Page 89 of Covert Operation
“I’m not sure Jamison would agree with you.” I smile, thinking about how annoyed my brother-in-law is by the way this project has taken over their lives.
“That’s his problem.” Zeke pulls into the parking lot of our building and takes the spot in front of the unit beside ours. “Hang tight.” He climbs out and I watch as he goes to the door. Zeke comes back, his steps slower as he paces himself with the man leaning against him for support.
I turn, grinning at Maddox as he works his way into the back seat. “You’re looking good.”
He lifts a brow at me. “Good must be real fucking relative for you.” He grunts as he shifts his weight. “Because I still feel like warmed up dog shit.”
“Is that better or worse than if it’s cold?”
The only best friend I’ve ever had was my sister, but Maddox might be taking a close second place to her. He’s a big part of the reason Zeke and I moved here pretty much immediately. After a quick trip back to Fairbanks for Zeke to finish up some business with Vincent, and for me to collect some of my stuff, we flew right back down to help Maddox as he recovers from his wounds.
And since Zeke and Shadow are still doing their thing—a thing that requires pretty frequent travel—that’s left me with Maddox a lot.
“Slightly better.” He lets out a sigh as he finally gets settled. “But that could change during this physical therapy appointment.”
I cringe. “The last one wasn’t so fun, was it?” I know things get worse before they get better, but holy crap this guy could use a break.
He’s one of the reasons my relationship with Sadie has found new footing. Now I understand a little of the guilt she felt over what happened to me. I get why she wanted me to be back to my “normal” self so much.
Because that’s what I want for Maddox. I do my best to meet him where he is, but gosh I’d love to see him running around chasing bad guys again.
“I guess you’ll just have to make me dinner and force me to watch another episode of that stupid show you made me like.”Maddox gives Zeke a smirk. “Unless he wants to watch it with you.”
“No fucking way.” Zeke shakes his head. “That’s your thing now, buddy.” His gaze shifts, narrowing on Maddox in the rearview mirror as we pull away. “But if you eat all the plov again, I’ll put another bullet in your body.”
EPILOGUE
ZEKE
“THIS PLACE IS amazing.” Savannah’s eyes are bright as she takes in the soaring ceilings of the building around us. “It’s still so crazy to me that they built a replica of the Parthenon here in Nashville.”
“It is pretty crazy.” I’m supposed to be looking at the gilded Athena soaring toward the ceiling in front of us, but I can’t take my eyes off my wife as she soaks it all up.
She is so fucking beautiful. Especially like this. Eyes lit with excitement. Cheeks still pink from the warm outside air. The soft curve of her belly where our baby is growing.
“I kinda wish I could have seen the one they put up for the centennial. I know it probably wasn’t as beautiful as this one, but it still would have been amazing to see.” Savannah links her hand with mine, leading me through the crowd of people as she takes everything in.
We spend a good chunk of time looking through the art gallery in the lower level and the special exhibit. Savannah has such a good time, I stop on our way out to purchase a membership so she cancome whenever she wants. Our new home is only about an hour away, so it’s an easy drive to make whether I’m in town or not.
I’m sure Maddox or Sadie would be happy to tag along if she didn’t want to come alone. Hell, anyone from Shadow would bring her. Savannah has a fucking fan club ready and waiting to do her bidding.
Especially now that she’s pregnant.
“What now?” I fasten her into the passenger seat, letting my hand linger on the tiny swell behind the belt. “You hungry?”
“I’m always hungry.” She sighs. “But I’m supposed to watchLove is Blindwith Sadie and Maddox tonight, and Maddox is all excited to make us dinner.”
I frown at her. “Maddox needs to get a girlfriend.”
Savannah leans forward, planting a kiss on my lips. “Don’t give him a hard time. He’s had a rough six months.”
“That’s the only reason I didn’t kick his ass when he ate all the cookies you made me.” Having my team live on the same street as us has taken some getting used to. Especially when they don’t hesitate to come over.
All. The. Fucking. Time.
“I’ll make you more cookies.” She kisses me again. “And if you’d clear him to work, maybe he’d be too busy to eat all your cookies.”
I sigh. “He’s got to pass the fitness test, Sweetheart. He knows that. If he can't, he's a liability.”