Defenseless (Salvation, #5)(43)

“Quinn.” I nod. Dude’s on my shit list.

“One day I’ll understand why the hell he thought getting married was a good idea.”

“One day you will. Until then, you’ll keep being a dumbass who walks away from a girl who was willing to even consider looking at your ugly mug.” I take a swig and let him take that in. While Ashton and I never became anything, what he did to her is completely wrong. He’s lucky I don’t lay him out right here, but I respect Liam too much. So Quinn gets to live another day. Until I no longer feel charitable.

He huffs, “If you only knew.”

“I know more than you think.” This guy is something else. Ashton called me a few weeks ago in tears. She fell for Quinn, dated the moron, and then he dumped her.

“Yeah.” He shakes his head. “You only know what Ash told you. I’m sure she didn’t fill you in on what she did that caused it all.”

I lock our gazes so he understands I mean what I’m about to say. “Girls like that don’t come around daily. Girls who are willing to accept you for the dick you are, deal with deployments, and know that you may not come home again aren’t a dime a dozen. I’ve been through my share of women figuring this out. I’ve slept my way through Hot Tuna—and a host of the other bars in Virginia Beach—but those chicks are all after one thing, man, and it ain’t your heart.”

These young SEALs don’t understand it, and they need to learn. When we’re gone, we can’t worry about life at home. Our minds are focused on the job. There are some women who can take it, a lot who can’t. Ashton needs to cut off his balls.

“Whatever, man.” He turns his attention to Charlie. “Nice to see you again, Agent Awesome.”

She starts to chuckle. “I don’t even want to know, do I?”

I wrap my arm around her waist, clearly letting Quinn know she’s here with me. And with me as in more than just a guest. “It’s our name for what we think your ass looks like,” I explain.

Charlie’s eyes widen. “Oh, so you talk about my ass? Is it part of your company meetings?”

Not a bad idea. Hmmm. I may have to add that to the agenda. On the other hand, I don’t want anyone talking about her ass. “No.” Fuck that.

She smirks as if she knows why I’m so adamant. “How long are you guys home for?” she asks Quinn.

Natalie was approaching, but she stops in her tracks. Quinn notices and nods. “Not sure.”

That’s bullshit. They’re leaving soon, and Lee knows it. She’s just having a hard time accepting the idea of it. Part of me wants to tell her to buck up because this is what she gets being married to a SEAL again. There’s a part of us that goes insane being home too long. Sure, it’s a great break, but we live for the field. Being home keeps us human while the field keeps us animalistic. I miss that feeling.

“You can say it, Quinn.” She thaws out. “I know you’re all leaving.”

“I won’t be responsible for you throwing things.”

“I only throw things at you.” Lee gives him a condescending look. “Because you’re an idiot.”

I huff, open my mouth to say something in support of his stupidity, but Liam walks in with the food. “Let’s eat!” he says. At least he gives us a reason to shut up and not get in a fight. Quinn and I will have words, though.

Liam must be aware of the energy in the room. Natalie places her arms around him. He’s a lucky dude. He has the woman he loves, kids, friends, and still gets to kick everyone’s ass.

I’m getting there. I just need to get Charlie fully on board with actually dating and not this trying shit. I don’t need marriage and all that yet. But we’ve been friends for a year, and I know there’s potential.

Everyone digs in while I sit back and observe. Surrounded by the people who matter, I think about how easily Charlie fits in. She’s one of us. She knows everyone here, and all of us are in that same field. We understand leaving, coming home, and never really having a place. We live on the outskirts of relationships.

I glance at Liam and he tilts his head toward the house. I nod. He’s got the information I requested.

“Mark,” he says. “Can you help me with the keg?”

“Sure thing.”

We both get up, but he takes an extra minute because, of course, he has to kiss his wife. I swear they make me sick with how much they love each other. Their honeymoon period is never going to end.

“Do you even have a keg?” I laugh as we walk toward the kitchen.

“Of course I do. It was cheaper than cans between you, Quinn, and Aaron.”

“Is he coming?”

Liam shrugs. “He said he was.”

Aaron says a lot of things regarding Lee and Liam. I know he’s trying, but a man can only take so much. While they’re all really sensitive around him, it’s still hard to miss their glances and the way they’re always smiling. It’s kind of like showing up at a wedding you weren’t invited to.

“So?” I’m unwilling to talk about anything other than what he might know. “I assume you really didn’t need my help with beer.”

Liam checks behind us before he begins. “I made a few calls.” His voice is barely audible. Which is good considering Charlie is a spy and all. “One of my buddies up there is a private investigator. He was on our team a while back, good guy, great at intelligence and reconnaissance. You may want to think about hiring him, since he seems to be good.”