Page 2 of SEAL's Patience
“What the fuck was that?” Fergus ‘Doc’ O’Brien asked. “Why were so rude to her?”
“I wasn’t rude.”
“You were,” Josh said. “I know you’re pissed off, boss, but damn, don’t take it out on Patience. That woman wouldn’t hurt a fly. Hell, she’d probably lay out food for it.”
“Exactly. And that’s why I need to stay away from her.”
“Fine, I get it. Actually, not really. It’s obvious you’re attracted to her, or you wouldn’t be such a dick to her. So what’s the problem? We can all see she’s into you.” Josh said.
Fuck. Just what Quinn needed. Now he had Josh and Doc on his ass. This is what he got for trying to do things right and making sure they were all fine after the mission. It’s why he’d started the tradition of coming here to begin with. Except this time, he was the one who needed a time out from everything.
“I don’t need either of you giving me dating advice. Trust me, I know what I’m doing. That girl is everything that is good in this world. The sun to my night. I won’t risk breaking her for a quick fuck.”
“You’re not dark, Quinn. What the hell, boss? If you mean what happened?—”
“We’re not discussing it. Not now. Never. Get me? Let. It. Go,” Quinn growled.
Doc leaned back in his chair with his hands up. “Whatever. But this isn’t you, boss. You need to cut yourself some slack.”
Josh nodded. “He’s right. I’m not sure what’s eating you, but you need to let it go.”
They were right, but they didn’t know his history. Quinn hadn’t shared it with anyone but their CO, and only because he’d had no choice. Only Tony and the shrinks who’d had to clear him for BUD/S.
“Okay. Topic change. Did Tony tell you the shitshow the women got into while we were overseas?” Josh asked.
Quinn breathed out in relief. Maybe he could get through this evening without flipping the table and causing a scene. His anger was roiling inside like a pot about to boil over. It wouldn’t take much to set him off.
“No, he didn’t. Did we miss something?”
“Apparently a whole lot of somethings,” Lucky answered. He sat across from Quinn, next to Doc, and with Grace to his right. Harmony and Ry sat on Grace’s other side.
Luca “Lucky” Rossi had his own darkness to contend with and probably would understand Quinn better than the rest of the team. It wouldn’t be happening, though. But something like understanding shone in his gaze as he met Quinn’s.
The women cringed as Quinn’s gaze met theirs. They must have gotten into a lot of shit while their men were off saving the world, or just one woman in Marikistan.
“What did you get into this time?” Quinn asked. He couldn’t wait for this one. Somehow, they got into trouble almost every time they were on a mission. It drove his guys crazy and was usually good for a laugh. He could use one of those right about now. His fist throbbed. As they tried to explain, Quinn rubbed it against the icy mug.
“Oh, they got into some deep shit this time. Didn’t you, Tempest?” Josh shook his head.
“Nothing bad happened. It was epic. We saved a bunch of women and a child. But yeah, it was deep shit.” Tempest nodded.
“What? And Tony knew about it?”
“He knew about it and helped. If not for him, who knows what would have happened?”
Quinn watched Josh’s expression as Tempest spoke. From the look on his face, Tempest was going to be in a lot of trouble later. They all were.
“Are you going to share, or do I have to drag it out of one of you?” Quinn asked.
Tempest looked at the other women. Grace and Harmony shrugged their shoulders, leaving the decision in her lap. She sighed. Of the three of them, Tempest was the biggest badass, though Grace proved she could hold her own.
“Okay, fine. Providence uncovered a human trafficking operation in Norfolk. Tony and some guys from his former SEAL team helped us rescue the women and a child. One of them had a lot of connections. He got them resettled with jobs and places to live. Apparently, they also took out the cell that covered this area.”
“Holy fuck.”
“Right? Once a SEAL, always a SEAL,” Lucky added.
“And not one casualty except for the tangos,” Ry said.
