Page 12 of Protecting Bree
Everyone groaned but nodded.
“Good. Miss Haynes, I’m glad you’re all right. You’ve found yourself some damn good champions. Do yourself a favor and don’t hold back any information about your situation. No matter how uncomfortable it might make you.”
“I won’t,” Bree said softly.
With that, the commander nodded at the men around the table, then stood. “Tell Tex I said hello,” he added, before walking through the door, shutting it behind him.
The room was quiet for a moment before MacGyver broke the silence. “I haven’t said it officially, and this seems as good a time as any. Thank you, Bree. For what you did for Ellory and Yana.”
Bree gave him a small smile. “I didn’t do much,” she told him.
“Bullshit,” Safe said sternly. “From what we understand, you took a hell of a beating for helping the kids get away.”
“I can never repay you,” MacGyver said. “But anything you need. Anytime. You’ve got it.”
“Same goes for me,” Flash added. “Getting into that car with Kelli and her kidnapper was reckless, dangerous, and stupid—and one of the bravest things I’ve ever seen. If you hadn’t been there…hadn’t given Smiley updates as to where Kelli was being taken…” His voice trailed off.
“You guys have to know, I was only in both those places because I was stalking you and your girlfriends,” Bree admitted. “The commander said not to leave anything out. Well…there you go. I started following you guys around because I wanted to know the kind of people Smiley hung out with, trying to decide if I could trust him. Then Icontinuedfollowing you because I was bored. I saw all your cars racing away from MacGyver’s house and joined the caravan, that’s why I was at that shipyard at the right time. I snuck in through a hole in a fence and just happened on the two girls. I hadn’t planned on doing what I did. And I was in the parking lot of Smiley’s apartment complex because I was going behind his back and hanging out with Kelli.”
“Don’t care how it happened, just that it did,” Flash said firmly.
“Same,” MacGyver agreed.
“Anytime you want to stalk Josie, go for it,” Blink added.
Bree’s lips quirked up.
“But how about instead of stalking us behind the scenes, you join us instead?” Kevlar said. “Blink and I are getting married in a couple weeks, and we’d love to have you there. If Smiley hasn’t already told you, we’re having aparty afterward at Aces Bar and Grill. I’m assuming you know where that is?”
Bree nodded.
“Good. Our families will be there, Blink’s twin brother and his Night Stalker team, Wolf Steel and his team…everyone,” Kevlar said.
“I…I’d like that. Thank you. If I’m still here,” she added.
“You’ll still be here,” Preacher said confidently. “Once the women get their claws into you, you won’t be able to escape.”
Everyone laughed except Smiley. He frowned. Not sure how Bree would take his friend’s words.
To his relief, he saw her trying to hold back a smile.
“Maggie’s pregnant, right?”
Preacher looked surprised for a moment, then he grinned. “Forgot you’re a stalker. Yes, she’s pregnant. As is Addison.”
“Babies. Who would’ve thunk it,” Kevlar said with a shake of his head. “Now that we’ve gotten the thank yous out of the way, let’s call Tex. He’s probably chomping at the bit to talk to Bree.”
Blink leaned forward and pulled the phone toward him. Before long, they could all hear it ringing through the speaker.
“About damn time,” a man said shortly as he answered.
“Tex. Good to hear from you.”
“Whatever. Smiley, I’ve sent you a package. It’s got a few trackers. You should get it today. Bree, you wear them—all the time. I’m not taking any chances with you. Too many women have disappeared, and it’s a bitch to find anyone without trackers.”
“Um…okay,” she said, looking at Smiley with a frown.
“Tex, I’d like to formally introduce you to Bree Haynes,” Kevlar said. “Bree, Tex lives out east with his wife and kids and dog. He’s a former SEAL turned computer genius. He’s nosey as hell, and I have no idea what we’d do without him.”
