Unknown number.
He was about to ignore it when the preview text made his pulse jump.
Need you to pick up an incoming vet at DEN. Transport him to BH therapy program. Sensitive. ASAP.
For a second, Gabe stared, his heart thudding. Instructions to pick up a vet at the airport and take him to the ranch.
He didn’t have all the Black Heart contacts in his phone yet, and he knew from the few days he spent in the office that some of the guys rotated devices. Carson had told him numbers were constantly changing with burner phones, but Gabe didn’t have them all memorized yet, since he’d only been in the office a few times before Carson placed him in charge of Felicity’s safety.
This was exactly the kind of directive he hoped to receive, showing that he was part of the team, not a guest who rolled in after a midnight drive.
Felicity came up behind him, slipping her arms around his waist. “What is it?”
Gabe turned, pulled her close and brushed his lips over her temple. “Text from one of the Black Heart Security team. I’m supposed to pick up a veteran and transport him to the ranch.”
“That’s really important. Do you want me to come with you?”
“No. It’s best if I meet him alone. But if you don’t mind packing up our stuff, I’ll be back for you before checkout.”
“Of course.” She gave him a look that he’d seen on his sister’s face a time or ten. A look of pride that made his chest tight. She went on tiptoe and kissed him. “I’ll handle things here. Be careful.”
“Always.” Part of him didn’t want to leave her, but he wanted this. To help the team. Wanted to help another vet begin his own healing journey too.
Within half an hour, he pulled into the airport parking. The place buzzed with chaos of people rushing with their rolling suitcases and the flat, mechanical voice over the intercom. Gabe had received a new message during the drive, and he glanced at it now.
Terminal East. Passenger pickup. No name given for privacy.
He texted back.How will he know where to find me?
Stand under the monitor with the arriving flights. I’ll let him know.
He located the closest monitor near the gate of arrivals, scanning the faces coming off the plane. He watched for a man carrying himself with a military bearing. Straight posture but possibly an injury like he often saw in the therapy program. He was confident he’d know the guy when he saw him.
Ten minutes passed. Then twenty. Then forty.
No one approached him. He scoured the area for any sign of a person who looked lost.
He thumbed out a quick message to the unknown number.
At pickup. ETA?
No response.
A slow tingle crept up his spine.
He waited another ten minutes before giving in to the itch under his skin. Pulling out his phone again, he hit Carson’s contact. The line rang twice.
“Gabe?” Carson’s voice came with a distracted undertone, as if he’d caught him mid-task. “Everything okay?”
“Yeah,” he said slowly, tugging at the brim of his ballcap. “Got a message from one of the team to pick up an incoming vet from the airport. Transport to the therapy program. I’m here, but…who am I picking up exactly? Nobody’s come through.”
A beat of silence.
Then Carson’s tone took on a dangerous edge. “What message?”
A cold brick settled in Gabe’s gut. “Unknown number. It sounds legit.”
“Read it to me,” Carson ordered.
