Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 53807 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 269(@200wpm)___ 215(@250wpm)___ 179(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53807 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 269(@200wpm)___ 215(@250wpm)___ 179(@300wpm)
“Good news.”
To his amazement, Koa didn’t pry. He warned, “Put that phone away and look wiped out or Caden’s going to make us run more miles.”
Jerico had just stashed his phone back into his duffle when the team chief walked in to join them.
“Jerico? Are you set for the meeting this afternoon?” Caden asked.
“Yes.” There was no reason to elaborate. He and Caden had gone over the material the meeting would focus on. “Anyone interested in a barbecue this weekend?”
“Hell, yes,” Koa jumped on the offer. “Just tell me where to bring beer.”
Jerico laughed. He looked toward each of his teammates and everyone nodded. “My Little will be there and the neighbors will be watching. No drunk streaking down the middle of the road.”
When the young man didn’t respond for a few seconds, Max jumped in. “Koa…”
“Got it. Old man party.”
“Barbecue,” Jerico corrected.
“Think of it as team building, Koa,” Caden ordered.
“I’m not running while I eat ribs,” Koa fired back with a grin.
“Perfect. I’ll put you down to bring ribs,” Jerico stated, pulling out his phone as if he were really going to make a list.
“I’ve got my grandma’s German potato salad. I’ll bring that,” Hank volunteered.
“Count on me for dessert,” Max called.
“I’ll bring veggies—healthy ones not slathered with bacon,” Zale said, rolling his eyes.
“Thanks for keeping us healthy, Doc,” Jerico told him with a laugh. He didn’t add that he was sure that would be the only dish not emptied by the end of the night.
“If the grill will be going, I’ll bring jalapeno poppers,” Caden offered.
“I’ll turn it on for those,” Jerico promised.
“I’ve got the range reserved for us in fifteen minutes. Let’s head out,” Caden directed. “We’re going to try out some new weaponry.”
That lit a fire under everyone. Jerico restrained a laugh that threatened to burst from him. This team especially looked at new tools like candy. The difference between achieving their objective and floundering rested on their efforts, but the support of the specialized equipment they had at their disposal was often a major game-changer.
As they jogged out to the range, Hank fell into step beside Jerico. “Thanks for getting us together outside of work. My old team had barbecues often. I’ve missed them.”
“The barbecues or the team?” Jerico probed.
“Both.”
“Why did you leave?”
“I did something stupid. Not out in the field, but something important. I said something wrong and scared one of the guys’ Littles,” Hank explained.
“Another team of Daddy Doms?” Jerico guessed. It didn’t surprise him. Most of the soldiers at his level of training and covert operations were alpha males—Dominants with a capital D.
“Yes.”
“Tell me it’s none of my business if you don’t want to talk. How did you lose your little girl?” Jerico asked. Hank was the only one he’d heard talk about having a Little.
“My best memories are of Angie. I still miss her. She was killed in a car wreck while I was deployed,” Hank shared. Instantly, pain had etched itself into his face. Jerico knew he’d never gotten over her loss.
“I’m sorry, Hank. I can’t imagine how you feel. Are you okay being around Aspen?” Jerico forced himself to ask. He didn’t want to hurt his teammate, but he planned for Aspen to be a part of his life forever.
“I enjoy Littles. They’re special people. So brave. Even though they’re all different, they make you happy just to be around them.”
“Any concerns about being with another team of daddies?”
“Only about making sure I don’t screw something up again.”
Jerico whacked the honest man on the back. “You won’t. Thanks for sharing, Hank. It helps me understand you better. Think you’ll ever find another Little?”
“No. I think my time is past. Angie still has part of my heart,” Hank revealed.
“Hearts have amazing resilience and the ability to love more than one person. Would Angie have wanted you to be alone?”
Hank stared at him as if he’d never thought of that before, dropping his gaze to the road under his feet. They jogged together in silence for several seconds before Hank admitted, “She’d be totally pissed at me.”
“That’s what I figured. Come on. Let’s speed up. Caden alerted me that there’s a new sniper scope. I want to try it out before the others.”
Hank burst into a full run. Just as Jerico had expected, the team’s sniper was determined to be the first. Holding himself slightly back, Jerico let him take the lead. The rest of the team joined him, sensing something important was waiting for them.
Pulling up outside Aspen’s work, Jerico scanned the area automatically, looking for threats as he texted her he’d arrived. A shadow moved between the office building and the retail store next door. Without second guessing himself, Jerico flicked a switch to extinguish the inside lights before easing out of his truck in a low crouch. He closed the door with an almost silent click before creeping along the side of the vehicle.