Page 81 of Entangled with a Mountain Man

SAVORING THE SWEET

EVERETT

I step into the house, the quiet darkness starkly contrasting to the turmoil of the past few days. It's 2 AM, and I'm not in Eastern Europe, but I'm home in Montana.

The mission's over, but the tension lingers in my muscles, my mind still on high alert. I take a deep breath, letting the familiar scents of home wash over me.

"Everett?"

Kenzie's soft voice cuts through the silence. I blink, surprised to see her curled up on the couch, a book in her lap, with a reading light around her neck. She's waiting up for me, despite the late hour.

Something stirs inside me at the sight, an emotion I didn’t realize I wanted—until Serbia, when thoughts of her wouldn’t leave my mind.

"Hey," I manage, my voice rough from exhaustion. "You didn't have to wait up."

She stands, crossing the room to me. Her eyes scan my face, concern etched in her features. "I wanted to. Are you okay?"

I nod, not trusting myself to speak. The urge to pull her close, bury my face in her hair, and forget everything else is almost overwhelming. But I hold back, acutely aware of the blood on my hands, metaphorical and otherwise.

"The girls?" I ask instead.

"Asleep," Kenzie says, her voice soft. "They missed you."

"I missed them too," I admit. And you, I think, but don't say.

Kenzie reaches out, her hand hovering near my arm before dropping back to her side. "Are you hungry? I can heat up some dinner."

I shake my head. "I need a shower first. Wash this off me."

She nods, understanding in her eyes. "Take your time. I'll be here when you're done."

I head upstairs, pausing at the girls' room. The door's cracked open, and I can hear their soft breathing. The sight of them, peaceful in sleep, loosens some tension.

They're safe. They're home.

In my room, I strip off my clothes, wincing at the bruises blooming across my ribs. The mission was a success, but it was close. Too close.

I empty my pockets, tossing my wallet and keys onto the dresser. The coin Axton found clinks against the wood, and its strange design catches the light. I pick it up, turning it over in my hand. An ouroboros encircles an all-seeing eye.

What the hell does it mean?

I set it back down, pushing the questions aside for now. There'll be time to figure it out later. Right now, I need to wash away the grime of the past few days.

The hot water stings as it hits my skin, but I welcome the pain. It grounds me, reminds me I'm here, I'm alive. As I scrub the dirt and sweat, my mind drifts back to Operation Veilstone.

We got the target out, but barely. The intel was off, and the security was tighter than we expected. If Callum hadn't spotted that sniper...

I shake my head, forcing the thoughts away. It's over. We made it. But the responsibility sits squarely on my shoulders.

Five men and five families count on me to bring them home safely.

And now there's Kenzie. Sweet, fierce Kenzie, who's, by the grace of God, came into our lives and into my heart. The thought of her waiting downstairs, worried about me, makes the desire to return home—and to her—as important as returning to my girls. And that truth rocks me to my core.

But with it comes fear. This life, my work, it's dangerous. Unpredictable.

How can I drag her into that? How can I risk leaving her alone, leaving the girls without a father?

Thankfully, my parents are on standby for the girls. But Kenzie has no one.

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