Chapter Three
Dale woke early.Healways did.
Years of deployments and early briefs had wired his internal clock to beat the sun.But this morning, he didn’t move immediately.Not yet.Ty’s arm was heavy over his stomach, his breath even and warm against Dale’s side.Oren was curled into Ty’s back, one hand resting across Ty’s hip like it belonged there.
Dale smiled into the half-light of dawn.He couldn’t help it.There was something so peaceful about the sight.He let himself enjoy it for a few long minutes, memorizing every detail—the tangle of limbs, the quiet, the safety.This was what he’d never dared dream about—connection.Something real.Something that could last.
Eventually, he slid out from under Ty’s arm and padded barefoot to the end of the bed, grabbing his jeans and black t-shirt from the floor.He dressed quietly in the half-dark, not wanting to wake the two men still wrapped in sleep and each other.Slipping out of the barracks with a final glance back, he made the short walk across the compound to his suite.It was quiet—too quiet—but familiar.He stripped off, took a quick shower, then changed into his standard training gear—black cargo pants and a tight-fit tee.After lacing his boots, he headed out toward the main building.
Marsh and Bateman stood near the edge of the courtyard, speaking in low tones.As he approached, they turned.Bateman looked unusually serious.
“You’re up early,” Marsh said.
“So are you,” Dale replied.“Something wrong?”
Marsh rubbed the back of his neck.“Could be nothing.But we’ve picked up drone traffic.Low-range stuff, not military grade.Someone’s running patterns near the Ridge.”
Dale’s expression sharpened.“Recon?”
“Feels like it.Like someone’s watching, logging comings and goings.”
“You thinking this has anything to do with Eli?”Dale asked, but Marsh was shaking his head before he’d even finished asking the question.
“No, the Colonel was the only person dumb enough to think he could take Eli from me.”Eli had escaped a violent, controlling relationship with Colonel Adrian White, fleeing New York to find sanctuary.Here at the Ridge, he not only rebuilt his life but the man he was always meant to be with.Marsh.
Bateman shook his head.“True.If Eli had enemies left, we dealt with them when we took down the Colonel.This doesn’t feel like that—it’s off somehow.Doesn’t have the weight or structure of a military op.And honestly, I don’t even know if it ties back to the Pathfinders.Lately, we’ve had a parade of federal alphabet agencies around the Ridge.Could be one of them, or something they’re stirring up.”
Marsh added, “And we’ve got no hits on local chatter, nothing in the usual dark channels.I’ve put out feelers.”
“Let me know what you find, or if there’s anything I can do to help,” Dale said.The hairs on his arms were prickling, tension winding between his shoulders.
Bateman crossed his arms.“And what about you?You okay?”
Dale looked at him, puzzled.“What do you mean?”
“I mean you’re not usually this ...quiet.You’re usually all swagger and sarcasm in the morning.You look like a man who didn’t just get lucky but caught feelings while he was at it.”
Dale didn’t smirk.Didn’t deflect.Just exhaled and shrugged.“It wasn’t quite like that, but maybe I did.Maybe it’s different this time.”
Marsh’s brows lifted.“Serious, huh?”
Dale nodded.“It could be.If we don’t fuck it up.”
Bateman clapped him on the shoulder.“Then don’t.”
