Ryden hummed. “Somethin’ ain’t addin’ up. These guys are good at what they do. They’ve been operatin’ under the radar this long. They’ve worked special ops. Why send a couple of thugs to kidnap Joshua and maybe Jay, and why kill Gibson? Those are two very reckless decisions that draw public attention. Makes no sense.”
Jay sighed. “Maybe they’re desperate? Let’s face it. Joshua and I are easier targets.”
Ryden placed his hand on Jay’s shoulder. “That’s what they thought. I bet they weren’t expectin’ their hired goons to get their asses handed to them.”
Jay snickered. “Well, I don’t know about handing them their asses, but yeah, I guess so.”
King let out a heavy sigh. “Either way, it’s all guesswork, but I agree with Ryden. Their background experience contradicts this level of recklessness. These bastards are up to no good, and it has something to do with shipments, most likely illegal.”
“A shipment they need to get out fast,” Jay added.
Ryden ran through everything they knew. “With Gibson dead, the police are going to be investigatin’, which means lookin’ into everyone and everything connected with Gibson.”
“We should take a look around Gibson Global,” Joker said. “Discreetly.”
King nodded. “Take Chip, Jack, and Ryden. We’ll determine our next step after some reconnaissance. I’ll talk to Frank and get Joshua some protection.” He turned to meet Jay’s gaze. “Contract. Now.”
“But they probably weren’t even after me,” Jay argued.
“You’re on their radar, and that’s enough for me. Let’s go.”
Jay sighed and stood. He followed King out of the room. While Jack and Joker put together a plan for tonight, Ryden pulled Saint to one side. “Hey, man. Sorry, I didn’t call you last night.”
Saint gave him a knowing smile. “No problem. You were busy.”
Was Ryden blushing? His face was a little warm. He quickly shook himself out of it. As much as he and Saint talked about everything, he didn’t want to talk about Jay right now, especially not here. “How’s Val?”
“As good as can be considering the cast he has to wear. His mood is a whole other story. Let’s say that Kazi’s sunny disposition is being thoroughly tested.”
“Poor guy.” Not that Ryden was surprised. As the former fire chief, Val wasn’t about to let something as trivial as a broken arm stop him from running his tavern. He was probably driving his poor staff up the wall.
Saint grinned wickedly. “I’m kinda looking forward to seeing what happens when Mr. Sunshine and Rainbows finally pops.”
“You’re evil,” Ryden replied with a chuckle. “I like it.”
“I’ll take good care of him,” Saint promised, his expression soft.
The words were unexpected, and Ryden swallowed hard. “Uh, thanks. I know you will. Watch your six, yeah? These assholes are bound to reassess and regroup. You call me the instant somethin’ feels off, you hear?”
“You got it.” Saint lowered his voice. “And don’t think you’ve gotten away with not telling me about last night. But I get not wanting to be in the same building as Ace or Lucky when you tell me.”
Ryden snorted. “No shit.”
“But it’s good, yeah?”
The warmth that flooded through him should have been annoying, but it wasn’t. “Yeah, it’s good. At least, I think so. We haven’t talked about it.”
Saint nodded when Joker called out across the room.
“Get over here, Marine.”
Saint squeezed Ryden’s arm before leaving, and Ryden joined Jack and Joker to review tonight’s plan. It would be a simple recon mission: stay out of sight, gather intel, and let Jack do his thing. When they agreed about time and place, Ryden left the conference room. King’s door was closed, and Saint wasn’tout there, so he was probably with King going over the contract and his new assignment.
Ryden walked past Red’s office and then doubled back. What was Jay doing in there? Ryden slipped through the door and closed it behind him, the click making Jay jump. He spun around, a hand going to his chest.
“Is there a reason you’re trying to scare the life out of me?”
“Just wanted to check in on you. I know you’re not happy about havin’ a protective detail.”
