Page 138 of Secret Mission

Jamming myself between Beast and Justice, I scramble to get to the bed. To the owner of the best voice I’ve ever heard.

At first when I was entering the hospital room, I thought I had to be imagining Truck talking. He was still out when I left. Or more like when Justicemademe leave with a guard.

Over and over, the last few days, in my agitated naps, I would hear Truck’s gravelly tone in my dreams.

Hearing him now is the best sound ever.

Through tears, I whisper, “I shouldn’t have left.”

It’s the only thing I can think to say because everything I want to say is far too personal. Too emotional.

“Come here, babe.”

Legs shaking, I glide closer on a cloud of joy. The need to wrap Truck in my arms is so overwhelming I have to fight myself to stay out of his hospital bed.

“I’m so glad you’re okay. How long have you been awake?”

“Long enough for them to catch me up.”

This really ticks me off. Buzzing with frustration and from the coffee I just downed like a shooter, I look at the men that I now know.

Beast, his team leader, and Marshall Lake, the owner of Agile Security and Rescue, have been constant figures since Truck was brought into the hospital. I include Justice in my unhappy glare too. “Why didn’t someone call me?”

“I’ll be leaving now.” Justice drags me into a bear hug. “You keep our boy in line now.”

“You go find my friend.”

“Copy that. She’s gonna be in good hands.”

When he ducks out, Marshall's grinning like there’s an inside joke.

“What?” I ask, confused.

Truck makes a low, restrained laughing sound, holding his ribs as he winces. “Babe, is your friend tall and blonde and made from ones and zeroes?”

When I look baffled, Beast clues me in. “Ones and zeroes, as in computer code. It was just a joke because Justice has that crush on the AI influencer.”

“Oh. No.” I frown. “She’s kind of like a curvy, dark-haired librarian type, only she’s a scientist and wears a lab coat.”

“She’s safe, then.” Marshall chuckles. “Justice has a type.”

Truck laces his fingers between mine. “Speaking of my type, can you guys get lost so I can talk to my woman?”

A flood of warmth circles my heart like a lasso.

“We’ll be back.” Beast is hiding a grin. “But I’m not guarding the door for you two like Justice did.”

If cheeks can burst into flames, mine would.

“Just joking,” Truck’s team leader says. “You do you, whatever that is, given your banged up state. We’ll be keeping aneye on things since we don’t know wherethe fatheris. Or what he’s up to. You guys are safe.”

“They’ve had a guard on me the whole time,” I say as Truck’s expression turns worried.

“Good, otherwise I’d have to beat some asses when I can get out of this bed.”

When the door closes behind them, I reassure Truck. “I’m fine. They’ve been taking good care of me.”

“I’m glad, baby.” His blue eyes are shining, his tone rough. “I’m sorry I couldn’t be around to take care of you.”

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