No Love Lost (Masters & Mercenaries The Forgotten #5) - Lexi Blake Page 0,158

his love never complained about something not being five star. She had a never-ending curiosity and thirst for life that made her open to new experiences. He liked to see the world through her eyes because she was so willing to try new things.

They could show their son the world. This time they would do it right. This time they would be tourists, learning for the love of learning and not because they wanted to know how to take advantage of a situation.

It felt like he was starting his life all over again.

But there was one problem.

“Do we know where Levi is being held?”

He watched as the men he’d worked with all those years ago went from play to work mode. Every expression went taut.

“Ian’s on it,” Theo replied. “He’s been trying to get in touch with Drake. He’s a slippery guy. He works with us when he wants to and ignores us when it serves his purposes.”

“Sounds like every Agency arsehole I’ve ever worked with.” Owen shook his head. “I was wondering if we were going to let it lie.”

Rob patted his daughter’s back and bounced slightly. He smiled his wife’s way as she walked up. “I don’t think we can. He’s too dangerous.”

Ariel was dressed in a pretty orange and yellow sundress. She held her hands out and Rob transferred the baby to her. “Are we talking about Levi?”

Beck glanced around, looking for Kim. She’d been with Ariel earlier.

A brow rose over Ariel’s eyes as she settled her daughter into her arms. “She’s taking a walk. I saw her down by the lake with some of the kids. Is this something you want to keep from her?”

“Yes. I’m going to kill Levi,” Beck admitted.

Ariel’s expression changed to a sunny smile. “Oh, is that all? Of course you are. We can’t allow the bastard to live. He has a terrible habit of popping back up when you least expect him. Carry on, then. Let me know if you need a sniper.”

She gave him a wink and walked out to the pool where River waited to welcome her.

“God, I love that woman.” Rob had the goofiest look on his face.

But then they all understood that look. They were all still madly in love with their wives.

Theo took one of the shot glasses and held it up. “So one last mission?”

Owen held up his. “I doubt it will be our last. At some point we all know our kids will get in trouble.”

Tucker selected his. “Of that I have no doubt. The next generation is already giving us hell.”

Jax picked up the last two shots, handing one to Beck. “I’ve tried to keep my boys away from the Tag twins, but they’re practically in love. They already like dangerous women. I’m doomed. How about a toast? To making the best of a really bad thing.”

“To making the most of our second chances,” Theo said.

Owen lifted his glass. “To forgiveness and acceptance.”

“To finding family we didn’t even know we’d lost,” Tucker offered.

Rob put a hand on his brother’s shoulder. “To all the brothers who aren’t here. Who we did lose. May we remember them.”

Emotion welled up hard and fast as Beck raised his glass. “To Sasha.”

They all drank down the vodka Jax had brought. He’d likely had a choice of many liquors, but they always chose vodka in honor of the Lost Boy who wasn’t here to share it.

He’d fought and bled with these men. They were part of his family now, and standing here with them he realized he always held himself slightly apart. And he realized why. Because that part of his heart that could truly open up had been halfway around the world.

“I love you guys.” It was good to say it.

Owen’s eyes went wide. “Oh, he loves us now, does he? I wonder what caused this amazing turn of events.”

Jax snorted as he put his shot glass back on the tray. “We all know what did it.”

“Guys, come on. He’s had a breakthrough.” Rob was always the reasonable one.

“He had an orgasm.” And Tucker still said too much. Or what everyone else was thinking.

Beck laughed because these were his brothers. They’d been through something terrible and come out the other side. If there was one thing in the world he’d done right, it was helping these men. “Hey, I can take it. And he’s right. It’s been a long dry spell waiting for that woman to come back to me.”

The door to the house came open and Sean