“I get that, Logan.” He did his best to calm the man’s rapidly rising anger. “But you can’t let your?—”
“And that doesn’t even cover the countless times he helped our team back when we were still DEVGRU.” His teammate kept on as if Van hadn’t said a word. “I know you never cared for Webb’s style of leadership, but to stand here and accuse him of being the traitor and a cold-blooded killer when the real threat could very well be standing in that kitchen right this damn second…”
Logan let his words trail as he ran a hand over his scruff-covered jaw. The man was flat-out refusing to entertain even thepossibilitythat Webb was anything but squeaky clean.
It was understandable, given the guy’s history with Logan’s family. But as far as Van was concerned…
“I’m not saying he’s our guy, Hayes. Or that I think Kam’sas innocent as she claims. I’m just pointing out that we need to look at this thing from every possible angle. And the fact is, all of the intel we’ve been given so far has come directly from Webb.”
“Because that’s the intel that was given to him by his asset and other contacts.”
“So Webb says.”
Fire raged behind Logan’s hazel stare. “He didn’t do this, Van.”
“I hope that’s true.”
He honestly did. For all their sakes, but mostly Logan’s. The guy had kept Webb on an impossible pedestal for so long, Van knew it would devastate the former SEAL to discover his hero was no hero at all.
The two men became engaged in a battle of the wills, their gazes locked with one another’s as they both refused to be the first to look away. But then…
“Uh, guys?” Chase began to play the part of team mediator. “Listen, it’s been a long day for us all. And Webb’s already said he won’t be able to get into Seattle for at least a couple more. What do you say we table this conversation until tomorrow…after we’ve all had a good night’s sleep?”
Logan held Van’s gaze a moment longer before he turned his head and looked over at Chase. “You’re right. We all need sleep.”
“Sounds good to me, but…” Lucky tilted his head toward the house where the women were still talking inside. “What are we going to do about her?”
Van thought about his teammates and how they were all now happily married. Logan and Nat had a little boy to think of, and Scottie and Chase were expecting their first.
Each of his teammates had found their soulmates. They had families they’d do anything to protect.
If Kam really was their biggest threat—and deep down, he didn’t believe that to be the case—they needed to take hersomeplace where they could easily keep a close eye on her. And if she wasn’t the one behind the attempts on his and his teammates’ lives…
I need to keep her safe.
Before he could talk himself out of it, Van heard himself offering a blurted, “She can stay with me.”
Four sets of shocked expressions turned his way.
“I’m sorry.” Lucky chuckled, barely getting those first words out. “I must be more sleep deprived than I thought, because I could haveswornyou just volunteered to take our target home with you. To stay. Overnight.”
With a roll of his eyes, Van told his smartass friend, “Don’t be a dick. I only volunteered because you all have families to keep safe, and I don’t.”Not anymore.“And regardless of whether she’s the threat or a target like the rest of us, either way, it’s safer for all of you if Kam stays with me.”
Logan’s gaze swung back to his, the anger that had been there replaced with a look of appreciation. “He’s right.” A quick nod. “Nat and I have Garrison to think about now. And with Scottie being pregnant…”
They all looked to Chase, who appeared as grateful for the reprieve as Logan.
“So it’s settled.” Van sidestepped the small group of men and started for the door.
“Hold up.” Lucky rushed to catch up to him, putting a hand on Van’s bicep as a way of making him stop. “No offense, but I’ve been to your place. Where the heck is she going to sleep?”
It was true his home was far from big, but as a single guy living alone, it offered everything he needed. In regard to Kam and where she would sleep…
“I’ve got it covered.” He opened the door, stepping back inside the house. A blast of cool air from the AC slapped his skin before the toe of his boot had fully crossed the threshold.
Almost immediately, the conversation that had beentaking place ceased to exist, and the five women standing a few feet away all turned and looked in his direction.
“We’re leaving,” he told Kam briskly, more than ready to be done with this day.
