Page 44 of Midnight Escape

“Is this a standing story or should we sit because it’ll take long? Remember my brother and I were woken from sleep, so it better be worth it.”

He slowly ran a hand down his face. “If Moira’s safe, then you should sit down.”

“Christ,” AJ said in a voice that told him AJ wanted more trouble like a hole in his head. “All right. Stone, I’m guessing you’re tracking her with one of our devices?”

That emphasis on the device owner didn’t go unnoticed. He might just get more than a palm slap. Fine, as long as he could still watch her. The urgency to do so grew in him. He could be overreacting, but it wasn’t worth taking the chance.

“She’s at a safe address Franks provided.”

He could’ve fallen to the floor with the level of relief that shot out of him. She was at Laura and Luke’s—that was the only other address besides his own that he’d provided. He wanted to kick himself. He should’ve checked there, even if it meant waking them.

“Good. Get your ass in here, Franks.” Someone cut the call before he could ask AJ a question.

At record speed, he changed into his black cargo pants and T-shirt and took his gear to the truck, all the while wanting to rush over to Moira. Considering how little attention he paid to the speed limits, not getting a ticket told him that was a good sign for his cause.

He’d hoped the tremor he had would’ve subsided, but it hadn’t. It probably wouldn’t until he held Moira close and knew she was safe.

After arriving, Danny, Devon, and AJ walked into what was called their HQ kitchen. Instead of those little appliances and only a microwave in most places, this had been made into a full kitchen, gas burners and all.

Devon walked to the coffee pot and made sure it had plenty of water for each single brew. After he finished at the sink, AJ leaned over the basin and splashed water on his face.

Danny hoped they wouldn’t be too pissed at him for taking and using that tracker, considering it was against agency policy. Plus, he had another he’d recently installed in a pair of her shoes. It’d taken a cobbler to help with that task, but it was done.

After each of them brewed a cup of coffee, they sat at a round table with chairs between them. “Spill,” Devon demanded after a sip of coffee and a moan of satisfaction.

Danny’s hands around his cup became the focus of his gaze. He shouldn’t be nervous, but he was, and that outright pissed him off, giving him what he’d need to fight if necessary.

Looking up, he wasn’t sure which brother to look at, so he decided go back and forth between them. Wondering which brother to start with told him he was procrastinating.

“It’s my roommate.”

He felt a presence behind him, and it took all his will to not turn from the brothers. Maybe the other brothers had awakened?

Danny watched the changing expressions on Devon’s and AJ’s faces. They went from surprise to a gleam in their eyes. That seemed odd. He had to see who was behind him, even if it meant giving Devon and AJ his back. AJ typing on his phone seemed strange too, but who was he to judge.

He turned and had never seen a better sight. Such appreciation for the support nearly made his eyes water again. This was no time for emotions. Behind him stood the rest of his team, including their leader—Ken Patrick. Danny had been running the team in his boss’s absence, but he was a poor substitute. The special ops guys could handle so much more than his DEA ass.

He surged to his feet to greet them. How had they known?Stone.He shifted his gaze to the man and saw a sly smile on his lips. He must’ve put the word out something was off since Danny had been called in with a possible op.

Stone split off and handed Devon a laptop. The man couldn’t exist without one. In no time, he had it booted and ready.

“May as well have a seat where you can.” The resignation bled into AJ’s voice. Danny expected he’d preferred to be snuggled up to his wife, Megan.

Ken stood beside Danny. “Whatever’s happened, I ordered it.”

The Hamilton brothers rolled their eyes. “Of course you did.” Sarcasm laced Devon’s voice.

The one bit of advice Ken had given him for leading the team was to always take responsibility, no matter the situation. Oh, and to bring everyone home. Preferably alive.

Cowboy walked to the coffee pot, and while his cup brewed, he waved his hand. “Don’t wait for me. Keep this little doggy going.”

Some of his team hadn’t learned office etiquette and he’d say Cowboy was one, but his friend tended to color outside the lines anywhere he could.

This time Devon’s lip quirked at Cowboy, so Danny released a breath that things hadn’t started off on the wrong foot. When Ken pulled a chair up beside him and gave a brief nod, Danny sat straighter, knowing his boss really did have his back. Ken had been the rock for the teams. While he liked Grits—Bravo team’s leader—he preferred Boss.

Stone had made the right call because having his team learn at the same time kept him from repeating the problem.

“Okay,” AJ said, looking like he’d sat taller in his seat with the team here. “Franks, what’s going on? You said your roommate. What does she have to do with this besides the fact that you’ve turned into a stalker?”

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