Page 207 of Wild Card

“And Ace has a newborn at home. Major has two boys now.”

“That leaves me.”

“I’m not questioning those men’s dedication or ability. But this thing goes down, I need a man on the ground. Dad’s intel is solid but we’re in the waiting game. Wanted to give you a head’s up.”

“The other guys need to be read in.”

“Figured, I’m not trying to keep this from your crew.”

I blow out a breath, Willow’s face flashing in my mind.

The video she sent earlier of all the girls in the limo, her face flushed from laughing. The skintight red dress, her dark hair falling in waves, the happiness in her eyes.

Full of life.

So goddamned beautiful.

“I know the battle you’re waging, Talon. You’ve left this life behind. No shade if this escalates and you’re not interested. I can use you behind the scenes just as well as on the ground.”

“There’s a crew in MARSOC. I’d trust them at my side. The time comes, you get in touch with them.”

“You gonna forego your team?”

“Not by choice, but if we’re walking into a hostile situation, I’ll do what I have to.”

“Don’t see them accepting that.”

“Let’s hope like hell it doesn’t come to them making a choice.”

The door swings open and Capt. Boyd stands there with a stony glare. “Rumor that you were in my department.”

Robbie shoots him a lopsided grin. “Yo.”

“Yo? You prance your ass through my station, causing all sorts of distraction, and say ‘Yo’?”

“Not my fault I catch the attention. It’s a gift.”

Boyd looks between us with a fiery gaze. “Do they train you Marines to be egotistical sons of bitches?”

“It’s a course in boot camp, right in line with sand pits and The Crucible.” I wiggle my eyebrows.

“Cocky ass,” he grumbles, aiming at Robbie. “Why are you here at this hour on a Saturday night? Don’t bullshit me.”

“Sorry, man. You know the rules.”

We all know the closer we get to transferring to SWAT, the closer Boyd is to retiring and joining Hayes Security.

“This about Max Roberts and his team?”

Robbie nor I move, neither confirming or denying, giving him his answer.

“James read me in on the basics. You taking my men again?”

More silence.

Boyd’s gruff attitude morphs to resignment. “I’m in on this one, Robbie. These are my men until they transfer. James will agree.”

Robbie tips his chin in agreement.

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