Page 74 of All Twisted Up
“Staying with Joshua,” I said over the coms.
“Affirmative,” echoed in my earwig.
“Don’t you dare move, Joshua!” I yelled, as Mickey slammed the door, instantly pivoting toward the gate. I heard the others exit their vehicles right behind him. In seconds they were all crouched, and making their way up the driveway to the front door.
I sucked in a breath, ready to defend my man…when a voice called out, “Hold your fire.”
I came up short at the familiar voice, then a tall, black man appeared, and it was someone I knew well.
“Wow,” Snow said, “that’s quite a reception.”
“I almost shot you, you idiot!” Miguel said. “Don’t ever do that to me again, Lincoln.”
“I take it you found your backup,” Candy said in the earbuds. “Stay with Snow and his team until we get there. Our ETA is seventeen minutes.”
“Affirmative, boss,” I said, followed by similar agreements from the others. I was pissed as hell. Candy should have notified us he was sending Lincoln and his team as backup. Then again, I knew he might have been trying to locate FBI agents nearby, not wanting to endanger the lives of more cops the way it had happened at Joshua’s house that night.
Nightmare scenarios of losing law enforcement, no matter who they were, haunted men like the captain which is why I’d never wanted nor sought higher rank in the military. Either way, miscalculated mistakes could get people killed in the field.
Adrenaline was coursing through me as I lowered my weapon with shaking hands. Adrenaline always affected me like that.
I cracked the door slightly.
“Why in the hell didn’t you tell us Candy had called you?” Miguel asked, shaking Lincoln’s hand.
“Sorry. I don’t know. Maybe he likes surprises.”
“Fucker.” I watched Mickey stride back to the car. Joshua was still on the floor but crawled back onto the seat when I said it was safe. Tears stained his cheeks and his eyes were wary.
I felt my heart do a flip-flop and reached out to Joshua. “Come on. It’s just our backup.”
Mickey hopped in and drove us up the driveway.
Joshua took my hand and allowed me to haul him out of the car. The instant he was standing, I slung my weapon over my shoulder and had my arms around him, holding his shaking body close. The clean scent of his hair was mixed with the sharp tang of fear. I turned my face into him, kissing the side of his head as I held him close. “It’s gonna be okay, baby,” I whispered, “I’ve got you.”
The sound of a throat clearing nearby made me look up. Loosening my grip on the trembling man in my arms, and keeping my arm around his shoulders, I turned us around, not letting go.
“Sorry, but we really need to get Mr. Calder inside.” The agent who’d spoken was a friend of mine.
I smiled at Max Prince and his partner, profiler, Dr. Leo Reeves. They stood side by side, looking like a picture-perfect example of men who loved each other deeply. The Bureau had made an exception by keeping them on the same team after they’d met, fallen in love, and gotten married, but Lincoln had fought for them to stay together when he’d been their SAC.
Now retired from that position to spend more time with his wife, Sarah, and small daughter, Lincoln Snow still commanded respect throughout the Bureau due to the team’s remarkable track record with the agency.
Max and Leo wore smiles along with black tactical gear. I shook their hands and after making quick introductions to Joshua, grabbed his hand, threading my fingers through his tightly as we walked through the front door.
I didn’t let go until we were all safely inside the house and armed to the teeth with enough semi-automatic weapons and ammo to keep us that way.
Chapter Twenty
JOSHUA
Nash didn’t let go of my hand until we were inside the house. Even then, I was reluctant to do so. But the three men I didn’t know were soon joined by the captain and the rest of Nash’s team. And insulated not only by the protective four walls but by all these capable men, I felt a lot better. I busied myself with doing mundane things in the kitchen, preparing coffee and tea for the men gathered in chairs around the large dining room table and cutting slices of cinnamon streusel cake. I had a hard time trying to shake the uneasiness I felt. It was like knowing someone had a surprise party planned for you, and yet not knowing where or when you’d be receiving it.
I fuckinghatedsurprise parties.
I felt exhausted as I carried cups to the men and set the tray down. They looked up as Nash moved over, offering me a chair as I passed out plates of cake and hot drinks. “Thanks for coming,” I said. “I feel embarrassed now that I know you weren’t needed.”
“We go where we’re told,” the man who’d introduced himself as Lincoln Snow said. “And in this case, SAC Bradley told us we were needed here just in case you had a bad welcome home surprise.”
