Indefinite (Salvation #6)(55)

That small response garners an inch of respect. I could push him, but it would be for nothing. This is his company and whatever I’m privy to is all I need to know.

“I appreciate that. I’d like you to take a look at the protective detail regulations. We wrote them a long ass time ago, and they need to be updated. Also, I’m going to have you create specs and battle plans, for lack of a better word, regarding each operation. I know we can’t see all the possibilities, but right now, we are working with bare-bones regulations.”

Because Aaron is gone and that was his job, which they failed to assign to anyone else.

I don’t say it, but this is his specialty. I’m a sniper, not a strategist. Still, I know weak spots and how to avoid them.

“Not a problem. I’d like to do some weapons training with whoever is going to be assigned to me.”

Mark grins. “I figured. You’re approved for any training you deem necessary. Jackson and I have no problem spending money to keep our men trained.”

“Good to know.”

“Now, tell me about how you thought knocking Ashton up was the way to win her back.”

I laugh once. “Wasn’t the plan, but it seemed to work.”

“Who knew the crazy redhead just wanted a baby?”

I did, and I’m damn glad I gave it to her.





“I love the beach,” Ashton says as we walk through the surf, letting the small waves crash over our feet.

“You’d feel differently after going through BUDs.”

She sighs as her head rests on my arm. “Maybe, but that’s why I’m happy I studied biology instead of going through techniques to survive torture.”

I laugh. That part wasn’t fun, but yet, it kind of was. The things I learned may not apply to anything outside of what my job once was, but it’s an experience that taught me that our bodies are stronger than our minds allow us to think.

Pain is a mindset, and if we can tackle that, we can push through it, which is what I’m trying to apply to all of my life.

“Since we’re on the subject of jobs,” I decide to broach the topic we’ve both been avoiding. “I think we should discuss what’s going on here.”

“You mean with you working for a company in Virginia Beach and me in New York?”

“Yes.”

Ashton lifts her head and glances toward the sunset. I can’t help but think about how absolutely gorgeous she is. The red and oranges in the sky make the blue in her eyes so much stronger. There’s something about her that seems free and happy.

“I’m not sure what to say,” she admits. “I don’t know what we should do because I don’t want to leave my job, and at the same time, it’s not fair to ask you to live up there.”

“I’ll be able to be in New York at least fifty percent of the time.”

She releases a heavy sigh. “So, that’s like deployment each year? Six months of the year you’ll be here and I’ll be alone—with a baby.”

In my head, this made much more sense. “It’ll be broken up, so I won’t be gone for months.”

“No, I know that. It’s going to be hard, though. Now that I had sort of hoped—”

“Hoped?”

Ash smiles bashfully. “I just hoped we’d be together. I don’t know, I see us . . . raising this kid as a unit instead of me during the week and you on weekends.”

Thank fucking God she said that.

I hesitate to ask this next thing. Ashton is headstrong, and if she feels her back is to the wall, she’ll push back in ways I’d rather not see again. Right now, she’s calm and relaxed, like a nice kitten. Those claws come out, and she’s a freaking lioness. I like this version of cats.

Still, she wants us to talk and be able to say shit to each other, so here’s a test.

“Can I ask you why moving here isn’t even an option for you?”

Her fingers tense around my arm just a little. “It’s not that it’s not an option . . . is that what you want?”

“I don’t want you to give up your life. I know your family and job are important.”

“Yes, but Gretchen is here, and so are Natalie and Mark. I would have a family of sorts.”

“And me.”

She smiles at me and tilts her head. “Of course I have you.”

Yes, she really does—by the balls.

“There’s time for us to figure it out. I wanted to see where your head is.”

Because my heart is with her. The idea of being here while she might need me there is weighing on me. I wish I could convince Mark and Jackson to open a New York office and let me run it, but that’s ridiculous.

“Honestly, I’m conflicted in a way I never thought I would be.” Ashton stops walking and stares out at the sea.

“How so?”

She looks up at me with those blue eyes from over her shoulder. “I’ve loved you for a long time, and six months ago, I never would’ve considered moving here. I would’ve stood my ground and demanded to stay in New York. Now, I don’t feel like the ground is the same if you’re not next to me.”

We’ve said a lot to each other in the last few weeks. Confessions, apologies, and promises, but that might be the single most important thing she’s said.