excited them. They wanted to be the one to change him, to heal him, to tame him. Little did they know there was nothing bad boy about him. Unless they counted his job, and that was dangerous but not bad.
“Hmmm, I get off in a couple of hours, maybe I can help you get off too?”
Reid smirked, she was upfront and direct, and he liked that in a woman. Someone who knew what she wanted and went for it. “How about you give me your number, and I call you when I’m done here?”
The hostess licked her lips and then took his hand and wrote the number down the inside of his wrist. With that, she grabbed a menu and led him to his table, putting extra sway in her sexy ass as she did.
Mitch shook his head, good-naturedly. “Un-fucking-believable. Two minutes and she’s all but sucking your dick when you walk through the door.”
Mitch, like Liam was a cockney, a proper Peckham boy. He didn’t use as much slang as Liam though, so their conversations were more straightforward. As an ex-SO19 SWAT member, Mitch was an excellent marksman. As the oldest, he was the steady hand of the team. Besides, Jack, that was.
The food was terrific, the company was great, and for the first time in months, he felt himself truly relax and let the past few months melt away. They traded banter back and forth as only men that have put their necks on the line for each other could, throwing back the beer and just enjoying themselves.
He felt his phone buzz in his pocket and took it out to see Clay’s name on the screen. Reid frowned and stood, heading for the door and quiet to take the call. “Clay?”
“Reid, thank God. I need your help.”
Instantly, Reid was on alert, every muscle tense waiting for the next words out of his friend’s mouth. “Tell me.”
“It’s Callie. She’s in trouble, and I can’t get to her.”
“What kind of trouble?”
“She has a stalker, and the fucker got into her house tonight.”
Reid was already walking towards his friends and teammates. “Shit. Is she okay?”
“Yeah, her dog Bono scared him off, but she’s really shaken. I would fly out tonight, but I can’t get leave. We have a huge case, and they need a medic on this Op.”
“Where is she?”
“London.”
“You stay put. I’ll drive down now and check on her and help her sort the situation, then call you with an update.”
“Thanks, Reid.” He heard the relief in his friend’s voice.
“No, problem. Text me her address and let her know I’m coming straight down.”
“Of course. And, Reid, don’t take any shit from her. Callie is sweet as sugar, but if she thinks she’s being handled, the girl has a temper.”
Reid laughed. “I have two sisters of my own, you know.”
“Yeah, I know, brother.”
Reid sensed Clay wanted to say more and waited a beat, but Clay remained silent. Clay seemed to be having trouble getting the words out, so he took pity on him and gave him an out. “Listen, let me get off the phone and you can text me the details.” Reid hung up and looked at Jack, who was watching him intently.
“Trouble?”
“My friend Clay. His baby sister had some trouble with a stalker. He wants me to go check it out.” The words were half statement, half question.
“Go. Take Liam and Mitch with you.”
“That ain’t necessary. I’m sure it’s nothing. Probably an ex-boyfriend or something.”
Jack shook his head. “I’m not risking it. With the threat still undetermined, I don’t want my men with their asses swinging out there. Liam and Mitch go with you.”
Liam and Mitch were already standing.
“Thanks, boss.”
“Friends are family too, and family comes first.” Jack waved them away as he signalled for the bill.
Mitch sauntered outside towards his car. “I’ll give you a lift home to pick up your vehicle. I have a go-bag in the boot, so I’m set, then we can head to Liam’s to pick up his shit.”
“Appreciate that, Mitch.”
Reid glanced at his phone as the address came through from Clay. “Fuck, I don’t know London well, but even I know Kensington,” Reid exclaimed as he got in beside Mitch as Liam climbed in the back.
“Let me see?” Mitch reached for the phone and blew out a whistle. “Not sure where this girl gets her dough, but she must have a fuck of a lot of it to be living there.” He passed the phone back to Liam as he drove.
Reid’s phone pinged