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Zain gave Kash’s arm a pat. “What he said. We’re all up for re-enlistment over the next two months. Seems almost poetic in the timing, if you ask me.”
“Which is why we didn’t.” Chase dodged Zain’s slap. “And you’re not pressuring us, Foster. After everything that went down…” He swallowed, looking as if he might puke. “I think we could use a fresh start. Don’t much care where that is, other than Florida. That’s just wrong.”
Foster nodded, a bit of the tension in his chest easing. “Then, it’s settled. I’ll contact the lawyer — get him to send over the papers he’s been keeping for me. Just remember. I warned you all ahead of time that nothing exciting happens in Raven’s Cliff. So, make peace with that. Things are about to get really boring.”
Chapter One
Raven’s Cliff, four months later…
* * *
“I told you we never should have let Kash pick up the food.”
Foster stopped painting as he glanced over at Chase, laughing at the furrow along Chase’s brow. His buddy paced in front of the window, pausing to stare up the long driveway before grunting then moving, again.
They’d been in Raven’s Cliff for six weeks, and it was obvious his best friend was starting to climb the walls. Not that Foster was surprised. Kash and Zain had already broken ranks and joined Atticus Parker’s organization, Raven’s Watch. And Foster knew Atticus had been equally pressuring Chase, trying to get the man to jump on board. Not in a bad way, because Foster bet his ass that Atticus was all too familiar with the restlessness that accompanied retirement. What had likely been the man’s main purpose for starting up the non-profit search and rescue unit. But it was obvious Atticus wasn’t backing down until they’d all signed on.
Foster put down the roller and walked over to the cooler in the middle of the room. Not that the kitchen wasn’t already fully functional. In fact, his parents had done most of the heavy lifting. But Foster and his buddies had done their best to limit tracking dirt and debris around the finished areas of the house. Which meant improvising.
He grabbed a couple beers and stood in Chase’s path until his buddy all but bumped into him, then held out the drink. “Someone’s hangry. See if this takes the edge off.”
Chase accepted the bottle, popped off the cap then tossed it into the trash. He took a long pull, exhaled a slow breath and shook his. “I’m not hangry.”
“Something’s bugging you because you’ve been antsy for the past couple days.”
“Of course, I’m antsy. I just chatted with Rhett’s doctor, and he doesn’t have any more answers than he did before we retired. All he keeps saying is that Rhett’s still in a coma and only time will tell if ever wakes up.”
“Which we knew from the start.” Foster held up his hands when Chase crossed his arms. “I’m not saying it isn’t cruel and unfair. That I don’t want to run into the forest and just scream after visiting him and seeing what those bastards did. But you’re generally better at boxing all this up, which suggests this is more than fate kicking us in the ass, again. Or maybe, still.” Foster arched a brow. “Something else you need to share with me, brother?”
Chase stared at him then sighed, taking a few heavy steps away. “Actually, there is something I’ve been meaning to talk to you about.”
Foster leaned against the wall. He had a feeling he knew exactly what Chase wanted to chat about, but he needed his best friend to say it, first.
“I’m listening.”
Chase pursed his lips, fisting one hand at his side. A clear sign Foster had nailed it, and his buddy was trying to find a way to break the news to him — confess he’d sided with the enemy. “It’s about…”
“Wow, what a storm.”
Kash barreled through the door, drowning Chase out as thunder crashed overhead, a flicker of lightning flashing in the distance. Nyx trotted behind him with Zain bringing up the rear, carrying another case of beer. They continued through, placing the boxes on the kitchen counter before turning and staring at Foster and Chase.
Foster chuckled. While he loved Kash like a brother, the man had a habit of being oblivious to social cues, rarely reading the room correctly. Though, Foster had a feeling it stemmed from how in tune Kash was to his four-legged partner. In fact, Foster had never met a handler that had the kind of rapport Kash did with Nyx — as if they read each other’s mind.
Kash frowned. “Why are you both staring at us like that?”
Chase shook his head. “Maybe because you’ve been gone so long, we thought we’d have to send search and rescue out to look for you.”
“Shut up. We weren’t that long. Besides, I doubt anyone’s flying in this. It’s raining so hard, the guys in the marina are building an arc. And the foghorn from the lighthouse is echoing all through town.” Kash walked over and handed Chase a plate with a couple slices of pizza on it. “I dare say even Foster might not fly in this crap.”
Foster grabbed slice, planting his butt on one of the kitchen stools. “Hate to break it to you, Kash, but we flew in weather far worse than this.”
“You just have to crush my little safety bubble, don’t ya? Though, that reminds me. Isn’t it about time for Atticus to make his weekly visit?”
“The guy’s a day late, actually. Which I hope means he’s finally given up on trying to entice us over to the dark side.” Foster pointed at Kash and Zain. “Especially when you both caved so quickly.”
“We didn’t cave, we simply realized what Keaton said was true. We’re not wired to stay on the sidelines, which is why Atticus won’t give up. He knows it’s only a matter of time before you finally say yes.”
“Cold day, buddy.” Foster tipped his beer at Chase, knowing this would force the man into owning up. “Here’s to solidarity, brother.”