Page 7 of Wild Card (Men of Action #4)

TALON

“You got somewhere to be?” Captain Boyd saunters through the bullpen.

“Yep.” I grab my cell and keys, ready to get away from this fucking desk. Tweaking my shoulder was an inconvenience. Being on desk duty is hell.

“Next time you rookies decide to go work with Hayes Security, stay there. They went and fucked up all the training we sunk in you.” He points in a circle to Ace, Major, and Ford.

I can’t help but goad the man. “Oh, Boydy-Boyd. Are you jealous we got to play with the big boys?”

His scowl is a reward. “No, dipshit. More like pissed on my squandered investment. You four have turned into wastes of space.”

I grab my chest, cringing dramatically. “You wound me. Dr. Welch will have a field day with this recent development. I can see the report now, ‘Officer Simms had a significant setback. Peewee’s abuse of power is evident in his ability to slice open mental wounds with his words.’ ”

Captain Boyd’s scowl deepens, his eyes flaring. Dr. Welch is a Behavioral Specialist who contracts with the department. She’s also Captain Boyd’s niece. When Ace and Major were assigned to her for release back to duty last year, she let the family nickname for Boyd slip.

He was not pleased.

We use every chance we can to rouse him. A mountain of a man, he is anything but a peewee.

“I’m not worried about mental wounds. You asses keep going off and getting shot, stabbed, or tortured. Then my budget is hit with all your fucking therapy. Not to mention your time in these chairs.”

“Technically, it’s only Talon on desk duty.” Ace grins smugly. “He’s the problem child this month because he aggravated his shoulder by showing out.”

“Looks like your asses are in chairs to me. Wanna explain?”

“We’re taking a break to give our moral support.” Major leans back in his seat, linking his fingers behind his head. “Simms needs us.”

“I don’t need shit.” There isn’t enough time for this. I want to change out of my uniform before the appointment.

“You got another situation?” Boyd questions with his brows pinched.

“No.”

“More like he needs advice,” Ford adds.

“I can guarantee I don’t need advice from you fuckers.”

Ace points to the ink on his ring finger.

“I got a wife and two boys under my roof with my last name. You have an empty bed.” Major also points to the ink on his ring finger.

“Jesus, help us. Is this about a woman?” Boyd rubs the back of his neck. “Is it too much to ask for six simple months without you four bringing drama to my department?”

“No drama.”

“Yet.” Ford chuckles. “It’s still early.”

“I already regret asking, but someone give me a head’s up.” Boyd fixes his gaze on me.

“Simms has a thing for his physical therapist.”

I glare at Ford for making me seem like a teenage boy. “You’re a dick.”

He throws his hands in the air with a cunning smile.

Boyd clears his throat, and I notice he’s paled slightly. His eyes meet mine and a knot coils in my gut.

“Um, I don’t know how to say this, because it’s none of my business. But I know Abe Koch and he’s engaged… to a woman.”

My heart stops, understanding rushing through my nerves.

All my reports and releases have come from Abe.

He doesn’t know about Willow.

Which means—he thinks I’m gay.

The silence stretches a beat before Ace, Major, and Ford all burst into loud, obnoxious laughter. Major hurls so far back, his chair tips and he does a full roll-out. Ford isn’t as graceful, hitting the floor with a thud.

“Oh My God, Jewls will love this.” Major snaps a picture of me.

“I’m not fucking interested in Abe.”

“There’s no judgment.” Boyd glances at the others like they’ve lost their mind. “We’re inclusive.”

Now he’s quoting the HR handbook.

“This is too much, I can’t make this up. Talon’s inclusive.” Ford is on his knees now, holding his side.

“Why are you acting like lunatics?”

“Because, as of yesterday, Abe and I agreed on my new therapist. Willow is very much a woman.”

Boyd visibly relaxes, color returning to his face as his eyes light with hilarity. “Glad there won’t be any messiness with Abe and his fiancée.”

“Maybe not with Abe, but he’s been shot down. His ‘twinkle’ is fading.” Ford’s a wealth of information today.

“You are a complete ass. I wasn’t shot down.”

Ace whistles as a paper airplane flies across the space, crashing into the side of a trashcan.

“You done?”

“Long time coming, brother. You dished this shit out, time for payback.”

“Hell yeah.”

“Karma is a bitch,” Ford and Major say at the same time, agreeing with Ace.

“All three of you were stupid asses.”

“Last Standing Casanova—tell us your plan to woo the unsuspecting and innocent, Willow-the-therapist.” Ford covers his heart with a hand and flutters his eyelashes.

My lips twitch, and before I can stop it, a chuckle escapes.

When we got out of the service, our plans were made. Join the academy, join the force, and as soon as possible, join SWAT.

We lived well in a house owned by Ford’s parents, stuck to ourselves, and had little socialization.

Before long, rumors started about our personal lives, and the mansion on the hill was labeled the Casanova Club.

Stories spread about our parties and the women rotating in and out of our doors.

The term Casanova used to piss us all off, but it’s become more of a badge of honor in the last year.

As the women became part of our lives, they embraced the term and love to throw it around.

“Sorry, you’ll have to watch it play out in real-time.” I move to leave, waving in the air.

“Don’t make me pull Rowan in on this!” Ford calls.

I flick my middle finger his way, another loud rumble of laughter following me to the stairwell.

Once I'm at my truck, I confirm that everything's good to go for this afternoon.

Abe Koch isn't stupid; he knew right away why I suggested Willow take over my case. He didn't fight it.

Pretty sure the guy was laughing the whole conversation, even wishing me luck in the end.

Now it’s time for me to put this plan in action.

“You’ve done well today.” Willow types on her iPad, not glancing my way.

I remain silent, waiting her out. It’s been like this the last forty-five minutes. Her going through the session robotically, keeping her focus and conversation to the basics. I gave her the play, showing I can respect her position.

Abe was forthcoming in his praise of Willow but made a point to mention her dedication. He described it as a quest for perfection. Little did he know, he was adding to my list of discoveries of the elusive Willow Richards.

After a full minute of no response, she lifts her eyes to mine. “Are you okay?”

“Great, just waiting for this session to end so we can drop the formalities.”

It’s almost invisible, but I catch the spark in her pupils.

“There are no formalities.”

“You’re cute when you lie.”

“I’m not lying, and I’m not cute!”

“You are.”

“Don’t make me regret taking on your file.”

“Regret is the last thing you ever need to feel when it comes to me.”

She lays her tablet to the side and motions to my shoulder. “Can I feel?”

I open my arms in welcome. “Anytime.”

She follows the same process as last week, prodding with different pressure points and assessing my comfort level. Her hand never deviates from the area, purposely staying away from my scars.

“What do you think?” I ask when she’s back to making notes.

“My official report will need approval from Abe. A few more weeks of sessions along with at-home exercises, you can resume normal activity. Barring any more sliding into home plate or occupational mishaps.”

“No ball games on my schedule for a while.”

“And the other?” she raises her eyebrows.

“The other is a non-issue.”

“Non-issue? Meaning what?” She presses her lips together, shaking her head. “Don’t answer that.”

“I’ll answer any of your questions. But before I do, tell me about your hang-up with my job.”

“Howdy!” The blonde pops over, vibrating with excitement and offering her hand. “Thought it was time we formally met. I’m Rebecca Yates. Everyone calls me Bex.”

“Talon Simms.” I shake her hand. “But you already know that.”

“Yep, and Lucas is finishing with a patient but wanted me to let you know everything is here.”

“Thanks.”

“No problem.”

“What are y’all talking about?”

“Go to lunch with me?” I ignore Willow’s question.

“No, thank you.” Her cheeks heat, glancing between Bex and me.

“Have you already eaten?”

“Talon, don’t do this.”

“Answer me, Willow. Have you eaten?”

“No.”

“Me neither and I’m starving. We have to eat.”

“Starving…” Bex drags out the word.

“Well, if you won’t go out with me, we’ll have to eat here.”

“You can’t eat here. This is my work.”

“I was told there is a nice breakroom and had lunch delivered.”

“You did what!?!” she squeaks and Bex snorts.

“Your next appointment is in an hour. We better get started.”

“How do you know that?”

I stand, motioning for Bex to lead the way.

She bounces across the training room to a large break room loaded with covered platters.

“Oh my God, what did you do?” Willow gasps from behind.

“I’m resourceful. Anticipating your rejection was step one, I made alternative plans.”

“There’s enough food here to feed an army.”

“Not an army, but hopefully twenty.”

She looks around then shakes her head. “Wait, Bex mentioned… did Lucas know about this?”

“He’s useful.”

“He’s dead meat.”

“I think the words are ‘Thank you’.” Lucas strolls in, shaking my hand and going straight to a tray. “It’s been forever since we’ve had Ralph’s.”

“Ralph’s?” This time, Willow’s question is laced with amazement. “I love their food.”

“That’s why I ordered it.”

“But they don’t deliver.”

“They do with the right amount of persuasion.”

The amazement in her voice spreads to her expression. A slow burn trails through my chest at the glittering shade of emerald aimed at me. In this moment, her guard is down and appreciation reflects my way.

“I’m not sure what to say.”

“Once again, ‘Thank you’ works at times like these.” This time it’s Bex’s suggestion.

“Lolo!” A streak of blue races past me.

Willow’s mouth drops at the same time she squats to catch the little boy as he throws himself at her. She rocks back, swaying him from side to side. “What in the world?”

“Daddy said we’re surprising you.”

My body tenses, taking in the child in her arms. His cheeks are flushed and smile wide. He frames her face with his chubby hands. “Are you surprised?”

“The best kind of surprise.” She beams at him.

He looks over his shoulder, and it’s then I catch the crystal green eyes lit with excitement. My heart stops at the possibility.

Is this her…

“Nephew,” Lucas says quietly, answering my unspoken question.

“Chase, what are you doing here?” Willow stands while the little boy races to Bex next. She whips him into the air, kissing his cheeks.

A large guy steps through the doorway, his gaze locked on Bex. It’s then I see the resemblance. The little boy is a spitting image of him, and the similarities to Willow are undeniable.

He tears his eyes away to flash his sister a smile. “Bex told me to come here.”

Bex pulls her attention from the child to Chase. “Glad you decided to stop by.”

“Bex told you to stop by? When?” Willow’s voice has gone pitchy.

“When I called her to invite you both to lunch.”

“Why didn’t she mention that to me?”

“Probably because it would ruin the surprise,” Bex answers with a faint blush to her skin and glint in her eye.

I shoot her a knowing grin. The woman is good. She may have orchestrated a very early meet-the-family moment, but she ensured Willow wouldn’t have plans.

It’s hard to miss the once-over Chase gives me before he steps in closer, offering a hand. “Chase Richards.”

“Talon Simms.” I return the force of his grip.

To most, his blank face would give nothing away. But I’m skilled in reading people. The man knows who I am and my interest in his sister. He also knows she’s trying her best to brush me off.

“That’s my son, Wyatt.” He drops my hand and gestures to the boy, now watching us.

“I gathered.”

“You the cop?”

“You heard of me?”

“Bex mentioned something.” The dip in his tone when he mentions her name has me doing a double-take between them.

The woman is now helping Wyatt with his plate. He’s watching them closely, a softness in his gaze not aimed at his boy.

He jerks his chin back to me. “Willow turns down your invites so you intrude on her clinic?”

A quick glance at Willow, who hasn’t moved but is observing us intently. I’ve never been one to explain myself, but I’ll give him this one.

Before I can answer, he speaks again. “Don’t know you. Don’t have a reason not to like you. Let’s keep it that way. My sister is the most important woman in my life.”

Interesting that he didn’t mention the mother of his child.

Now, it’s time to move this meet-and-greet along so I can have some time with Willow.

“Message received.”

He blows out a breath and relaxes his shoulders. “This your idea of a first date?”

“Not by a long shot. This is a warm-up.”

“Man, I hope you have some patience because my sister is going to test it.”

“Learned a little about patience in my line of work.”

He does another once-over. “Something tells me that wasn’t gained in law enforcement.”

“Marines.”

“Combat?”

“My fair share of tours.”

“Jesus, Willow is jumping off the deep end.”

“I’m an excellent swimmer.”

His eyes widen then settle in approval. “Well, then, I’ll say it’s nice to fucking meet you, Talon. Good luck.”

He walks away, mumbling under his breath.

I lock eyes with Willow, catching the wary grin.

The burn from earlier returns.

She has no idea how the small gesture fuels my determination.