Hostile Ground (The Arsenal #7) - Cara Carnes Page 0,81

The “are you okay” question she hated didn’t get voiced, but it coiled in the man’s body, notable tension in the way he held himself.

“Saw you head out this direction and wanted to see what was up.” He wrapped an arm around Zoey’s waist and swiped a thumb along her wet cheek. “Jesse called for you a few minutes ago.”

“Oh.” The woman’s eyes widened when she looked over at Addy as she stood.

“Go. The mission’s priority,” Addy said.

“It’s not.” Zoey darted over and hugged her again. “We’ll talk in the morning. Okay?”

Addy nodded, but wouldn’t go down this road again. Once was enough, thank you very much. Silence ticked by as Zoey exited the shed. The door slammed shut behind her. Gage prowled forward, his gaze on the table.

Addy held her breath as he picked up the turtle, then the phoenix.

“Hell of a talent,” he said. “Guess I don’t have to ask who got this for you. Not sure any of us even knew you did this.”

Addy tightened. Gage set the figurines down and approached. He grasped her face. “Look at me, sweetheart.”

“Think I’ve hit my lifelong limit on heart-to-hearts, Sanderson.”

“Don’t pull that last name shit with me. Don’t push me away cause you’re feeling scraped raw.” Addy’s gaze swept to his. “You know I’ve been down that road. You had my back. And Jesse’s. Dallas’s. Should I keep listing everyone you helped?”

“No.” Her gaze cut to the table.

“Your team loves you. We all do. There’s no road or war we won’t follow you into if you’re willing to stand your ground and fight for what you want.” Determination settled in his voice. She glanced up at him. “Stand your ground and they’ll have your back. We all will.”

Gage had taken her back more than any of the other team leaders. He’d kept her team from seeing her at her most vulnerable during the last mission they’d been on with Kristof.

“Protective shits like us aren’t ever going to welcome anyone into a sister’s life with open arms. I’ve got three sisters, a lot more now thanks to The Arsenal. You’re at the top of that list,” Gage said. “I figure you’re right at the top of every Mason’s list too. Just because we aren’t welcoming someone with open arms doesn’t mean we won’t let him in. It just means he needs to earn the right to be in your life. He needs to prove he’s worthy.”

Addy took a deep breath. “Wow. You’re more of a brother to me than Peter ever was. All the guys are.”

“That fucker died too quick,” Gage growled.

Addy nodded.

“Don’t hide what you’re wanting, not for us. It’s time to put yourself first for a change and trust us to get our shit sorted and have your back.” He clasped her face. “Figure this is going to be a good test run for whenever some unfortunate asshole tries to snag Riley.”

Addy raised her eyebrows. “You lost me.”

“We’re all more protective of you than anyone else at the compound, except Riley.”

“That’s not true.”

“It is.” Gage smirked. “We protect the other women, but they aren’t in the field with us, kicking ass, and taking down anyone who tries to hurt us or them. You’ve had their backs right alongside us from the start. And you’ve had theirs too. You’re the bridge.”

“The bridge?”

“Between us and them. You navigate those waters between their brilliance and our brawn and somehow have all of our backs. You stitch us together.”

God. Addy blinked. Unsure what to say, she let the silence loom.

“I don’t envy him,” Gage said. “Not sure anyone will ever be good enough for you, not when all of us are judging him. All I can promise is to have an open mind. I’ll trust your instincts until I see for myself if he’s good for you.”

Addy nodded. “Thanks. For everything.”

“Anytime.” Gage headed toward the door. “Don’t stay out here too long. We’ve got a rough day ahead of us tomorrow.”

18

Darkness cloaked the area outside the harsh perimeter lighting of the compound. Kristof noted the high walls and guard stations at the corners. Two searchlights swept back and forth. A few small, black objects floated in the air, barely visible within the lit area above the buildings.

Drones.

No one around him seemed concerned by what they saw. The Arsenal was ready for whatever they encountered. He took a deep breath and pushed back the worry rising in him.

“Your pulse is skyrocketing,” Edge said in the com. “You’re worried. We’ve done this a few