“You know I met my mate the other day.”
Flint nodded. “Gray told me. I understand she’s married. I’m sorry. That must have come as one hell of a blow.”
“It did. And, you see, my bear is ready to go hunt the man down and kill him, either that or find Aria and carry her off into the woods.”
“And you’re afraid to let your animal side close to the surface in case you get all furry?”
“Exactly.”
Flint rubbed at his temples, and then dropped his hand, his steely gaze pinning Nash in place.
“Look, Nash. I understand your predicament, I do. But I need to be confident that every man or woman on my team is not only pulling their weight, but that we all have each other’s backs.”
Nash nodded, but Flint wasn’t done.
“Our abilities set us apart from every other SWAT team in the FBI. They are what make us damn good at our jobs. If you can’t control your animal side, then you’re a danger to all of us.”
Flint paused to take a breath, but Nash kept his eyes averted.
“Kit will be all right. But it was lucky that asshole only had a knife. If he’d had a gun, we could be looking at a whole other scenario right now. And let me tell you something for nothing—I donotwant to have to contact the family of any member on my team to tell them their loved one is dead, you feel me?”
Nash nodded and finally raised his eyes. “Do you want to replace me on the team?”
“What? Fuck, no. But I do want you to take some time off—for your own sake as well as everyone else’s. You’re no good to me when you haven’t got your head in the game. We don’t rely on luck.”
“I’m going to go and talk to her,” Nash said. “I don’t know if it will accomplish anything, but maybe if my bear sees that she’s happy and cared for, it might stop being so agitated all the time.”
“Are you sure it’s a good idea to let your bear get that close to her? What if you can’t control him?”
“I have to at least try,” Nash said. “What’s the worst that can happen?”
Flint’s eyebrows disappeared into his hairline. “Do you really want me to answer that?”
“No, probably not.”
“That’s wise. Look, take tomorrow off. Talk to your mate then we’ll reassess the following day, okay?”
“I will. Thanks.”
Flint nodded. “Good luck.”
Chapter Two
Aria
Aria smiled as she watched her employer, Maya, smooth a hand over her stomach. The action looked to be unconscious and probably was, but it was significant to anyone in the know.
“When are you going to tell him?” she asked, nodding to Maya’s belly. There was a collection of four pregnancy tests that confirmed their suspicions. One might have been enough for most people, but Maya was nothing if not thorough. It made her a good boss—and a good friend.
Maya sighed dreamily. “As soon as I see him. I thought about calling him at work, but I figure this is something that should be done face to face.”
“Oh definitely. You don’t want to tell him over the phone. You need to see his face when you give him the news. Do you think he’ll be happy?”
Another sigh. “Knowing Cole, he’ll be elated—probably more so than me.”
“You’re not excited?”
“Oh, I am, it’s just that it’s happened so fast. I mean, we’ve only been together for six months. It just feels a little soon, you know? But it is what it is, I sup—”
