Page 66 of Ozzie

“Don’t listen to that asshole,” I say as I enter the room. “He likes to cause trouble.”

Lightning places his two hands on his heart. “I’m hurt. I would never.”

I roll my eyes, and Reed crosses his arms. “He would, and he does,” I say. I turn to Reed. “How did you find Moose?” It’s to the point, but hell, we all want to know.

Reed laughs. “Most of the guys here are pretty direct, you will find.”

“That’s fine. I get it.” Moose turns to me. “CT told me his boss was looking to hire, and he’s been trying to get me to consider private work for a while. I called Stormy, and he said he had an opening in Brooklyn due to someone transferring.”

My best friend, Coff, transferred last year in order tokeep his girlfriend safe. But I’m certain he intends to come back. Can he now? That’s a conversation I need to have with Reed privately.

“Yes, and CT speaks highly of you. Everyone, we are having a team meeting in thirty minutes. Stormy will call in, and we’ll talk about your next assignment,” Reed says.

“Assignment?” I ask.

Shit. I can’t ship out now. Not when we just got Piper back home. And John will likely come after her again.

“Thirty minutes,” Reed says as he leaves the kitchen.

“If CT says you’re good, then you’re good with us. You need to meet the other guys. My best friend, Thunder, is out on an assignment, but you’ll love him.” Lightning frowns. “Well, maybe not love. He’s a bit of a grump. Although not as bad as he used to be since he met Madison. But whatever you do, do not let him talk you into buying any stuffed cats or foxes!”

Moose’s eyes widen.

“Lightning can be a lot. It’s okay if you need to walk away,” I say.

Lightning’s hands go to his hips. “I am not a lot. I’m just filling him in.”

“The man doesn’t need a novel about yours and Thunder’s weird relationship.”

“It’s not weird! We’re best friends.”

Moose stares back and forth at us. “Who else works here?” he asks, likely trying to change the subject.

“Aside from Thunder, Lightning, and me, there is Durango.” I point to him, and he nods. “And Axel, who is also on assignment.”

Moose nods. “Small group. What about Piper? She seems pretty nice.”

I see the look in his eyes, and I need to cut it off. But Durango steps up before I can.

“She’s my cousin, and she’s off limits to everyone here,” Durango says, but his eyes are on me.

Even after everything we went through, he’s still stuck on that? Well, this isn’t the time or place to get into it with him. But I will have to get into it with him. After almost losing Piper, I’m not going to waste any more time.

“Okay.” Moose chuckles. “I was just asking.”

Durango nods. “Now you know.” He spins on his heel and leaves.

“Another grump,” Lightning says. “Whatever you do, don’t pull any pranks on him. He has no sense of humor.”

I cross my arms. “It’s best you don’t pull any pranks. It never ends well here.”

I walk back to my office and work on my report until it’s time for the meeting. By the time I get to Reed’s office, Durango, Moose, and Piper are sitting in the chairs in front of Reed’s desk. I lean against the back wall next to Lightning.

“They’re all here,” Reed says.

“Great,” Stormy says from Reed’s cell phone. “By now, you’ve all met Moose. He’s our newest member, and you can trust he’s been fully vetted by me. It’s been a while since we’ve had a new team member, so I want to make sure you all make him feel right at home.”

“Don’t worry. Lightning is already trying to recruit him for some prank,” I say.

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