Page 85 of No Regrets

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Dex was on his way to The Farm. OK, it had stuck with him too. He’d had a restless night. Though happy about how things had gone with Kelly, he was still processing the fact Pops was gone. He’d ended up sorting through some of Pops’ stuff, finding an old baseball they used to play with while Dex was growing up. They’d both signed it years ago when he was a kid. Pops had told him it would be worth something someday. It was worth a lot right now. To him.

After another run this morning, no more envelopes waited for him when he got back. Maybe it was just some crank. Local kids, a dare maybe.

Dex parked. It was almost eight and the team were set to train today. Sam had come up with some drills to run through. Close combat training at its best. The sun was bright as he stepped out of his truck. Sam’s SUV was there but it looked like he was the first from his team, until he heard the throaty engine of Ryan’s Mustang roar behind him.

“Morning, boss.” Ryan walked towards him, carrying a tray of coffee. “How you doing?”

“Morning. Grateful to be here and get my mind off it. I saw Kelly last night.”

“Yeah? How did that go?”

Dex gave him the bullet points as they walked towards the door.

“Sounds promising, brother. I’m rooting for you guys to get back on track. So, I take it there were no more notes?”

“Nothing.” He held the door for him, glancing back. “Shit.”

“What?” Ryan turned back but Dex was already heading to his truck. Putting down the coffees, he followed him. A brown envelope poked out the back of the bed cover.

They looked at each other, and then both pulled their weapons. Not that they really expected anyone to be in the back but better safe than sorry. Together they gently lifted the cover, checking for wires, and guns still at the ready. When they pulled it further up, the envelope fell to the ground. The truck bed was empty.

Dex pulled out the note. Ryan moved next to him to see it.

I’m coming for you. Your days are numbered. Start saying your goodbyes.

Dex frowned. So much for it being a crank.

Ryan cursed. “Does this fucker really think he can mess with us?”

Dex walked back towards the door, Ryan on his heels. “I guess it’s time to loop everyone in.”

They passed through security, reaching the war room. The cameras showed Mackie pulling up outside. “Check my cameras,” Dex said. “See if they caught anything and update the team. I’m going to go chat with Sam.”

Ryan nodded. “You got it.”

Dex made his way to Sam’s office. Fuck, he was a tier one operator, how was he missing this, not hearing someone outside his house? He’d barely slept. But he’d gone for a run. Whoever was doing this had to be watching him. A warning tingle shot down his spine, the hairs on the back of his neck standing up. Sam’s door was open.

“Good morning. How’s things?” Sam looked up.

“Good. Thanks again for coming to the service. It meant a lot to me.”

“Don’t mention it. You sure you want to be back here today?”

“Yeah, I do.” He sighed, not in the mood for small talk, Sam must have sensed it.

“What is it, Dex?” Sam put down his pen and motioned for him to take a seat. Dex handed him the envelopes before sitting. He waited, tossing the baseball between his hands while Sam read the notes. He wasn't sure why he’d brought the ball with him, but it was comforting.

“Addressed to you?” Sam raised his head, his face tense.

“First one was on my doorstep yesterday. Second in the bed of my truck. Just found it a few minutes ago. Not sure when it was put there.”

“The rest of team?”

“Nothing.”

“Do you have any security at your house?”

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