Page 56 of Coming Home

“Ugh, do we have to?” Elise complained.

Patrick laughed and shot me a “I told you so” look.

“Please, love. I think it’s important for Shelby to be in on these conversations.”

“Fine, come on,” I heard Elise say.

Shelby walked in and I could feel her anxiety through our bond. I felt like an ass. I needed to do much better about reminding her that she was truly stuck with me this time.

Patrick had Elise help him carry in another couch from the living room area. I took that moment to reassure Shelby.

“It’s going to be okay,” I told her. “I want you to know that no matter what, you have final veto power. I don’t care how amazing this job may sound for me, if it’s not right for you, I’m out.”

“Really?” she asked.

I nodded. “And I’m sorry we haven’t taken the time to really talk about our next step plan yet, but you know I’m not going anywhere this time, right?”

She sighed. “Actually you’re going back to the army in just nine more days.”

I brushed her hair back behind her ear. “Only to wait out my contract. It’ll be mostly paperwork and boredom for a few weeks to a couple months, counting down the days until I’m home to you. The guys will give me hell for it, but I had already started training my replacement before I can home.”

“You did?” she asked.

I shrugged. “Told you the major was struggling to find a way around my last injury.”

Patrick and Elise set the couch down and I moved over to sit on it with Shelby, while they took the small one.

“What injury?” Patrick asked.

“Shot to the back. Nicked my spine. I’m fully healed, no concerns, but it’s the paper trail and timing that sucks. I ended up being medevacked for surgery. They did have to go in and remove the bullet, so it’s all documented. Can’t just miraculously get up and walk after that, now can I? Been stuck in a damn wheelchair for the last few months. Finally got back to my unit on a loophole of PTSD and depression. Convinced the doctors it would be best if I were reunited to help deal with that stuff.”

“Who’s the major you’re working with?” Patrick asked and I immediately clammed up.

“I won’t put my men in jeopardy, Patrick. That’s one thing you should know about me right now. Those are my brothers. No names.”

“I can appreciate that level of loyalty,” he said. “But you have to give me something.”

“This is all classified, right?” I said.

He nodded. “Of course. That’s the only way I operate.”

I took a deep breath and reached over to squeeze Shelby’s hand. I was taking a giant leap of faith in the hopes for a better future for us. There weren’t but so many job opportunities for a sniper or even a sharpshooter.

“First, tell me what your research pulled up on me, because I know you’ve background checked me already or you wouldn’t be here wasting your time.”

Patrick grinned. “Very little actually. It’s driving Archie crazy. He’s head of intelligence for the Force. There’s nothing he can’t crack, but on paper you’re a staff sergeant in the army with a clean record and not one notable quality. They have you ranked under the Ranger’s program, though, which is an immediate red flag for us that there’s a lot more to you than we see on paper. Walker got that impression too, tells me you’re a sharpshooter.”

“Sniper, actually,” I said. I felt Shelby stiffen next to me, but I leaned over and kissed her temple to let her know it was going to be okay. “But I’m marksman certified on just about any weapon you could put in my hands.”

“You willing to prove it?”

“Any time,” I said honestly, with no level of cockiness in my voice.

“My Bravo team has an opening. I won’t lie, the majority of missions they go on do not require a sniper, but Silas Granger is the team leader and has been hounding me for months to get him one anyway. The fact that you can handle yourself up close as well is certainly a benefit. He’s a gorilla shifter, and a bit of a son-of-a-bitch. Does that concern you?”

“My currently leader is a bear, I’ll deal.”

That seemed to shock him, and I got the impression Patrick O’Connell was not a man used to surprises.

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