her knees with her head bowed over his.
Theo’s fingers catch the wayward strand of hair that falls from her bun, rolling it between his fingers. And when she smooths both hands along his cheeks, caressing the day-old stubble there, he grips the back of her head, his abs flexing with the motion and pulls her down. She doesn’t put up a fight, lowering closer to his face as the tip of her nose brushes his. Her eyes close, his don’t. Theo closes the space between them, tilting his head to capture her mouth in an affectionate kiss. It’s not his usual this-girl-is-mine kiss, but a real one. One that clearly shows his love for her runs deeper than he lets on. Anniston makes a soft noise that sounds a lot like a hum of contentment.
The scene is so intimate that I feel like a creeper hiding in the bushes. You would think that common sense would kick in and I’d step out, but common sense must still be in bed because I remain steadfast in my gawking.
With one final kiss to the inside of her arm, Theo pulls Anniston all the way down, flush against his shoulder, biting alongside her arms and side. She squeals, trying to move away from his fun-loving attack.
Now seems like as good a time as any to make my intrusion known. I clear my throat. It’s awkward and comes out between a cough and a gag.
Theo cranes his neck my way and smirks up from the floor. “Bout time. I was wondering if you planned on staying for the shower.”
This asshole.
With lead feet and a good morning smile from Commander, I inch forward and clear my throat once again. “Yeah, well, sorry to disappoint. I know how you love an audience, but I have some urgent business to discuss with you.”
His eyes jump at my tone. He understands the underlying meaning in my gruff remark. With another peck to Anniston’s forehead, he eases her to the mat.
“Cade requires my expertise.” He flashes me a cocky look. “You know he can’t tie his shoes without assistance.”
I want to kill him. Every. Single. Day. Lord, give me strength.
“I’ll be back for strength training,” he promises as he springs to his feet. Anniston attempts to mask her giggle in the mat and fails, her raspy laugh reverberating through the gym.
A smile tugs at my lips but I don’t let it go. I remain stoic and irritated so I can get through these next few minutes with the pain in my ass.
When Theo reaches my side, I snarl like a deranged animal to relay my feelings about his idiotic comments. How is he the only person who brings this out in me? For goodness sake, I have led hundreds of guys in horrific conditions. At times, it was just us for weeks. And at no point did I ever think, I hate this fucker and hope a sniper picks him off. But Theo tests my religion every damn day. I pray for patience. So far, he’s still alive, so the prayers have been effective.
I shove him against the doorjamb as soon as we are out of the Commander’s sight. It only makes him laugh. Outside, where Anniston’s perceptive ears aren’t listening, I ask a question that I’m definitely going to regret. “What was that you were doing in there?”
Theo’s brow arches in an I’m-going-to-enjoy-explaining-this-to-you type of way. “Curious, are you?”
Never mind. It’s not worth listening to his mouth. I start to walk away before I hit him.
His chuckle follows me as he jogs to catch up. “It was yoga.” His shoulders shrug, like it’s no big deal for a man to be doing yoga.
I guess it isn’t. I hear it’s getting more and more popular for men. Hayes goes to a class occasionally but I thought it was to check out the downward dog of some young hottie he met.
I continue the pace, not looking directly at him. “I have never seen yoga done like that before. It looked like one of those Cirque de Soleil shows I saw in Vegas once.”
His lips purse in thought. “I guess, but it’s just couple’s yoga to us. Yoga is encouraged for athletes. And Anniston really enjoys it. It’s something we’ve done for years.”
It shows.
“So, what’s the news? Did the PI find anything on Lou and our good ole sheriff of Madison?”
Right. The sheriff. Lou, aka a dead man who put a knife to Anniston’s throat and threatened to take her.
My spine straightens in a defensive posture. “From what he can tell, Lawson’s claim that the sheriff is dirty is accurate. He hasn’t found a whole lot since the sheriff seems to be covering his tracks rather well.”
“Sounds like you got a bad PI, Jameson.”
Blood pounds in my ears as I pull to stop, rounding on Theo. “Do not start this morning. If you think you can do better at finding intel on this asshole then by all means go right ahead. Otherwise, shut the fuck up!”
A grin pulls at Theo’s mouth before he fishes in his shorts pocket and pops a piece of gum in his mouth. “Someone’s on the rag.”
Don’t hit him, Cade. Anniston will be highly upset. She’s still babying the hell out of him from his appendectomy surgery.
Inhaling a deep breath, I start walking again. “There was a note in our mailbox yesterday.”
Theo snaps around, his face suddenly serious. “What did it say?”
I pause. I’m not sure if I want to tell him. He will go ballistic. I did. Fuck, all of us did but we kept Anniston in the dark. We didn’t want to scare her.
“Well, it wasn’t a note exactly—”
“Jameson!”
“Calm the fuck down. I mean it, Theo. What I am about to tell you is most definitely going to upset you but I need you to act normal, especially with Anniston, until we get to the bottom of it.”
His chewing could almost be classified as violent. “Fine. Tell me. I’m calm.”
He’s not calm, the steady shake of his hand as he starts to pace in front of me gives it away. But he needs to know.
“It was a picture of Anniston sunbathing by the pond, right before the All-Star game.”
True to his word, Theo remains calm. He doesn’t speak or even look at me. If it weren’t for the heaving breaths and the steady tick of his jaw, I would think he didn’t hear me.
Under the sunlight, in what I thought was the safest place on Earth, Theo and I stare across the open hayfields, our eyes landing on the coveted landmark. The pond. Lou managed to breach our home base. He’s making a point that he can get to her with no problem. He knows taking her will end us once and for all.
Worry settles over us like a blanket of despair. Finally, Theo yanks at his hair, no longer able to hold it in and lets out a frustrated breath. I face him, prepared for some comment about how I let this happen, but instead, his eyes lock on mine, his face hard and serious. “How do we kill this asshole?”
Well, I’ll be damned. Now we’re talking! We move a little farther away from the house, toward the pond. “I have an old friend in the FBI that I’m trying to reach. He’s ex-military, served together when I first enlisted. I haven’t spoken to him in years but if he could get some guys on the case, they could catch this motherfucker and get Nicole out. We could stop sniffing around Lou and let the FBI take over. All we would need to do is keep Anniston safe until then.”
Theo nods, his eyes squint and he begins to crack his knuckles. “What about Lawson? Do you think he’ll go along with this plan?”
No. But I don’t tell that to Theo. God only knows what he may do to Lawson in Anniston’s defense. Instead, I go with, “I’ll convince him.”
“What’s your plan to keep Ans safe?” His fingers go to his lip as he starts bouncing on the balls of his feet.
“Do you want to run?” I ask him, not pointing out that he’s seconds from bouncing out of his shoes. I have become better at reading his ADHD. Anniston says he will start to fidget before he grows more anxious. The last thing we need today is to explain to her why he’s so anxious.
Theo ponders my question a minute before giving me a terse chin lift. “Yeah. A run would be good.”
I start out jogging slow, allowing Theo to dictate the pace. I should have known he would need to go full blast. I struggle to keep up as he darts behind the barn, running as if the devil himself is behind him. I fall back, it’s apparent his cardio stamina is much more advanced than mine. He’ll circle back once he tires out.
Like I predicted, ten minutes later, flushed and clad only in his shorts, he trots back toward me with a somber expression.
“You good?” I try not to make it a big deal of it. We all have demons and I know firsthand how embarrassing it feels for someone, especially a threat, to witness it.
He exhales a shaky breath. “Yeah. I’m good.”
With a clap on his shoulder, we start walking again.
I pick up right where we left off. “I asked Hayes to set up security cameras around the perimeter and inside the house. No one will get to her here. Ever, again.”
“And if he does come back around here taking fucking pictures or worse?” he asks, his eyes pinched worriedly at the corners.
“Well, then we’ll defend our home. At least we will be better prepared and more vigilant over security now that we know he knows where we live and is watching us.”
Theo’s lips purse in agreement but it’s apparent that worry still clouds his every thought. Mine, too, but we have to be smart about this. Lou isn’t an idiot, and with the sheriff in his pocket, I worry he may make trouble for us. Especially because Hayes already has a criminal record.
“Try not to worry. I’ll never let anything happen to her.” My promise does nothing to stop the lip biting he has going on but it’s the truth. I’ll never let Lou get close to her again. That’s a fucking fact.
“What if I send Thor down to keep an extra eye on her?”
I’m already shaking my head before Theo can finish his sentence. “He’ll just be in the way. The guys and I can protect her. Once I can get ahold of my guy and the FBI get involved, then it won’t be long before they can take Lou down.” I release a frustrated sigh at having to not only convince Theo of this plan but Lawson as well. Sliding down into a crouch, my fucking legs ache from all the running I’ve been doing as of late. Theo isn’t the only one who’s been worried sick.
Flashes of a bloodied Commander taunt me as I try to concentrate on a strategy that will work for all of us. Knowing Theo, he will fake an injury of some sort and stay here, which will alarm Ans. I have to think of a way to keep him content with her safety and at work.
“I’ll take her with me,” he says, already nodding his head in approval.
My eyebrows raise. “With you where?”
“Back to Washington. I’m due back Friday. We can stay for the weekend, give you guys time to alert the FBI and or kill this son of a bitch. Money can buy silence and acid to get rid of the remains. Just text me, ‘The dick is down’ and I’ll know to let my guy know we need some science experiment materials for the hospital.” He gives me a wink that I’m not so sure is a joke.
“Sometimes, Theo, you scare me.”
He grins, completely proud that he has skills that can help contribute to Lou’s murder should we be so inclined to off him while he throws a no-hitter over the weekend. The comment is so insane that I can’t do anything but blink as he chuckles, popping another piece of gum in his mouth.
“So, whadda ya say? You cool with me taking her to Washington?”
As much as I would like to argue and keep her with me, I think he’s right. She’ll be safer with him in Washington. “Will Thor be there to watch over her when you’re on the field?”
He nods, not paying attention anymore. I guess there isn’t anything more to discuss. We have a plan. He’ll keep her safe and we’ll contact the FBI and… well, I don’t know what we’ll do after that. Murdering Lou does sound like a solid idea, but I’ll sleep on it and see how I feel tomorrow. I’m joking. Kind of.
“Fine,” I agree, taking a step back. “I’m going to head back to the house. I have a bone to pick with Anniston about this dog bullshit. How exactly did y’all manage to get it, again?”
Theo backs away with a mischievous smile. “Gotta go, Major Douche, I need to be ready for my game.”
He sprints off with a laugh as I fight the urge to go after him.
One good hit. That’s all it would take.
The house is buzzing with noise when I return.
“Sit, Killer. Good, girl!” Anniston and Mason are sitting Indian style on the rug, Killer poised in front of them. Anniston is giving the orders. “Now, speak.”
Immediately, ferocious barks ring out.
“Good girl!”
I grab a seat in the nearby recliner, watching in awe as she commands yet another being in this house.
“Commander!” Hayes comes down the stairs two at a time, excitement in his eyes. “Commander, I need the car.”
Anniston and I both glare at him suspiciously. Last time he used the car, we found cum on the seats. Yes, you read correctly. Cum. His ass was scrubbing that shit off with his toothbrush.
“For what, Sergeant Hayes?” Anniston scratches behind Killer’s ears as she waits for an answer.
“Uh…” Hayes looks at me and when he sees I’m leery as well, he turns and levels Anniston with a serious face. “It’s that time of the month, ma’am.”
Oh, for fuck’s sake.
“Attack,” she commands loudly.
Before I can wrap my head around what’s going on, Killer launches at Hayes, knocking him to the ground. He grunts, raising his arms to protect his face.
“Heel.” Killer immediately releases at Mason’s command.
“It’s amazing, isn’t it?” I look at Anniston and realize she’s talking to me.
“Have you lost your mind? She could have killed him!” I’m on my feet and to Hayes’ side, helping him off the floor.
Anniston and Mason begin to laugh. Loudly.
“Don’t be a party pooper, Cade. I wouldn’t have let her bite him,” she tsks, frowning at my seriousness of the situation.
I look at Hayes, his face is pasty white. “You all right?”
He nods and then grins. “Does this mean I can use the car?”
I push Hayes away, annoyed with this whole shit show. Anniston is wiping away remnants of tears from her laugh fest. “You may, Sergeant, but if I find any more bodily fluids on my leather, you will be chained to your bed and not in a good way. The keys are on the table.”
He sprints off without another word.
I reclaim my spot back in the chair, glaring at Anniston.
“Relax, ya big baby. Theo and I practiced it with her last night. Didn’t we, you good girl?” The dog licks her face as she praises Killer for attacking someone in the house.
My stomach growls as I watch this little house of horrors. Of course, Theo and Anniston trained the dog to attack. And who would’ve thought Anniston would like dogs?
“You hungry?” She’s always worried about me eating.
“I’ll get something in a minute,” I tell her, watching Mason rub Killer’s belly.
She hops up, dusting the dog hair off her shorts. “I got it. What do you want? Sandwich?”
I nod, graciously accepting her offer. I don’t want to argue with her because she likes feeling needed. When she’s out of sight, I turn to Mason. “So, you told her about the dog?”
He nods, a small smile peeking out as he strokes Killer’s soft fur on her belly. Mason has always been the more reserved one in the bunch. My guess is that he has more demons than all of us combined but he keeps it locked away, only allowing us glimpses into his former self. He’s been slow to warm up to Ans and this whole situation but by the contented look on his face, I wager that Ans has officially won him over. Although, stealing a dog would not have been the method I would have suggested to go about doing it.
“Did you tell Theo about the picture?” Mason whispers.
I nod my head in confirmation, not wanting Anniston to overhear our conversation from the kitchen. “He’ll never get that close to her again,” I say absently, stroking Killer’s soft fur.
“Agreed,” he adds. And for once, Mason shows that he is part of this family, pushing his fist out in an act of solidarity.
I bump it hard with mine.
“Oohrah.”