Page 5 of Pulse
“Atlas comes off Laina’s detail on Monday,” Ford says. “You have until Friday to decide whether you’re going to Nashville with her team or on vacation.” He levels his gaze with mine. “I need you healthy, man. Please consider the vacation.”
My breathing grows shallow, and the room stills.
This has been a recurring conversation over the past eighteen months, and I’ve managed to weasel my way out of it each time. But I’ve known this day was coming—when Ford takes a hard stand. And now, here we are.
Once Ford and I retired from the military, the only thing that kept my life from falling apart was the opportunities the Landrys gave me. They took me from my lowest point to … this.
I never imagined that I’d be driving around fancy cars carrying Ford’s brother to events as the governor of Georgia. Who was I to be wearing expensive suits day in and day out? How did I manage to be the right-hand man to the premiere security company in the United States?
That all happened because of Ford. He saved my life, both in and out of the military. And for that, I’ll always be there for him … even if it means taking jobs I don’t love.
“I have a couple of meetings today,” Ford says, standing. Lincoln gets to his feet, too. “Want to ride with me? We can get some lunch on the way back.”
“Can I come?” Lincoln asks. “I don’t want to go home yet.”
Ford’s shoulder bumps his brother.
“Sure,” I say. “Let me take care of a few things in here first.”
“Not a problem. I have a couple of things to do, anyway.” He opens the door but turns back to me. “Oh—hey. One more thing.”
“Yeah?”
“Stop in and see Dahlia. She said she thought your phone might be dead this morning.” Ford grins.
Of course, she did.“Sure thing.”
I get to my feet, straighten my tie, then slide my phone into my pocket. Something stirs in the pit of my stomach, sending a burst of energy rippling through my veins.
Lincoln and I might not be that different after all. We’re both afraid of the women in our lives. Just for very, verydifferent reasons.
Chapter Two
Dahlia
“A drink this weekend would be nice,” I say, gazing across the manicured lawn outside my office window. “How about Friday after work?”
My best friend, Morgan, cheers through the phone.
“Stop it,” I say, laughing. “It hasn’t been that long. I just saw you two weeks ago.”
“It feels like forever. Between my work trip and your relationship issues?—”
“I don’t have relationship issues anymore.” I pivot on my heel. “I’m free to meet you for drinks—ah!” My hand claps against my chest. “Damn you, Troy.”
My heart skips a beat as I come to a screeching halt.
It’s hard enough to stay calm when I have time to brace myself for Troy’s presence. It’s damn near impossible to appear unaffected when he blindsides me.
He sits across from my desk, relaxed in a chair, his knees spread. A quick glance would give the impression that he’s casually waiting for me to end my conversation. A deeper look says otherwise.
Troy Castelli’s square jaw is tight. His gray eyes are nothing short of thunderstorm clouds just before lightning strikes. His elbow rests against the arm of the chair, and the pad of his thumb strokes his bottom lip as if he’s deciding my fate.
He’s a whole damn mood—a sexy, dangerous vibe that steals my breath.
“Pull yourself together,” Morgan hisses through the phone. “I hear you panting from here.”
I laugh, letting out a breath and standing taller. “I’m sorry about that, Morgan. A co-worker justrudelyentered my office without knocking.”
