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Warriors Surprise

Page 49

by Teresa Gabelman

Dawn stared at the door, then shook her head. Turning, she glanced at her bag, knowing she needed a shower and then bed. Taking two steps, she fell face-first onto the bed, deciding to shower after a short nap. Her mind drifted to a certain Warrior as sleep claimed her.

Kent’s smile and good-natured mood disappeared as soon as he shut the door. Heading toward Sloan’s office, he sent a text and waited for a reply. It came instantly. Picking up his steps he walked straight into Sloan’s office where Duncan sat behind Sloan’s desk.

“What’s up, Kent?” Duncan glanced up from his phone.

Kent walked up to the desk pulling out a folded sheet of paper. “I found this on Dawn’s car when I went back to get it from the restaurant. It was in a yellow envelope, not marked.” He laid the paper in front of Duncan. “I opened it.”

A skillfully hand-drawn ornate dagger with a long silver blade covered in intricate designs lay at an angle. The handle was black with gold detailing, and small white flowers with golden centers were scattered across the dagger, their thin stems winding around the blade. The background was almost black, with faint golden lines running through it. At the very tip of the dagger hung a single golden drop that looked like blood, except for its color.

Duncan’s brow furrowed as he continued to stare at the picture.

“Someone is warning Dawn that they know about what is going on. I believe that is a threat to her.” Kent frowned, looking at the picture.

Duncan glanced up at Kent. “How so?”

“Those flowers are baby’s breath,” Kent informed him, having looked the damn things up because he sure as hell hadn't known what they were. “Whoever left them knows what's going on with the Golden Blood, and they're making damn sure she knows it.”

Duncan frowned. “And the dagger?”

“It was left on Dawn’s car,” Kent replied, his expression hardening. “A dagger dripping with blood doesn't exactly scream friendly warning, Duncan. Golden or red, I don't give a shit. Someone's threatening her.”

Duncan studied him for a moment, then nodded. “Does she know?”

“No,” Kent replied, not the least bit sorry he'd opened something that could have been from that asshole Danny. The thought had crossed his mind when he'd found it, but honestly, he hadn't given a fuck. The envelope had seemed suspicious, especially since he'd been sent to keep an eye on Dawn and anyone who might be following her. So, as far as he was concerned, opening it had made perfect sense.

“Okay, let me run this by Sloan.” Duncan folded the paper back up. “Keep tabs on Dawn if she leaves the compound. She isn't to be unguarded until we know exactly what's going on. Lana showed Jinx how to run fingerprints while she’s out on leave. Do you still have the envelope?”

“Yeah.” Kent nodded. “I'll make sure Jinx gets it.”

“Good work, Kent,” Duncan said as he stood. “Let me get this to Jinx, and then I'll go talk to Sloan.”

Kent watched Duncan leave, his mind going back to the drawing. Whoever had left it knew something they shouldn't, and that pissed him off. What bothered him even more was that they'd left it on Dawn's car. He didn't believe in coincidences, especially when it came to threats. He'd been assigned to keep an eye on her, and obviously he'd missed something. That wasn't going to happen again. Whoever was behind this had made one hell of a mistake, because if there was one thing Kent took seriously, it was his responsibilities.

CHAPTER 20

Sloan stood staring over his son, his mind swirling with rage. Duncan had informed him about the picture that Kent had found on Dawn’s car. It was definitely a threat, not only to Dawn but all of them and he’d be damn sure nothing or no one touched his family.

“I’m so excited to be going home today,” Becky came out of the bathroom with a huge smile. “And Frankie is coming home tomorrow.”

Turning, Sloan smiled at her, which was forced because he was still in rage mode, but he didn’t want to concern her...yet.

“It will be good to see Frankie.” Sloan took her into his arms as they both looked down at their son. “We still haven’t named him.”

They had gone back and forth about a name since he’d been born. Sloan never thought something would mean so much to him, but it did. His son deserved a name fit for him and so far nothing had.

Becky reached down, picking him up, then handed him to Sloan. “Valor Bennett Murphy,” Becky said softly, watching Sloan cradle their son in his arms.

Sloan glanced up at her surprised. “That's a hell of a name, sweetheart.”

“Valor means courage,” Becky explained, reaching over to gently brush her finger across their son's tiny cheek. “And when I think of courage, I think of you, Sloan. Not just because you're a Warrior or because you've faced things most people couldn't imagine, but because of everything you do for the people you love. You never give up on them, no matter what.”

Sloan looked down at his son, swallowing hard before meeting her eyes again. “And Bennett?”

“It means blessed.” Becky's smile trembled slightly. “Because that's exactly what he is. A blessing neither of us thought we'd ever have. I wanted his name to mean something. Something about his daddy and how lucky we are to have you.”

Carefully pulling her into his arms without crushing their son, Sloan squeezed his eyes shut against the overwhelming emotions that came over him. How in the fuck did he get so lucky as to have this amazing woman come into his life? “I love you,” he whispered against the top of her head.

“And we love you.” She looked up and kissed him. “Now take us home.”