Page 95 of The Marine

“Of course we do. It’s my wedding day tomorrow.” Ryder lowers his tablet and sighs. “What’s happened?”

“Actually, it sort of involves your wedding.” I tell him.

“The fuck it does.” He growls and glances back and forth between Josh and me, then pushes his chair back. “No. Whatever you’re thinking, no. Savannah has been through enough. I’m not doing this to her.”

A sense of guilt hits me.

Neither of them deserves this, but I need to stop taking responsibility for stuff that’s not my fault. I didn’t bring Kael into our lives. It was my sense of mistrust that had us find out about who he was.

It’s true, he might just attend and none of us would be any wiser.

But the look I saw in his eyes when he watched Briar drive away with Trina the other day tells me he’s a man on the edge.

Josh holds up a hand. “Hear us out first. We have a plan.”

The rest of the team is frowning as they stand around in different spots of the room. They can sense our tension and are ready for instruction.

They are some of the best paramilitary operators in the United States.

We are the best people to handle this. Not the cops. We are not going to let this fucker slip through our fingers.

Unfortunately, it means letting him attend the wedding.

Beep.

“Fuck,” I curse. James, who I’ve had tailing Kael/Johnny for the past two days, has lost him.

I dial his number and put him on speaker.

“I’ve circled around and gone to his house, place of work, and gym.” James curses. “I don’t know how he slipped away from me, but he’s gone.”

“Can someone please tell me what is going on? Who is James following?”

Josh updates him while I keep talking.

“Keep looking for him. He’s been on the run for a damn long time. He knows what he’s doing.” I tell James, a former Ranger.

“Roger that,” he says, ending the call.

Then I call Briar.

“Hello.” I hear her sunshiny voice and my shoulders relax.

“Hey.” I rasp, and the guys all glance at me. “You good?”

“Yes. Why?” I can hear the smile in her voice and glance down in case my lips react, and I do the same.

God I love her.

“Just checking.” My voice is low and rough, and I put the phone up to my ear, taking it off speaker.

“So, what are you making me for dinner tonight? I could stop and get something on my way over,” Briar says, and I can imagine her swinging in her chair.

I would sit here and talk to her for hours. Problem is, I just needed to know she was alive and safe. I’m not here for a chitchat.

“I’ll cook. See you tonight.” My eyes dart around the room. If any of them say a fucking thing, I’ll pull out my Glock.

“Okay, Mr. Chatty. See you later.” She teases.

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