Page 22 of Gentle Warrior

At that moment, Salty burst out from the barn, bounding eagerly into the yard. His tail wagged fiercely as he joined the circle.

Moose felt the world shift around him, the laughter and voices fading into a distant hum. His grin broadened just a little as his gaze flicked to Elena’s, and something genuine sparked between them. Something tentative but real. His pulse quickened, a warmth spreading inside, electric and undeniable. He caught the kindness in her eyes and the quiet joy mingled with mischief there. For a moment, he wondered what stories she carried behind that wavering smile—and if she felt the same pull he did.

Nearby, Bear stood with his arms crossed, a calm presence amid the excitement. Salty leapt at his feet, tail wagging wildly as he dropped a ball at Bear’s feet, eyes bright and expectant. The dog nudged the ball forward, urging Bear to throw it. Bear chuckled softly, bending down to ruffle Salty’s fur before picking up the ball, ready to join in the playful moment.

As the hugs wound down, Moose heard Elena clear her throat and call out over her shoulder, “Supper’ll be ready in about ten minutes.”

Jim grunted sharply, impatience evident in his voice. He exchanged a brief glance with Bear and Moose before adding almost as an afterthought, “That’s Elena.”

From across the yard, Moose studied her. He knew what she’d been through and saw the strength starting to surface beneath her wary eyes. She didn’t flinch at Jim’s gruffness. Instead, with quiet sarcasm and a hint of steel in her voice, she snapped back, “Thanks for the well-thought-out introduction.”

Moose couldn’t help but smile. That sharp edge, that refusal to be diminished—it was clear Elena was not someone to be underestimated. She was beginning to find her footing, and he was eager to see where she’d go from here.

When dinner concluded and the table was cleared, Nancy went off to her room while Jim headed to the barn to tackle the nightly chores. Bear and Moose stayed behind to help Elena clean up and brew a fresh pot of coffee.

Moose’s voice dropped to a softer, more compelling tone. “Mind if we stay here for a bit and talk?”

Elena nodded, her heart quickening, though she wasn’t entirely sure why.

Moose met her eyes, his expression steady but unreadable. “When I found out Jim hired you to care for Mom, I ran a background check. I had to know who was with her.” He glanced away briefly before locking gazes with her again. “That’s when I learned about the drive-by shooting and the Latin Counts. The DEA has been looking for you.”

Elena’s eyes widened, a cold panic washing over her as Moose’s words sank in. The thought of the DEA chasing her was terrifying enough, but when she whispered, “The Latin Counts know where I am?” her voice trembled with raw fear. “I need to get out of here.”

For a moment, her mind swirled with confusion—was Moose here to turn her in? The weight of his words pressed down like a heavy shroud, filling her with fear and uncertainty. But then, beneath that dread, a spark of something fierce and unyielding flared up. Salty sensed her turmoil and padded over, pawing gently at her leg before trying to climb into her lap for comfort.

Elena took a steadying breath, squashing the fear that Moose’s words stirred inside her. She pushed it down deep and let something else take over—that burning determination to win this war, to stop running and start fighting.

Moose shook his head, his expression firm but understanding. “You can’t keep running,” he said quietly. “This won’t ever go away if you don’t face it.”

Bear leaned in, reassuring. “We can help you end this.”

Elena met their eyes, resolve hardening. Fear tried to claw its way back, but she crushed it under the weight of her own will. No more hiding. No more disappearing. This was her fight now.

Elena drew in a slow, deliberate breath, steadying herself against the weight of Moose and Bear’s words. Her eyes, fierce despite the shadows lingering beneath them, locked onto Moose first.

“I’m done running,” she said, resolute. “Every day out there—looking over my shoulder, never knowing who’s watching—that’s not living. If I’m going to protect Salty, protect myself, I have to face this head-on.”

She shifted slightly, picking Salty up and cuddling him close. Then her gaze flicked to Bear. “I don’t know exactly what you’re offering, but I’m listening. I can’t keep dodging this forever.”

There was a flicker of something almost like a smirk at the corner of her lips—a small defiance, a promise to herself. “If you want me to fight, then show me how.”

Just then, Moose’s phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out and answered.

“Hey, Gladys.”

“Moose, there’s a fella here at the diner sayin’ he works for the government—the DEA. I told him I don’t know nothin’,” Gladys said, her Southern-accent carrying gentle concern.

Moose’s brow furrowed as he exchanged a sharp look with Bear and Elena. The air thickened with tension.

“Give me his name and number, Gladys. I want to make sure he’s legit.”

Bear’s fingers moved swiftly over his phone, dialing Link. As Gladys rattled off the information, Bear relayed it urgently.

“Find out if he is who he says he is.”

15 - MOOSE

The next morning, after Link confirmed that Marcus Weatherly was indeed a DEA agent from the Washington, D.C., office, Moose picked up his phone and dialed the number. He laid the phone on the dining room table, setting the volume loud enough for everyone to hear.