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W illiam “Will” Caldwell was a dynamic force.

The Secretary of Defense didn’t just walk into the house, he infiltrated it with his sheer presence. An air of authority, sophistication, and confidence clung to the man’s wide shoulders.

At that moment, Azrael couldn’t have said a word to save his life, and it appeared the rest of YA’s crew of assassins felt the same way.

The room fell unnervingly still.

Will wore a black power suit that probably cost more than the house. Well, maybe not that much, but close, Azrael thought.

The cut of the suit perfectly fit Will’s tall, powerful frame. The Secretary of Defense easily stood over six feet tall, probably closer to six feet four if Azrael had to guess. The same height as Real.

In the face of Genesis, they were outnumbered.

And it was Genesis, of which Azrael had no doubts.

Each member of the team that had accompanied the SecDef wore the symbol on their vests. A small burnished gold pin with the initial G carved into the metal, spiraling wings flared from either side, connecting to the letter.

All the members of YA were assembled in the front room. Their weapons were not confiscated, but Azrael didn’t think they would be. Even with two strangers among them, the military assassins of Genesis appeared calm and not intimidated at all.

Of course, in the face of Genesis, YA wasn’t even a threat.

Azrael found his throat drying up when Real caught and held his gaze. It took effort to rip his eyes away and focus on the SecDef.

Will’s piercing pale blue eyes traveled over them, examining each member of YA one at a time. The man was measuring them, and Azrael suddenly felt lacking. When Will’s eyes settled on him, Azrael did everything not to quake in his boots in the face of the man’s power.

This was the man who could make them or break them. This was the guy who had the pulse of YA at his fingertips. With one word, Will could end everything YA was trying to accomplish.

Rather than speak to him, Will turned his attention elsewhere.

“Where have you been, Fierce?” Will asked.

Azrael blinked. That was not what he was expecting of all the things the SecDef could have said.

“Around,” Fierce said, sounding bored.

Fierce didn’t stand at attention like the rest of them did. In fact, Fierce had planted a smirk on his lips when Will asked the question. There was a lingering challenge in Fierce’s glittering gaze.

“Aunt Mary is worried,” Will said.

Aunt? Azrael gaped. Were Will and Fierce related? They did have the same pale blue piercing eyes.

Freedom crept closer to Fierce, and the big man draped an arm around the tiny blond’s shoulders.

“I’ll call her,” Fierce said with a curl to his lips in a genuine smile.

“See that you do,” Will said, and then Azrael found himself suddenly pinned by those pale blue eyes, and he swallowed.

“Azrael,” Will said. “Walk with me.”

It wasn’t a request… and when the SecDef turned and walked out the front door, Azrael had no choice but to follow.

Two of the soldiers of Genesis also followed as Azrael stepped outside and caught up with Will. The two guards kept their distance.

“You’re doing a good thing here,” Will murmured.

“Thank you,” he said and then hurriedly added, “Sir.”

“No need for that.” Will waved a hand and kept up his slow pace. They walked along the front of the house, and the two guards followed discreetly.

“I’m going to tell you something and then make a suggestion that I strongly suggest you consider,” Will said, coming to a halt.

Azrael cleared his throat because he knew that while Will told him he could consider whatever the request was, it would be in his best interest not to turn him down.

“Okay.”

“Tanis has a brother,” Will said.

“I know, a triplet.”

Will’s gaze snapped to his, and Azrael shrugged.

“Fierce told me.”

Will smirked. “Of course. Titus has put a hundred-thousand-dollar contract out on Real.”

The air stilled around Azrael. Titus had put a hit on Real.

“No fucking way!” Azrael snapped, his fists clenched, and then he gasped and backtracked. “Ah…sorry, I mean… no way, sir.”

Will didn’t seem to mind his outburst. “Titus is gathering an army,” Will said.

“An army, sir?”

“Yes. Why do you think that is?” Will asked, turning to face him.

“For revenge.” Azrael didn’t even need a second to think about it. “Titus wants revenge on Real for killing his brother.”

“That’s right, and he’s after Real, and if he can’t get to Real, he’s going to get to someone Real cares about and use them for leverage.”

Azrael stared at Will. The SecDef couldn’t be talking about him…could he?

“What do you think Real would do if Titus were to get his hands on you?” Will asked.

Azrael licked his dry lips. He knew in his gut that Real would die trying to get him back.

“Shit…what do we do?” Azrael whispered, his voice shaking. He pushed his long hair over one shoulder, missing the tie he normally wore around his wrist.

Will smiled and clamped a firm hand on his shoulder.

“I’m glad you asked,” Will said, sounding almost jovial.

Well, crap.

Azrael didn’t quite trust the man’s sudden smile.

He had a feeling he had just obligated himself to something.

And he had no fucking clue what that was.