Page 98 of Talk Wicked to Me

“Don’t give me that bullshit. You went with them. You were there.”

“I was watching over them,” he said gruffly. “I didn’t give a shit what they were doing. They giggled like fools, and I wore a circular path around them in the woods, about twenty feet out. Why are you bringing this shit up now?”

Fuck. “No reason. We were talking about it the other night, that’s all.”

He turned to walk away, but Tank grabbed his arm, stopping him, and dragged him away from the group.

“What the fuck’s going on with you?” Tank demanded.

“I’ve just got shit on my mind.”

“Yeah, I know. You look like you’re ready to kill someone. Something happen with Em?”

“No. She’s great, Brennan’s great, and I’m going to fucking Indonesia because we don’t break promises.”

“Is that what you want to talk to Con about?”

Baz crossed his arms, nodding curtly.

Tank pulled his phone from his pocket and thumbed something out. “Let’s go.”

“Where?” He followed Tank out of the main room, through the kitchen, and out the back door. “What the hell are we doing out here?”

“Talking to me without commentary from the guys.”

Baz spun around at his father’s voice. “How the hell…?” He looked between his brother and father and wondered what other tricks he wasn’t privy to.

“What’s going on, B?” his father asked.

“He’s all twisted up about his trip,” Tank offered.

Baz glowered at him. “Do you mind?”

Tank’s eyes remained trained on their father. “He’s stuck in a tug-of-war between his promises and his heart.”

“Jesus. Do I even need to be here?” Baz snapped. “Why are you even in this conversation?”

“Because he’s been through it,” their father said. “I’ll tell you the same thing I told Tank. You’re an adult. You can make your own decisions.”

Baz shook his head. “It’s not that easy.”

“Because you made a promise to an organization?” their father asked.

“Because he made a promise. Period,” Tank gritted out.

“Tank—”

Baz cut his father off. “I made a promise to the organization and to an old friend, but even if it was just to the organization, how am I supposed to turn my back on them? That’s not who I am.”

“No, son, you’re right. It’s not.”

Baz paced. “But I’m also not the guy who leaves his girl behind.”

“Not that you have much experience with that,” their father said. “But no, I wouldn’t imagine you’re that guy, either.”

“Did you promise your girl you weren’t leaving?” Tank asked.

“No. I’ve been up front since day one. But still. Could you leave Leah and the kids for four months?”