Kathy shakes her head. “Nonsense. It’s time to celebrate!” She opens the box and takes a slice of pizza.
Cody grins. “Welcome to my crazy family.”
I laugh. “I love them too.”
EPILOGUE
Lars “Thunder”Guthrie
Nine months later
As I walk around the back of the Morgan Thompson Security building, I can hear Rover and CT talking shit already. I laugh to myself. Hopefully since Stormy just bought Hawthorne’s half of Reed Hawthorne Security, I’ll get to work with these guys again.
As I make my way over some bushes, I’m questioning my choice of protective gear. I’ve played paintball before, and it can hurt like a motherfucker. But my three layers are currently making bending or moving fast tough.
Rover spots me before the rest. “Thunder! Glad you could make it.”
“Thanks for the invitation. Sounds fun.”
The whole crew is here, and most are wearing coveralls. A couple others are putting some on.
Rover throws a pair at me. “These should fit.”
Well shit. If I’d known about these, I wouldn’t be walking like the abdominal snowman right now. I toss them back. “Thanks, but I got on enough layers.”
Rover laughs. “Suit yourself.”
CT steps off the back deck as he zips up his coveralls. Then he rings a bell to get everyone’s attention. “Okay, listen up! I divided the group into two teams. The red team consists of Rover, Connie, Cody, Fox, and Trax. The blue team consists of Thunder, Maverick, Sarina, Peaches, and myself.
“Hey, that’s not fair,” Maverick says.
CT frowns. “The teams are even. It’s fine.”
“It’s fine now that I’m here. I’m on the blue team.”
All eyes turn to Cara Harding, CIA Agent, and my friend, who is now standing behind Maverick.
“Thunder told me what he was doing, and frankly, I’m insulted you never invited me. Then I realized I’m a better shot than all of you assholes, so I get it. All I can say is sorry in advance.”
I hold back my laugh. Cara is not this arrogant but get her in a competitive situation, and that woman can talk some serious shit.
CT stares at her for a moment. “Well. I’m glad you’re on my team.”
Trax laughs. “It doesn’t matter. No one beats me. Now let’s go.” Trax runs into the forest.
Peaches hands Cara one of the paintball guns.
“Thanks,” she says.
“Let’s go,” Maverick says as he walks into the woods.
CT walks next to me. “Are you done with your assignment here?”
“I am. I took a few days off so I could check out some of the hiking around here.”
CT smiles. “There are some great trails. Let me know if you need a hiking buddy. I’m always up for that.”
“Will do.”