Page 33 of Gentle Warrior

“Thought you might need a little fuel,” Elena said quietly, setting the trays down on the coffee table with a gentle smile.

Moose raised his mug in a silent toast. Jake and Bear reached for drinks and biscuits, nodding brief thanks.

The simple act offered a rare moment of calm before the coming storm.

Not wanting to let the moment slip, he quickly added, “I—I’m just gonna step out for a bit. Need to check on something.”

Most of the guys exchanged confused glances, clearly unsure what Moose was up to. Jake, however, smirked knowingly and nudged Bear. “Yeah, he definitely needs to grovel a bit,” he said quietly, amusement flickering in his eyes.

Moose gave Jake a finger over his shoulder as he ducked around the corner to catch up with Elena.

Just as he rounded the bend, Elena spun around, hands planted firmly on her hips. Her eyes flashed with real anger, and her voice cut sharp through the air. “Kid?” she snapped, the single word laced with frustration and disbelief.

Moose took a deep breath, his eyes fixed on Elena as he hurried to make things right. “Jake coming around the corner startled me, and what I said… I screwed up.” His voice was rough, filled with regret.

He ran a hand through his hair, then looked back at her, sincerity shining through for once. “I didn’t mean to disrespect you or make you feel like that. I’m sorry, Elena. I really am.”

Moose’s gaze softened as he took another steadying breath. “I have to keep you safe—more than just from what’s out there, but from anything that might hurt you, even me.” His voice was quiet but determined. “And… I really want a chance with you. Not as a mission or a duty, but as something real.”

He searched Elena’s eyes, hoping she’d see the honesty behind his words—a side of him he rarely let show.

Elena studied Moose for a long moment, the vulnerability in his eyes softening the tension inside her. She took a slow breath, then gave a small, genuine smile.

Elena hesitated for a moment, then met Moose’s gaze with quiet resolve. “I don’t expect you to have it all figured out,” she said softly. Her hand brushed lightly against his, a silent promise and a spark of hope. Then, with a sudden boldness, she added, “But I’m not a kid!” before leaning in and pressing a kiss to his lips.

As their lips parted, a soft giggle echoed in Moose’s ear through the comms. “Comm check,” Nova’s voice chimed playfully, barely holding back laughter.

Moose pulled back slightly, a sheepish grin spreading across his face. His apology, heartfelt though it was, had just been broadcast to the entire team—a not-so-subtle reminder that, despite the moment, the mission still waited.

Moose keyed his comm once more. “Well I now know everyone’s radio’s on. Keep channels clear for status updates.”

Moose’s throat tightened, and for a moment he faltered beneath the weight pressing down harder than the looming threat outside. His instincts roared to protect both his mom, Nancy, the woman who had always been his anchor, and now Elena, who was swiftly becoming just as important.

Despite the walls built around his heart and the mistakes he’d made, he found himself wanting to care for both, to shield them from the storm gathering ahead.

The tense silence hung thick in the room when Moose’s cellphone vibrated sharply in his pocket. He frowned, fishing it out as the screen flashed Gladys’ name.

He answered quickly, before the vibration could start again.

Gladys’ unmistakable voice spilled through, sharp as a whip and laced with fire. “Moose, darlin’, I swear on my mama’s grave, those no-good varmints gone and snatched up Shorty. Can you believe the gall on ’em?”

Her Southern drawl was thick with rage, but there was an edge of fear barely held in check beneath the fury.

Moose wasn’t the least bit surprised by her reaction. Gladys was more angry than scared—fiery and defiant, the kind of woman who would stand her ground no matter what.

“They took him. Right here in the diner,” Gladys continued, voice trembling with a mix of anger and worry. “I’d’ve laid ’em out myself if they weren’t packin’ enough heat to scare the devil himself.”

As an afterthought, Gladys added, “You tell ’em plain—it’s war if they think they can just waltz in and do this.”

Moose’s jaw clenched tight, fury roaring to life deep inside him. Around the room, the Protectors shifted; Jake’s gaze hardened, Thorn’s fingers tightened on his rifle.

Through the thin walls, he could hear the steady clatter of dishes and the soft rinse of running water coming from the kitchen—a mundane soundtrack to a day that felt anything but ordinary.

Beneath that drifted Nancy’s humming. The melody was soft yet constant, weaving calm into the heavy tension pressuring the farmhouse.

Moose squared his shoulders and drew a deep breath to steady the storm inside. “We’re not just defending a farm anymore,” he said. “We’re rescuing one of our own—and we’re taking the fight to them.”

He moved to the comm, voice steady despite urgency. “Link, keep eyes on the gang. Update us every minute. Everyone else, gear up—we move for town.”