“What can I do for you, cap?”
Travis was the second in command of our team. He was an expert in espionage, counter-surveillance tactics, and sniping. Plus, he was one of the few men I trusted with my life implicitly and without question.
“I’m on a mission,” I said.
“I thought we were supposed to be on vacation.”
“Plans change. Listen up.”
I gave him a quick rundown of the situation. I started with the package from The Network, told him briefly about Tara and Mason, and finished up with recent events.
“Holy shit, cap,” he said when I was finished. “You’re a fucking daddy.”
“Don’t I know it,” I grumbled.
“How’s it feel?”
“Strange,” I said. “Not sure it’s really hit me yet. Been too busy with Omar Hooth.”
“Well, what do you need from me?”
“I want you to get your ass out here as soon as you can.”
“Fuck, you’re killing me. You want to tear me away from my bender so that I can hunt some fucking terrorist scumbags?”
“That’s exactly what I’m saying.”
“Great. Be there in a few hours.”
“Sending you my location. Call when you’re near.”
“Roger that.”
We hung up. Travis was in Chicago, and he was probably nursing one hell of a hangover. If there was one thing SEALs liked to do when they weren’t out killing America’s enemies, it was getting drunk and fucking.
I wasn’t an exception to that.
I pushed off the garage and headed inside. Tara was probably waiting for me, terrified. I headed up and knocked on the nursery door. “It’s me,” I said.
I heard her unlock the door and open it slowly. “Quiet,” she said. “He fell asleep.”
I gestured for her to follow me. She shut the door behind her and we went down into the kitchen. She turned the baby monitor on and sat down while I started to clean up the mess I’d made while cooking breakfast.
“When will your parents get back?” I asked her.
“Soon,” she said.
“I think we should tell them when they get here.”
She sighed. “Okay. If you think that’s the right move.”
“I don’t want to, but Omar is working with a local cell, and who knows what their plan is.”
“How do you know?”
“There were multiple tracks leading to and from the house.” I decided she didn’t need to know about the grouchy old lady.
“Okay,” she said. “Fine. But I want to tell them myself.”
I looked at her. “Are you sure?”
“Of course. They’re my parents.”
“Might be easier if I did it.”
“You’ll be there. You’ll explain it all to them. But they’re my parents and my mess, so I’m the one who tells them.”
I was impressed. She could have easily passed this shitty task off to me, but instead she was taking responsibility for it. Not a lot of people would be willing to step up like that.
It only showed me how strong she was. I already knew she was an impressive person just for raising a small child on her own and for going back to school, but she had an even deeper strength inside her that I realized I was only beginning to see.
“Okay then,” I said. “We’ll do it your way.”
“Good. I like getting my way.”
I grinned at her. “Don’t get used to it, princess. You’ll find that you like doing what I tell you to do.”
“You think so?”
“I sure do, princess.”
“So far the only thing you’ve made me feel is scared for my life.”
I laughed and moved toward her. “We both know that isn’t true.”
“You can’t just order me around you know.”
“I’m the SEAL Team captain. You’re going to want to obey my orders.”
“Oh that’s right, military man. You’re just so good at what you do. Right?”
“Damn right. Remember the way your body felt when I pressed my tongue against that clit?”
“No,” she said, but I grinned. I could see her cheeks turning red.
“Sure you do. I know you still touch yourself at night remembering the way I made you sweat, the way my cock filled your tight cunt to the brim and made you scream my name.”
“Emory,” she said.
“Exactly. Just like that.”
“No, Emory. I think my parents are home.”
I grinned at her and nodded. “Yeah. That’s their car.”
“Let me do the talking.”
“It’s your show, princess.”
She made a face. “And stop calling me that.”
I grinned hugely at her. “No thanks.”