Page 38 of Flint's Battle

CHAPTER 12

“Damn. What did we miss?”

Flint stumbled a step as he looked up at Bowie, wondering what the hell his buddy was talking about. Though in Flint’s defense, he hadn’t really been paying attention as he’d walked across the ward, still lost in the smile on Emery’s face. How she’d lit up even more when he’d told her he wasn’t going anywhere.Everif he had a choice.

He frowned. “What are you talking about? Miss what?”

Bowie scoffed. “That’s what I want to know. Because you’ve got this love-sick grin on your face.” He inhaled. “Shit. Did you tell Emery you love her? Did she say it back? And we missed it?”

Flint gave the man a shove as he moved in beside him. “Shut up.”

“Damn it, you did.”

“I didnottell Emery that I love her.” At least, not in those exact words. Just like she hadn’tactuallysaid she loved him either. But that’s what she’d meant when she’d told him she wanted him to stay. And what he’d implied when he’d answered in kind.

Quinn groaned. “Seriously, Flint? Muddying those waters, again? Because you can say no, but everything about you suggests Bowie nailed it.”

“I didn’t muddy anything because I know exactly how I feel. But I’m not an idiot. I’m savvy enough to wait until the woman I’m mad about isn’t hopped out on drugs and seeing double before I confess anything.”

“God, you really are in love with her.”

Flint sighed. “You make it sound like I’ve come down with some kind of deadly disease.”

“The deadliest.”

Carter chuckled. “Ignore him. Quinn’s more upset because he’s the last man standing than anything else.” Carter batted his eyes at Quinn as he made kissing noises. “Right, buddy?”

Quinn glared at Carter. “You’re all nuts as far as I’m concerned.”

“Don’t worry. We promised we’d make a rational decision if Castle can’t get the proof he needs to crucify those assholes. And while I know we’d rather wash our hands of the whole damn mess, we’re still SEALs. Still willing to make the tough calls. The sacrifices. So, breathe, brother. And let’s focus on razzing Flint rather than a decision we have to make in a few weeks.”

Bowie grinned. “So, what, exactly did Emery… Woah. Incoming family member. Put on your game face, Flint, or Emery’s older brother might have you arm wrestle him or something to prove you’re good enough to date his little sister.”

Flint ignored Bowie, nodding at Jack McClane when the man headed directly for them, not stopping until he’d joined their ranks. “Jack. I thought you and Clark had called it a night?”

They’d shown up an hour after Emery had arrived and had stayed until she’d finally gathered enough strength during a moment of consciousness to tell them to leave or she’d havethem arrested. That she’d never get any rest with them hovering over her.

Both her brothers had looked at him, but Emery had simply smiled and announced the rules didn’t apply to Flint. That he was staying.

Jack kicked at the floor, glancing toward Emery’s room as he shoved his hands in his pockets. “Clark’s driving mom home before she insisted on camping out in Emery’s room. The paramedic in her has a hard time not micromanaging every medical decision. And the last thing we need is her getting herself into trouble if that asshole who tried to kill my little sister shows up again.”

He inched closer, staring Flint in the eyes. “Because thatiswhy you guys are still here, right? Why her captain has an officer on her door — more milling around the building. And I know, for a fact, this area has been closed while they finish some construction in the adjoining wing. Yet, there she is… In a bed I’m sure wasn’t open until this morning.”

Flint glanced at Bowie, but his buddy held up his hands as he nodded at Quinn and Carter — mumbled something about getting that latte for Emery.

Jack waited until the other men had ambled off to one side before crossing his arms over his chest. “Don’t bullshit me, Flint. I want the truth.”

“I see that stubborn streak runs in the family. And yeah, Emery’s been isolated in case there’s another attempt on her life.”

Flint returned Jack’s intense gaze. “But since we’re dispensing with all the bullshit, you should know... I’m not here strictly as her first line of defense. Or because I have some weird sense of responsibility over what happened or as a favor to her captain. I’m here because I’m crazy about her, and I’ll bedamned if I let some asshole mercenary put another scratch on her as long as I’m breathing.” He shrugged. “Just so we’re clear.”

Jack narrowed his eyes, openly assessing Flint before chuckling. “Leave it to Emery to fall for a SEAL. Which was painfully obvious, by the way. Borderline uncomfortable with how she looked at you. But now that I know you’re not going to break her heart…”

Jack cocked his head to the side. “You’renotgoing to break her heart, right? Because I’d hate to have to kill the guy who saved her life.”

“I’m pretty sure Emery would simply shoot me in the ass if I was one, but no. If anyone’s getting hurt, it’ll be me. We good?”

“Aces.” He held out his hand. “Welcome to the family, Flint. We’re loud and use pretty much any minor disagreement as an excuse to fight. But there’s nothing we wouldn’t do for each other.”

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