Page 210 of The Archer Brothers

CHAPTER7

NATE

When I arrive home from work, I’m not surprised to find Cara isn’t there. I honestly don’t expect her much before seven or even eight tonight. It’s her first day, and knowing her, she’s trying to make an impression, even though they handpicked her for this job. She’s already earned the promotion and could bail at five, but that’s not how she operates. I undress and hop into the shower. I’m sticky, sweaty, and have sand in places I’ve forgotten. Once I’m under the hot spray my muscles relax, but my mind starts wandering. Cara’s pregnant, but we haven’t talked about it since she told me. I want to bring up the fact that she’s carrying our baby, but I’m afraid of what her decision might be. I’m scared to hear her utter the words, “I don’t want to keep it” or “The timing isn’t right.” I told her I’d support whatever decision she made, but deep down, I’m not sure I could. I want to be a dad, and I want to take this journey with Cara. However, if she’s not ready or will never be, maybe that’s something we need to explore before it’s too late. I want to marry her, but we need to figure out if we’re on the same page regarding our future.

As soon as I step out of the shower, my phone starts to ring. I lean toward the counter, trying to stay on the bathmat while I dry off to see who it is. Cara’s face lights up my screen, and I find myself smiling. “Hello,” I say as I accept her call and put her on speaker. “Perfect timing. I just got out of the shower.”

“I’m sorry I’m not there,” she says. Her words make me blush. I wish she were here as well. “How was work?”

“Well, not what we expected.”

“Oh?”

“In six weeks, my team is back in the rotation.”

“They’re actually going to send you out?”

“It seems that way.”

“Shit,” she mutters. “I didn’t expect this.”

“Me neither. I asked my CO if he thought I should step away from active duty, and he said no.”

“Of course, he did,” Cara says. “Can you trust him?”

I shrug even though she can’t see me. “I’m going to have to try, at least for the time being. Anyway, how’s your day?”

“It’s fine if you can say fine after staring at pedophiles all day—my team’s great, though. I think we’re going to do a lot of good work. And that’s why I’m calling. It’s more business than personal, although our lives seem to mix the two whether we want them to or not.”

“Cara?”

“Huh?”

“You’re rambling. Just spit it out.”

“We need to mix business with pleasure. I don’t want to say too much over the phone, but I need you to bring the guys to my office.”

Damn, she really knows how to change my mood.

I swallow hard and work to block out all the negative thoughts forming in my mind. If Cara uncovered something, she would’ve called. But she’s calling now and doesn’t want to say anything. “Fuck,” I mutter. “Bad?”

“What time can you be here?”

I mentally calculate the time. If I have to pick the guys up, it could be longer, or I can meet them there. “An hour or less.”

“I’ll order us some food. See you then. I love you.” Cara hangs up before I can return her sentiment, which I don’t like. Even though I know she knows that I love her, I want to tell her often. I open an encrypted texting app and send my brother, McCoy, and Rask a message to meet me at the field office pronto. It’s unlikely they’ll text back asking questions, so I close my phone and rest my hands on the bathroom counter. My reflection stares back. I’m angry and tired. I am ready to live my life without having to look over my shoulder all the time. I want to know what the hell Evan did for us to deserve this? Hell, maybe it wasn’t Evan, and it was me, and whoever has it out for us can’t tell us apart.

“Fuck.” I push away from the counter and walk into the bedroom to get dressed. The temptation to dress for combat is there. Instead, I opt for a pair of shorts and a t-shirt, with my cross-trainers. Comfort wins out today.

There’s a knock at my door, and for whatever reason, I don’t rush to see who is here. I go back into the bathroom, grab my phone, and pull up the camera out there to see who it is. I am relieved when I see that it’s Rask.

He knocks again, but this time I’m there to answer. He looks to his left and then right before stepping inside. I give him an odd look, and he motions around the room.

“We’re clean. What’s up?”

“I got your text,” he says. “I was near here, so I thought we could drive over together.”

“Yeah, let me grab my keys. You don’t mind driving, do you? I can catch a ride back with Cara?”

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