Forged in Steele (KGI #7)(83)

“Look, you’re a hard-ass. Everyone knows that. You know what the others call you. While I don’t agree that you’re some emotionless machine, you’re a nightmare to most women because you’re so tight-lipped all the time and women like men to talk to them.”

Steele nearly laughed at the visible shudder that rolled over Sam’s shoulders.

“Maren is . . . special. I just hope you realize what you’ve got, Steele. And if you haven’t figured it out yet, make sure you do before it’s too late. Take it from someone who damn near waited too long.”

Steele glanced up the walkway to see Garrett and Donovan approaching. He hadn’t planned to get into this with them today, but the opportunity had presented itself and it would save him a trip back over.

As soon as Garrett and Donovan got close enough, Steele took a step back so they could take part in the conversation.

“I’m off the books for a while,” Steele said.

Sam didn’t react. He didn’t seem surprised. “Okay. How long are we talking about here?”

There was caution in his tone, and maybe he worried that Steele would go completely off his rails and walk away now that he had Maren and a child on the way.

“I can’t answer that,” Steele said honestly. “My first priority has to be Maren’s and my child’s safety.”

Garrett nodded. “I get that.”

Donovan nodded too.

“Not fair to my team to take the downtime with me,” Steele said. “They need the action. The longer we’re down, the rustier and more complacent we get. Plus they don’t get paid when we’re not in action.”

Sam lifted an eyebrow in surprise. “You telling us to take your team? That’s not something I ever expected from you.”

Steele ran a hand through his hair. “Look. For a long time my team has been my life. KGI has been my life. They’ve gotten a hundred and ten percent of my loyalty. Maren gets that from me now. She deserves it. Our child deserves it. Not saying I won’t be back. But we have a lot to work out. And that’s why I want to talk to you all. First, I need to be out of action for a while. I don’t trust Caldwell not to make a grab for her.”

“I hear you,” Garrett muttered.

“Second thing is, we have a hell of a lot to figure out. Maren had a practice in Costa Rica. No way in hell I want her going back there or anywhere for a long damn time. But that’s not fair to her. I can’t make that decision for her, no matter how much I’d like to.”

“Smart man,” Sam said, amusement sparking in his eyes.

“I’d like to get her something here so she can stay with me and I can keep an eye on her and our child. KGI could use a doctor, no doubt. But she could also open a practice in this area, at least until our child is old enough for it to be a consideration to go back into the field if that’s what will make Maren happy.”

Donovan cupped his chin and rubbed thoughtfully. “It’s not a bad idea. Doc Campbell has been making noises about retiring. I think he would have done it already if he had a replacement lined up. Maren is a hands-on doctor and Doc Campbell still makes house calls, which is unheard of in this day and age. He’d want someone like him because it worries him what his patients will do when he retires. He’d like Maren a lot and she’d be perfect to replace him.”

Excitement simmered in Steele’s mind. He didn’t want to seem too eager, but he’d do damn near anything to make Maren happy here. With him. Not thousands of miles away.

He never wanted to hold her back, but he was scared shitless over the idea of her being someplace like where she’d been, alone and defenseless. Their child just as vulnerable. Not that she’d be alone. Because if she did insist on going off, he’d damn well pack up and go with her. But it wasn’t his first choice. Not yet.

There’d be plenty of time down the road for them to go wherever the hell she wanted. He didn’t have roots in any one place. He’d made Tennessee his home out of necessity, not because he had ties here.

“It’s worth it to see if she’d think about it,” Steele said. “I’ll bring it up when I get a chance.”

Then he glanced at Sam. “You okay with me taking leave? I can’t even tell you how long. Definitely until the baby is born. Maybe longer if Caldwell is still a threat. If you can’t hold my job that long, I understand.”

Sam held up his hand, his brows drawn together and his lips flat with annoyance. “Your job will be here when you get back. For now, Donovan can take over your team. He’s worked with them more than Garrett or I, so he’d be the logical choice to assume the team leadership role. Van? You got a problem with that?”

“Guess not, since you just volunteered me,” Donovan said dryly.

“They won’t like it,” Garrett interjected. “They aren’t used to following anyone’s orders except yours.”

“They’ll understand,” Steele said. “They’ll do it for me.”

Sam nodded. “You going to tell them?”

“Tomorrow. I invited them to my place. After that, they’re yours, Van.”

“Okay. I’ll give them a shout-out and do a meet-up here at the compound in a few days. They need the time off for now.”

“Yeah, they do,” Steele said. “We all do.”