Page 2 of Hard

Wolf frowned at the Taran. The weapon had a thirteen-inch forearm with a Bravo Company mod, (BCM), pistol grip, and was equipped with a sound suppressor.

Let’s just say the weapon paled in comparison to the man carrying it. Tucked inside Caleb’s shoulder holster was a Glock twenty-six, the combat master package, with a similar suppressor.

Wolf preferred the longer version of the Glock thirty-four, but the twenty-six was lighter and better in several situations. Strapped to Caleb’s leg was a Microtech Cypher OTF knife—lethal in close combat—which Caleb had been accomplished with for years now.

Yeah, Caleb was a badass motherfucker and somehow, Wolf had forgotten that. Still, he had to know one thing.

“What would taking you to Central America have accomplished? Other than putting us both in danger?”

A muscle ticked in Caleb’s unshaven jaw. “You just don’t get it.”

Wolf stepped closer. “Then explain it to me.”

“Why do I need to explain a fucking thing!” Caleb growled and pushed him.

Wolf hadn’t been expecting the shove—although in hindsight, he should have because Caleb was a firecracker. Even with their nineteen-year age difference, the younger man had never taken his shit and never would.

Stumbling back, Wolf fell with a crack into the elevator doors; he felt the metal pop behind him.

His fist closed around Caleb’s jacket and he yanked him closer, muttering, “Stubborn.” Their lips crashed together in a heated kiss and once again, Wolf found his back against the damaged door, but for a different reason. He was all in and returned the crushing kiss, his arms sweeping around to hold Caleb tight.

“No,” Caleb rasped, jerking away and taking several steps away from him. “Damn it!”

“Why not?” Wolf licked at his bottom lip.

“We haven’t settled a damn thing.”

“Then explain it to me,” Wolf said again.

Caleb gave a heavy sigh. “I want you to take safe jobs when I’m not with you. That would at least give us a fighting chance.”

“There is no such thing as a safe job.” Wolf was confused. They worked for Phoenix—one of the most lethal and dangerous covert teams in the world. Everything they did day in and day out was perilous.

“Then safer!” Caleb snarled.

“How can my taking safer jobs give us a fighting chance?”

“You’d be alive, damn it,” Caleb said.

“I’m not going anywhere,” Wolf replied softly.

“I need to be there when you do dangerous jobs,” Caleb said flatly.

“Why?”

“Because.” The man crossed his arms and looked away.

“Why, Caleb?”

Caleb’s gaze snapped back to him with anger, impatience, and fear reflected in their blue depths.

“If you go, then I go. If you die, then I won’t want to be here.”

The words rang loudly in the small elevator and Wolf’s heart pounded and every bit of saliva dried up in his mouth. Thebuzzing of the elevator phone stopped only to start up again a few moments later.

Fuck.

The reason Caleb needed to go was the exact reason Wolfhad notwanted him to. Caleb was scared that he would die and Wolf was terrified of losing Caleb.

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