Prologue

PROLOGUE

TATE

“Got a minute?” I said while rapping my knuckles on Dalton’s open office door.

The two other men in his office, both co-owners of Nightshade Security Inc., turned to peer at me. With an assessing gaze, NSI’s majority owner, gave me a chin lift. “What’s up, Corbin?” Dalton said.

Closing the door behind me, I approached and took up a seat on the sofa across from them, leaning forward, elbows on my knees as I scrubbed the too-long scruff on my face.

“Jesus, Tate, you look like someone died,” Shane added when I hadn’t immediately started talking.

Lifting my head, I met each one’s gaze straight on, internally chuckling at myself for the bout of nerves that had assaulted me and never left after I’d hung up with my brothers a few hours ago.

“Not yet,” I supplied.

“Fuck,” Shane groaned.

“Christ,” Dalton added simultaneously.

Brycen made the task of having to explain a bit easier when he prompted me with, “What do you need?”

“Gonna need to take some leave,” I blurted, then further explained. “My brothers called a little after lunchtime in Texas. My mama’s not doin’ well.”

Dalton’s gaze softened. “Anything we can do?”

I shook my head. “No, but thanks, D. I doubt there’s anythin’ much to be done. It’s cancer—pancreatic—but they found it early.”

“Whipple?” Brycen asked about the major surgery that could potentially lengthen the amount of time my twin brothers and I would have with Mama.

A curt nod served as my answer. “Next Thursday, then, when she’s healed some, she’ll start chemo.”

“Damn.” Shane shook his head at my life-altering news while Dalton added, “Take all the time you need. You need a month, six… Hell, I don’t care if it takes two years before you can make it back to us, your place here is good, you hear, brother?”

Brother.

For the last year and a half since I’d retired from Special Forces—Green Berets to be exact—Nightshade had been the best place for me as I reacclimated to civilian life again, and that’s what they’d become. I’d somehow found another band of brothers, and they’d taken me in without question, allowed me to utilize the skillsets I’d developed in the Army, and remain on home soil for the most part.

“’Preciate it, D,” I managed through the sudden lump of emotion in my throat.

“Just keep us updated on anything you need,” Brycen said and got up, taking the few steps to close the distance between us with his hand outstretched.

“Thanks, man,” I replied, grasping his hand in a quick shake.

“When you headed out?” Dalton approached next, offering me his hand.

“Booked a service on the truck for the day after tomorrow. Once I tackle a few other loose ends, I’ll head out. If you guys need anythin’, I’m around for at least the next few days.

“Focus on you and yours,” Shane said, sidling up beside me and clasping my shoulder, squeezing it.

When all three men stepped back, I gave them a nod of appreciation. “Thanks. I’ll keep in touch.”

“Be sure to stop and let Dev know you’re leaving.” Dalton smirked. “You know she’s gonna rally up the women and get a search party going if you up and leave without so much as a word.”

Imagining the guys’ women doing just that brought a bit of levity to ease the sense of impending doom that threatened to strangle me.

My lips pulled up ever so slightly, despite not feeling much humor. “Right.”

Without delay or another word, I gave some of the best men I’d ever known a chin lift, then turned for the door.

An hour later, with Devolin’s assurances of support that everyone would be behind me—no matter what I needed—I was home.

As the front door to my home latched closed behind me, I closed my eyes, leaned against the barrier, and let out a heavy sigh.

This wasn’t the way I’d envisioned my next visit home.

At least I’d hoped it would only be a visit.