Chapter 46
Chapter Forty-Six
SIERRA
It’s been a heck of a day. Now this. Whew.
I haven’t felt nervous about the idea of working with Agile until we settle into the couches in the big library in the Strong family house.
With all eyes on me, I suddenly feel the pressure.
“Nice party,” says Marshall as he swirls his hot cider around in his mug.
Simona curls herself up like a little kid in an end chair. “Do you guys have this many people over to eat every Sunday?”
Cole nods. “Pretty much. It’s a bit like Grand Central Station.”
Simona shakes her head and snorts. “Your mother’s a saint. I wouldn’t want that job if you paid me a million dollars.”
“Not the family type?” Roark asks Simona as he stretches back onto the couch, hooking his arm over the back.
“Hell, no. Give me guns any day over oven mitts and dirty dishes.”
I laugh because I can cook. But it’s not my jam. “You do have a point. I’m better in planes.”
Marshall sits his glass aside. “Speaking of which, Sierra, have you decided about joining our team as our pilot?”
I nod as butterflies dance inside of my stomach. “I have. And my answer is yes.”
He smiles and clasps his hands together. “Good. I’m sorry about your medical discharge, but I’m stoked to have our own pilot.”
I let out a long breath. “Yeah, I was lucky to pass the pilot’s medical exam.”
Cole wraps his arm around my shoulder. “I’m glad you’re done. Now you can travel with us.”
Simona groans and makes a face. “You guys are sappy. ”
“You’re just jealous.” Roark tugs her braid as he laughs.
She falls quiet after giving him an evil eye.
I change the conversation. “So, fill us in on the updates from the ATF.”
Marshall nods. “Alan Hilton and his right-hand man are in lockup, charged with drug trafficking, second degree murder, and kidnapping. I think they’re going to go down hard.
The plant, his name is Agent Hoffman, was on the inside of their operation for six months.
He has tons of intel. He was holding out to try to land one of their big connections, but when they captured Bryan, then grabbed you, he knew he had to act, or both of you would die.
He left Bryan’s cage open and purposefully cut back on the drugs they were putting in Bryan’s food.
He was trying to grab the other contact at a meeting that week before he called in a full raid.
He was hoping you two could escape and the meeting would still take place. ”
Cole growls. “I’m glad he was trying to get you two out, but it was too fucking close.”
“Yeah. I agree,” Marshall says as he crosses his legs, “so, with that wrapped up tight, we’re gearing up to take on some jobs.
Some big things are in the works. Which is the other news I have for you.
Do you guys know Scotch? The doctor that works with Cole’s brother and sister-in-law at the Eden Clinic? ”
Simona scoffs. Her gaze turns furious. “Please tell me you’re not—”
Marshall cuts her off with a glare. “Bringing him on the team.”
“We’ve got a medic.” She motions sharply toward Cole.
Marshall’s jaw hardens. The tension sizzles between the two of them for a few seconds.
Cole raises his hands. “I’m a medic, not a field surgeon. If you’re doing volatile extractions, hell, even the one we just did, a field surgeon would be great to have along. Especially if he’s already been in the rescue business.”
“Back to my point, I disagree.” Simona crosses her arms. “Don’t you think that the team is big enough already? The more cooks in the kitchen and all that. Whatever your American saying is.”
Roark leans in, resting his elbows on his knees. “Especially when we go into foreign lands, I want someone along who can patch me up if I take a knife to the gut.”
I scrunch my face. “Eew. That’s awful.”
“Okay, so maybe we do need a doctor.” She huffs. “But not him.”
Marshall raises a brow. “What do you have against Scotch?”
The room crackles. Simona’s eyes turn fierce. “The man’s a cocky asshole?”
A deep laugh from behind startles me. When I turn, a stranger is leaning against the door.
The man’s pressed blue dress shirt covers a set of square shoulders that nearly fills the doorway.
His arms are crossed, showing the tattoos that extend to his wrists below his cuffed up sleeves.
His eyes are lit with humor. “I’ve been called much worse, doll. Is that all you’ve got?”
Marshall motions him forward. “Come on in, Scotch.”
Scotch strolls in and drops onto the arm of the sofa. “Sorry I was late, I was taking a call down in the valley. One of the hospital’s E.R. docs is having a baby.”
Marshall tips his chin at the man. “No problem. I just thought since we were all getting together today, we might share some holiday cheer and give you a chance to meet everyone.”
Cole passes Scotch a glass of spiced rum. He grins appreciatively. “I could use that after the day I’ve had. I swear I treated more cases of heartburn than an Emergency Room sees in a year. Anyway, who knows? Maybe I won’t be such a cocky asshole after a drink.”
He winks at Simona.
She returns a scowl that could melt steel.
He stops with his cup halfway to his mouth. “Still mad at me from that day at the clinic?”
Her face flashes red. “See! That’s what I mean. Isn’t that patient-doctor privilege or something like that?”
Scotch turns up his drink. When he sets it down on his thigh, his eyes are challenging, but his laugh is deep and genuine. “I’m sure you told everyone already that I wouldn’t let you walk out of the clinic without stitches, didn’t you? I can’t see you holding back when you’re mad.”
For a few tense beats, she stares at him. Marshall clears his throat.
“Okay, maybe,” she finally admits.
He sips off of his spiced rum again. Speaking around his grin, he says, “So, what’s up with Agile Security and Rescue these days?”
Marshall’s face changes and the man who loves a challenge is showing through. “Things are starting to heat up. I’m talking to some potential clients about security and special jobs. Scotch, are you hanging up your hat at the clinic all together?”
Scotch lifts a shoulder. “When I’m in town, I’ll probably cover some shifts, but I’ve got a craving for some adrenaline. It’s been too long.”
Cole chuckles. “Yeah, I feel ya. I wasn’t cut out for laying around.”
“I guess we’re all birds of a feather,” I murmur.
Scotch rubs his hands together and looks around at the team. “So when do we go?”
Marshall laughs appreciatively. “As soon as we get the call.”