Page 65 of Stolen Hearts

Denver wasn’t sure he knew the half of it, but he refrained from speaking.

“I love the rush. Being pushed to be better.”

He understood that too.

“I love making a difference…and Blackout is at the top of the game.”

“Better than protecting embassies?” He gave Theo a taunting smile. It had been a joke among the Malone brothers that Theo had even softer hands than Gray, who’d only flown jets in the military.

Theo let out a snort. “Asshole.”

“Are you asking my advice? Or seeking my blessing?”

He shrugged. “Dunno.”

“Well, I can’t sway you one way or another. I loved Charlie team. I miss my brothers every goddamn day. I won’t lie it’s been difficult, coming to terms with the fact that they can’t reach out to me very often, if ever again.” He shifted his jaw, grinding his molars against the emotion rising inside him like a tide.

He went on, “But there are other ways to save people.”

Theo held his gaze, waiting to hear what those were.

“Look what our brothers have done. Oaks chased down a Russian trafficker to save Shiloh. Carson used every skill in the book to save Layne from her kidnapper. Colt has Aspen in his life because he was able to hunt down her stalker. And without Gray, Honor’s ex would have probably killed her.”

“And you? Will you join the security team?”

He didn’t hesitate to nod, something that surprised even him. Until this moment, he hadn’t fully committed to Black Heart Security. To his place here.

“Yeah, I’ll join them. I like the work. I doubt it comes with the same rush as an op, but there are people who need us.Private clients, people who need help. We’re still in the business of protecting people.”

Theo’s lips twisted at one corner. “Carson said you stormed in and demanded to reorganize the entire agency.”

Denver laughed. “I can whip them into shape.”

They sobered. Denver eyed his brother, thinking about losing him to Blackout. HelovedCharlie. But the more selfish part of him wanted his brother in his life.

“You’re trying to talk me out of joining Blackout.”

He shook his head. “I’m just trying to make you see there’s a choice. You don’t have to keep climbing rank. You don’t have to switch to a bigger and better team.”

Theo eyed him. “Who said it’s bigger and better?”

He grunted. “Because it fucking is, and you know it too or you wouldn’t be standing here thinking about making the move. Look, all I can say is that…I’m glad I got that last head injury. I’ll gladly live with the headaches, the dizziness and the ringing in my ears as long as I can see Rhae smile at me, watch my daughter take her first steps…and hear her call me Daddy.”

His throat closed off then, tears burning the backs of his eyes.

Theo nodded to himself, head bowed.

“Think about what you really want in life. You can still have the glory without giving up your own dreams.”

Chapter Fourteen

The end of the workday always left Rhae’s desk littered with scribbled notes and manila folders. She tried her best to keep it tidy, but today had been especially busy. Her office door hadn’t quit swinging all day.

She jotted one last line down before snapping the folder closed and filing it under the appropriate name in the filing cabinet. She hummed quietly as she worked, a tune that helped Navy fall asleep.

She slipped each file into its place and closed the drawers with a satisfying click.

She turned, brushing a stray strand of hair behind her ear, and saw him there.

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