Page 124 of Protected from Malice
A new place to live.
A new life.
When Cole brought up the idea, I immediately knew I was all in. A job that would allow me not only to protect people, but be a part of a team again? A team with people I trust? To be teammates with my best friend again?
And even better, I could be right here in Portland. With Eden.
We won’t need to buy a house on our own, because we’ll be living at the new Blade and Arrow headquarters once it’s built. Eden will have five highly trained former Special Forces around to keep her safe.
For a while, I wasn’t sure if it would happen.
Ace and Webb were in right away. Indy took longer, mostly because he was worried about his prosthetic arm being a liability. But Cole put Indy in touch with another Green Beret, Yara, who’s a genius with robotics. She talked to Indy about adaptations she could make to his prosthetic to make it even betterthan a real hand.
Then Eden and I talked to him. Told him how much we both believed in him. And then Indy was in.
The holdout was Tyler. Not because he didn’t want to, but he had similar concerns to Indy. He was worried he wouldn't be able to keep up with the rest of the team. “I’ll never be as fast as you guys,” he explained. “No matter how much I work out, my leg will always hold me back.”
But Cole flew out to Portland two weeks ago and had a long conversation with Tyler in private. At the end of it, Tyler agreed.
He’s the only one worried about his abilities. The rest of us aren’t. We know Tyler will be just as much of an asset as anyone else.
“So,” Cole finishes, “I think I’ve talked long enough. It’s time for me to celebrate. Eat. Drink. Play some extreme Jenga.” He chuckles. “Probably get drunk.”
“Here, here,” Finn cheers. “I’m always up for extreme Jenga.”
“On that note—” Cole grabs his half-full beer glass from the table beside him and lifts it into the air. “Cheers to our new team. The Blade and Arrow Shadow Team. I’m damn proud to have you join the family.”
Whistles and cheers erupt.
Glasses clink.
Indy catches my eye from across the room and raises his glass to me.
I raise my own in return. We exchange a look that says more than words can.
I missed you.
I’m glad you’re back.
I can’t wait to be your teammate again.
“Rafe.” Eden hugs me tight. “I’m so happy for you.” She pauses. “I’m so happy for both of you.”
My throat goes unexpectedly thick. “I’m happy, too.”
Taking her hand, I draw her off to the side. Once it’s a little quieter, I say, “Just so you know, no matter what jobs come up, you willalwaysbe my priority. It doesn’t matter what you need,whether it’s me sticking close while you’re teaching or being there for you if you’re having a hard time with your PTSD. I will always be there for you first. Okay?”
“Rafe.”Her features scrunch up. “You’re going to make me cry in front of all these people.”
“Don’t cry.” I press my lips to hers. Then I cup her cheek as I look into her eyes. “I love you. And that’s nothing to cry about.”
Her chin quivers. “I know. And I love you, too.” She takes a breath and releases it slowly. “I used to hear people sayeverything happens for a reasonand I thought it was kind of silly. Like… how could something bad happen for a good reason? And I’m not saying I’m glad some of the things I went through happened. But.”
“But?”
“But I’m not sure we’d be here together if they hadn’t. And of everything, I’m most glad about being with you. So maybe the saying isn’t all wrong, after all.”
“Ah, baby.” I hug Eden close, breathing in the soft scent of her hair and memorizing the feel of her body snuggled against mine. “I wish I could take away those bad things. But I promise I’ll never let anyone hurt you again.”
