Page 73 of The Flame of Carson
“What about Lance...”
“No, that was different.Lance was just in the Malconi’s way on their path to get to Alora.Not the same thing.This is different on so many levels.You’re dealing with a ghost.You need to think here.You and the others.You all know Gage, know his routines.You would know if he made any enemies since starting Blackout and probably back when you all were in the Marines.”
“You think it could be someone from that far back Danny?Hell, we got out nearly what, six almost seven years now?”
“Yes, now that I’m thinking about it.Whoever this is, it would not be your typical reason for a grudge.He would feel that Gage, and probably by extension Blackout, took something that he felt should be his.A job?A promotion in rank?Gage would have known this man and known him well.”
Ethan frown as he processed what his brother-in-law was telling him.It was an angle that he had not considered.“You may be right.If so, I need to make some calls.Thanks Danny.For...”
“Ethan, you and I have known each other forever.You never have to thank me for anything.I know how to get through your stubborn mind and vice versa.The only one of us Jameson kids that knows you better is Krista.I’ll leave you to get to work.You want me to tell Gage about Stacey?”Danny grinned.
“Would you?Just tell him she’s fine but her boss wants her to unwind.”Ethan sighed in relief.
“Got it.You make your calls and after I talk to Gage I’ll talk to the others and let them know about our conversation.Alright boss?”Danny smirked.
Ethan laughed, “Yeah, yeah you do that.”
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Gage sat his bag downas he walked into the house.He stood there at the bottom of the stairs for a minute, holding an internal debate with himself.Should he go upstairs where he knew Stacey was?Should he stay downstairs and wait for her?When Danny had filled him in on what Chase had done, his instinct had been to rush to her side.Danny, however, stopped him and talked some sense into him.While the youngest Jameson was new to Alpha team, the man had quickly fit in.Someone looking from the outside would never guess that the six members of Alpha team had not always been together.Danny had made Gage see that Chase had been right and Stacey need this time to clear her head.Completely.
Gage made his decision and headed, slowly, upstairs.He found his woman soaking in her jacuzzi tub, sipping a glass of Pinot Grigio.He smiled as he drank in the sight before him.Stacey’s head leaned back against the inflatable pillow she liked.Her body hidden beneath the bubbles, her eyes closed.As if sensing him, she turned her head as her eyes opened.
“Hey, when did you get home?”she smiled softly.
“Just a few minutes ago.Danny told me what Chase ordered you to do, since Ethan was busy.You feel better babe?”he replied, easing onto the edge of the tub after leaning the cane against the sink vanity.
“Yeah, I am actually.A decent work out and wine.Chase seemed to know what I needed.”
Gage smiled and reached out to stroke her cheek.“I’m not going to lie.I was worried when Danny told me, but he made me see that this would play into what we’re trying to do.Plus, I knew you were okay, and I calmed down after that.”
Stacey gripped his wrist and squeezed, “Baby, this whole plan goes against our very nature.You and I don’t take being scared very well when we’d rather just whoop some ass instead.”
“Ain’t that the damned truth.”Gage laughed.
She giggled and went to pick up her wine glass.Gage, however, beat her to it.He picked it up and instead of handing it to her, he himself lifted it to her lips.Not taking her eyes off him, she leaned in and sipped from the glass.As she moved, the bubbles shifted and hinted at her breasts.Gage licked his lips as he saw just a hint of her nude body.He pulled the glass away, leaned in and kissed her.Their lips met in a soft barely there kiss, yet so much was said.The desire, the love, the heat that was a constant between them.
“I love you, Stacey.”
“I love you too Gage.”
“I know.Now, why don’t you finish your bath and I’ll fix us some dinner.Then we can just relax in front of the boob tube?”
“Perfect.”She laughed.
