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The big, adorable dude in combat boots toed the ground and smiled sweetly while Austen spoke to him.

Edge couldn’t hear what was said. Regretfully, he hadn’t set up full surveillance yet on Austen’s home.

Rain hadn’t stepped foot from it before today in the last six weeks and he knew Rain would bust him in seconds if he did anything.

He could sit here, though. Edge could keep watch.

It was a good thing he did. The moment Rain went to his rehearsal, another dude was on Austen’s doorstep.

Granted, Austen didn’t invite him inside.

He held the six-pack the guy had brought him and smiled as they talked.

It was obvious they knew each other well.

It was equally apparent the young one had a crush.

His body language said it all. He kept tugging at his shoulder-length blond hair and shifting his feet.

The guy was a mixture of nerves and happiness. Edge was enraged.

How much could Rain actually know about this doctor?

While even Edge had to admit it was obvious the guy genuinely cared about Rain, what did he know?

Like who was this guy that had waited until the exact day Rain left to show himself?

Had he been watching the house, waiting for his shot?

Maybe Austen had called him the moment Rain left to let him know the coast was clear.

Austen still hadn’t invited him inside and the more Edge thought about it, the more irritated he became by Austen’s guest. His jaw ticked.

He felt himself turning into the stalking predator he was.

The moment Austen went inside, and the blond jogged down the steps, Edge was out of the van.

He kept his gun and knife hidden as he slipped into position.

The moment he could, he struck. With the gun’s barrel at his nape and a knife at his kidney, he took control.

“Head for the van.”

A low, deadly-sounding chuckle met his demand. “Oh boy, are you going to regret this.”

Edge was too in his feelings. This guy was trying to take Rain’s man. They weren’t people who found happiness. Rain had. No one would take it from him. “I don’t ask twice.” Even Edge heard the truth to his words.

With a shrug that got under Edge’s skin, he headed for the black van.

Edge quickly secured him in the caged back before jumping behind the wheel.

He double-checked to make sure no one played witness before pulling away from the curb.

Eerie silence filled the back. Edge had to check the rearview mirror to make sure he still had a hostage.

The most beautiful green eyes he had ever seen stared back at him.

They swam with laughter. Edge had never been more fascinated.

“What’s your name?”

“Why would I give you that?” The guy paused. “Better yet, why would you abduct a total stranger?”

“I’m Edge,” Edge said, rather than answering.

“Well, that was dumb, Edge. Almost as idiotic as choosing me as your victim. We don’t have to talk.”

He sat back, stealing Edge’s occasional glances into the mirror to see those eyes.

Truthfully, this was one of the dumbest things he had done in a long time.

He didn’t act unplanned. Edge didn’t go off script.

He was the script. Edge had no clue why this whole Rain and Austen thing was so under his skin.

He didn’t think he was jealous. Edge took a steadying breath.

He was scared. Their team had always been their team.

It felt like Rain slipped away, and what were they without each other?

It wasn’t a fate he had ever considered.

They had sworn not to leave one another.

Yet Rain was already as good as gone. This guy wouldn’t steal that chance from Rain.

No matter Edge’s feelings. Rain deserved a shot at real freedom.

Edge just wasn’t sure yet if he would let him have it.

They were too vulnerable apart, especially Rain.

Everything had always been about him. He was too beautiful.

Rain had made high-ranking men feel things they didn’t want.

Not wanting those desires hadn’t stopped them from acting on them.

If not for that, they might not have ended up here, living together and thriving. Rain would get his happiness.

At the house, Edge chose the door they always went through when they had a visitor in tow.

He knew Tracker would see them on the cameras and have the team gathered before they made it inside.

They would find out who this guy was and why he had sought Austen with beer in hand and looking like a man on the hunt for a date.

He slid open the back door, and the blond stepped out, completely calm to the point of cockiness.

In fact, he seemed to find the entire experience amusing.

Edge motioned toward the door with his gun.

With a smirk, the guy headed inside. Just as Edge knew there would be, the team was armed and gathered.

A chair already waited for interrogation.

The guy sat like he had been here before.

Edge didn’t bother explaining. He knew the team would roll with whatever. That was what they did.

He crossed his arms over his chest and eyed their visitor. “I ask again, what’s your name?”

Nothing. Just a silent, smug stare.

Edge sighed dramatically. He motioned around the room.

“Welcome to casa de Agafonov.” It didn’t matter what he admitted.

Blondie likely wasn’t leaving there. “As I’ve already said, I’m Edge.

” He waved Tracker’s way. “The guy manning the cameras is Tracker.” He started pointing at people.

“Ridge, Field, Shadow, and Crisp. We’re missing some people today, but I wasn’t expecting company. ”

The guy’s amazing eyes flickered to each person as they were named—like he took notes and made a list for later. He didn’t speak. It was almost unnerving.

Edge opened his mouth, losing patience, and ready to notch things up. The door exploded inward. A huge guy with salt and pepper hair and cold brown eyes stormed into the room. With a gun in each hand, his gaze stayed on the move, watching for attacks.

“How in the fuck?” Tracker sounded baffled and horrified, proving the guy had somehow avoided their full security setup.

The new arrival tossed a look Blondie’s way. “You good, Mickey?”

Mickey. Yum. The satisfaction that roared through Edge was almost orgasmic. He had a name.

“Yep.” Mickey let the ‘p’ pop as if having the time of his life.

Field lunged. In a move so fast he didn’t see how it happened, Field was on his back with the guy’s heavy work boot on his throat. He didn’t lose a gun or look winded.

“Go get in the car, Mickey.”

Mickey popped from the chair. He tossed a wink Edge’s way and strolled from the house. Edge’s gaze never wavered from his confident swagger. Jesus. Edge’s mouth was the Sahara. He wanted to give chase. Edge craved more of this insanity.

Field ran his hand up the leg connected to the foot on his throat. He let out an obnoxious-sounding moan. “Hurt me, Zaddy.”

The new arrival didn’t look amused. He took a step back.

“This isn’t a war you want. Beau Bosi sends his regards.

He asked me to let you know, if you ever touch one of his again, he’ll wipe this merry band of bitches off the face of the planet.

He’ll make the Russian government look like rent-a-cops. ”

That explained a lot. Edge dipped his chin. He recognized he was in the wrong. “Let Beau know it was a case of mistaken identity. Mickey is in no danger from us.”

Field popped to his feet, smiling like the idiot he was. “You, on the other hand, you’re welcome to come back and hurt me anytime.”

The guy stuffed his guns in their hidden holsters. “Don’t flatter yourself, kid. I’m a lot more than someone your age can handle.”

The loud laugh that escaped Field made Edge smile.

Damn, it had been one ridiculous morning.

Not only did he have to explain his actions to his brothers, he had to beg them to keep this from Rain.

Maybe one day he would stop acting crazy.

Unfortunately, that day likely wouldn’t come before he destroyed at least one relationship in this house.

He chewed his bottom lip and watched Mickey’s savior slip away.

Edge had a name and a connection. He was willing to bet good money someone like Beau Bosi would make a good client, putting him one step closer to a new green-eyed obsession.

Edge had to admit he was a sucker for green eyes.

After all, that was truly what had him acting crazy now.

But Rain had never been his and he never would be. It was time to let go.

Austen: Mickey stopped by with a six-pack to apologize for pulling me away from you when he was sick.

Rain: Damn. That was like two months ago. Did he think you weren’t over it?

Austen: Apparently, he was much worse than I realized. I was too irritated that day. He didn’t get the care he deserved. One of the new physicians Beau found treated him, but he’s been down for a while. It looked like he had lost a lot of weight. I feel bad.

Rain: Oh, baby. I’m sorry. It’s my fault for keeping you from work. We’ll find our balance.

Austen: I know. That doesn’t mean I don’t miss you like crazy, though.

Rain: Same.