Nate wasn’t wrong. As a former Pararescueman and Bravo Team’s medic, Matt was as badass as they came. He was also a total smartass who always seemed to have some sort of quippy comment ready and waiting.
He now also knew his team leader was a damn liar.
On a major time crunch, Gabe nodded. “I’m married. So what? It’s really not a big deal.”
“Oh, it’ssucha big deal.” Matt stared back at him.
Gabe gave him a look that said they’d sort their shit out later.
“Turner’s right, Dawson.” Nate gave Gabe a pointed look. “How is it this never came up in conversation?”
“Seriously, man,” Zade agreed. “I mean, we’ve had how many weddings between the four of us so far? Notoncehave you ever mentioned having a wife of your own.”
“Because we’re not together anymore,” Gabe bit out harshly. Pulling his hands free from his pockets, he ran one over his scruff-covered jaw and blew out a breath. “Look, I get that you guys are probably pissed that I didn’t tell you about Elle before now, but we can hash that shit out later. Right now, I need you to focus on the possible threat to her, and I need to get my ass to San Diego.”
“He’s right,” Jake spoke up. Standing between the edge of the couch and the recliner Zade was in, their boss rested his hands on his hips and addressed the entire group. “We all know what kind of man Adrian Walker is, and what he’s capable of.”
“He’s a fucking traitor,” Matt spit out the words, his focus now off of Gabe’s previous deception and onto the man in question.
“And kidnapper,” Nate added angrily.
Zade’s expression hardened. “Don’t forget cold-blooded murderer.”
Each of the three men had a personal connection to the former Marine. Matt and Walker had been working on the same Fleet Anti-terrorism Security Team—or FAST—when Walker vanished. After a lengthy search, the military assumed he’d gone AWOL. It wasn’t until later that they discovered the bastard had actually switched sides.
Working for the highest bidder, Walker had played an intricate part in the kidnapping of Gracie, R.I.S.C.’s office manager and Nate’s wife.
The fucker had shot Nate before handing Gracie over to a bastard who’d nearly killed her. A few months later, Walker showed up again when he kidnapped Matt’s wife, Katherine, and shot Zade and left him for dead.
Thankfully both of Gabe’s men pulled through, and with the help of a kick-ass Delta team, Bravo was able to bring both women back home safely.
Now the fucker was back and this time his woman was the one being threatened.
You keep forgetting she’s not yours, Dawson. Not anymore.
“Adrian Walker is all of those things and more.” Jake’s voice drew Gabe’s attention back to the topic at hand. “Most importantly, the man is smart. He doesn’t do anything without purpose, which means we have to assume what he said about Dawson’s wife is true.”
Nausea filled Gabe’s gut for what felt like the millionth time since Walker had mentioned Ellena’s name. “Ellena and I…” He started to explain but stopped to swallow down the knot of regret filling his throat. “We’ve been separated three years, and our divorce will be finalized soon.” The thought clawed its way into his broken heart. “But she’s still—”
“Important,” Zade finished for him. The man gave him a knowing glance. “We get it, Gabe.”
“We all do,” Nate chimed in.
Looking around at the other men in the room, Gabe realized his teammates were right. At one time or another, every single man staring back at him had lived with the woman they loved being threatened.
And every single one of them was willing to die to protect the ones they loved.
Just like me.
His and Ellena’s future may have been destroyed long before now, but he’d still fight death itself if that’s what it took to keep her safe.
“Just tell us what you need, Gabe.” Matt looked back at him solemnly. “We’ve got your back. No matter what.”
“We all do,” Jake assured him.
A new lump formed in his throat, but Gabe swallowed it down and schooled his expression. Emotions had no place in this room. Not now.
Ellena was lying in a hospital bed this very minute, and the faster they came up with a plan of action, the faster he’d be by her side.
