Page 119 of No Mistake

Dex shrugged. “Cartels go after family. It was the right thing to do. Sam cleared it. Sounds like he’s moved her now.”

“Do you think he is CIA?”

“Mira looked into it. Found nothing. I think he was just out for revenge for his sister.”

“He didn’t just get revenge. The man helped wipe the Vitelli Cartel off the map and stop a weapons deal. He should be rewarded, not on the run.” Ryan took a swig of beer.

The two men sat in silence for a few minutes.

“How was the old man, out in the field?” Ryan glanced over at him.

Dex grinned. “You know what, Sam was OK. Still go it.”

Ryan chuckled. “And he took orders from you?”

“Not exactly. It was more of a joint decision-making operation,” Dex admitted. “Don't worry, your place is safe on the team.” Dex took a drink. “Kelly found Mark Springer.”

“Still in Virginia Beach?”

“Yep. Green team.”

“Jesus, he’s trying out for DEVGRU?”

“Top of the class, apparently.”

“Fucker.”

“What you intending to do when we get there?”

“Have a conversation. I know I can’t touch him.” As much as he wanted to punch him in the face, they were both military. It wouldn’t be good for either of them and Sam would lose his shit. Ryan wasn't about to risk his position on Onyx for that asshole.

Dex nodded. “Good. We know a couple of the Green team instructors there.”

“We do?”

“Yep. Used to be here on Coronado. Max and Daniel.”

“No way! Seriously?”

“Yeah. So, we are going there to grab a beer with them. Got it?”

Ryan grinned. “You bet.”

Just as Dex finished up his beer, the front doorbell rang. “I’ll get it. Probably one of the guys. I gotta head back, anyway. Catch up with you later.”

“Thanks, man. Appreciate you stopping by.” It was damn good to have things back to normal between the two of them.

Ryan stayed on the deck, his phone next to him. Like a lovesick teenager, he’d been checking it randomly, hoping to see a message from Sophie. Nothing.

He’d been thinking a lot about what she’d said, about not being able to live with the risks his job involved. He’d been doing this shit for twelve years now, how much longer would he do it? It wasn't like he could do it forever. At some point, the body would slow down, even if the mind didn’t. But he could have another ten years easy. Could he give it up now? He loved being part of Onyx, but he’d never felt like this about any woman before. It was surreal. His heart physically ached for Sophie. Her smell, her touch, her smile. God, he’d give anything to have her in his life permanently. Did that include giving up his job?

Lost in thought, he didn’t hear the back door open, but he turned his head at the sound of footsteps, expecting to see one of the team.

Sophie stood there, dressed in a pretty red wrap dress. Her hair was down, gorgeous soft strands framing her face. Beautiful piercing blue eyes stared at him. Fuck, he’d never seen anything more breathtaking in his life.

“Dex let me in, said it would be alright to come back here?” The hesitancy in her face struck him.

“Of course, it is.” He went to stand up.

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