Mac raised an eyebrow.
Reynolds corrected himself. “Mac.”
Barnes smirked. “Still working on that, huh?”
Reynolds grinned.
Barnes drained the rest of her drink and nudged her girlfriend toward the dance area where Marcus was waving them over. “Don’t let the lieutenant start recruiting you into some weird Colorado survival club,” she said to Reynolds.
Reynolds watched her go. “Too late,” he said quietly.
Mac glanced at him.
Reynolds stepped closer so their conversation disappeared beneath the music and laughter. “For the record, I’ve been thinking about your offer.”
Mac waited.
Reynolds looked out over the land. “If the invitation still stands.”
Mac nodded once. “It does.”
Reynolds exhaled slowly. “Then I’m in.”
For a moment neither of them spoke. The decision settled between them with quiet certainty.
Then Reynolds glanced back toward the reception. “I still leave in a few weeks.”
“Valker.”
Reynolds nodded. “They’ve got a contract overseas. Eastern Europe.”
Mac tilted his head slightly. “Trouble?”
Reynolds scratched the back of his neck. “Let’s just say the Council is paying attention.”
Mac studied him. “You’ll handle it.”
Reynolds gave a crooked smile. “That’s the plan.”
Someone shouted Reynolds’ name from the dance area.
Lucero.
Apparently Diaz had attempted another spin and things had gone poorly.
Reynolds shook his head. “I should probably intervene before someone ends up in the emergency room.”
Mac clapped him lightly on the shoulder. “Try not to start an international incident before you leave.”
Reynolds grinned. “No promises.”
He headed back toward the lantern light.
A moment later Melvin appeared beside Mac. “You recruiting again?”
Mac took a slow sip from his glass. “Maybe.”
Melvin leaned comfortably against his shoulder and looked out across the property. “Our pack’s getting bigger.”
