Page 23 of Entangled with a Mountain Man

"Understood," I say, my mind already racing. "I'll have an answer for you by the end of the week."

"Good," Specter says. "Oh, and Ghost? Make sure you've got your house in order before you commit. We can't afford any... distractions."

The line goes dead before I can respond. I set the phone down, my head spinning. Two weeks to put together a team of elite operatives, all while juggling twin six-year-olds and a mountain of unresolved personal shit.

No fucking pressure.

I grab a pen and pad, jotting down names.

Axton's a given—my oldest friend and the best demolitions expert I know. Then there's Owen. His on-the-ground strategy and close-quarters combat skills are unmatched, and he's local. His kid brother might be a spoiled ass, but Owen would be an asset to the team.

I tap the end of the pen against the pad and lean back. And the team rounds out—Callum and Jace.

Callum's got the sniper and reconnaissance specialty we need. His keen instincts and precision marksmanship would make him invaluable on the field. And Jace... well, there's no one I'd trust more behind the stick of any aircraft, capable of weaving through the tightest situations with a grin that belies the danger.

The thought of assembling such a formidable team sends a thrill through me, but it quickly spirals back into the knot of concern, tightening in my stomach.

My phone buzzes again, this time with a text from Axton. Glancing at the screen, I see a simple check-in.

Axton: So? Got an update?

His straightforward question is almost mocking in its simplicity. I can’t avoid the truth any longer. The weight of my escalating responsibilities presses down on me.

Everett: No. But I will by the end of the week.

I let out a sigh. I'm halfway there. I have my candidates. That much is clear. But now comes the daunting decision.

Am I ready to take on this new mission?

The prospect of returning to a role where I can serve my country is like receiving my dream twice. Since I was a kid, I have wanted to fight for something greater than myself.

The idea of stepping back into a role that allows me to serve my country feels like living my dream all over again. Ever since I was a kid, I wanted to fight for something bigger than myself.

But I had walked away from the military, choosing my daughters over the Marines, yet here it is, an unexpected opportunity unfolding right before me.

The excitement is intoxicating, but my heart sinks at the thought of the logistics.

Can I really juggle these covert operations while also being a present father to Hazel and Harper?

The thought of possibly abandoning my girls, who have already lost their mother, fills me with dread. I can't bear the thought of becoming an absentee father, too.

Jillian has already left, and I'm the only one they have left.

There are days when I barely keep my head above water, managing their needs, emotions, and the turmoil left in the wake of their mother’s departure. The girls thrive on my attention, and I refuse to let them feel abandoned again.

As I lean back in my chair, the stacks of documents around me and the glow of open windows in front of me serve as a harsh reminder of the work piling up.

Sitting in my office, I let myself admit how much I crave the thrill of working alongside my fellow soldiers. The adrenaline rush of suiting up and taking down the bad guys.

But can I afford the risk? Would this new mission mean more nights away and more uncertainty in my girls’ lives?

I want to accept this assignment, to feel the pull of my former life while knowing full well that it could jeopardize everything I’ve built with the girls. It's why I moved back to Silver Ridge in the first place.

The hesitation gnaws at me, unrelenting. It’s not just about what I want anymore. It’s about balancing my duty to my country with my promise to my daughters.

I close my eyes, allowing the silence to fill the spaces between my thoughts.

"Can I do this? Can I have them both?"

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