Page 104 of Pulse

It was time to put the conflict behind them.

She nodded once.

Pulse’s arm disappeared from her waist as he stepped forward and grasped Spec’s hand, then yanked him into a crushing hug. Talia winced along with Spec, but the man didn’t make a peep of protest. He returned the hug, slapping Pulse on the back.

“Apology accepted,” Pulse said as he released Spec, who was now sweating profusely. “Now sit your stubborn fucking ass down before you destroy the surgeon’s hard work. I’m not saving your ass again if you start bleeding out all over the floor.”

“Ya’ll need to stop being a buncha mother hens,” Spec grumbled. “I’m fine.” But he collapsed into the chair, and the relief on his face showed instantly.

“Everyone, grab a seat,” Curly announced. “Eat first, then we make a plan to take out this cartel fucker.”

Pulse pulled her chair out.

Her cheeks flamed as she accepted a kiss from him as well. These little gestures were so unfamiliar to her that they’d take time to adjust to. Part of her wanted to balk and remind him she was perfectly capable of getting in her own seat, but she fought the urge. Pulse didn’t do things like that for her because hefound her unable to manage basic tasks. He simply wanted to do something for her.

Because he loved her.

Only two people had claimed to love her in her lifetime. Her mother passed early, and her father taught her the independence she clung to by never doing a single thing for her.

But now she had Pulse.

“Thank you,” she whispered before sitting. He slipped between her and Spec, kissing her on the cheek as he sat. Face warm, she glanced around to see if the others were staring, but no one paid them any attention. Physical affection was standard practice around here, so instead of making herself feel awkward, she scooted her chair closer to Pulse’s. If she were going to do this, she’d jump in with both feet as she did with everything in life.

Chatter kicked up immediately, and within minutes, plates were full, and laughter shook the walls. It was almost enough to make Talia forget what came next.

But then Pulse’s phone rang.

It cut through the noise like a sharp blade, drawing all eyes. He placed his free hand on her thigh as he pulled the phone from his pocket.

“It’s my old contact.”

“Fuck yes,” Spec said. “Maybe he’s got something useful.”

Pulse swallowed, then pressed answer as he lifted the phone to his ear.

The longest twenty seconds of her life passed as she sat there staring at the side of Pulse’s head, straining to hear what the caller had to say.

“Thanks, man,” Pulse said to conclude the call. He lowered the phone as his eyes narrowed, and a sinister grin curled his lips. Before her eyes, he transformed from a life-saving trauma nurse into a former undercover federal agent. This was a lethalman with skills that would make her lose sleep at night—a competent agent who could handle himself as well as Spec.

He spoke four words that had a chill running down her spine.

“We have a location.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

“THIS FUCKING BLOWS. Swear to Christ, you guys better find someone for me to kill when I’m back on my feet.”

Spec’s disgusted voice reverberated through Pulse’s earpiece. He’d stayed back but refused to be left out, so he listened on comms and joined in spirit.

“What? You want some kind of execution IOU?” Jinx asked with a laugh.

“That’s exactly what I want, fucker, so you better be prepared to deliver.”

Pulse rolled his eyes. Some days, he was amazed those two could function at all.

“You good, Pulse?” Spec asked.

He pressed his hand to the small communication device tucked in his ear. “All good. Just getting the lay of the land.”

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