Page 37 of Rush

“Hey! I’m trying to fly up here,” said Evie. “Keep your arguments to a low roar. Chipper and I will be closing the cabin door.”

“Sorry, Evie,” said Moose. “Now you got us in trouble.”

“I did not… Ohhh! You are so frustrating! Who are you?” She pushed the hair back from her face and leaned back, nibbling on a piece of cheese.

“We told you that we are a security agency, but we are considered the best in the world. That’s not posturing. It’s the truth. It started decades ago with Nine and Trak as part of REAPER, then they added Ghost and his team at Steel Patriots and Ian’s entire SEAL team that retired around the same time. Eventually, someone forced us to go public, so we changed our name. We are now…”

“Voodoo Guardians,” she whispered. “I’ve heard about all of you. About the legends who work with you, but I thought it was all a bunch of storytelling. I’m sorry, Moose. I promise I will not let anyone know where you are or who you are. I would never do that to you.”

He stared at her, unsure of whether or not to believe her.

“I appreciate that. Our anonymity is important not just for our people in the field but for our families back home. We have spouses, children, grandchildren, and a number of businesses that provide support for the organization.”

“You guys were behind rescuing a bunch of children from a ship a few years back,” she said, staring at him, looking at him in a whole new light.

“Yea, I wasn’t part of the team back then. I’ve only recently retired as well. I was a SEAL.”

“Do you have a family?”

“No. I did.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to pry,” she said, nibbling on another piece of cheese.

“You didn’t pry, Ece. I’m sorry I’m so fucking prickly sometimes. My wife and I were not in a good place the last few years of my deployment. I wanted a family, children. But she didn’t want them, and then I figured out why. She was having affairs on the side. Enjoying her time alone.

“I thought I was going to do the right thing and retire from the SEALs, make a family and home with her, wherever she wanted. Instead, I found her with a prominent television minister,” he said, frowning.

“Oh, my gosh, I saw that story. I’m so sorry, Moose.”

“No, it’s okay. He basically had beaten her to death during their, uh, enjoyment. I was sad for her death, but not sad for the end of our marriage. I knew it was coming.”

“Still, it must have been hard on you,” she said, shaking her head.

“It was, but my teammates made it easier. And wait until you meet all the amazing wives,” he smiled. “They’re awesome. Beautiful, smart, talented. They contribute to the business in ways you can’t even imagine. Doctors, lawyers, engineers, artists, teachers, even musical artists.”

“You love these people,” she said, smiling at him.

“I guess I do,” he grinned.

“You should smile more often,” she said, staring at him. “You have a beautiful smile. I like the beard, too.” Moose stared at her, then cleared his throat.

“So, is there a mister at home or a wanna-be mister?”

“No,” she said, shaking her head. “I never had the time to date, and once my family was killed, that was my sole focus. Honestly, I’ve been afraid to put myself out there.”

“Why? You’re beautiful.”

“You think I’m beautiful?” she asked.

“Hell, yes. Don’t you think you’re beautiful?”

“I don’t know. I ignored most of the men that tried to flirt with me at work. I didn’t want to be involved with someone I worked with. Occasionally, someone I was interviewing would ask me out, but then it occurred to me that was work as well.”

“How old are you?” Moose asked with a frown.

“Twenty-seven,” she said with a yawn.

“Hey, there’s a full bed in the back of the plane. Let me help you back there, and you can lie down.” She didn’t argue, didn’t complain, just stood as he took her elbow. Realizing the aisle was too narrow for both of them, he picked her up and walked toward the bedroom.

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