Chapter 15

Zap.

The red light on Bridger North’s vest flashed, signaling a kill shot.

Hands to his chest, he let his own weapon slide away and crumpled to the ground, going for maximum theatricality. “Noooooo! I’m too young to die.”

A loud snort emanated from the growing shadows to the south. The mesquite bush shook as the thin nine-year-old rushed out from behind it, laser rifle held above his head, his small face alight with triumph.

“That’s three kills for me and … ZERO for you.”

Bridger climbed to his feet and dusted himself off. “Nice shooting there, Dead Eye, but it’s time to head inside.”

“Awe,” Kellen protested mildly, but immediately strolled toward the back door, bow-legged, as if he were Gene Autry or John Wayne.

Bridger followed, his pulse still pounding from the exhilaration of playing laser tag with Kellen in the backyard. The boy had a natural talent for the game, his quick reflexes and sharp eye making him a formidable opponent. Once the kid got some meat on his bones, the days of taking care to let the boy win would be over. Bridger planned to savor this childhood part while he could.

Jane looked up from where she was sitting on the couch, a grin spreading across her face as she took in their flushed cheeks and bright eyes. “Looks like you two had fun,” she said, her voice warm with affection.

Kellen nodded eagerly, his eyes shining with excitement. “I totally kicked Dad’s rear,” he said, bouncing on the balls of his feet.

Jane raised an eyebrow, her gaze flickering to Bridger. “Is that so?”

Bridger shrugged, a rueful smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “What can I say? The kid’s a natural.”

Jane chuckled, shaking her head. “Well, as much as I hate to break up the party, it’s a school night.” She pointed at Kellen, her expression turning stern. “Scoot, mister. Time to brush your teeth and get ready for bed.”

Kellen’s shoulders slumped, but he nodded. “Okay,” he said, turning to head down the hallway.

But before he disappeared around the corner, he paused, miming shooting Bridger one last time. “Pew, pew,” he said, his voice low and serious.

Bridger slapped a hand to his chest, groaning pitifully as he feigned a hit.

“Too slow, Dad.” Kellen rolled his eyes. “You snooze, you lose. So sad.”

As the boy clattered off down the hallway, Bridger’s heart squeezed. Dad. The title still felt new and unfamiliar, but every time Kellen used it, a warm glow spread through his chest.

It had only been a week since he and Jane had returned from their honeymoon, but already, Bridger couldn’t imagine his life without her and Kellen in it. The Lord had blessed him beyond measure, giving him an instant family to love and cherish.

Jane cleared her throat, surreptitiously wiping away a tear as she pointed after Kellen. “That’s going well.”

Bridger threw himself over the back of the couch, pulling her into his arms and burying his face in her hair. “Better than well,” he murmured, inhaling the sweet scent of her shampoo. “I never thought I could be this happy.”

Jane hugged him back, her arms tight around his waist. “Me neither. I can’t believe the adoption will be finalized in less than a week. We’ll be a real family.”

He’d never imagined himself as a father, but now that he had Kellen in his life, he couldn’t imagine anything else.

But even as he savored the moment, Jane surprised him by pulling back and fixing him with a serious look. “So when are you going to tell me about Jason?”

Bridger forced himself not to freeze, keeping his expression carefully neutral. Good thing he was an expert interrogator, because if Jane were a professional spy, she’d be a great one. Her instincts were on par with her big brother’s.

“What about Jason?” he asked, trying to buy time. He’d wanted to let her savor their newlywed status a little longer before worrying her with the latest not-great news about her brother.

But his new bride saw straight through him. “What? Bridger, tell me.”

He fidgeted with a knickknack on the bookshelf next to him, avoiding her gaze. The truth was, he was deeply worried about his colleague and new brother-in-law. Jason was Delta Force, the toughest of the tough, but no one could go up against an unseen enemy with a reach as big as the Consortium’s alone.

Not that Bridger was going to communicate any of that to Jane.

He took a deep breath, finally meeting her eyes. “We just heard from him. He’s in Prague, following a new lead.”

“That’s good, right? At the wedding he agreed to bring you and the team in on this.”

“He did.”

“But?”

Bridger scratched his head. How to put this delicately. “He checked in and asked us to look into a few things, background research mostly, but he didn’t share his itinerary.”

She frowned. If her big brother were here right now, he’d be getting an earful for sure. “And you can’t chase after him blindly or you’ll risk alerting the Consortium to his location.”

Bridger tried to smile, but it fell flat. “Exactamundo. For now, we’ll just have to wait until your bro feels more cooperative.”

Jane sank deeper into the couch. Bridger could see the struggle on her face as she fought to keep her composure. “So I guess he won’t be making it to the adoption,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Not likely. But as soon as we get through this op Mason’s on, we’re going to get more aggressive about bringing Jason home.”

Jane snuggled into his side, her fingers threading through his. “I like aggressive,” she murmured, a hint of a smile in her voice.

“Figured you would.” Bridger kissed the top of her head. He’d do anything for her and Kellen. Literally anything.

But would that matter against the Consortium, or against her brother’s bullheaded determination to expose the secret society on his own?

“So, what’s the latest with Mason and his op?” Jane asked, her voice light but curious. “Kate told me he’s teamed up with some hotshot FBI agent. That doesn’t sound like Mason.”

Bridger chuckled, leaning back against the couch cushions. “No, it doesn’t. From what Mason told me, it sounds like things are getting pretty interesting.”

Jane raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing at the corners of her mouth. “Interesting how?”

“Well, for starters, his brother Paul is apparently a piece of work. Smart as a whip, but with a chip on his shoulder the size of Texas. And then there’s this FBI agent, Avery Ellis. From the intel Paige gathered, she’s a real spitfire. Determined, clever, and not afraid to go toe-to-toe with Mason.”

“Oh, I bet he loves that.” Jane smiled. “The guy’s a boulder. Granite. Strong, silent, calm, and immovable.”

Bridger burst out laughing, his shoulders shaking. “You’ve got him pegged, sweetheart. Mason’s one of the finest men I know, but he’s not exactly a people person.”

Jane giggled, her eyes sparkling with amusement. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard the man string more than three words together at a time.”

“Mason’s a man of action, not words. He’s all about the mission, the objective. Emotions and personal relationships? Not so much.”

“Poor guy,” Jane said, her voice softening with sympathy. “It can’t be easy, living like that. Always on guard. Always needing to be in control.”

She rested her head on his shoulder. “Wouldn’t that be something? The immovable object meets the unstoppable force.”

Bridger pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “There’s something about the tone in his voice when he talks about Avery. It’s … interesting.”

Jane raised an eyebrow. “Meaning?”

“If I had to guess, I’d say our boulder is intimidated.”

“Or maybe just tongue-tied. If he likes her …”

Bridger felt like he’d just been slapped upside the head. Mason and Agent Ellis?

Wee haw.

He wondered what the Lord had in store for their dedicated protector. Bridger could speak from experience when he said God had a way of knocking a guy upside the head when necessary. If the Lord had Mason in his sights, Bridger’s friend might be in for the lesson of a lifetime.

“I’m guessing the team will be off to Seattle soon.” Jane sounded thoughtful.

“Most likely.” After tonight’s call from Mason, Bridger was thinking exactly that. “But I’m sitting this one out,” he added, his voice firm.

“Not necessary.”

“It’s completely necessary. I’m not leaving you or Kellen for the moment.”

“You have six days before the hearing, and I’m planning the party. Kellen and I will be fine.”

“I know you will. But I won’t.” Bridger raised her hand to his lips, kissing her knuckles gently. Whatever Mason needed to finish this op, Bridger wasn’t necessary to it. If things changed, he could fly down in a matter of hours.

But until forced to leave, he wasn’t giving up one second of time with his precious new family.

The rest of the team could easily handle this. Then, after the adoption, he’d dive back in and they could get back to the business of bringing Jane’s brother home. It wouldn’t be easy, but with God’s help and the support of his team, they could accomplish anything.

Even the seemingly impossible. Like getting Jason to let them help bring the Consortium to justice before the guy ended up dead.

Because after that, the cabal would come after the rest of them.