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Bash was born and raised in Italy and had come to the US to attend medical college then made his way to Washington. Frank highly recommended him to Daniel, and Cole soon approved him to come work at Shadows. For the most part, he seemed nice, but he was careful to keep his personal life far from us. That might work in a different situation, but at Shadows, if you wanted people to trust you, you needed to get to know us on a personal level. That would mean sharing, and it was something Doc Roberts did very well. New guy still had a way to go before he’d find his place here.
“The guys and I will be doing a run up the mountain tomorrow. Would you like to join us?” I knew the answer before I asked, but I figured I had to show I was willing to try for the sake of the house.
Bash pushed his long, thick, shaggy, black hair behind his ear as my words sank in. He always waited a beat before he’d speak. “I don’t think I’m available, but perhaps another time.”
“Perhaps.” I shot Doc Roberts a look, and he seemed to read my mind. “Well, I need to find someone. The offer’s still there if you change your mind.”
“Thank you, Paul.” He shoved the sleeves of his black sweater up, and I hid my smile as I remembered what Cat had said about him. ‘He’s what I’d imagine Elio Capri’s therapist would look like.’ She was right. He had a darkness to his eyes that I couldn’t quite place, but he’d been cleared to be here, so that counted for something.
“I’ll find you later,” Doc Roberts assured me before they left.
I spotted who I was looking for. Savannah was in her favorite spot by the fireplace with Scoot, the moody house cat. He seemed to have love only for her. She often sat there whenever Cole was due to return from a mission. Over the years, she’d found that a good book and a spot by the fireplace helped calm her nerves, but I knew she rarely read. She secretly watched the window for headlights or news of the chopper. We all had our ways of coping; that was hers.
“Oh, hi.” She perked up when she spotted me. “How was it?”
I rubbed my head as I sat down on the warm stones of the hearth. “Everyone’s fine,” I assured her. “Cole got clipped in the arm, but nothing too serious.” Her face slipped, but she caught herself and looked away. “They should be back any minute.”
“Uncle Paul!” Olivia came running into the room and sat down next to me, her big chocolate brown eyes beaming with excitement. “I made some revisions to that tactical vest problem you were having. What about something like this?” She turned her notebook around, and I studied the drawing she’d made with colored pencil. “It’s okay, Mom.” She held out a hand to Savannah. “Dad gave me permission to help out Uncle Paul.”
“I didn’t say anything.” Savannah nodded, but I knew deep down inside she was nervous about how interested Livi had become in all things Blackstone. She had an inventive mind and loved nothing better than to come up with ideas.
“See, if we rotate this,” she pointed to a piece of the vest that protected the underarm, “that frees this little notch right there.”
I held the notebook closer to my face and looked at Savannah. “She’s good.”
“She is.” Savannah jumped to her feet when the headlights from the SUV lit up the room. “They’re here.”
As usual, when the teams arrived home from a mission, the families would all head outside to meet them. It was such a warm moment and one I’d always remember.
Shit, times like this, I remember how much I missed this place.
“Dad!” Reagan jumped in Keith’s arms while Cole’s youngest, Easton, wiggled his way through the crowd and body slammed into his stomach.
“Hey, big guy.” Cole winced and tousled his floppy hair. “We’re all here, safe and sound.”
I felt someone stand next to me. I would soon start to debrief the mission with the guys, but this had priority.
John’s wife Sloane chuckled. “I’ll step back if you want to hug John.”
I elbowed her in the side then playfully pushed by her and made a point to pull John in for a long hug.
“Miss me, did ya, big guy?” He laughed.
“So much.” I stroked his back and made Mike laugh.
“And now the hug is over.” He shoved me away and grabbed Sloane to pull her to him. “I got a stroke from Paul, so what do you have for me?”
She whispered something, and before anyone could remind him of the debrief in fifteen, they were gone.
“He’ll only need five.” Mark winked with a twin dangling from each of his arms. “Abby’s showing our guest his room. Would you mind…”
“No worries. I got you.” I pressed my fingers into one of the boys’ sides, making him buck with laughter.
“Uncle Paul!” Liam shrieked.
I dropped the little bugger upside down onto a stuffed chair next to the door.
I chuckled as I took two stairs at a time up the grand staircase to the top floor. I could hear Abigail’s voice, and her words became clear when she opened the door. “I know this is a lot, Benjamin, but I promise you’re safe now.”