Page 37 of Coming Home

“Sounds pretty intense over there. May I ask why all of this is necessary?”

Cole shrugged. “You’d be surprised, Ben. Elise and Lily have both been kidnapped. There have been multiple threats on Kyle’s mate, Kelsey’s, life. There are some underlying concerns for shifter-kind that they are sorting through. I can’t really go into detail as that’s all classified, but Westin Force goes far beyond just protecting Westin Pack, it’s in place to protect and serve all shifters.”

“Have you heard of the Ghosts?” I asked.

“Who hasn’t? Rumors have it that particular Army Rangers unit is comprised of all shifters,” Walker piped in.

“It is,” Cole confirmed. “Why do you ask?”

“How do you guys know that?” I wondered aloud.

Cole grinned. “There’s not much that gets past our guys. We make it a point to know everything there is to know, who our opposition may be, and where our allies stand. Silas Granger runs our Bravo team. He’s been looking for an in to recruit from the Ghosts for a long time, but they always elude him. Drives him batshit crazy. There’s definitely a reason they call themselves the Ghosts. We thrive ourselves on having state-of-the-art technology and the highest intelligence in the world, but those guys are second to none.”

“Tell me, how much travel does the Force require?” I asked.

Walker shrugged. “Depends on the position and the jobs that arise. For me, I spend ninety percent or more of the time at home. Silas’s team is less, maybe seventy-five percent of their time. They always get the coolest missions.”

“And he’s definitely looking for a sniper?” I asked.

Cole looked at Walker.

“That’s the word around base,” Walker confirmed.

“Can you set me up a meeting with him before I head back?” I asked.

“Ben, you seem like a great guy, but these guys are hardcore. They only seek out the best of the best,” Cole warned.

I didn’t mean to sound cocky or toot my horn when I replied, “I am the best of the best, and if he’s looking for an in to recruit from the Ghosts, I know people,” I said, still refusing to confirm I was one.

“No one just knows people when it comes to the Ghosts,” Walker challenged. “You’d have to be . . .” He stopped mid-sentence, as if the pieces I’d laid out for him finally clicked into place.

Changing the subject quickly, I turned back to Cole. “Are any of the Bravo unit mated?”

“What? Why?” he asked.

“Just answer the question,” Walker told him.

“One, I think, why?”

“Because I’m looking for a change that will keep me employed but still allow plenty of time at home.”

“With your mate,” Walker finished for me.

I didn’t confirm or deny it as I stared Cole down.

“Patrick O’Connell oversees the program. That would be a better question to ask him, but I can put you in touch and if he’s interested after you speak to him—and I can’t imagine he won’t be—he’ll also be able to arrange a meeting with Silas. How long are you home for?”

“Another eleven days,” I said. “And I cannot use it all on this.”

He nodded. “I heard about your father. I’m really sorry.”

Lizzy and Shelby walked into the room laughing. When I looked up, all seriousness faded from my face and morphed into a smile. I couldn’t help it. Shelby looked so beautiful, she took my breath away every time I looked at her.

“Benjamin Shay,” Lizzy said, shaking her head. “Welcome home.”

“Thanks, Lizzy. It’s good to be home.”

“I see you’ve already met my mate,” she exclaimed, leaning down to give Cole a quick kiss.

---