Indefinite (Salvation #6)(58)

Natalie’s relationship with Liam has always been something I’ve coveted. He’s truly one of the best men I know. The way he came in and loved her child, respected her, and was willing to give her up if that was what she needed . . . I envied it.

“Did you . . .” I don’t know if I should ask her this.

“Did I?”

“It’s nothing.”

Natalie rests her hand on my arm. “Ashton, you’re my friend too. You can ask me anything.”

This woman is a saint. “Did you ever worry that Liam would miss the single life?”

Liam isn’t who I’m talking about, but I can’t bring myself to say it. Quinn and I were dating in an unconventional way. While I think we were exclusive, I can’t really know, and I’ve never asked. He went out, drank and partied, and if he did hook up, I never knew. It worked for us. I know I didn’t step out on him. I loved him.

I wanted a future, but I’m not the girl who gets upset over things I can’t control. This time, it’s not that. He talks about marriage and raising our child together. It’s not random or a shallow relationship.

There’s a future.

“I think that Liam,” her voice emphasizes that she knows who I’m referring to, “knows what he has. If he was ever going to miss being single, it wouldn’t have been after major life decisions. You know, like if we had gotten pregnant or something along those lines.”

I shake my head and touch my stomach. “I don’t want the baby to be the only reason.”

“Ash, he came back before the baby.”

“I know.”

“Do you?” She challenges.

I nod. “I do. It’s just the first time I’ve ever felt comfortable, if that makes sense.”

“So much sense. I remember when I was with Liam and thinking, is this what this is supposed to feel like? Was I actually living before? When you let yourself breathe because you’re able to, it’s really hard.”

Our attention turns to where the guys are sitting. All of them are in some deep conversation. “What do you think they’re talking about?”

She laughs. “Football. They only look that serious when they’re arguing about sports.”

“Men.”

Natalie nods. “Exactly. But we love them. God knows why.”

Because they make us smile. That’s why.





29


Quinn





“That doesn’t make sense,” Mark chimes in. “I was the retribution for the shooting when we were all active. There’s no one else who could be behind all this shit.”

None of it makes sense. When I started looking into what Gretchen uncovered, it seemed as if the lawyer could’ve had something to do with the issues that keep happening, but I’m not so sure. I think he fucked up, but it doesn’t seem like sabotage. It looks more like he was an idiot.

“Then why does it keep happening?” Liam asks. “I’m sorry, guys, but there’s something else that you two aren’t seeing.”

“He’s right. It’s all around you guys.” I look to Jackson and Mark. “Why else?”

Liam nods. “Maybe it has to do with something that happened before any of our time.”

It’s the only thing that would make any sense. “What missions did you guys go on where things went wrong?”

Mark bristles in his seat, but Jackson clamps his hand on his shoulder and then speaks. “We were in the heart of the war. Our team was first in, and we uncovered shit you guys can’t begin to know. It could be anything. We were a part of raids where we seized assets that were . . .” He closes his eyes, seeming to go back in time. “Look, I know guys in our units took shit, I’m sure of it, but I never caught anyone.”

“Not to mention, Jackson and I were the two dickheads who volunteered to keep extending. We worked with our team and also bounced to other units when they needed ops help.”

Liam releases a heavy sigh. “I know this isn’t easy, but there’s a vendetta somewhere, and it’s coming back in full force.”

“It’s only ever your protection details, right?” I ask.

“I wish.” Jackson gets to his feet. “We’ve had issues with shipments and things going missing.”

“I see.” The worry is wearing on him. Anyone can see it. Jackson takes duty very seriously. He feels personally responsible for everything.

“The thing is, we go a fucking year with nothing, and then”—Mark claps his hands together—“we’re right back here. It’s like a goddamn game.”

“One that almost killed you,” Charlie materializes as if she was there the whole time.

Charlie is the only female in the world I wouldn’t fuck with. She’s a former CIA operative, and I’m pretty sure she still does some shit that we don’t know about.

“I heard you that time,” Mark says with a smirk.

“No you didn’t, but I expect your hearing to continue to deteriorate with age,” she digs at him.

They’re so much like Ashton and me that it’s funny. Well, minus the kicking the shit out of each other for fun. Each time, Charlie gives him a run for his money, and I’m pretty sure she lets him win so she doesn’t hurt his ego.