Page 27 of Wild Card

Captain Boyd’s scowl deepens, his eyes flaring. Dr. Welch is a Behavioral Specialist who contracts with the department. She’s also Captain Boyd’s niece. When Ace and Major were assigned to her for release back to duty last year, she let the family nickname for Boyd slip.

He was not pleased.

We use every chance we can to rouse him. A mountain of a man, he is anything but a peewee.

“I’m not worried about mental wounds. You asses keep going off and getting shot, stabbed, or tortured. Then my budget is hit with all your fucking therapy. Not to mention your time in these chairs.”

“Technically, it’s only Talon on desk duty.” Ace grins smugly. “He’s the problem child this month because he aggravated his shoulder by showing out.”

“Looks like your asses are in chairs to me. Wanna explain?”

“We’re taking a break to give our moral support.” Major leans back in his seat, linking his fingers behind his head. “Simms needs us.”

“I don’t need shit.” There isn’t enough time for this. I want to change out of my uniform before the appointment.

“You got another situation?” Boyd questions with his brows pinched.

“No.”

“More like he needs advice,” Ford adds.

“I can guarantee I don’t need advice from you fuckers.”

Ace points to the ink on his ring finger.

“I got a wife and two boys under my roof with my last name. You have an empty bed.” Major also points to the ink on his ring finger.

“Jesus, help us. Is this about a woman?” Boyd rubs the back of his neck. “Is it too much to ask for six simple months without you four bringing drama to my department?”

“No drama.”

“Yet.” Ford chuckles. “It’s still early.”

“I already regret asking, but someone give me a head’s up.” Boyd fixes his gaze on me.

“Simms has a thing for his physical therapist.”

I glare at Ford for making me seem like a teenage boy. “You’re a dick.”

He throws his hands in the air with a cunning smile.

Boyd clears his throat, and I notice he’s paled slightly. His eyes meet mine and a knot coils in my gut.

“Um, I don’t know how to say this, because it’s none of my business. But I know Abe Koch and he’s engaged… to a woman.”

My heart stops, understanding rushing through my nerves.

All my reports and releases have come from Abe.

He doesn’t know about Willow.

Which means—he thinks I’m gay.

The silence stretches a beat before Ace, Major, and Ford all burst into loud, obnoxious laughter. Major hurls so far back, his chair tips and he does a full roll-out. Ford isn’t as graceful, hitting the floor with a thud.

“Oh My God, Jewls will love this.” Major snaps a picture of me.

“I’m not fucking interested in Abe.”

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