Page 86 of Being Bold
“Who are you and what have you done with Bo?”
Crane’s humor-filled voice broke into his fantasy. He turned to see the newlyweds had entered the conference room. Pushing back from the table, Bo stood, offering his hand to the tall, dark-haired Marine. “Crane.”
After a flicker of surprise flashed on his face, they clasped hands. Then Bo nodded a welcome to Rogue. The dark-eyedblonde seemed as confused as her husband. He knew he deserved their scrutiny after he’d been so reserved for years.
Clearing his throat, he gestured to Selene. “This is Selene Coleman.” She stood and offered her hand with a friendly smile. He touched her arm and added, “Selene, this is Crane and Rogue. They were the ones watching over your parents.”
Her eyes filled with tears at his announcement, but she blinked them back. Her voice effused gratitude as she clasped both of their hands. “Thank you so much! I don’t know how to repay you, but if you ever need anything, I’m in your debt.”
Rogue shook her head with a smile. “You’re welcome, but we were just doing our job.” With a glance at Bo, she added, “Besides, TOP protects its own.”
The sentiment behind her words had regret knotting his stomach. She knew what it felt like to be desperate for someone to help the person you loved. Pushing past it, he scrubbed a hand over his beard. “I, uh, wanted to apologize for missing your celebration. I don’t know if I said, but . . . I’m really happy for both of you.” He shifted on his feet as Crane and Rogue’s gazes locked on him and tried for another smile. “Congratulations. I’ll be better about attending things like that in the future.” Especially now that he had Selene to go with.
A deep rumble of laughter rolled from Crane’s lips. With a grin, he joked, “Maybe the next occasion will beyourwedding.”
“Crane!” Rogue elbowed her husband in the side while Bo heard Selene gasp next to him.
He only shrugged. “May-be.”
Duke strolled in and halted. Eyeing them all with his cocky smirk. “What did I miss?”
No one answered, but Bo couldn’t take his eyes off Selene. A blush colored the apple of her cheeks. The look in her ocean depths . . . it made him want to drop to one knee right then and there.
If only I had a ring . . .
Herc broke the silence when he lumbered in carrying a basket filled with snacks he’d likely stolen from one of TOP’s reception rooms. He munched on something as he set it on the table and mumbled, “Help yourselves.”
Romeo followed, carrying coffees for everyone. Those were snatched up fast, and then they all settled into seats.
Glancing at Selene, Bo asked, “Do you want anything?”
She shook her head, still looking a little dazed. Because his stomach was growling, he snagged a protein bar and ate it while they waited for Victor.
Conversation buzzed around the table, but his thoughts strayed to how and when he could procure a ring for Selene. There was zero doubt in his mind that he wanted to marry her.
What kind would she like? Should I ask her?
Victor swept into the room, heading for the end of the table in front of the TV. “Okay, people, I know you’re tired. I’ll keep this short, then we can all take a breather for a few days.”
Calls of “hallelujah” and “fuck yeah” filled the air. Bo frowned. He wanted more than a few days.
Victor raised a hand, and the room fell silent. “But first, we have a problem.”
That tripped Bo’s pucker factor. What the hell had happened from the time they’d touched down ’til now?
Victor pinched the bridge of his nose, then sighed. “The CIA blacklisted Yumi Nakano. She’s currently MIA.”
Selene jerked, sitting up straighter in her chair. “We have to find her!”
Hating her distress, Bo reached for her hand and held on. “We will,” he murmured, stroking his thumb across her skin.
“Did she take out the servers?”
“What happened?”
As the questions started firing, Victor raised his hands again. “Here’s what we know.” He waited for quiet before continuing, “At twenty hundred last night, she infiltrated the Chinese embassy in D.C., breached their server room, then disappeared.”
“But I thought she just found the servers? Her message was from a few hours ago.” Selene frowned, and Bo squeezed her hand in comfort.
