Page 85 of Fighting Salvation

He had them running drills and getting up to speed. Jack had made it so the CIA believed the four men had died on the island with Hansen, and they were now officially Shadow Team members.

“Who’s ready to get this tournament started?”

Val laughed when he groaned. “Whose idea was this?”

“Yours, my darling husband.”

He wrapped his arm around her as they headed to the car which would take them out to his place where the Eidolon, Fortis, and Shadow rugby tournament would start. It had been Val’s idea back in SA for him to find a way back to something he loved, and although he grumbled he was happy to replace the bad memories with new ones.

“Don’t you use husband like a weapon against me, wife.”

He kissed her and she smiled against his lips. “Did it work?”

“Doesn’t it always?”

They stopped beside his car as the others drove away in different groups and he pushed her against the door. His cock thickened at the feel of her softness and he growled. “You know we could go back to the base seeing as nobody is home.”

She kissed him but shook her head. “No, we’re doing this and Shadow is going to kick everyone’s ass.”

“Who knew you were so viciously competitive?”

“I wouldn’t say that I am. I’m merely rooting for the home team.”

“I love you, mo chroí.”

“And I love you.”

“Good. Now let’s go kick some butt.”

The drive was short but he always relished any time he got to spend alone with his wife, her hand in his even as he drove.

“Are you excited to see your parents next week?”

Her parents had decided to fly over and stay with them for a few weeks, now that her father’s heart medication was sorted out, as it was close to Nix’s due date. He’d met them a few months back and after getting his ass handed to him by her mother, had faced a grilling from her father. He’d been left feeling like he’d survived an interrogation by professionals. Luckily he’d won them over. No thanks to Rafe, who’d been laughing at every second of his pain. Nix, however, had been on his side and put the big man in his place. She was good people.

After hearing their story, he knew it hadn’t been an easy journey for them. But then nobody he knew had an easy ride. Yet when he saw the love between the men and women on his team and their spouses, he knew it was special and perhaps it was their reward for the horrors they’d faced.

“Do you think Watchdog will play?”

He glanced across at her and saw the worry lines on her face. He took her hand and kissed her fingertips. “I don’t know, baby.”

He’d finally cornered Watchdog and had a long talk with him and found out what had happened during his attack. His heart ached for the battle his friend faced but what he did know was they’d all be there for him. The man who was the very heart of Shadow was broken in a way Bás didn’t know if he’d ever heal, not completely, and it had affected every member of this team. He knew his wife worried about Watchdog, Lotus, and Hurricane. Those members in particular faced very different battles and obstacles if they were to get their happy ever after. But if he, a man who’d allowed darkness and death to define him in so many ways, could find his, anything was possible.

They had a lot of rebuilding to do but they could do it without the threat of Project Cradle and Joel Hansen hanging over them. Every member of the project had been located and although some were dead, some had been found homes like the one Marni had, that was full of love. Others would require more in-depth care but Bishop’s wife Charlie and her sister had asked if they could set that up and run it. Jack had made that happen with two very royal patrons. It was strange for him to think that there were so many women out there in the world with his DNA, but he’d agreed that if they came looking, he’d see each and every one of them. He owed them that at the least.

He turned into his drive and laughed at all the banners and placards. The two goals were set up on the field they were using, and cars lined his drive.

Fortis and Eidolon were all there and changed into their team colours. Eidolon wore green and white, Fortis wore red and white, and Shadow, well, there was only one colour for them and that was black and grey.

He greeted Jack and Zack with a handshake and Val rushed off to greet some of the other wives who’d set up tables of food for after the match. The mood was high and a feeling of celebration filled the air. It had felt like a demon had been exorcised for many of them when Hansen had been killed. Today was the anniversary of his family’s death. With the adoption of what would have been his mother’s first official granddaughter, no matter who her father was, it felt like the right time.

This day would begin a new chapter for him, and thanks to his beautiful wife for loving him and believing in him and never giving up, he had a future. He liked to think that his mother had sent Valentina to him to save him, and although he knew how crazy it sounded, it felt right.

He changed inside and went to see his team, who were waiting on the side of the field. Sebastian and Gideon had joined them as had Santa, Brand, Hustle, and Sutton. Watchdog had changed. Bás wasn’t sure how he’d do but they’d take it one play at a time. The last member making up the fifteen-man team was Damon, Gideon’s brother.

“Valentina.”

He lifted his arm to call her over and she excused herself from speaking to Ava, Zack’s wife, and walked over to him.