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And Casper needed his expertise. He needed under-the-radar intel that he suspected only Tex could get.

He’d never spoken to the man, but his contact info had been passed around the special forces community.

He’d gotten his phone number from a Delta Force operative he’d once transported on a mission, who was now living out in Texas with his wife and kids.

Oz had nothing but praise for Tex, and he’d reassured Casper that if he was ever in a position to need the man, not to hesitate to reach out.

Casper wasn’t sure if he actually needed Tex’s special skills or not. He had nothing but his gut to go on, telling him that Altan Osman’s threats were to be taken seriously. He needed facts. And apparently, Tex could get them.

He dialed the number he’d long since memorized, hoping against hope Tex hadn’t retired…or changed his number.

It rang three times before a man with a slight southern twang answered who could be no one other than the infamous Tex. “Who is this?”

Casper wasn’t offended by the brusque greeting. He was actually impressed he’d answered the phone in the first place. He sure didn’t answer if he didn’t know who was calling these days.

“Name’s Tate Davis. Go by Casper. I’m an officer in the US Army. Night Stalker. I need intel on a possible threat to the woman I’m dating.”

“I’ll call you back.”

The phone went dead in his ear.

Casper was a little taken aback, but he didn’t hold the man’s actions against him. Everyone said he was the best, and if now wasn’t the best time to talk, he’d wait.

It wasn’t a long wait. Twenty minutes later, Casper’s cell rang just as he was about to leave his apartment. It was from an unknown number, but he had a feeling he knew who was on the other end of the line.

“Hello?”

“Hey, Casper. Tex here. Sorry about that earlier. I don’t really take cold calls from anyone until I check them out.”

“And I checked out?” he asked, wondering how much this guy could’ve found out about him in twenty minutes.

“Yup. Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, three Bronze Stars, and ten Air Medals—four with Valor Device. Thousands of daylight flight time hours and almost as many nighttime flying hours. You embody the ‘Night Stalkers Don’t Quit’ motto.

Thank you for all you do, have done, and will do for my Navy SEAL brethren and all special forces. Now, what can I help you with? ”

Casper wasn’t surprised very often, but he had to admit, Tex had taken him off guard.

If he knew about the awards he’d been given by the military, he probably knew about each and every mission that had earned him the accolades—which was impressive, because they were all top secret.

And the man had learned about them in minutes.

Everything said about Tex was obviously true.

He felt better about calling him for intel, even if it turned out to be nothing.

He gave him a rundown of Laryn’s situation and explained how Altan Osman worked for the Turkish government and had threatened her over the phone.

“I need to know if he’s an actual threat, or just frustrated because he thought he had a shot at getting one of the best MH-60 mechanics in the world to work on their newly acquired choppers.

We’re headed out to the Middle East next week, which I think is the first time I’m actually relieved to be going to that part of the world…

gets Laryn away from home and anyone Osman might send to try to convince her to change her mind about working for him. ”

“I’ve never heard of the man, which should be a slight relief for you, as I know most of the major bad guys in the world.

But that doesn’t mean he’s not a threat.

The organizations I follow have been recruiting more and more people to work for them.

Lower-ranking people. It’s impossible to keep up.

The current objective for most of them is more sleeper operatives.

People who are paid to watch and listen…

and to pass on intel. Not saying that’s how Osman got Laryn’s number, but it’s worth looking into. ”

Relief swept through Casper that Tex wasn’t blowing this off. That he was going to use his skills to help look into the situation.

“But I have to warn you,” he went on. “I’m in the middle of something. I can’t put all my resources on this right now.”

“I understand.” And Casper did. He didn’t expect a man as in-demand as Tex apparently was to drop everything for a stranger.

“I’ll do my best to get back to you before you’re deployed. In the meantime, I probably don’t need to tell you to keep a close eye on Laryn. I’ve seen too many loved ones disappear because they let down their guard.”

“No, sir,” Casper told him. “I’ve already told her she’s going to have a roommate for the foreseeable future until we can see if there’s a threat and mitigate it if there is.”

“Good. Your fellow Night Stalkers stationed there in Norfolk are all good people. Don’t know Pyro, Obi-Wan, Chaos, Edge, or Buck personally, but I’ve read good things about them. I’ll be in touch. Keep your woman safe.”

Once again, the phone went dead in Casper’s ear.

He probably should be worried that this Tex guy knew so much about him and his fellow pilots—he assumed that’s what the name dropping he’d done there at the end was about—but he wasn’t.

So many special forces personnel, both retired and active duty, wouldn’t trust the man if he wasn’t on the level.

But it was hearing the words “your woman” that struck Casper hard. He hadn’t even been on a date with Laryn, but deep down, she felt like his.

He chuckled under his breath. He was more like his twin than he’d thought. Nate had known from the start that Josie was his. And while it had taken Casper a bit longer, he was beginning to think he was exactly like Nate. When he fell, he fell hard.

Determination swam through his veins. He’d wasted so much time.

Laryn had been right in front of him and he hadn’t seen her.

Well, that was done. She’d proven time and again that she had his best interests at heart, and last night just solidified that even more.

It was past time for him to return the favor.

Let her know that he and his friends had her back.

This distasteful Altan Osman business was just the start.

He hoped Tex found nothing. That he’d call back and tell him the man was nothing but an admin who thought he had more power than he really did.

Feeling better now that someone would be looking into the threat against Laryn, Casper picked up his sunglasses from the kitchen table where he’d left them and headed toward the door.

He needed to update his friends about his conversation with Tex and reassure them again that he really was all right.

He probably needed to talk them off the ledge where Barb was concerned, as well.

But he understood. If it had been Pyro or any of his fellow pilots who’d been roofied and almost taken advantage of, he’d be in the same headspace that they were right now.

On the warpath. Ready to scorch the earth to avenge them.

But thanks to Laryn, he was okay. Tex had been contacted, and his chopper was good to go for their next mission.

Oh, and he had a date to look forward to.

Yeah, things were looking up for him, and he was feeling pretty damn optimistic about the future.

Now he just had to figure out where and when to take Laryn on their first date.

He wanted it to be memorable but not over the top.

Something she’d enjoy and remember for the rest of their lives.

The smile on his face as he headed into the parking lot toward his Taurus was probably cheesy as hell and would make anyone who saw him wonder what the hell was going on in his head, but Casper didn’t care.

Even after last night, and the possible threat against Laryn, he felt pretty damn chipper.

Nothing could dampen his excitement right now.