Page 18 of Gone (Gray Wolf Security #23)

“I just spoke to Jean,” said Ro, taking a seat around the fire pit. The women were all there, relaxing after dinner. Some were seated in chairs, others on logs or blankets. The agents had joined them, Code and Sly close by to lend support if needed.

“Everything okay?” asked Erin with concern. Angel scoffed, and Erin frowned at him. “What’s so funny, pretty-boy?”

“Oh,” he blushed. “Sorry, it’s just you asking if everything is okay. Everything is always okay with them. They, we are professionals.”

“I see,” frowned Erin. “And we’re not?”

“No. I mean, no, I didn’t mean that. I meant we’re trained.”

“So are we,” said Mary, looking up at her husband. “Don’t forget that I’m a former FBI agent.”

“Damn,” muttered Peter. “That’s impressive.”

“Why?” asked Mary. He looked at her, unsure of how to respond. “I mean, would you have said that was impressive if I were my husband?”

“Don’t answer that,” said Bull in a low voice. Lily stared at him, shaking her head.

“You guys will never learn,” she said. “Peter, let me give you some advice. Find a woman who has her own career, her own interests, but allows you to pursue your own even though it terrifies her.” Bull looked at Lily, then at the other women.

“Oh.”

“Oh, what?” scoffed Alexandra. “Is that some sort of shock to you? Did you not think we were at home, terrified every time you guys go out? You all act like you’re invincible, and you’re not.

Sooner or later, someone is going to get seriously hurt.

It’s already happened. We’ve been fortunate to have, uh, our resources. ”

“Did you lose someone?” asked Peter.

“A brother,” said Bull. “He was our brother. Grip was his name. We named the weapons manufacturing site after him because he left his money to the team.”

“Shit, I’m sorry. I didn’t know that,” said the younger man.

“He wasn’t the only one,” said Montana. “We lost Tony, Willa, and Garcia. We lost Doc Fine. Tommy and Charlotte moved away, and we lost them.”

“Because they moved?” asked Peter.

“No,” said Wilson. “Not because they moved. They were just – older.”

“I see,” he said, frowning, unsure of the undertones and inferences.

“The point is that you guys never think anything will happen to you, but something will happen to us,” said Lena. “In case you all missed it, we do just fine on our own.”

“Take, for instance, our two convicts we caught,” smirked Ivy.

“About that,” said Peter. “Just how were you able to handle those thorny vines and tie them like that?”

“Just an old trick I learned when I was little,” she smiled. He nodded, not sure if he should ask any more questions.

“That’s not really a girl scout move I’ve ever seen,” he chuckled. The others gave a nervous laugh, nodding at him.

“We’re sorry if we’re overprotective,” said Vince, “but it’s how we’re made. It should show all of you how we feel about you. How much we love you, care for you, all of you. I would lay my life down for Ally, but also for all of you.”

“You know that’s just bullshit. It’s how we’re made, too!” said Sophia. “Can’t you see that? We would do anything to protect all of you, the kids, grandkids, hell, even kids that aren’t our own. None of us were willing to stand by and watch those scouts be taken.”

“Sophia is right,” said Lauren. “We are more than capable of handling most situations on our own. Before you jump in with both feet and hurt yourself. Yes. I’m aware that there are some circumstances where you all being there has been beneficial for us. But we are not helpless.”

“I don’t think anyone ever uttered the word helpless about all of you,” said Cruz. “You’re remarkable, talented, beautiful, intelligent women. But you’re our women. That means something to us. The day you all need to worry is the day we no longer step in or worry about you.”

The women looked at one another, smiling, then back at Cruz.

“Fair point, Cruz,” said Savannah. “I think we’d be shocked if you weren’t worried about us. It was nice that none of you yelled when you found us with the convicts.”

“Oh, we wanted to,” laughed Alec. “I was ready to shred some trees to get to you all, but when we found you, safe and in charge, we knew everything would be alright.”

“What you all did was pretty remarkable,” said Tailor. “And those are the words we use to describe all of you all the time. Remarkable, beautiful, talented, kind, loving, and damn sure the better half of me.” He hugged Lena tightly, kissing her cheek, and she smiled at him.

“You guys are amazing,” said Peter. “I’ve never been around a group quite like yours, nor around couples that love one another the way you do. My ex-wives were such huge mistakes, and it was my mistake as well. I don’t blame them. But now, I’m not sure I’ll ever take that plunge again.”

“Well, stick around,” smiled Grace. “There’s a lot to learn from these men.”

“And these women,” said Gabe.

They all looked at Gabe, almost forgetting that he was with them. Tory was cuddled close to his side, remembering how they met and all they’d been through to find themselves here.

“These women aren’t just the things my brothers have said.

Remarkable, talented, beautiful, yes. All those things are true.

But something else makes them very special, Peter.

The things you can’t see. Their spirit, their heart.

They are pure, filled with love and joy.

No jealousy, no hatred. Not for one another, not for anyone outside of our group.

They have the capacity to see good in others that I’ve only seen within my own parents.

“As men, particularly as former Special Forces men, we believe that we’re invincible and that we can handle anything life throws at us.

Part of that comes from a place of love.

For family, for country, and yes, for God.

The other part comes from hatred. The kind that only men like us can safely house in our chests without exploding.

“But theirs comes from purity, innocence, love, and tolerance. There is no hatred in them. None. The truth is, we can handle nothing without them. They are the guide for our hearts, our souls, our consciences. They are the real heroes.”

“Gabe,” sniffed Marie, looking at her little brother. “That was the sweetest thing ever.”

“It was the truth, and I should have told you that a long time ago. I look up to all of you. Sisters, blood and non-blood. Erin, Lauren, Mary, Sara, all of you in those early days gave me something to hope for. My own sisters, the examples of women I wanted in my life. I should have told you.”

“Me too,” said Alec.

“Ditto,” said Baptiste. “We’re lucky to have you all, but to have our sisters in this bunch as well is the real gift.”

There was laughter and hugs as Adele pulled all the supplies for s’mores by the fire. Peter stared at the group and then spoke.

“Can I ask how it is that you all, the Robicheauxs, all look identical, and the rest of you all look so young?”

“Good living, brother,” smirked Baptiste. “Just plain good living.”

“And good food,” grinned Alec. Peter laughed, nodding at the men.

“And good women.”