Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 66205 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 331(@200wpm)___ 265(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66205 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 331(@200wpm)___ 265(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
That wasn’t helpful!
Gray narrowed his eyes at the man, who scooted to the middle seat to make room for Darius.
“Is it wedding-related?” Gray couldn’t help but ask.
Reese merely chuckled, then faced the driver and gave directions in flawless Spanish.
“Hmpf.” Gray peered out the window instead.
Two hours later, they began reaping the rewards of their successful mission.
Their hotel was far from the city noise and very luxurious. It was a Westwater golf resort, where guests stayed in their own bungalows and had access to golf carts to get around.
The bungalows were grouped together six by six, each section forming a circle around its own pool area and outdoor kitchen. Gray and Darius in one bungalow, Reese, Ryan, and Greer in another, and Cullen with his son in a third.
Tiki torches lit up the area as the men emerged after having showered and starting feeling human again.
Gray directed Darius to a lounger, wanting to snuggle, and got comfortable between Darius’s legs.
“I ordered pizza from the restaurant,” Reese said.
“Suh-weet,” Gray said. “Dare and I were just talking about food. Where’s Ryan?”
“Talking to the mister and the missus,” Reese responded.
Greer was on the phone too, a few feet away. “That’s right, baby. Daddy will be home in two more sleeps. Can you give Corey the phone again? Maybe he can tell me why you’re up at this hour.”
Aww.
Earlier today, Gray and Darius had had a similar conversation with the kids at home. Justin just didn’t understand why Daddy and other Daddy were going on their honeymoon before the wedding. Because Nana had taught him that honeymoons were for after. So they’d reminded him patiently that they were helping a friend with something—and, yes, they would absolutely be home before Easter this weekend.
Cullen was next to arrive at the pool, supporting himself on a damn golf club, and it didn’t go unnoticed that his eyes were a little red.
Gray knew what family reunions felt like. Finally being able to let go, see those you loved again…
Reese glanced up at him. “Crew’s on the phone with Mama Bear?”
“You bet.” Cullen smiled and limped over to another lounger. “I feel like I can breathe again.”
Then he shouldn’t be lighting up another cigarette.
Gray didn’t wanna bother the man, but his gunshot wound could easily start bleeding again. He’d had to apply more dressing after he’d removed the tourniquet.
“How’s your leg?” Gray asked. “Any numbness left from the tourniquet?”
“Very little. You did good, kid.” Cullen cleared his throat. “You all did. I can’t… I—shit.” He exhaled a little laugh, and his eyes turned glassy. “Just—thank you. Thank you for being here. Thank you for putting yourselves at risk. You have my eternal gratitude and respect. And if you ever need anything—babysitters, designated driver, someone to bag your groceries—I’ll send Crew right away. He’ll work for free.”
Gray grinned widely and felt Darius’s silent chuckles behind him.
“We were happy to help,” Gray murmured.
And they were lucky that Crew had gone missing on an official mission. They’d had more information to go on; they’d known specifics of the location.
Darius, River, and Reese all had experience from the agency where Crew was contracted, and it was a merciless business. Just because they had a boss didn’t mean they had security. A failed mission wouldn’t automatically result in a rescue operation. They had teams of investigators who put all the factors together before they made a decision on whether to send someone new to bring the contractors home.
In Crew and Lawrence’s case, that was still under investigation. And their parents had said fuck it, taken out loans, and funded the operation themselves. Not unlike Gray’s parents had done.
Midnight came and went.
Nine pizzas disappeared.
In Gray’s defense, the pizzas had been smaller than regular pizzas, and that was why he’d chowed down almost two pies on his own, with Ryan and Reese watching in wonder.
“What?” Gray wiped his mouth on a napkin and reached for his Fanta.
Ryan shook his head. “I’m gonna go broke when my twins get older.”
Uh, yeah. Ryder and JJ were Quinns all the way.
“That’s Jason right now,” Greer said. “Boy’s a damn locust. We haven’t had leftovers in months, ’cause he’s hit a growth spurt and eats everything.”
“I remember when it was my boys,” Cullen said with a shake of his head. “I don’t know who was worse, Crew or Maverick. Kaden didn’t eat a lot per se, but he had a period where he was up in the middle of the night because he was starving. And what did he eat? My lunch for work the next day, obviously.”
“I remember that,” Greer chuckled.
Gray belched and side-eyed the slice Darius had abandoned.
It was really good pizza.
On the other hand, the pool looked really good too, and he didn’t wanna end up in a food coma. Ryan and Greer had even brought out snacks and booze that they’d bought at the airport, and if Gray passed out before they could open the vodka, he was gonna be pissed. He wanted a screwdriver and a gin and tonic, in that order. Probably a couple more after that. Then he wanted to have drunk sex with Darius.