Page 7 of Casey's Hero
“Thanks,” Jacob said. “I’ll consider it.”
“It really is great working with the Brotherhood,” Angel said. “We have missions, but they are usually shorter, and we can have a life outside the job.”
“Something we rarely got while in the Navy,” Hawk added.
“And you can choose which island you want to live on,” Angel said.
“The main office for the Brotherhood Protectors Hawaii is on the Big Island,” Hawk said.
Angel nodded. “Leilani and I are living on her home island of Maui. Other team members are scattered across Oahu, Kauai and Maui.”
Logan grinned. “Yeah, and we get to use all that training we attained in the military, fighting terrorists and drug cartels. You should hear some of the stories out of Montana and Wyoming. Hank Patterson has his hands full managing his folks there.”
“Meanwhile, back in Hawaii, you’re guarding bridezillas?” Jacob shook his head. “No thanks.”
“With the Brotherhood Protectors, you aren’t moving all over the world,” Angel said. “You can put down roots, have a family. Live a real life.”
Reid snorted. “Or not. It’s a job that can be interesting and uses our skills. I’m not looking to marry. Been there. Done that. I have the divorce decree to prove it.”
“Reid, now that you’re not being deployed all over the world, you might find the right woman for you,” Hawk patted his chest, “like I did.”
“Not in this lifetime.” Reid snorted. “I refuse to be pussy-whipped again and trade freedom for sex once a month…ifshe’s in the mood. As protectors, we’d still be drawn away from our homes long enough for the little woman to find another man.”
“Not if she’s the right woman,” Hawk said. “And it’s not all about sex,”
Reid’s lips twisted. “Ain’t that the truth?”
“What about respect, friendship and love?” Hawk asked.
Jacob shook his head. “A dog can serve those purposes and costs a lot less in the long run.” He tipped his head toward Reid. “Don’t listen to Hawk. He’s already well on his way to being pussy-whipped. Enjoy life as a bachelor. You don’t have to answer to anyone but yourself.”
“Thanks, Rooster.” Reid grinned. “I knewyou’dunderstand.”
The men poured more beer and reminisced as much as they could without violating gag orders on their top-secret missions. They talked about some of the tight situations they’d found their way out of, both on operations and during their off time.
Several pitchers of beer into the party, Hawk stiffened and clamped a hand on Jacob’s arm. “No way.”
“What?” Instantly on alert, Jacob set aside the one mug of beer he’d been nursing since he’d arrived. “What’s wrong?”
Hawk shook his head. “I can’t believe it. This is not happening.”
Jacob glanced at his friend and then around the patio. “What’s not happening?”
“I thought by now she’d have given up. How the hell did she know I’d be here tonight?” Hawk scooted his chair backward, placing himself behind Jacob. “Inside. By the bar. It’s Camila…the crazy stalker.”
Jacob followed the direction of Hawk’s pointed finger toward the interior of the bar.
A beautiful woman with dark hair and brown eyes, wearing a short, tight dress and impossibly high heels, approached the bar. She leaned over the counter, exposing a vast amount of cleavage Jacob could see from yards away. After a few words with Ray, the bartender, she turned her attention to the party on the patio.
“Shit.” Hawk ducked his head behind Jacob. “She’s headed this way.”
Jacob rose as the woman made a beeline for the group on the patio. “Teller, block our groom. We’ve got incoming.”
Teller’s head spun toward the entrance, and the woman headed their way. “Have the strippers arrived?” He grinned and scooted his chair in front of Hawk. “She can give me a lap dance anytime. I haven’t got a woman keeping tabs on me.”
“She’s not the stripper,” Jacob said. “She’s the enemy and must be neutralized.” His lips twitched at his own joke.
“You aren’t going to shoot her, are you?” Dev asked, his words slurred. “Hell, we’re not in Iraq.”
