Chapter 14
The early morning sun filtered through the curtains, waking Liam. He slightly smiled as he recalled the night before. They made love until the wee hours of the early morning. He couldn’t recall the last time he felt this relaxed. Turning, he sat up, surprised to find the bed empty.
Listening to see if Addy had woken up before him and gone to the kitchen, Liam didn’t hear anything. He found his boxers and slipped them on before going downstairs.
“Addy?” he called.
Silence met him. Concern hit him when he didn’t find her. Entering the kitchen, Liam smelled fresh coffee and glanced at the pot. A note lay beside it.
Liam,
I got called in to cover a shift. Help yourself to some coffee and anything in the fridge.
--Addy
Frowning, Liam took out a cup and poured himself a cup of the hot brew.
His gut churned with anxiety. The note showed no sign of the vivacious woman who slept with him the night before.
He didn’t picture the morning going this way.
Liam imagined them having breakfast and then driving into town to check on Zeus.
Washing out the pot and his cup, he cleaned up the rest of the kitchen. Heading upstairs, he gathered the rest of his clothing. He’d take a shower when he returned to the facility. As he reached the top, he noticed the door to the other bedroom slightly ajar.
Liam opened it and glanced inside, seeing a blanket on the couch and a picture beside it.
He picked it up to find an image of Sam and Addy.
The happy couple smiled at each other as Sam held her hand, showing off an engagement ring.
Knowing Addy’s perchance of keeping things neat and tidy, it surprised him to see the blanket in disarray and crumpled tissues on the side table.
Did Addy come in here last night after they made love?
He scanned the room, noticing the flag from Sam’s funeral sitting on the shelf in the middle of the wall.
Around it, Addyson made a mini shrine with pictures of her former husband with his team, group cook-outs, their wedding, and some from various trips.
Liam moved to the desk, noticing the male items and guessing they belonged to Sam.
Scratching his overgrown scruff, he felt a twinge of sudden regret.
Did he sleep with a woman who never got over her husband? It didn’t sit well with him.
Closing the door, he returned to her bedroom and put on his clothes. His gut lurched when he noticed the turned-down picture by the bed. He picked it up and stared at the photo of Sam and Addy on their wedding day. Sighing, Liam placed it upright and turned to leave. Sam died over two years ago.
Setting the new alarm, Liam recalled he never showed Addy how to use it. Maybe after he showered, he’d drop by the hospital and find out what time her shift ended.
Liam pulled out of the driveway and glanced back at the house. It reminded him of Addy. It appeared lonely and set back from the other homes. Yet when you went inside, it felt warm and cozy. Maybe she saw the resemblance, too.
Heading toward the facility, he parked the SUV and entered, using the security code.
“Hey, boys, it appears our newbie decided to make an appearance, and he’s wearing the same clothes he wore when he left with Addyson yesterday,” Patch’s voice came over the intercom.
Liam didn’t bother to respond as he flipped the bird at the camera, hearing Patch chuckle.
“Everyone’s in the kitchen if you haven’t eaten,” Patch said as the door buzzed open, letting him in.
Liam avoided the area, taking a right down the hallway to his assigned bunk.
Grabbing fresh clothes, he headed down to the showers.
As he entered, he heard one of them already running.
He put his stuff inside his locker, grabbed a towel, and walked to one of the empty stalls. Seeing Leo, he gave him a chin lift.
The leader returned the gesture, appearing out of sorts.
“How’s Addyson?” Leo asked. “The women planned to go over there this afternoon.”
“She’s a bit skittish. It’s expected after what she went through. We got her new furniture ordered, and the kitchen stuff replaced. The women won’t have to go far, she got called in to work today,” Liam informed him.
Leo’s brow lifted, and his eyes narrowed. “Careful. Liam. She’s one of ours. If you need an itch to scratch, go somewhere else. It’s a small town, and people talk. I won’t tolerate Addyson getting hurt.”
Not wanting to get on his new boss’ bad side, Liam nodded. “We’re friends. I think the lady has made her decision on the matter.”
“Let’s respect her boundaries. When Addyson arrived, she grieved for her husband. I’m not sure if she’s an introvert, but she keeps to herself. Despite the ladies inviting her to get-togethers, she prefers to work,” Leo informed him. “Tread carefully.”
“Will do,” Liam said, sticking his head under the hot water.
Images of his time with Addy the night before flashed in his mind.
His cock twitched as he recalled how their bodies fit together like two pieces of a puzzle.
Switching the water to cold, Liam hid his predicament from his boss.
Way to go, getting a boner in the shower with your boss three feet away.
“We’ll have a meeting after breakfast. Everyone’s eating now. I know I gave you a few days off, but if you want to sit in on the morning run-down, you’re welcome to join us,” Leo said, shutting off his water and wrapping a towel around his waist.
“Thanks. I’ll be there soon,” he replied as Leo went into the locker room. Something troubled him, as evidenced by the way his shoulders slumped, and the ordinarily positive man seemed quiet and pensive.
Hurrying to finish, Liam made a mental note to ask Cole if he knew what troubled Leo. Between the leader’s warning about Addyson and his new position, he didn’t want to step on any toes.
Entering the kitchen, he took the empty chair.
Shadow poured coffee for those who needed it.
Sparky stroked Ice, her service dog. Whiskey’s dog, Hope, sat on her bed in the corner next to him.
Saint and Knight leaned close to one another, speaking in low tones.
Shadow and Taco sorted the latest intel, while Bear marked the latest maps.
Cole entered with Brody at his side. Upon his hand signal, the German Shepard lay down beside him. Liam smiled, excited about working with the K-9 unit. He and Cole got along great. Apollo, his new K-9 partner, picked up commands like a pro. He couldn’t wait to work with him at the end of the week.
“All right, let’s settle down,” Leo said tiredly.
“We have the logs sent by Colonial Rutherford. According to the records, Sergeant Ford, Cole’s former boss, had access to the team’s schedule.
He knew what dogs went with each team. As far as anyone knows, we’re private contractors coming in to advise them on a malfunction with one of their weapons.
In every single ‘raid,’ the rebels tend to grab them first. With us there to repair the weapons, whoever’s supplying them will have to move carefully.
They can’t afford to piss off the rebels, but the weapon count must be accurate to keep from raising the alarm. ”
“When will we spin up?” Knight asked. “They scheduled Gabby’s ultrasound for next week.”
“Whiskey’s getting all of our paperwork in order. The contract must be signed off in D.C. It’ll be at least a few more weeks,” Leo assured him.
“How long do you expect us to stay there?” Knight asked.
Leo sighed. “Listen, I know both of you have wives expecting. As everyone knows, I do, too. I’m hoping if we do the groundwork here, whoever’s aiding the rebels will fuck up as soon as the numbers don’t add up. Sergeant Ford’s our prime suspect, but we can’t rule anyone out.”
Patch rubbed his head in frustration. “We know you’re worried about Catherine, boss. You’ll get us home asap. We’ll follow you wherever you go, but we’re hoping it won’t take us long to catch the traitor.”
“I agree. My wife has already threatened to unman me for getting her pregnant. I don’t need to add fuel to the fire by missing the birth.” Leo rubbed his eyes. The tension he felt showed in the deep lines around his eyes, and his posture stiffened as he spoke about his wife.
“Bear marked the latest attacks, the teams with K-9’s, and the ones without.
Everyone needs to familiarize themselves with the different teams. Sparky will tell us about the rebels in the area and who we must watch out for.
We’re not there to act as SEALs. We’re investigating, and if any of you decide to act like heroes and get us stuck over there, you’ll be on latrine duty for six months. ”
Leo turned to Cole. “I want you to spend some time with Shadow, Taco, and Saint. Taco will be here later. Tess fell in the community center, and Doc wants to run a CT scan.” The men grew restless as Leo held his hands up.
“Hold on to your panties. She’s fine. Tess landed on her back, and it’s a precautionary measure. ”
Relief showed in the team’s faces.
Leo continued. “Cole, I want you to review the files for all the K-9 staff you worked with. Add anything missing or any facts you think we need to know about each one.”
“Will do,” Cole affirmed.
“Liam will join us at the end of the week. We’ll expect him on Thursday for PT. On another note, Sparky has some news she wants to share with us.”
The red-haired woman smiled. “My friend, Rocker, has decided to accept a position here. We’re expecting him as soon as he wraps things up. Leo has given me permission to share the news with you, since he worked with the team when you saved me. If you approve, he can start right away.”
“Hell, yeah.” Shadow gave his stamp of approval.
“He’ll make a great addition to the team,” Saint added.
“I’m sorry to hear about his divorce, but I agree. He has my vote,” Knight said, sipping his coffee.
“What did I miss?” Taco said, coming into the kitchen, grabbing a plate of scrambled eggs, bacon, and a piece of cold toast.