Defenseless (Salvation, #5)(3)

However, his suffering doesn’t stop my need to piss him off for fun. “Weren’t you the damn intelligence officer? You should’ve figured this out already. Apparently, the Navy spent too much money training a dipshit.”

“You’re fired.”

“You can’t fire me. I’m the only one who will put up with your shit.”

He’s silent for a moment. Then I hear the dial tone.

Dick.

I sit and think about what he said. It’s true, all of this happened around that time, but I’ve been over this so many times. I really could use another set of eyes, someone who was with Aaron, because it seems the key to all of this is in Afghanistan.

“Hey,” Lee says softly from the doorway, breaking me from my thoughts.

“Sparkles! Back from your honeymoon so soon? Liam couldn’t get it up, huh? The juice will do that to you.” I grin as I taunt her.

They got married a few months ago, but decided to hold off on a honeymoon until after she had Shane. Liam’s dad was all too happy to watch the ankle biter while they went off to the islands. Aaron, her ex, has been really good with everything, thank God, especially about their daughter, Aarabelle. Any time he can get with that kid, he takes. I don’t blame him; she makes all of us behave a little more.

“Why are you so hell-bent on making people want to punch you in the throat?” She pops her hip and narrows her eyes. She’s so cute when she’s hostile. I love having her working here. Cole Security Forces has been thriving with Natalie’s help. She gets things done that the guys can’t seem to take care of.

I shrug as she enters. “How’s Liam handling going from bachelor to father of two?”

Her eyes light up and I have to force myself not to puke. “He’s on diaper duty and doing well. We’re doing good though, since I think that’s what you’re asking. And I guess the ’roids are what caused your shrinkage?”

“Oh, good one.” I stand and start unbuttoning my pants.

“What the hell are you doing?”

“Proving mine is bigger. I figure you must be in need since you cut the trip short. I can satisfy you.” Instead of flushing or giving a hint of embarrassment, she grabs the closest item off the table and chucks it at me.

“Sit down, you turd.”

“I’m just making sure I don’t have to kick his ass.”

She puts the paper on the desk with a smirk, “Oh, Twilight. You’re old. I’m pretty sure he could kick your ass with his eyes closed, but thanks for the sentiment.”

“You forget who taught these younger idiots how to handle their shit. And f*ck you very much. I’m not old. I prefer ‘seasoned’.”

“Same thing.”

“I’m not even forty yet.”

“Yet.”

Natalie is one of the few females I don’t mind being around. Thankfully, Catherine is the other. They both can verbally spar with the best of them. It also helps that they’re both hot. Not that I would ever touch them, but there’s something about a sexy woman mouthing off.

“Is that how you should address a man of the cloth?”

“Oh, for the love of . . .”

“Do not finish that sentence, my child.” Her eyes roll as I fight back a laugh.

“Mark,” she huffs. “You have issues.”

As if I didn’t know that. I’ve had issues for a long time, but my friend’s issues were far worse. I was able to take some of the stuff, put it to the side, and focus on functioning. There’s not a part of me that doesn’t think I fought hard to save those guys. Jackson and I have always been close, but Brian was like a brother to me. We went through hell together during jump school. I was there when his wife left him, when he lost his house, married again, and then when he took his last breath. To lose him of all the guys was hard, but you can’t do anything except move forward.

“Only issue I have is being in love with you,” I joke.

Lee raises her hands then lets them fall. “I give up. And you do realize you’re not really a minister!”

“I have a certificate that says otherwise.”

“I blame Liam for his brilliant idea of letting you get ordained.” She rolls her eyes and shakes her head.

“What’s this paper?” I ask, bringing the conversation back to whatever led her here.

She sits with a sigh. “I can’t get a hold of the contact person in Egypt. It’s a small team that’s guarding a diplomat. He didn’t trust his last company, so he hired us. I worked really hard to secure this account. Assured him that we could handle it. No one is able to get a hold of anyone in their group.”

Fucking shit. “How many checkpoints have they missed?” I keep myself under control. Could this be another blip? Sure. It could also be that they’re unable to get reception on the satellite phone.

“Two.”

“How is this happening again?” I grumble.

Lee shifts. “I wish I had answers, but Liam thinks something is really wrong. I’ve put him at ease because he trusts you guys . . .” she trails off.

If she were my wife, I’d be telling her to leave, too. Before I can say anything else, Aaron knocks.

“Hey,” he says. “Lee, can you give us a minute?”