Taking It Slow - Reese Knightley Page 0,2

stumbled, Spencer caught the sobbing woman.

Freddie crumbled to the ground in a pool of spurting blood.

“No, you don’t.” Link dropped to his knees next to Eagle, yanking open his shirt, feeling around the bulletproof vest.

Eagle coughed and groaned. “Aw…didn’t know you cared,” Eagle gasped and coughed again.

“You fucker!” Link snarled.

Eagle glared and shoved Link back. “Fuck you too.”

“I had him,” Link hissed, yanking Eagle to his feet.

Eagle had a smidge more weight and used his bigger size to slam Link back against the wall before crowding in close with a glare. “We work as a team or you can hit the fucking door.”

A muscle ticked in Link’s jaw. “Kiss my ass.” Rage made Link’s voice sound hoarse. The soldier shoved Eagle away and headed across the room.

“Come on, Link,” Eagle yelled. “Don’t leave.”

Link flipped Eagle off before he disappeared.

“Let’s go,” Spencer said, guiding the woman out of the room. It hadn’t been the first blow up between them and it wouldn’t be the last. Link and Eagle were like oil and water.

They called for help and took turns assisting people out of the building before EMS could arrive. The woman had grabbed his hand with a whisper of thanks. He’d pressed her fingers tightly.

There was a shitload of drugs inside the warehouse. It looked like Freddie Bowman had moved up in his brother’s organization. There’d be hell to pay when Rocco Bowman found out his little brother was dead and his merchandise confiscated. Spencer couldn’t wait. Freddie may have pulled the trigger that killed FBI agent Robert Frankfurt, but Rocco had ordered the hit. Nothing happened in the organization without Rocco knowing about it.

When the EMS arrived on the scene, Fury melted into the darkness. They needn’t have worried about being identified. With their heads and faces covered, none of the victims could identify them.

He and Eagle made it to the airport early the next morning.

Easing into the airplane seat, Eagle grimaced.

“How are the ribs?”

“I’m fine,” the soldier said gruffly.

Spencer snapped his belt and set his head back.

“You think I was out of line with Link?” Eagle glanced at him.

“I’m not one to talk.” Spencer shrugged, glancing over.

“You’re right, you’re not. Why the fuck didn’t you wait for Link and me?”

“Wait? Link’s ass was already up there, and since when the fuck do I answer to you?” He squinted at Eagle.

“You don’t, asshat.” Eagle gave a heavy sigh. “It’s a good god damned thing we’ve got a break. You both are fucking nuts. Both have a god damned death wish.”

Spencer grunted and tucked his head back against the seat, closing his eyes. He got the job done, and that was what mattered.

In the end, the job was the only thing that mattered.

He rubbed at his forehead. Okay, not the only thing, but one of the two things that meant the most in the world to him.

Liam

Where the hell was he?

Liam scoured the crowd, but there was no trace of Spencer. His contact said Spencer would be there, but maybe he was running late.

The military function was in full swing at the Cobalt high-rise hotel located in downtown San Francisco. The military had reserved it to celebrate Major General Wilson’s retirement, along with all the fanfare. People came from around the United States, Governors and congressmen, high ranking military and government officials, plus Secret Service when the President had come and gone.

Yet, still no Spencer.

Liam tossed back another drink and gave the flirtatious soldier, subbing as a bartender, a slight smile. Not returning the come on at all. He kept his private life private and never got involved with anyone he worked with nor anyone in the military.

What about Spencer?

Well, that had never evolved into a full-fledged fling. He and Spencer had been casual friends for going on two years before he’d made the stupid mistake of thinking they could be more. God, he’d wanted them to be more. He’d been willing to give up everything for Spencer, but his affection was not returned. Now, all Liam could do was try and salvage their friendship.

“Liam,” a warm voice said and he turned and took the outstretched hand of his good friend, retired General Luke Rhine.

“Luke,” he said, using the man’s first name since it was just the two of them at the moment.

“I’m sorry to hear about Robert,” Liam said solemnly. He’d never gotten a chance to give his condolences of Luke’s FBI friend killed undercover.

“Thank you.” Luke tipped his head and his brown hair slipped forward; he lifted a hand