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“Carrington?”

Bodie frowned. “You know the man?”

“His name keeps popping up and not in a good way. I assume you know about his botched drug, Vexarin?”

“That wanna-be wonder drug that’s creating evil Captain Americas instead? I read about it.” Bodie eased back in his chair, steepling his fingers. “You know about the trials, right?”

“Only that anyone involved started exhibiting extreme paranoia and aggressive behavior and that it failed to get FDA approval. Which explains why it’s now a wanted commodity on the black market by mainly cartel bosses.”

“Can’t let all that unbridled aggression go to waste. But I was referring to the black-ops unit that tested Vexarin in the field before it was shut down.”

Foster sat up straighter, glancing at her before frowning. “There were actual missions?”

“Several months’ worth before it became apparent that the men no longer considered orders their top priority. Which I think is the real reason it was shut down. The JSOC commander couldn’t control his own operatives.”

Mackenzie shifted on her chair. “Is this where you tell us that Striker was part of that unit?”

Bodie sighed. “The guy wasn’t just part of it.

He was in charge of it. Which means, he knows, firsthand, the brutal effects of the drug and the horrifying advantage it gives to anyone taking it.

There’s just one problem. According to my contact, the longer the men took it, the more they needed to sustain the same level of enhancement.

And men like Voss don’t give up that advantage without a fight. ”

Mac nodded. “You think he’s still addicted to it.”

“I think Voss is batshit crazy with extreme tunnel vision. From what I understand, Vexarin has been noticeably absent on the black market for several months. That timing alone is suspicious, and it makes me wonder why he’s targeting both Greer and your team, Foster.”

Foster scrubbed his hand across his jaw as he glanced at her. He arched a brow, motioning to Bodie. Silently asking her how much she thought he should share. Which she had to admit, sent a few shivers along her spine — that he valued her opinion enough to ask.

She shifted over and gave his hand a squeeze. “You already know he can’t be bought, so no sense in withholding intel, now.”

Brodie chuckled. “And here I thought the interview was over.”

Foster grunted. “You’re an ex-Army Ranger. You know it’s never over. But Mac’s right. The gist of it is that we believe the men who were distributing Vexarin for Carrington were using Raven’s Manor as their warehouse.”

Bodie pursed his lips, looking directly at her. “The only drug dealers who went down at that time were Shaw and Newport.”

Mac closed her eyes for a moment before nodding. “We think they killed Josh when a Vexarin deal went bad.”

“Well, shit.” Bodie huffed. “Let me guess, Carrington believes his stash of Vexarin is somewhere on your property.”

Foster nodded. “And we get the feeling he’s done trying to be covert about acquiring it.”

Bodie nodded. “That’s the intel Greer was going to share that night.”

“Which is why Voss blew her Bronco off the road, along with Zain’s truck. He was trying to keep his involvement on the down low because he knew once she shared everything involving Carrington, it was only a matter of time before it circled back to him.”

“Not to make matters worse, but I don’t think it’s just the drugs that might be hidden there.

It’s all his research.” Bodie placed his forearms on the top of the desk.

“Think about it. If Carrington had the formulas, he’d simply make more rather than chance getting caught trying to steal whatever Vexarin is left.

But when he originally went dark, he couldn’t risk keeping the research with him on the possibility he was discovered before he arranged new lab space.

His only choice was to deep six everything in case anyone came knocking.

No better place than with his secure drugs. ”

Foster groaned. “This just keeps getting better.” He motioned toward the room. “I don’t suppose you have anything in here that can see through walls?”

Bodie laughed. “I might have a Range-R in my office supply room, but that won’t help you narrow down where those drugs are. Though, I’m trying to get my hands on one of those new Nighthawk devices. For study purposes, of course.”

“Of course.” Foster frowned when his cell pinged. He took a quick glance, smirking when he read whatever was onscreen before shoving it back in his pocket as he stood and extended his hand. “Thanks, Bodie. I owe you.”

Bodie waved it off. “About time I repaid you for saving my life.”

“I just flew the chopper, brother. You did the hard part. And I’m serious. You need a hand with anything, you call.”

“This sounds like the makings of a very dangerous friendship.”

Foster laughed. Hard. “Wouldn’t have it any other way. Are you okay watching Greer tonight? Mac and I can spell Chase off.”

Bodie waved him off. “Got it covered. Besides, you guys have a house to rip apart.”

Foster shook his head, chatting with Bodie as they made their way back to the door then out to his truck. He gave the man another pat on the shoulder. “Thanks, again.”

Bodie gave him a small salute. “Anything for you, Major. But get some sleep. You two look exhausted. Though, maybe that’s not from Voss.”

Mac rolled her eyes as Foster chuckled then slid behind the wheel. “Why do I get the feeling I’ll be the one flying his ass around when he needs a favor?”

Foster shrugged. “Like you wouldn’t jump at the chance. Though, don’t count me out, just yet, sweetheart. Maybe I just need the right motivation to get behind the controls, again.”

Though she suspected he’d meant it to sound casual, she didn’t miss the tightness in his voice. Or how he clenched his right hand and released it a couple times.

Mac slid closer and brushed her hand along his arm. “You know it’s okay if you decide that part of your life is over, right? That you don’t owe anyone, anything.”

“Other than your father?”

“Foster…”

“It’s fine. Atticus means well and hell, maybe everyone’s right, and I just need to man up. I’m just having a hard time compartmentalizing what happened that night. How to sit in the damn chopper without seeing all the blood. Hearing Sean…”

He swallowed, looking as if he wanted to puke before shaking it off. “But seeing as you already sold your soul to Greer when you promised to fly her anywhere she needed to go…”

She swatted him, noting the shift in topic away from him. “In for a penny, I suppose.” She frowned when Foster turned onto the road leading to the Raven’s Watch parking lot. “Foster? Why are we at the hanger?”

Foster merely grinned as he parked the truck out front before twisting to face her. “I thought since we were going past and your dad hadn’t seen you since last night, you might want to drop in and say hi.”

Mac snagged his arm before he could slip out the door. “Beckett. You did not stop by on a whim. So, why are we really here?”

He stared at her for a few moments, then grabbed his cell, unlocking the screen before holding it out to her. “Your father wanted proof of life. I thought this was easier than explaining why I was taking your photo.”

She stared at the screen, heat burning through her cheeks as she read the message. “I’m going to kill him.”

“You’re all he has left. And after that insane rescue yesterday, I can’t fault the guy for worrying.”

“Christ, you’re going to be sending me the same damn proof of life messages when I’m out on a call and late, aren’t you?

” She held up her hand. “Don’t bother answering, it’s written on your face, and I’d hate for you to lie to me when I still have all these big plans floating around inside my head. ”

“I wasn’t going to lie. I absolutely will be demanding proof of life if you miss your check-in time, so make peace with that now, sweetheart. And no, it’s not because I don’t think you handle any situation. It’s because I care.”

“You make it extremely hard to argue with you.”

“Funny, you haven’t had issues with that before.” He jumped out, waving to her over the hood. “Come on. Kash and Zain will be demanding food on the way back.”

She met him at the front, smiling when he took her hand and headed for the door. Her father opened it when they were still a few feet back, crossing his arms over his chest.

Foster merely walked past. “She’s still breathing, so stop scowling at me, Atticus.”

Mackenzie stopped and faced her father. “Why on earth did you text Foster and not me?”

Atticus shrugged. “Because I knew he’d answer. You would have ignored me.”

“I used to hunt cartel. I think I can handle a few cuts and scrapes without needing to check-in.”

“And that’s why I texted Beckett.” He looked between them. “Is that his shirt?”

She smiled. While Foster had washed and dried her clothes, she’d elected to keep wearing his stuff. “And his sweatpants. Is that a problem?”

Atticus muttered something under his breath. “Saylor’s here. You might as well say hello before you take off.” He walked off, giving Foster those creepy “I’m watching you” fingers.

“Saylor’s here?”

She grabbed Foster’s hand and dragged him into the hanger, smiling when her friend came barreling across the room, nearly bowling her over. She grimaced against the pressure on her ribs, not that she’d complain.

Her friend eased back, giving Foster a thorough once-over before grinning at her. “I was starting to think your dad had lied about you signing up just so I’d join.”

Mackenzie laughed. “Which he would, but no. I’m just not working today.”

Her gaze narrowed as she looked at Foster, again. “I heard you were involved in some sort of bizarre rescue.” She leaned closer. “On the ground!”

“You say that like it’s the first time.”

“It probably was.” She eyed Foster. “I don’t suppose you’re Beckett ?”

Foster sighed. “Glad to see the trend regarding my last name continues.”

“You’re the one who’s pissed off Atticus.”

“All I said was no.”

“Exactly. Why do you think I’m here? The ornery goat said he’d call my dad if I didn’t base my tour company here and help out with water rescues whenever he needed me.”

Mac groaned. “Which translates into you working full time for him within a month or two.”

Saylor shrugged. “It’s not like I left the Coast Guard because I was over the adrenaline rush.”

Mac nodded. “Is all of that resolved?”

Saylor sighed. “I got out. He’s hopefully going to jail. That’s what’s important.”

“There shouldn’t be any hopefully involved.”

“We both know that’s not how the military works. Even with all the proof, he was a captain. I was just a lieutenant commander. Rank matters.”

“It’s bullshit. And you shouldn’t have had to leave.”

Saylor grabbed her hand and squeezed. “I couldn’t stay. You know that. Besides, when my best friend tells me to haul ass to her ridiculously small town to keep her company, I haul ass.”

“Did that marina space work out?”

“It’s perfect. And I love the loft space above.” She grinned. “Do I want to know where you’re staying? Because those are clearly not your clothes.”

“No. They’re not. And technically, I rented a cabin at the Lighthouse Lodge just outside of town. But I’m staying at Foster’s for…” She paused, unsure how to answer. Was it just for a few nights? A week? Until they decided where this was going?

Foster palmed her back. “Until she decides she’d rather shoot me in the ass.”

Saylor nodded. “So, any day now.”

“Ouch.” Foster shook his head. “Another one with claws. You should drop by some time.”

“I will. After I get sorted.” She stuffed her hand in her pocket and grabbed a couple of business cards. “What do you think?”

Foster smiled. “Raven’s Nest. Cute play on words. Are you as crazy on the water as Mac is in the air?”

“More so.” Mac shushed her friend. “Please, I’ve seen you pilot boats through conditions Poseidon, himself, wouldn’t be caught out in.”

“Only because I was backing you up.”

Mac scoffed, but she didn’t miss the way Foster merely shook his head. “We’re going to grab some food and head back to Beckett’s if you’d like to join us.”

“Next time. I only dropped by to get your dad to stop calling me every hour. But ring me in a few days once I’m human again and we’ll grab coffee, and you can tell me all about how you came to wear those clothes.”

Mac gave her a playful shove then headed for the door, waving as Saylor drove off. Foster followed Mac around to her side, crowding her once she’d jumped in.

He motioned to where Saylor had been parked. “Are all your friends ball busters?”

“Are all yours ex-Spec Op?”

“Fair.” He leaned in. “I should have asked you if you were okay with people assuming we were…”

“What? Sleeping together?”

“Basically, though it’s so much more than that.”

She grabbed his shirt and dragged him close, eating at his mouth until she finally needed to gasp in some air. “Does that answer your question?”

“Perfectly.” He eased back, then closed her door, disappearing for a minute as he ducked out of view before hopping in his side.

She nudged him as he started the truck. “Did you just look for any sign of a bomb?”

“Hell, yeah. I would have searched at Bodie’s, but the man has cameras everywhere.” He reversed then turned the truck. “I’m not getting played, again. And since we have a habit of putting our cards on the table, I’d love for you to stay for the foreseeable future.”

Her heart kicked up at the thought, and she couldn’t stop from leaning over — kissing him again. Mac wiped her thumb across his mouth once she’d pulled away. “Me, too. So, drive, Beckett.”