“Oh, of course.” Garrett’s obvious sarcasm was thick. “Anything else you’d like to share? Like maybe a secret family or deep ties with the mob?”
Coulter couldn’t help but laugh. “No secret family. And I’m definitely not in the mob. Although, there was this one case a few years back.” He paused. “I mean, I could tell you about it, but then?—”
“You’d have to kill me?”
His lips curved higher. “Something like that.”
Garrett held his stare a beat longer before he finally grinned. “Okay, so my brother’s a spy, and my boss and tech analyst have known since . . .” The man’s expression dipped into a pondering frown. “Hold up. You said you knew Owens before I was put on the team.” A short pause and then, “Did you get me this job?”
“Your experience and record did that,” Coulter answered honestly. “I merely gave the guy your name. And before you get all huffy, I want you to really consider the kind of man Rafe Owens is. Then ask yourself if he’d offer someone a spot on a team like Tac-Ops—doing the kinds of things you guys do—if he wasn’t one-hundred percent confident in that person’s ability to do the job.”
Several long, tense seconds passed between them before his brother finally spoke up again.
“I really hate it when you’re right,” Garrett grumbled low, with more annoyance than anger filling his gaze.
And just like that, Coulter knew he and his brother were going to be okay.
“There’s one more thing.”
“Seriously? ’Cause I’ve had about all the surprises I can take for one day.”
“This one’s good. At least, I think you’ll think it’s good. I definitely think it is. Actually, I know?—”
“For the love of God, will you just spit it out already?”
“I’m in love with Alex Webb, and I’m fairly certain she feels the same way about me.”
If a pin had dropped, the sound would have been deafening in the midst of the sudden silence.
“I’m sorry, what?”
“It’s a long story, and it’s been kind of a whirlwind thing that’s been going on for a couple weeks, but yeah. Alex and I are . . . together.” Coulter rushed to add, “But I haven’t actually said the words to her yet, so if you could maybe keep that part to yourself for now, I’d really appreciate it.”
Garrett stared back at him dumbfounded. “Alex Webb?”
“Yes.”
“Avery’s sister.”
“Yes.”
“My sister-in-law.”
“Stillyes.”
His brother blinked as his eyes grew wide. “How . . .” Garrett started. “When did the two of you . . .”Garrett gave a quick shake of his head. “I thought Alex hated you.”
“I mean, hate’s a fairly strong word, don’t you think?”
“Dude, if you don’t start?—”
“I’m kidding; I’m kidding.” Coulter couldn’t help but smirk. “Not about Alex, though. She and I are the real deal. And before you ask, she already knows about the job.”
“You told your girlfriend before you told me?”
“Okay, for one, Alex and I have known each other for as long as you’ve known your wife, so it’s not like she’s some random woman I picked up at the bar. And two . . . she sort of stumbled into the middle of my latest op, so I didn’t really have much choice.”
For the next several minutes, Coulter went on to explain everything that went down in California. With Garrett’s top-secret clearance, he was able to speak freely without fear of prosecution for leaking classified information.
