Page 17 of Pieces of You

I chuckled quietly. “The best grill master, for sure.”

“Damn right.” He gave me a firm kiss. “You hear that, jarhead?”

Greer looked at him, chewing. “Shut the fuck up, airman.”

Colt smacked a kiss at him.

“Oh,” Archie exhaled and sat up straighter. He was looking at something behind me. “Lane—you’re here.”

I quickly glanced over my shoulder, and I let out a breath at the sight of Lane and Ty. It was the first time they’d ventured out here since the news had broken. From Macklin and Walker, we’d heard Lane couldn’t handle additional impressions when he was already overwhelmed.

Poor Lane. He was visibly exhausted and looked like he hadn’t slept in days. Judging by the size of the hoodie he was wearing, it belonged to Ty.

This had to be extra rough on them. They’d grown so close to the Tenleys. Hell, Shay and Lane were practically brothers.

“It’s so good to see you, Lane,” Tate expressed. “You too, Ty. Can I get you anything to drink?”

“We’re good, thanks.” Ty came off as fairly casual, but I could tell he had Lane on a short leash. He pressed a kiss to Lane’s temple before guiding him over here. “We’re not stayin’ long.” He stopped at another table and grabbed two lawn chairs to move them closer.

I noticed Ty had a takeout bag.

They sat down at the head of the table, and Kingsley placed a hand on top of Tate’s. Maybe a silent reminder to tread carefully.

Nobody said anything at first.

Lane didn’t appear to be present, and it was possible he was on anxiety medication.

Ty pulled out two takeout containers and two bottles of water.

“Remember what we agreed, darlin’?” he asked quietly, opening the lid. It appeared to be the steak salad they often bought on their way out here. “You’re gonna try’n eat while I talk to Colt.”

Lane nodded slightly and unwrapped the utensils. “Yessir. I’ll try.”

“That’s all I’m askin’.” Ty uncapped the water too, before clearing his throat and facing Colt. “Fischer heard back from Lindsey. He’s gonna reach out to you tomorrow. In the meantime, I’m gonna pore over satellite images.”

Colt nodded with a dip of his chin. “I’ll help you. We can set up shop at work first thing in the mornin’.”

My stomach twisted with unease, and I despised that the possibility of Shay being forced out of the country even existed.

“Is it really a big risk that they’ll smuggle Shay out?” I asked.

Colt and Greer exchanged a brief glance.

“We can’t rule it out,” Ty answered. “There is a small upside to that, though. If they go through the hassle of getting him out, it usually means they have plans for him.”

“How is that a comfort?” Tate grated out.

“It buys River and Reese time,” Colt said. “It means the kidnappers won’t, uh…”

“Kill Shay on sight,” Lane finished in a flat mumble.

I flinched.

Greer Finlay

I released a long breath and stretched out, and then I lifted the covers.

Maybe Archie was right. Maybe I needed some stress relief.