Chapter 11
“Can we talk?”
Spike stiffened. He’d been dreading this. But honestly, he’d been expecting Woody to want to have a chat with him before now.
Ever since he and Reese had gotten back from the cave, he hadn’t been able to keep his hands off her.
Every chance he got, he was touching her.
Putting his hand on the small of her back when they walked, holding her hand, sitting next to her at meals at the lodge with a hand on her knee…
he wasn’t surprised her brother wanted to have a word.
Sure, he’d said he was all right with them dating, but thinking about it and seeing the proof right in front of his face were two completely different things.
“Sure,” Spike said as breezily as he could.
“You want to take a walk?” Woody asked.
Spike nodded. “Table Rock?” he asked. It wasn’t a difficult walk and if his old friend was going to tell him he’d changed his mind and didn’t want him dating Reese, he’d definitely need the calm that the land could bring.
The two men walked leisurely toward the trail that led to the overlook. There was a large flat rock there, hence the name Table Rock.
“How’s your arm doing?” Spike asked.
“It’s good. We already would’ve been out of your hair except Tex says there’s been some action on the dark web about me, and Kansas City was mentioned. I’m not about to put Isabella or her brother in danger again.”
“You think it’s the cartel?”
Woody shrugged. “I’m not sure who else it would be.”
“Why do they care so much? I mean, no offense, but you aren’t exactly an HVT for them, and I can’t imagine Isabella is either,” Spike said.
“I agree.”
Spike considered not saying what he was thinking, but this was his friend. They’d saved each other’s lives more than once and they’d always been honest with each other while on the teams. It had been two weeks since they’d returned from Colombia…and it was time. “What about Angelo?”
Woody was silent for a moment, then he sighed. “Yeah, I’ve been thinking about that too. I know he told Isabella he was forced to work for the cartel…but what if he wasn’t?”
Even though he was the one who’d brought up the possibility that Angelo could be the reason for the intel on the dark web, Spike felt compelled to say, “He was locked in a room just like you and Isabella. If he was actively working with them, wouldn’t he have been with the other men down in that basement, involved in whatever plans they were making? ”
Woody nodded. “I desperately want to agree with you, but I’m just not sure right now. He’s been pretty moody since arriving in the States.”
“Maybe he’s feeling guilty about everything that happened,” Spike suggested.
“Maybe,” Woody agreed, but it was clear he wasn’t completely buying that excuse for Isabella’s brother.
It was frustrating as hell not to have any answers, but it had to be even worse for Woody. “I guess the big question now is, are you, Isabella, our guests and staff, and Angelo in any danger of the cartel coming here to finish whatever it was they were trying to do in the first place?”
“No.” Woody’s answer was immediate and heartfelt.
“You can’t know that,” Spike said carefully.
“I do know that,” Woody countered. They’d reached Table Rock and he turned to face Spike.
“Look, I know what I said when we first got here. I had many of the same concerns as you’re voicing right now.
I realize Angelo hasn’t exactly been friendly, but at a minimum, I’ll never believe he’d do anything that would put Isabella in danger, no matter what he was doing with the cartel.
Yes, getting involved in the drug trade at all puts them both in danger.
I can’t know for sure if Angelo fully realized the consequences.
What I do know is, those two have been through hell.
It’s been the two of them against the world since he was a kid.
I’m not saying he’s an angel, because he’s not, but there’s no way he’d tell a bunch of cartel members where she is so they could come here and harm her. ”
Spike wasn’t so sure, but he respected his friend’s difficult situation.
“And if it comes to it…I’ll take Isabella and Angelo away from here.”
“That’s not what I’m suggesting,” Spike said firmly.
“We’re more than able to protect everyone.
We’ve learned a lot since that asshole came after Alaska and the thing with Jasna.
As I told you before, we’ve got cameras on the road and placed strategically along the property line.
If anyone steps into our forest, we’ll know about it. ”
“This place is awesome,” Woody said.
Spike wasn’t thrilled with the change in topic, but he allowed it.
He was still confused about what exactly had happened in Colombia.
From Woody being kidnapped along with Isabella and Angelo, to the drugs, to finding the three of them unguarded in the house, to their almost too-easy escape, to not having any answers about anything, even two weeks later.
It was frustrating, but he was more than happy that no one had been seriously hurt.
And the connection he’d made with Reese was a dream come true.
“Yeah, it is,” Spike belatedly responded.
“I appreciate you and your friends letting us stay for a while.”
“Of course. When we started this place, we discussed it and decided that if any of our old teammates needed it, they were welcome here free of charge,” Spike told him.
“It’s needed,” Woody said quietly, as he stared out over the trees in the distance.
The view from Table Rock was amazing on a normal day.
But today, with the weather in the low seventies, with autumn quickly approaching, it was especially beautiful.
“This place, I mean. The things we saw and did…they can get overwhelming.”
Spike nodded.
The wind blew around them as if attempting to chase away the bad thoughts swirling in their brains.
Then Woody cleared his throat and turned to Spike. “So, the reason I wanted to speak to you is twofold. I told you a second ago that if it came down to the safety of you and everyone who lives and works here, that I’d leave with Isabella and Angelo…”
“Yeah?” Spike prompted when his friend paused.
“I’m going to take her back to Kansas City, once Tex tells me the interest online has died down.
” He held up his hand when Spike started to protest. “You’ve been more than generous.
And I want to go home. More importantly, I want to take Isabella home.
To my home. The Refuge is awesome, but it’s not mine. ”
“I understand,” Spike said.
“I’m gonna give Tex a few more weeks because the last thing I want to do is put Isabella in danger, but we can’t stay here forever.
I think the faster we get to Kansas City, the more comfortable Angelo will be.
He can find his feet. No offense, but there isn’t a lot for him to do here.
There aren’t people his own age that he can meet and jobs are pretty scarce. ”
“I’m sure if we asked around we might find him something temporary for the next month,” Spike suggested.
“I’ll have Isabella talk to him about that. But I really brought you out here to ask about something else. And I need you to be honest.”
Spike tensed. “Of course.”
“How much of a disruption would it be if Isabella and I got married at The Refuge?”
Spike stared at his friend for a beat, speechless, before grinning widely. “Not at all!” he exclaimed.
Woody rolled his eyes. “You’re such a guy. There are a million details that go into a wedding. I’m guessing Alaska, Henley, and your employees might think it’s a disruption.”
Spike shrugged. “I’m sure you’re right, but if you think anyone will mind regardless, you’re crazy.
And to be honest, we’ve had a few guests inquire about the same thing, but we haven’t felt comfortable saying yes as it wasn’t something we’d even thought about.
If you don’t mind it being a low-key thing, since The Refuge is a place for people to relax and I’m not sure a huge party would be appropriate, I’m sure it’ll be okay. ”
“All right, but you need to talk to your friends. Make sure it’s not an issue.
I mean, we could always go to the courthouse when we get home, but I wanted to give Isabella something to remember.
She’s worked her ass off for so long, I’d love to pamper her and make her feel special on our wedding day. ”
“I’m happy for you, Woody,” Spike said sincerely.
“It’s fast…” his friend said, his words trailing off.
Spike laughed. “Fast? Are you serious? You and Isabella hit it off years ago when we first met her. We all knew you two were meant to be.”
“All right, I’ll give you that, but we’ve only been together-together for a few weeks,” Woody protested.
“You love her?” Spike asked.
“So much it scares the shit out of me.”
“She love you?”
“Yes,” Woody said without any hesitation.
“Then who cares what everyone else thinks.”
“You’re right.”
“I know,” Spike said with a smirk.
“Should we talk about you and my sister now?” Woody asked with a gleam in his eye.
“I’m thinking no,” he retorted.
Woody got serious. “She seems…settled.”
“What does that mean?”
“Don’t get all protective on me. I’m just saying you guys are good for each other,” Woody clarified. “She’s probably gonna want to go back to Kansas City when I do,” he warned.
Spike stiffened.
“I expect you’ll convince her otherwise.”
“I’m going to try,” he said slowly.
“She’s already quit her job. She loves it here, everyone can tell. She’s gotten close to Alaska, Henley, and Jasna. And even to your other employees. There’s a sparkle in her eye that I haven’t seen in a long time.”
“You’re really all right with us being together?” Spike asked.
“Hell yes. If I can’t trust my sister with one of the people I’d trust to have my back when we’re surrounded by insurgents and minutes from running out of ammo, who the hell can I trust with her? You gonna hurt her?”
“No.”