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CHAPTER TWENTY

Jay had never seen so many flashing lights in his entire life.

Every type of first responder, in addition to Port Security and the Department of Homeland Security, swarmed the port. It would have been terrifying if King hadn’t already called in a favor or two by the time he and the rest of their team reached the paramedics.

Thanks to King’s connections, they weren’t arrested on sight.

While King spoke with his contact at the DHS, the other agents took Dennis, Fleming, and Jones away in handcuffs.

The DHS had already picked up the men hired by Walton to load the ship, and the weapons crates were being seized.

There was no sign of Walton, but the fire crew was still working on extinguishing the blaze.

They helped Ryden into the back of the ambulance, removing his helmet and tactical vest to make it easier for the paramedic to attend to him, though not before Ryden insisted Jay remove Pascal from his vest’s pocket.

Once inside the ambulance, the young woman quickly got to work to stop the bleeding, then administered an IV and secured an oxygen mask around his nose and mouth.

Jay rode in the ambulance with Ryden, holding his hand while the paramedic went to work. Meanwhile, the rest of the guys were arranging transportation to meet them at the hospital, what with their van having been blown up.

“I forgot how much getting shot hurts,” Ryden grumbled, his voice somewhat muffled from the oxygen mask. His pout was adorable.

“Maybe don’t jump in front of bullets next time,” Jay teased. His smile fell away, and he swallowed past the lump in his throat. “I can’t believe you did that.”

“He woulda killed you,” Ryden said, squeezing his hand. “My chances of surviving were greater than yours.” He paused before squeezing Jay’s hand again. “Woulda done it anyway. Even if I wasn’t geared up.”

“Don’t say that.” Jay couldn’t allow himself to think about what might have happened if Ryden hadn’t been wearing his tactical gear.

“I love you.”

“I love you, too,” Jay replied, not caring that the paramedic heard every word.

However, the little smile on her face when she turned away reassured him that he didn’t have to worry.

He laced his fingers with Ryden’s. “That doesn’t mean I want you dying for me.

” Tears pooled in his eyes, and Ryden shook his head.

“No one’s dyin’,” Ryden said, pulling Jay close so he could wipe his cheek. “’Cept maybe Walton.”

“You think he got caught in the explosion?” Jay asked. He hated not knowing what happened to Walton. “I don’t understand how the guy could be so cold-blooded. He’d intended on killing men who’d served, just like him.”

Ryden slowly shook his head. “Walton crossed the line a long time ago. He lost his ability to see people as human beings. We were obstacles in his way. Nothin’ more.”

“It just seems a little easy, you know?”

Ryden arched an eyebrow at him, making him chuckle.

“You know what I mean. After everything he’s done, to get killed by his own trap? Walton’s too smart for that.” Jay shook his head.

“Even if he survived, the guy’s done,” Ryden pointed out. “His brothers are gone, and I’m bettin’ whoever was expectin’ those weapons is gonna want answers. If Walton’s smart, he’ll disappear to a country with no extradition laws.” He squeezed Jay’s hand again. “It’s over, sweetheart.”

A sense of relief washed through Jay, and he ran his hand over Ryden’s head, smiling when Ryden closed his eyes and let out a contented sigh.

When they reached the hospital, the paramedic who had sat up front so Jay could ride in the back opened the rear doors and hurried to help his partner get Ryden and the ambulance stretcher out.

Jay followed them inside, his heart in his throat when he had to let Ryden go.

Jay had no idea how long he had stood in the hospital lobby, his arms wrapped around himself, when a hand on his shoulder startled him.

Turning, he found his brother standing there, concern in his amber eyes despite his small smile.

Jay couldn’t stop his lip from quivering, and he didn’t care.

He threw his arms around his brother and hugged him close.

“It’s going to be okay, Jaybird,” Finch promised, running a hand over Jay’s hair. “Your man is one tough Marine. He’ll be just fine, and you’ll get to play nurse for him while he recovers.”

Jay nodded and sniffed. He realized that he wasn’t bothered by Finch’s words. Yesterday, he would have gotten defensive, taking Finch’s words as something else. When he pulled back, he wiped at his eyes.

“I’m sorry I throat punched you.”

Finch chuckled. “Gotta admit, surprised the hell out of me. I deserved it, though.”

Before Jay could respond, King arrived. The others waited outside, most likely so it didn’t look like an army was invading. King walked up to Jay and opened his arms. Jay didn’t hesitate. He hugged King.

“I’m so relieved you’re safe,” King said. “I’m sorry I didn’t?—”

“Nope.” Jay stepped back and shook his head. “I don’t want any of you blaming yourselves for what happened. We couldn’t have known what they had planned. You all knowingly walked into a trap to save me.”

King frowned. “Of course we did. You’re family.”

“I love you guys, too. That’s why I don’t want you feeling guilty. Understood?”

King sighed. “Understood.” He moved his gaze to Finch. “Could you give us a moment?”

“Sure.” Finch headed outside to join the others, and Jay couldn’t help but notice how well he fit in. The guys talked to him like they’d known him for years.

“It’s like he’s always been there, huh?”

Jay turned at King’s words. “It’s weird.”

“Listen, I know the timing isn’t great, and maybe it’s not my place, but… How are things between you two?”

“We haven’t had much time to talk. It does feel different than before.” Jay shrugged. “He’s different.”

“How would you feel about him being around more?”

Jay eyed King. “As in…?”

“As in making him a part of Four Kings Security.”

“Did he ask you for a job?” Jay asked, managing to remain calm. He’d hoped he’d been wrong, that it wasn’t the reason Finch had shown up.

“No.” King shook his head. “We were talking back at the office before all this, and I was the one doing the asking. He might not want a job, and I won’t offer if you don’t want me to, but…I got the feeling he might need us.”

King’s words surprised Jay. His brother?

When did his brother need anyone or anything?

Then again, no one read people like King, so if he believed Finch needed them, then so did Jay.

His brother had always been good at putting up a tough front, as if he were impervious to frivolous emotions that might make him look weak.

Considering their history, did Jay want his brother around? There was so much baggage. He studied Finch out there with the guys, and he looked…happy. It was only then that Jay realized the difference.

“You see it now,” King said softly.

Jay nodded. He turned to King. “Okay.” He had no idea what he’d just agreed to, but his heart had opinions, and this time, Jay would listen.

Whatever issues they needed to resolve, Jay couldn’t deny his brother the chance to be happy.

Being part of King’s family was something special.

Did his brother deserve it? Guess they’d find out soon enough.

King squeezed Jay’s shoulder, then joined the others outside. He said something quietly to Finch, who turned to stare at King. He looked so stunned that Jay couldn’t help but laugh. Finch seemed to snap himself out of it, then took King’s hand and shook it, his smile wide.

A heartbeat later, Finch came inside. “Can we talk? In private?”

“Um, okay.” Jay followed his brother outside and to the far end of the ER doors, so they were out of earshot of anyone who might overhear, mainly Ace.

“Listen, I, um, just wanted to thank you,” Finch said, his face looking a little flushed.

“For what?”

“Come on, Jaybird. You think King would have offered me a job without talking to you first?”

“King doesn’t need my permission.”

“No, he doesn’t. But you mean a lot to him, and he wasn’t about to hire me without your okay.”

Jay wasn’t about to tell Finch what he and King had talked about regarding Finch needing them. “He said you guys talked back at HQ before all this.”

“I promise you, I didn’t come when you called because I wanted a job.”

“I believe you.” And he did. “But I need you to understand that it’s not going to be like high school. This isn’t just a job for me. They’re my family, and I don’t want any of our past drama getting in the way of that.”

Finch’s brows drew together. “Well, that depends. Are you going to treat me like you did in high school?”

“What?” Jay blinked at his brother. Had he heard right? He narrowed his gaze. “I’m sorry. The way I treated you ?”

Finch studied him before his brows shot up. “Holy shit. You really have no clue.”

“I think I have a pretty good idea,” Jay replied, rolling his eyes.

“No. You don’t. Do you know what it was like to live in your shadow?”

Jay frowned. “What are you talking about?”

“Jaybird, from the moment you were born, you shone brighter than anyone and everyone. You had mom and dad wrapped around your little finger. Everyone thought you were adorable, funny, and smart. You could do no wrong. And me? I had to be the responsible one. Dad’s perfect little soldier.

The big brother who looked after you and kept you safe.

And I got it, I did. Hell, I was proud to do it.

But everything fell on my shoulders. Everything .

When you made a mistake, it was just you growing and learning.

If I made a mistake, I was told I should have known better.

Dad gave me hell for it because what kind of example was I setting for my baby brother? ”