Page 100 of Lost Hope

“You knew,” Ronan said. It wasn’t a question.

Christian’s lip quirked slightly. “Had a source close to the action.”

The pieces clicked. “The woman on the table. The one we got out.”

“She was the little sister of my Annapolis roomie.” Christian’s voice softened. “Why do you think your squad got called for that mission?”

Ronan stared at him. “You chose us?”

“You guys are the best of the best.” Christian grinned. “I mean, after my team, that is.”

“Your friend’s sister,” Griff said, voice rough. “Is she ... ?”

Christian’s expression gentled. “She’s good. Great, actually. Thanks to you.”

The tension in Griff’s shoulders eased slightly.

“So what now?” Izzy asked, after Jack and Christian had moved on.

“Now,” Ronan said, “we stop carrying secrets that can break us.” He looked at his team—his family—and saw nothing but solidarity looking back. “We do better.” Not what he meant to say. He waved a hand in the air. “I mean, I do better.”

Axel pushed off from the tool chest. “Together,” he said simply, and one by one, the others nodded. “Whatever that means, going forward.”

“Duh. It means no more disappearing,” Izzy said, giving Ronan a sharp look.

He swallowed hard, his throat tight. “Copy that, Petty Officer.”

It wasn’t perfect. It wasn’t fixed. But it was a start.

As the team started to disperse, the admiral’s voice rang through the hangar. “Hold up a minute.”

They turned to find him striding toward them, looking more relaxed than Ronan had ever seen him.

“Mrs. Knight’s organizing a party here tonight. Tradition, after successful missions.” His expression turned wry. “And while this isn’t technically an order, I feel obligated to warn you that crossing Mrs. Knight would not be ... advisable.”

A ripple of nervous laughter moved through the group.

“We’ll be here, sir,” Ronan assured him.

The admiral nodded and headed out. The others followed, voices echoing off the hangar walls, until only Ronan and Axel remained.

“So,” Axel said after a moment. “Maya.”

Ronan sighed. “Not you too.”

“Look, I know you. You’re thinking about all the reasons this can’t work, why you should walk away?—”

“It’s called being realistic.”

“It’s called being a coward.” Christian’s voice made them both jump. For a big guy, he moved like a ghost. “Don’t be an idiot.” He considered for a moment. “Or at least try being less of an idiot than you already are.”

He punctuated this with a slap to Ronan’s good shoulder that nearly knocked him sideways.

“Time to put on your big boy pants and take a risk, bro.” Christian’s grin was wolfish. “Unless you’re scared?”

Ronan straightened, rubbing his shoulder. “I hate you both.”

“Yeah, yeah.” Christian started walking away. “See you tonight. Try not to overthink yourself into a corner before then.”

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