When you worked for them, you became part of their extended family. Having spent the first twenty-eight years of his life as an only child, Boone was still adjusting to having so many people in his sphere. He didn’t mind it, just—there were a lot of them.
“I’m looking forward to watching Andi in action.” He’d met most of the O’Hallerans—the ones that weren’t away on an op—when they first invited him to join the organization.
Andi was married to Jonathan O’Halleran, one of the five brothers. He’d heard about her from some of the guys during his various deployments, long before he even knew OSI existed. She’d served in some of the most dangerous territories in the region and had a reputation for getting information from less-than-cooperative individuals, especially captured enemy combatants.
“Is she bringing the munchkins?” Lucas was Jonathan’s cousin, and family connections were important to all of the O’Hallerans.
“No, she’s dropping Ashling and Declan off at Jeffrey and Maya’s place,” Cole said. “I guess the kids love hanging out with their daughter and her pygmy goats.”
Eddie slapped his hand on the table and laughed. “I still can’t believe badass Jeffrey Burke has pygmy goats.”
Cole looked up from his paperwork and one eyebrow—the one with a scar cutting through it— lifted. “I wouldn’t let him know you were laughing about that, if I were you.”
“Shit. You’re probably right.” Eddie’s smile fell, and he dropped back against his chair. A very uncharacteristic move for a typically unflappable, chest-out kind of guy.
Burke was theextremelypowerful head of the NSA, National Security Agency, and not a man to be messed with. He was also close personal friends with the O’Hallerans. Beckett O’Halleran, the oldest sibling and founder of OSI, credited Burke with encouraging him to start the organization.
“We’ll see what Andi can get out of Al-Shamrami.” Cole pushed back from the table and stood. “Okay, we’re done here. Head to the range for some target practice, then finish with a timed run through the o-course. When you’re done with that, I want everyone to take a couple of days off. But—”
“Keep our cell phones handy,” they all said in unison.
One corner of their boss’s mouth lifted.
“Calliope and I are heading to the Turnbuckle for dinner later.” Lucas draped his arm over her shoulders. “Anyone want to join us?”
“Can’t tonight. Dulce’s folks have Carter for the whole night.” He tapped the edge of the file on the table. “So, I’m taking my beautiful wife out for a nice dinner.” Eddie openedhis mouth, and Cole quickly added, “At a place that isn’t wrestling-themed.”
“Well, I’m in.” Eddie seemed to have all kinds of free time lately. He’d been out to Boone’s ranch three times in the past week—even helped muck out the stalls and throw fresh hay down for the horses. Strange for a guy that usually spent most nights wrapped around a woman … or two.
Boone appreciated the help—he just wondered what was up with his friend.
“Let me check with Charlotte, and I’ll let you guys know.” Hawk slipped his phone from his pocket and walked out of the room.
“I just texted Marigold, and she’s in,” Viking said. “After we’re done here, I’ll dash home and pick her up, then we’ll meet you there.”
Lucas turned to him. “Boone?”
“Count me in.” He’d take Sassy out for an extra-long ride tomorrow.
His big brownish-red mare was officially named Sassafras, but she’d earned the nickname Sassy after trying to toss him off the first time he tried to mount her.
Once she learned she could trust him and that he was the boss of her, she settled down and became one of the best horses he owned—and he owned several. Though, aside from Sassy and Patience, the other horse he transported here to Virginia, the rest of them were still back at his folks’ place in Wyoming.
“Luna?” Calliope snuggled against Lucas’s side. “Can you join us?”
“Um, I have a few things to finish up here.” She gave Boone a sideways glance.
He lifted one eyebrow, silently challenging her to come up with an excuse not to go. And, dang if she didn’t surprise the hell out of him with her response.
She lifted her chin to look him straight in the eyes, drew her shoulders back, and said, “But, sure, I’d be happy to join you.” She gave him aso, therekind of look before turning to the others. “See you out at the o-course.”
He almost chuckled but didn’t want to risk her changing her mind.
She hugged her laptop to her chest, skirted around him, and walked out of the briefing room.
“Patience is a virtue, my man.” Lucas clapped him on the back, then he and Calliope followed Luna out.
Boone headed to the locker room to change. He’d enjoyed seeing the spark in those blue eyes of hers. Her being mad at him was better than her shutting him out completely. It told him he was making some progress on breaking through that stranglehold she kept on her emotions whenever he was around.
