“We’re here to celebrate our new member.”
Everyone raised their drinks to Decker, and he dipped his head in gratitude.
“We’ve also got business to discuss,” Carson said. “We’re close to landing a big contract.”
Denver rested his elbows on the table. “How big?”
“It’s possible that all of us will be involved, maybe for one to two months. Corporate protection detail for a tech CEO who’s been getting threats about a merger. The client wants a full team stationed at his estate in Northern California while the deal goes through.” Carson’s expression grew serious. “The money’s good enough to fund ranch operations for the next year, but it means most of us would be off-site for an extended period.”
Colt whistled low. “When would this take place?”
“Could be as soon as this week. Could be months. They’re still in negotiations. The threats could fade or escalate. We’re on call.”
“California for two months? What about the therapy program?” Colt was pretty involved with the vets and kept the operation running smooth.
“That’s the challenge. We’d have to lean harder on the guys in the program to keep the ranch in good shape.”
“I’ll oversee them,” Willow offered.
She had enough on her plate without taking on such a big job, but Decker didn’t say that.
Carson looked around the table. “We’ll figure out the particulars if we take the contract. It’s a big decision, but it could propel Black Heart Security to the next level.”
Willow leaned forward. “Hopefully after the baby’s born? This is a bad time for you to leave, Carson.”
He compressed his lips, looking as if the weight of choosing between work and family was a lot to shoulder. “We’ll see how it lands for timing.”
Before Carson could continue detailing the California contract, a shadow fell across their table. Decker looked up to see some guy standing there with a beer in one hand and a cocky grin that immediately set his teeth on edge.
“Willow Malone.” The stranger’s voice carried a drawl that spoke of familiarity, of shared history that Decker didn’t like one damn bit.
“You must hardly leave the ranch these days. I haven’t seen you around Willowbrook in months.”
Every muscle in Decker’s body coiled tight. Around the table, he could feel the Malone brothers shifting—Carson’s hand moving closer to his beer bottle, Denver’s casual posture sharpening into something more predatory.
But Decker was laser-focused on the man who was looking at Willow like he had every right to be there.
“Hi, Andy, how are you?” Willow’s voice sounded carefully neutral.
Andy. So they had history. The knowledge settled like acid in Decker’s gut.
“Can’t complain. I’m running my dad’s construction business now.” Andy took a step closer, and Decker’s hands curled into fists under the table. The bastard was either completely oblivious to the wall of hostility radiating from seven trained operators, or he was too stupid to care.
He looked Willow over. “You look amazing, by the way. Always did know how to turn heads.”
Decker agreed, but he was going to wring this bastard’s neck if he got any closer to her.
The casual familiarity in his tone, the way his eyes lingered on Willow’s face—it all scraped against Decker’s nerves like steel on concrete. His jaw started to ache from clenching his teeth.
Suddenly, Willow issued a gasp. She leaped to her feet. “Felicity’s here!” She skirted around Andy and rushed away without a backward glance.
Decker leaned forward to fix his stare on Andy. One by one, each of her brothers did the same, until the guy got the hint. He sliced his fingers through his hair and turned to leave.
Decker shifted his attention to Willow. She was breezing across the room in the sure strides of a model on a catwalk.
Problem was, three guys at a table she passed, a solo drinker in the corner and four other dudes at the bar craned around to watch her.
She stepped right up to Felicity and hugged her. Then she embraced the two older ladies who worked in the bookshop and a gal from the coffeeshop down the street.
