Nick stared out the front window when a large SUV pulled up, parking on an angle off to one side. He kissed Sloane, then crossed the room, stepping out onto the porch.
Wade Stone climbed out of the vehicle, a heavy-duty tactical cane clenched in one hand. He took a breath, then made his way up the driveway, jaw set as he navigated the uneven ground.
Nick crossed his arms, smiled. “You’re getting faster, Stone.”
Wade picked up his pace a bit. “Fast enough, I’ll be kicking your spook-ass at the gym next month.”
“That’s former-spook ass.”
“So you say. Yet, your first assignment has CIA stench all over it.”
“Occupational hazard.”
Nick held the door, the rest of the team razzing Wade as soon as he walked in. They fell into an easy rhythm, helping Nick move a few of the heavier items, as the light faded into night. They’d been at it for about two hours when a knock sounded on the door. Controlled. Firm. Anything but casual.
Nick arched a brow at Sloane as he ambled over, opened it. Tierney stood on the porch, hands shoved into her jeans. Her hair was noticeably down, and instead of her usual hiking and tactical gear, she sported a soft, cotton hoodie.
Nick waved her in. “You didn’t have to knock. We thought you’d decided not to come.”
Tierney stepped into the open foyer, gaze making the rounds — windows, doors, then back, again. She offered him a guarded smile. “I just finished a three-day trip. Had to wash the trail off me before…”
Buck walked over, stood close but without crossing that line into her personal space. She smiled at him, features softening before she grabbed a brown bag out of her backpack.
She took a breath, then headed for Sloane, the bag clenched in one hand as if she planned on using it as a weapon. She held it out once she’d stopped in front of Sloane.
Sloane accepted it, removed a bottle of Irish whiskey from inside. “Redbreast. Tierney, I… This is incredibly kind.”
Tierney simply shrugged as she motioned to Nick. “For the next time you have to stitch him up.” Her voice sounded dry, but the harsh edge had faded, replaced with something softer. Genuine.
Nick scoffed. “I wasn’t the only one who needed stitches.”
Tierney grinned. “Then, it’s a good thing that shit’s strong.”
The conversation picked back up, Foster’s team arriving after their shift. The house rocked, music playing over some Bluetooth speakers, food laid out along the counter. The kind of gathering Nick had never really enjoyed but couldn’t imagine not being a part of.
Bodie hooked his elbow a few hours later and motioned to the deck. They went out the sliding door, the inbound storm still building on the horizon, as if waiting for the perfect moment to roll ashore.
Bodie gazed out at the water, most of the tension Nick had likely caused his buddy, gone. “I have to hand it to you, Nick, when you commit, you go all-in. This place is amazing.”
Nick settled in beside him, bracing his arms on the railing. “Not quite as fortified as your place, but it feels right. And Sloane loves it…”
Bodie glanced at the glass balcony.
Nick laughed. “She loves most of it. And the wood should be here within a week.”
“Just say the word, brother. We’ll have that tactical nightmare ripped out in under an hour.” He rapped his knuckles on the railing, looking more than a bit anxious.
“Whatever you wanted to say in private, just spit it out.”
Bodie scrubbed his hand down his face. “I’m still unsure if you’re refreshing or annoying, but… I have a buddy in the U.S. Attorney’s office in DC. He just heard that they denied Hill’s deal. The bastard’s going to Leavenworth. Will likely die inside.”
Nick nodded, feeling somewhat hollow at the news. “That’s a great start…”
Bodie sighed. “But there’s always a latent threat.”
“At least, she’s got a team behind her now. That’s more than Hill can say.”
“We’ve got your back, just try not to piss off any other Deputy Directors.”
