Page 141 of Lethal Threat

Marshall’s jaw hardens. The tension sizzles between the two of them for a few seconds.

Cole raises his hands. “I’m a medic, not a field surgeon. If you’re doing volatile extractions, hell, even the one we just did, a field surgeon would be great to have along. Especially if he’s already been in the rescue business.”

“Back to my point, I disagree.” Simona crosses her arms. “Don’t you think that the team is big enough already? The more cooks in the kitchen and all that. Whatever your American saying is.”

Roark leans in, resting his elbows on his knees. “Especially when we go into foreign lands, I want someone along who can patch me up if I take a knife to the gut.”

I scrunch my face. “Eew. That’s awful.”

“Okay, so maybe we do need a doctor.” She huffs. “But not him.”

Marshall raises a brow. “What do you have against Scotch?”

The room crackles. Simona’s eyes turn fierce. “The man’s a cocky asshole?”

A deep laugh from behind startles me. When I turn, a stranger is leaning against the door. The man’s pressed blue dress shirt covers a set of square shoulders that nearly fills the doorway. His arms are crossed, showing the tattoos that extend to his wrists below his cuffed up sleeves. His eyes are lit with humor. “I’ve been called much worse, doll. Is that all you’ve got?”

Marshall motions him forward. “Come on in, Scotch.”

Scotch strolls in and drops onto the arm of the sofa. “Sorry I was late, I was taking a call down in the valley. One of the hospital’s E.R. docs is having a baby.”

Marshall tips his chin at the man. “No problem. I just thought since we were all getting together today, we might share some holiday cheer and give you a chance to meet everyone.”

Cole passes Scotch a glass of spiced rum. He grins appreciatively. “I could use that after the day I’ve had. I swear I treated more cases of heartburn than an Emergency Room sees in a year. Anyway, who knows? Maybe I won’t be such a cocky asshole after a drink.”

He winks at Simona.

She returns a scowl that could melt steel.

He stops with his cup halfway to his mouth. “Still mad at me from that day at the clinic?”

Her face flashes red. “See! That’s what I mean. Isn’t that patient-doctor privilege or something like that?”

Scotch turns up his drink. When he sets it down on his thigh, his eyes are challenging, but his laugh is deep and genuine. “I’m sure you told everyone already that I wouldn’t let you walk out of the clinic without stitches, didn’t you? I can’t see you holding back when you’re mad.”

For a few tense beats, she stares at him. Marshall clears his throat.

“Okay, maybe,” she finally admits.

He sips off of his spiced rum again. Speaking around his grin, he says, “So, what’s up with Agile Security and Rescue these days?”

Marshall’s face changes and the man who loves a challenge is showing through. “Things are starting to heat up. I’m talking to some potential clients about security and special jobs. Scotch, are you hanging up your hat at the clinic all together?”

Scotch lifts a shoulder. “When I’m in town, I’ll probably cover some shifts, but I’ve got a craving for some adrenaline. It’s been too long.”

Cole chuckles. “Yeah, I feel ya. I wasn’t cut out for laying around.”

“I guess we’re all birds of a feather,” I murmur.

Scotch rubs his hands together and looks around at the team. “So when do we go?”

Marshall laughs appreciatively. “As soon as we get the call.”

Chapter 47

Epilogue

SIERRA