Liam grimaced and shrugged with one shoulder. “The last mission was a bloody mess. Victoria Station will be closed for the foreseeable future and that’s going to ruin transportation for those traveling in and out of London.”
“Quarantine still in effect?”
“It’ll lift in a couple of hours if no signs of Splice are found.”
“I hate to think the country is reverting back to the years where we all had to worry about a politically motivated attack by the Reborn IRA, but it seems we’re heading in that direction again,” Jasper said.
“Shame that organization won’t stay dead and buried in the history files.”
“I wish we could’ve recalled our old team,” Kyle said as he started opening cupboards in the kitchen. “Where is your beer? I don’t know why you Brits drink that stuff warm. It’s hot as fuck out today.”
“You were outside for what? All of a minute? You’ll live.” Liam gestured vaguely in the direction of the correct cupboard. “We keep some beer in the cupboard. If you want something lighter, it’ll be in the fridge. And I wouldn’t say no to your old Alpha Team, but it’s doubtful they’ll get cleared for recall. Chapman isn’t thrilled about partnering with the MDF for this mission, so a request was never sent through formal channels. I skirted the order because gran wanted you both to come to Ascot.”
Kyle peered over a cupboard door, his green eyes narrowing. “Why not? Bennett is our country’s target.”
“Politics.”
“It makes the world go round,” Jasper said with a disdainful sniff. “I’m sure an extradition request would be submitted immediately if we catch the bastard alive.”
“Or we could just deliver a body,” Kyle said.
Jamie shot his husband a fond, if exasperated, look. “No killing Bennett. We’ve talked about this.”
Kyle snorted his opinion on that before continuing to dig through the cupboard. “You talked.”
The kitchen was tight with four bodies trying to maneuver through it, but they made do. Once Kyle grabbed the beer, he carried it to the living room where they would catch up and promptly stayed out there to drink. Jasper had visited Liam a few times before in the cottage and knew where the crisps and other snacks were kept. Between Jasper and Jamie, they did up a charcuterie and cheese board in record time. Liam finished checking on the chicken before he went to join everyone in the living room.
Kyle handed Liam a beer before leaning against Jamie’s side. Liam watched how Jamie casually draped an arm over his shoulder, keeping his husband there with a possessiveness that had yet to fade in the years they’d been together. Liam had a feeling if he tried that with Oliver, he’d get a knife pricking his side in a threatening warning.
“I’m glad you could make it, I’m just sorry it’s under these circumstances,” Liam said.
“You know we have your six,” Jamie replied.
“Yeah,” Kyle said. “Jamie’s dad might not have been thrilled about us coming over here, but it’s not like we were ever going to skip seeing you, even if I think horses running around a track is boring.”
“It’s Ascot,” Jasper said.
Kyle lifted his beer to his mouth and arched an eyebrow. “Boring.”
“Since I don’t believe Ascot will go off cleanly, I made sure the both of you have been cleared for weapons. There will be a long gun in the Royal Box for you, Kyle,” Liam said.
Kyle perked up at that bit of information. “Excellent. Jamie wouldn’t let me bring a gun.”
Jamie rolled his eyes and took a sip of his own beer. “Technically, we didn’t come for a mission. Clearing us for weapons usage prior to our temporary recall wouldn’t have gone down well with the public before we departed.”
“The public didn’t have to know.”
“The public would’ve found out because the press is tenacious. You know that.”
“The media glare is a bit different when you’re living beneath a political title,” Liam said.
“Or a royal one,” Jasper added.
Liam tilted his bottle at his brother for a quick supportive toast. “It’s best if you give them the least amount of fodder to run with.”
Kyle made a face. “I know. It doesn’t mean I have to like it.”
“No one ever does.”
