Total pages in book: 30
Estimated words: 27182 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 136(@200wpm)___ 109(@250wpm)___ 91(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27182 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 136(@200wpm)___ 109(@250wpm)___ 91(@300wpm)
“No. I took care of that before the wedding,” he said smugly.
Laughter burst from my chest, and I had to bend over to catch my breath. When I stood back up, Arrow was still smiling like a loon with his chest puffed out so much I was waiting for him to pop a button.
I shook his hand and slapped him on the back again. “Congratulations, CMC.”
“Thanks. Don’t tell Sage, though. She wants to wait.”
“No problem.” I cocked my head to the side and studied him with a smirk. “How many other people have you told?”
Arrow looked away as he cleared his throat. “I’m guessing my honeymoon wasn’t the real reason you wanted to talk?” he mumbled, avoiding the question.
“Good thing your friends all keep secrets for a living,” I chuckled. “I was wondering if you’d been keeping tabs on Paul?”
Arrow nodded. “Sage was worried about his sister, so she talked Jacob into giving us regular updates on him for her to pass along to Phoebe.”
“How’s he doing?”
He shrugged. “As good as can be expected. Jacob said he’s progressing and thinks Paul will turn things around. But it’s a hard road.”
“And his sister? Phoebe?” I tried to be nonchalant, but Arrow clearly picked up on something in my tone because he narrowed his eyes.
“Was this all your convoluted way of asking about Phoebe? My wife’s best friend? Practically a sister?”
I was acting like I’d grown a vagina. But I was a fucking SEAL. We were straightforward and got shit done. So I stopped trying to be covert and laid it all out.
“There’s something about her,” I admitted. “I met her for all of ten minutes, and that was all it took to know she was mine.”
Arrow rolled his eyes and rocked back on his heels. “Welcome to the club.” Then he winced. “Damn, the timing of this mission really fucked with your relationship. It must have been hell being gone for so long without a way to stay connected to her.”
“Merrick put me in touch with Jonah Carrington,” I explained, knowing Arrow would understand my choice. Merrick Ashford had been a member of my SEAL team long before I came on the scene. Apparently, he’d taken the fall for a corrupt CO to save his teammates’ asses. He’d become a hitman until he met his wife, Audrey. Now he did mostly security consulting, although he helped his friends out on occasion…when someone needed to disappear. We’d worked together a few times and become friends.
His wife was best friends with Jonah’s daughter, so I’d taken advantage of the situation in order to keep me from losing my fucking mind while I was gone.
Arrow nodded. “Smart.”
“Anyway, I figured I should call Phoebe before I just showed up at her house. Do you have her number? Or will you get it from Sage for me?”
“Sure.” Arrow pulled his cell phone from his shirt pocket, then paused, his eyes shuttered as he studied me. His hesitation pricked my temper, but I didn’t let it show.
“Before I do, I want to make something very clear. Phoebe and Sage are like sisters, which makes her family to me. I think you’re serious about her, but if you break her heart, I’ll kick your ass. Then I’ll let Sage loose on you, and trust me, you should be terrified if that happens.”
I was happy Phoebe had such good people in her corner who would protect her if I couldn’t. But I was still irritated that he questioned my intentions, so I nodded sharply. “Understood, sir.”
He fiddled with it for a moment, then mine vibrated. “I texted you her contact information but…”
I raised an eyebrow when he trailed off thoughtfully. “Sir?”
Arrow shook his head and a small smile curved his lips. “If I were you, I’d skip the heads-up and just show up at her door. Don’t give her a chance to blow you off or turn you away.”
I scratched my chin as I processed his suggestion. “Maybe you’re right.”
We said goodbye, and I headed home for a quick shower. Once I was clean, I threw on a pair of jeans and a long-sleeve black Henley. After making my way down to the building’s garage, I got into my SUV and headed to Phoebe’s apartment.
On the way, I checked in with my parents, brother, and sisters. I always sent them a text when I left for an assignment, or they would freak out when they couldn’t get in touch with me. They were always my first calls when I returned. Although from now on, they would come after Phoebe.
It was early evening when I drove into the lot in front of her apartment and parked in the spot next to her car. I’d called the bodyguard assigned to her and confirmed that Phoebe was home in case I had to find her someplace else. Before hanging up, I thanked her and asked her to send me a full report once she got back to the office. I’d already told Jonah I was back, so Phoebe’s guard would head to a new assignment the next day.