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“Huh?”
“How are you handling it? How’s preparation going for being a dad?”
Rick let out a sigh. “Bro, it’s intense. Like, every day I wonder if I’m going to be up for this? Am I going to be enough for this kid?”
“I hear you, bud. I felt the same way when Ali was pregnant with Junior. But I can tell you this. When that kid is born, and you’re holding her in your arms, everything will make sense. Seriously, it gives you a level of purpose you’ve never had before. It’s a commitment beyond being a SEAL; it’s next level. It’s like unlocking an even better version of yourself.”
“Mike, what if I don’t have that? My dad walked out on my mom and me. What if that shit’s genetic? What if I’m just like him?”
“Rick, you and I both know that’s not a thing. I regularly put my life in your hands. If there’s anything I know, it’s that you’re always going to be there for me. Your loyalty to that little girl is going to go above and beyond. And look, I know the idea of having a daughter can be pretty confronting for guys like us. But I know that once that kid’s in your arms, it’s not going to matter what sex the child is. You’re a good man, Rick, and you’re going to be a great father.”
“Thanks, brother, that means a hell of a lot coming from you. Be epic if we both had daughters.”
“Yeah, and I think that Ali and Jenny would love that too. Well, we’ll find out in the next couple of weeks,” said Mike. “In the meantime, we need to find those pups. Every day they’re missing, they’re more likely to be split up and sold off.”
“If Kane doesn’t turn up tonight, hopefully Jenny can get a lead out of her Mountie contact,” reassured Rick.
“Yeah, but hope isn’t something we rely on. Part of me wants to bag one of the shit heads from earlier and get him to talk.”
“Pretty sure TJ said to stay out of trouble,” said Rick.
“Yeah, I know.”
“You’d go to hell and back for Axe, wouldn’t you?” Rick reached across and ruffled the dog’s ears. He was sitting with his head on the center console.
“After all he’s done for us. Hell, yeah.”
“Well, if you decide we need to rendition one of these bastards. I’m in.”
“Thanks, brother. Let’s keep watching for a few more hours, and then we’ll bug out. If the girls don’t get anything tomorrow, we’ll run a snatch job as a backup plan.”
“Sounds good. Now, about those donuts.”
Chapter Sixteen
Rick fought back a yawn as he and Axe stepped off the porch of their Airbnb house to greet the girls. The previous night’s stakeout had been a waste of time, and they’d gotten to bed at three in the morning. Mike had volunteered to pick the ladies up from the airport, leaving Rick and Axe to get a little more rest.
“Hey, babe.” Rick hugged Jenny before greeting Maria and Ali.
Axe leaped through the car’s open door and into the trunk, where Saber was waiting to be released. The dogs barked manically until Mike lifted the trunk. They raced around the leaf-strewn lawn, jumping up on each other and barking with joy.
“That’s the happiest I’ve seen her,” said Ali.
“You made the right decision bringing her,” said Mike as he took the ladies’ bags from the car and placed them inside.
“We’re meeting with Joni at lunchtime,” said Jenny once they were all in the kitchen.
“Are we all going?” asked Rick as he poured cups of coffee.
“No, just the girls,” said Jenny.
“You boys look like you could do with some rest,” said Maria. “Did you want me to make you something to eat?”
Mike shook his head. “No, thanks, Maria. We’ll grab something in town. Where are you meeting Joni?”
“A cafe in Langford, not far from the RCMP headquarters. It’s about twenty minutes from here,” replied Jenny.
“Cool, we’ll find somewhere close by,” added Rick.
