None of the Malones bothered hiding their grins.
“I am nervous.” Pope shut the office door behind him.
Or course he was. His head was on the chopping block. He’d failed on his first and only mission—his test run—and his ward had been kidnapped on his watch.
He moved slowly toward the empty seat between Theo and Dutch. Colt glanced up from his phone as he passed behind him. In the corner where Willow previously sat taking notes or doing office administration, Ayla now took her place.
As he took a seat, Carson opened his mouth to speak, but the sudden violent noise of retching sounded.
Dutch shot to his feet, and so did Colt. They stared at each other for a beat.
“Willow.” Dutch took off for the door.
“It’s gotta be Aspen.” Colt bolted after him.
Theo rested his elbows on the table. “Is there a stomach flu going around the family?”
“Damn, I don’t want that shit. I leave today for Portland on a job.” Denver’s brows lowered in consternation.
“Relax.” Gray looked amused. “Willow and Aspen have buns in the oven.”
Everyone gaped at him.
“Morning sickness,” he explained, even though nobody needed it.
A grin split Carson’s face. “Damn, that’s good news. It feels like we should throw another party.”
The diversion from the meeting only lasted a beat before Carson recovered and directed his attention to Pope.
He slid a folder across the table toward him. “You passed everything.”
He frowned. “Passed what?”
“Evaluations. Tactical review from our team. All of it.” Carson’s statement was followed by silence.
Then realization struck Pope, and suddenly he felt like he just might deserve to breathe the same air as them.
Theo’s smile spread over his face. “You’re officially Black Heart Security.”
He stared at the folder for a second, afraid to touch it.
A year ago he’d barely been holding himself together. Baghdad destroyed his career and his confidence. The therapy program at the Black Heart started as something he endured because he didn’t know what else to do with himself.
Now he sat in a room full of friends who were handing him a future. He looked around at them all—men he felt he could call brothers.
His throat tightened enough that he had to clear it before speaking. “I won’t let you down.”
Carson snorted. “Yeah, we know.”
Light laughter moved through the room.
Denver gave him a nod. “You already proved yourself, Pope.”
His gaze drifted around the table again. “What’s next?”
Carson tipped his chin upward. “You sign that contract and get put in the rotation. Your next assignment could come in an hour or weeks.”
Tonight. A week. He didn’t have enough time to make sure Summer was all right. She might be safe, but he knew all too well how fear could eat a person from the inside out.
