Page 122 of Three of a Kind

I chuckle, kissing her forehead. “I won’t keep you. Have fun with your toys. I love you, shortstack.”

“I will,” she declares. “Love you too!”

Avan is going to pay for his crimes, one way or another. He’s going to learn firsthand that when you abuse power, karma comes for your ass tenfold.

Chapter Thirty-Five

Maverick

Gunner and I give the dogs their commands, but it’s clear they’re pissed as fuck they aren’t coming. It’s like they pick up on the tension in the air and know we’re leaving them behind for something big.

I give Nova a pep talk to be extra vicious and slather both dogs with some extra love and attention.

They’re solid.

They know their roles.

Haze will scout and pace the bottom floor. If he gets even an inkling something is off, he’ll go investigate.

Nova will stick with Libby and Brooklyn. She’ll also herd them together if Haze alerts that something is wrong. She won’t leave their sides unless the danger comes to them. If it does, she can be every bit as dangerous as her partner.

It’s tough.

I trust the dogs a fuck of a lot more than most men I’ve worked with over the years, but leaving Libby and Brooklyn almost has me on the verge of an anxiety attack.

It’s unlikely anyone would even come to Bless’s townhouse. I’ll just feel better when it’s done, and we’re all reunited.

I don’t let Noble put Libby back on the floor. My hands fly out, tickling her sides, and Noble hands her to me.

“You leaving?” she asks, like she just picked up on the weird energy in the air.

“Yep, but I’ll be back by the time you wake up,” I assure her, hugging her to me.

“Okay!” She squeezes my neck, giving me a kiss on the cheek. It makes my chest all warm and fuzzy.

Avan Barrett is a fucking idiot, and he’s going to pay.

How could anyone even consider the shit he had planned?

Gunner comes over, so I hand Liberty off to him and stride over to Brooklyn.

She gives a tight smile, but it doesn’t fool me. Her emotions spill right through the bond and into me. Which, now that I think about it, might be why I’m so anxious when I’m always a rock before a mission.

She wraps her arms under mine, and I get my shit together, pulling her in for a hug as she stretches up on her tiptoes.

I meet her in the middle for a kiss that makes my heart pound so hard I can hear my heartbeat in my ears.

My tongue dances around hers, and I pump myself up to do the damn thing. It feels like the kiss goes on forever and my anticipation grows.

I pull back and say, “I love?—”

Her soft fingers land over my mouth. “Come back safely, and then you can tell me.”

My eyes widen as I study her face.

She shoves her emotions toward me in the bond, and it’s clear that she feels the same. It might not be full-blown love, but she cares about me a fucking lot.

She just needs us all to get back home safely.

---