Rising (Anderson Special Ops #2) - Melody Anne Page 0,116

to fall in love with,” Erin said.

“I fall in love often . . . for a night,” Smoke said with a waggle of his brows.

“We still need a bachelor party. We’ve been deprived twice,” Green said. “It’s not a real wedding unless there’s a bachelor party. I say we go to Vegas and have a double one for Brackish and Sleep.”

“I like your thinking,” Smoke said. “I’ll plan it. You losers will screw it up.”

“It’s a bit late for a bachelor party,” Brackish said.

“No way,” Avery interrupted. “That means we’ll get our bachelorette party and I’m all for Vegas.” She turned and winked at Erin. “Thunder from Down Under, here we come.”

“Oh yes,” Erin said.

Brackish and Sleep both growled. “Really? You really want to watch gay men strip?”

“Oh, most definitely,” Erin said with a laugh. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”

Sleep’s hold tightened around his wife. “I say we scrap this entire idea.”

“No way. It’s on,” Smoke said. The girls giggled, and the men began planning. Sleep and Brackish no longer looked as excited over the prospect.

“Fine, but it’s the same weekend. I don’t trust those men around you,” Brackish finally said.

“Are you worried some Vegas stripper is going to whisk me away?” Erin asked with a laugh.

“Nope, not at all. I’ll strip for you anytime you want, baby. I’m sure I’d do a better job,” Brackish said. “I’m worried they’ll dare touch you and I’ll have to bash their faces in.”

“Mmm, my big strong man,” Erin said, making the men lose it as they laughed hard enough to be heard a mile away.

The group continued celebrating as they toasted love, happiness, and friendships that grew stronger by the day. They were a team, and they were family — and nothing and nobody would ever get in the middle of that.

Green was taking a swig of his drink, a smile still on his lips from the bantering with people he liked and respected, when his phone buzzed. He wondered who’d be calling as everyone he spoke to daily was in that room. His smile fell away when he saw the unknown number on his caller ID. With all of the technology Brackish had installed he hadn’t thought it possible for an unknown caller to break through.

“This is Hendrick,” Green said tersely.

“You’re a difficult man to get hold of,” a woman’s voice said. Green smiled.

Hook, line, sinker.

He didn’t say a word and she continued after a few seconds. “This is Senator Anna Miller. Do you have a minute to talk? It sounds as if there’s a party going on around you.”

He hadn’t missed her hesitation. She wasn’t used to having to say who she was. His pause had been done to perfection. He needed to seem eager without allowing her to think he was a total lapdog or infatuated with her.

“Oh, Senator Miller. I’m sorry, I didn’t recognize your voice,” Green said. “I’ve been waiting for you to call.” He kept his tone polite without being too eager, as he left the room.

“Is your schedule over the next two weeks open to meet with me? I have some interesting ideas I’d like to involve you in,” she said.

“I don’t know exactly what I can do for you, but when I get home in a couple of hours I’ll check my calendar and see what’s open,” Green told her.

There was a long pause — a good four seconds. He’d have to keep the smile from his voice when he spoke next. She was seething. She was used to yes men and women.

“That sounds acceptable,” Senator Miller finally said. “I’ll text you the number to send the information to and we’ll get it arranged.” There was another pause before she continued. “And, Hendrick, keep this private between us for now. Don’t even tell your co-workers, boss, or political action committee team.” It wasn’t a request, it was a command.

“I can do that,” Green said.

“Thank you. I look forward to seeing you again. Until then, have a great night.” She hung up before he could respond. She certainly was a woman who enjoyed power trips. He didn’t like her, didn’t trust her, and knew he was the man to bring her down. What he didn’t know was how involved she was with Damien.

Green walked back into the room where the festivities were still going strong. He moved up next to Chad and Eyes and said, “Senator Miller just called. She wants to meet in the next two weeks. She told me not to tell