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Because her share would go right back into supporting the land. Their land.

Ford laughed. “Investing our shares right back into the farm is exactly the right thing to do.”

Her eyes misted with tears. If she’d needed further proof that he was here to stay—here to stay with her—this was it.

She smiled at him. “You sure?”

He nodded. “A hundred percent sure.”

And she knew he wasn’t talking just about the money.

Chapter22

Battle Tested

Because of the way life had worked overseas, Ford had already met all of Jolie’s siblings. Not only had his team worked with Burke and Lawson on a few missions, the lack of privacy meant he’d said hello to the whole family in more than one video chat.

This was different.

Jolie was the youngest of the five siblings and the other four were protective of her. Highly protective.

Ford had already gone through the big brother scene with Knox, but he knew he’d have to do it again with Burke and Lawson. Add in Amber, and he had three people to win over.

Most important battle of his life and one he had no intention of losing.

Knox set up his phone on the kitchen table, where they could all be on camera at the same time. Jolie and Thea sat in the middle, he and Knox beside them.

Knox placed the call, which was apparently the way it always went.

Ford kept his face and body relaxed with his arm around Jolie’s chair. He knew she had told Amber they were together, but he didn’t know if Lawson or Burke knew anything yet.

The others signed on quickly. Amber’s face lit up when she saw him and Jolie sitting together.

Burke and Lawson were more challenging to read. They’d both perfected their game faces in the army and weren’t giving him any tells.

Knox started the conversation. “Hey, everyone. I thought it would be good to get us all together, so if you have questions about yesterday’s chaos, we can answer them at once and prove to you we’re all fine.”

Jolie grinned. “And we have another bit of exciting news to share as well.”

Burke narrowed his eyes. “You touching our kid sister, Dodge?”

Jolie tensed beside him, but Ford brushed his fingers over her shoulder, letting her know it was fine. “We’re together, so, yes.”

There was a reason Burke’s call sign was Boss Man. His flinty stare had been known to have full-grown men piss themselves. Not happening today. Ford stared right back.

Burke’s eyes narrowed further, but Ford didn’t add anything else, just waited.

The man’s eyes flicked to Jolie, and then he grinned. “Trying to send death rays at me through the screen, Jolie?”

Jolie huffed out a breath. “Stop being an asshole.”

There was a collective gasp from the siblings. Ford laughed. Jolie rarely swore, and when she did, she always apologized to her grandfather.

Sure enough, she pursed her lips together. “Sorry, Fox, but he deserved it.”

Burke laughed. “Just messing with you.” Then his eyes moved back to Ford. “But if you hurt her, you know what happens.”

Ford grinned. “It means that Jolie would get her way because you two would show up here at the farm.”