Page 16 of North (Hunter Squad #2)

When I stepped into Hemi’s, the smell of beer and the sound of laughter hit me.

It was busy as usual and filled with the after-work crowd. I’d finished my workout in the gym with Zeke and showered. Jess had left me a note to say she’d gone to girls’ night, and that she’d see me at Marc’s barbecue.

I grinned. It was nice to come home and see her makeup in the bathroom, some of her clothes in the closet, and a note that told me she was thinking of me.

I couldn’t wait until the barbecue to see her. There was nothing that said a man couldn’t pop into a bar for one quick drink.

Scanning the place, I spotted her by the bar. My body clenched. She was wearing a tiny pink dress, and the fabric shimmered under the lights. Tiny straps showed off toned shoulders, and her dark hair spilled down her back.

My chest locked. This was the woman that I’d love for the rest of my life.

Nothing had ever felt this right. I took a step forward.

“Hold it, buster.” A short redhead slapped a hand to my chest. It took me a second to realize it was Colbie. She looked different with her sunset-red hair loose and wearing a green dress. It had a neckline that tied up behind her neck.

She aimed a scowl my way.

“Which part of girls’ night didn’t you understand?” she asked tartly.

“I’m not going to ruin your night. I’m just here, separately, to get a drink.”

A snort came from the table beside us and I glanced at Sasha. She looked lovely in a red sequined top that contrasted with her black curls.

“The barbecue is in an hour,” Colbie said.

I looked back at Jess. “I couldn’t wait that long.”

Colbie sighed. “You’re a goner.”

“Yep.” I’d happily tell anybody who’d listened that I was gone for Jess Ramos.

Our pilot’s lips twitched. “I’m happy that you found someone, North. I like seeing you in love.”

I smiled and bopped her on the nose. “Me too.”

She shook her head. “It’s lucky you’re handsome and I like looking at you.” She stepped back and joined Sasha at the table. “Go get your girl.”

That’s when I saw the cocky firefighter from the other night step up to join Jess at the bar. He pressed a hand to her shoulder.

My smile snapped into a frown. Hell, no . I strode across the bar, pressed in close to Jess, and slid my arm around her waist. “There you are.”

Her eyes widened and she smiled up at me. “Hi.”

I shot Mr. Casanova a hard look, then pressed my mouth to hers. I kissed her, pulling in the taste of her.

When I lifted my head, she was breathless. “He’s gone.”

“Good, but the kiss was for me, not him.”

I curved my hand around her hip, then slid my fingers down to the short hem of her dress. I fiddled with it, then stroked her thigh. “I really like your dress.”

Her lips parted. “I’m glad.”

I stroked her again. “Your skin is so smooth.” I inched upward.

She grabbed my wrist. “What are you doing here. I thought we’d agreed to meet at Marc’s.”

“I missed you.”

With a soft look, she pressed into my arms. “I might’ve missed you too, but I was having a good time with Sasha and Colbie.”

“I’m not surprised. They’re fun.”

She dragged in a deep breath, pressing her face against my neck. “You smell good.” She tilted her head. “I kind of like it that you came to find me. Don’t tell Colbie.”

“I won’t.” I nibbled her lips. She tasted like coconut and rum.

“I really, really like you, North Connors.”

I slid my hand along her jaw. “Think you could love me?”

“Yes. I think I’m partway there already.”

“Good.” I kissed her again.

“You’re mine now, North. Don’t forget it.” She slid her arm through mine. “How about we get the girls and head to the barbecue?”

Marc

I flipped the steaks, flames rising on the grill.

Mmm . It smelled good. I was damn talented at cooking steak.

Around me, my friends were all having a good time. I kept my small backyard mowed and tidy. I didn’t have time for garden beds, flowers, and that kind of shit, but I was pretty proud of my healthy, green grass.

I glanced around and instantly my gaze snagged on North and Jess. The couple was nuzzling each other. They looked ridiculously happy. I shook my head. There were so many lovely ladies around, so I didn’t understand picking just one. Still, I was happy they were happy.

Beside me, Zeke made a grumpy sound. He was manning the second grill and scowling at the prawns.

I sighed. He was moody tonight. I was used to it. Sometimes, my brother could get lost in his head. I could usually poke at him and joke enough to get him out of it.

He’d always been quiet, but I knew the exact moment it had gotten worse. We’d been twelve and at Kai’s sister’s birthday party. The birthday girl had wandered off picking wildflowers and Zeke had noticed. He’d followed her.

They’d been snatched by a monster and dragged into the forest. They’d survived the three-day ordeal, but it had marked Zeke. I remembered how scared I’d been, remembered my mom crying. My hand curled into a fist. I’d been sure that I was going to lose my twin.

But my dad and Hell Squad had gone out to find them.

Zeke glanced up, like he’d sensed something, and stared across the party. I turned to follow his gaze. Amaia was smiling, standing beside Kai. The beautiful woman wore a blue dress, her white-blonde hair up in a twist, as she chatted with Jameson and Greer.

Amaia and Zeke had survived, had kept each other alive. They had a special bond because of it. Of course, Amaia didn’t seem to realize that my hard-headed brother was in love with her.

Hell, I didn’t think Zeke realized he was in love with her. Or if he did, he wasn’t admitting it. He didn’t let people get too close. He didn’t date, he didn’t fuck.

And he sure as hell hadn’t made a move on Amaia.

Me, I liked to have fun. I flipped the steaks. Life was dangerous and could be too damn short. My uncle Zeke, dad’s twin, had been killed by the Gizzida. I knew it still hurt my dad and that he missed his brother to this day.

Living life to the fullest was my way to honor the uncle I’d never had the chance to meet. No one was promised tomorrow. I liked to wring everything I could from life. My motto was to have fun, enjoy the ladies, hang with my friends, eat good steak.

“Why don’t you go and talk to her?” I said.

Zeke glared at me and didn’t say a word.

I held up the tongs. “Fine. Forget I said anything. Watch the steaks, I’m going to get a drink.”

Leaving Zeke in charge, I headed for the coolers. They were packed with ice and bottles of Hemi’s beer. I grabbed one, opened it, and took a long sip.

“Now, there’s a handsome man,” a female voice drawled.

Smiling, I turned. “I could show you a good time, darlin’.”

My mom smiled and shook her head. “You have too much charm and too much sass in you.”

I hugged her tightly. She smelled like mom—flowers with an undertone of antiseptic. It was the scent of my childhood. “I get it from you.”

“You sure do. You definitely don’t get it from your father.”

Beside her, my dad made a low sound.

Gabe Jackson was six-and-a-half feet tall and still packed with muscle. He was part African American, which had given Zeke and I our brown skin, although dad was several shades darker. He kept his head shaved, which made him look even more badass. Zeke and I had also inherited his height and his gray eyes.

“Hi, Dad.” I threw an arm out and we slapped each other on the back.

“Need help with the grill?” he asked. “Your Mom made me carry in three tons of salad.”

Mom rolled her eyes.

“You could check on Zeke,” I said. “He’s in a mood tonight.”

Dad stroked mom’s hair, and for such a small gesture, there was so much love loaded in it. My dad always looked at Mom like she was something incredible and he couldn’t quite believe she was in his life. He headed off to help Zeke.

My mom gazed across the party with a concerned look for her second son.

“You know how Zeke gets. He’ll snap out of it.”

She nodded. “I know. He’s so much like his father. Stews on everything.” She focused on me. “How are you?”

I smiled. “Living my best life.” Then over her shoulder, I saw Colbie walk in. I blinked. She was wearing a small, green dress that hugged her slim form. It tied up with a bow behind her neck, which just itched to be pulled free. She looked…hot.

Then I spotted the man beside her. She was holding some douchebag’s hand.

My gaze narrowed. I didn’t know him, but he looked like a stiff wind would blow him over and wore a pair of heavy-framed glasses. His jeans had neat creases in them. I could almost see the word Geek glowing in bright letters above him.

“Marc?”

“Huh?” I blinked and realized that Mom was looking at me.

She studied me hard. “Are you all right?”

“Yes.” I cleared my throat, keeping an eye on Colbie and the guy. “What would you like to drink?”

“I’m okay. I see Greer has a bottle of wine open. I’ll get a glass from her.”

“I’ll check on the steaks. Dad always overcooks them.” But I didn’t head for the grill. Instead, I headed toward Colbie. She and her date were chatting with Sasha and Maxim.

“Evening, lark.”

She turned and rolled her eyes.

“You’re going to sprain something if you keep that up,” I warned her.

“Marc, this is Spencer. He’s a drone technician.”

“Hello.” Spencer pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose and nodded. “Nice barbecue.”

I lifted my chin.

“Marc’s a member of Hunter Squad,” Colbie said.

I slapped the man on the back. “Welcome, Spence.”

Maybe my slap was a little hard. Spencer stumbled forward.

Colbie’s gaze narrowed on me. “Aren’t you needed at the grill?”

“Nope.”

She bristled. Every time she did that I felt a shot of anticipation. I waited to see what would come out of her mouth.

Instead, there was the ping of the communicator. Colbie gave me one hot glare, then pulled her comm unit out. Her face fell. “Crap.”

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

“I’m on standby tonight. A couple of the pilots are out with the flu.”

For all our technology and nano-meds, we still hadn’t managed to find a cure for the flu.

“I’m needed to make an emergency supply drop to a small community in the Blue Mountains.” She looked at Spencer. “I’m sorry, I have to go.”

Spencer nodded. “I’ll give you a ride.”

I stepped closer. “They need you to fly tonight?”

She nodded. “It’s a shipment of urgent medicines. Save me some prawns.”

She waved her goodbyes, and I watched her leave with her geek in tow.

“Who’s the guy?” I muttered.

“He works on the drones,” Sasha said. “He’s kinda cute. They’ve been out for coffee a couple of times.”

I grunted.

“Steaks are ready,” Zeke called out.

Soon, everyone was sitting at the long table I’d set up in the yard. There were heavily-loaded plates of meat and bowls of salad courtesy of my parents. Everyone was laughing and having a fun time.

This . This was why I picked up a carbine. To protect this. The small moments that mattered.

That’s when I heard a communicator ping. Then another. Mine vibrated in my pocket.

I groaned. “We’re supposed to be done for the night.”

“Monsters don’t take time off,” Jameson said.

Everyone on Hunter Squad pulled out their comm units, but Jameson was already reading his. He stood, and the grim look on his face made me tense.

“Hunter Squad, we need to go,” he said.

I rose. “What’s wrong?”

His gaze met mine. “Colbie’s Talon went down.”

My ears filled with static. “What?”

“She made a mayday call en route to the supply drop. Her Talon crashed and we’ve lost communication with her.”

“Oh, no,” my mom said. My dad wrapped an arm around her.

I couldn’t breathe. Colbie . Crashed . “Who was with her?”

“No one.” A muscle ticked in Jameson’s jaw. “She was alone. She crashed in the middle of the Blue Mountains.”

My chest burned. She’d crashed in an area infested with monsters.

I pushed back from the table. “Let’s go and bring her home.”

“We’ll clean up here,” Mom said. “Go.”

With a nod, I strode toward the house. Resolve filled me.

I was going to bring my lark home.

I hope you enjoyed Jess and North’s story!