“Damn, it’s good to hear you talking without that hesitation anymore.” Gabriel slapped him on the shoulder and gripped it in a warm hold.
“Thank you, sir. I appreciate you hiring Ember so I could work on my health. I’ve bulked back up and my cardio is probably better than it ever has been.”
“Not saying much there dude. You could never outrun me or the wonder twins over there.” Jacob’s taunt brought a wave of laughter.
Adam looked over at the twins who were talking to Jasmine and Jade. “True, Skipper, but you were usually chasing them because they pissed you off.”
“Yeah, and if they keep hitting on my sisters, they may be running again.” Jacob’s growl earned a laugh from Gabriel.
“What about your memory?” Gabriel nodded at Jason, who walked up to the group.
“A work in progress.” Doc moved over allowing Jason into the conversation.
A wicked scar on Jason’s lower neck slashed a violent purple against his skin. Doc extended a handshake. “How are you doing? I’m sorry I missed you at Talon’s christening. I wasn’t quite ready to take on a crowd.”
Jason dropped his hand and looked at his shoes for a moment before his eyes rose directly to Adam’s. “I’m ultimately the reason for your injuries. If my team hadn’t been ambushed and captured, you never would have had to go through any of this. I know it doesn’t mean shit, but if there was anything I could do to change what happened, the pain you endured…just know I would do it.” Jason’s voice had changed, no longer the smooth baritone of all the King men. His voice had deepened and carried a gravel none of the other brothers possessed. The fucking garrote tied around his neck while he was held captive was probably to blame.
“You didn’t cause my injuries. The fuckers who beat the shit out of me caused them. I’m not looking to point a finger of blame. Never have been. If you are trying to shoulder it, then you need to drop that burden, man. The fact is we work in a dangerous world. We all know the risks and we go into every mission with our eyes wide open. I’m in a good place.”
Jason stared at Doc as if trying to determine if Doc was being up front with him. Finally, he nodded. “Good enough.”
“Well damned glad you two had your moment. Now that the past is firmly in the past what do you two have planned? I got Jacob’s and Jared’s life scheduled for the next twenty-five years, but you two are wild cards. I don’t like wild cards.” Gabriel’s question caused a momentary pause as the two men looked at each other.
Jason chuckled and clapped his brother Jacob on the shoulder hard enough to send him two steps forward. All the Kings were brutes, but Jason was so fucking bulked with muscles he could compete for Mr. Universe. Doc knew the hours of dedicated training it took to get that big. A hell of a lot more time than he was willing to devote.
“I’m hanging in Mississippi. I have a good practice now. I’m working contracts for some new talent in Nashville. I have a small clientele list, to include you and your family. Couple that with playing flying taxi for select personnel and that is enough to keep me busy, but not enough to stress me out. Too much.” Jason winked at Gabriel and drew a deep breath before adding, “And I’m focusing on staying sober.”
Doc got it. Hell, he’d bet they all got it. The man had been through the ringer. His prescription pain medication addiction had almost cost him everything. Yeah, staying in control of what happens in your life…well damn, didn’t they all strive for that?
Jason lifted his soda can and pointed to Doc. “What about you?”
“I’m sure as hell not fit for the field. I’ll probably head back to the ranch after the holidays. There is no one in training now. No need for me to be hanging around up there. Figure I’ll find a beach and get a tan until training starts back up.”
Jacob turned on his heel and gawked at him. “Excuse me? What the fuck do you call Keelee? That girl, son…is a reason.”
A surge of pissed-off pumped through him. “I don’t call her a reason to go back. She has a boyfriend. A rancher.”
Jacob threw back his head and laughed drawing everyone’s attention. “Doc, pull your head out of your ass. She’s only dating Clint because no one else is paying her any attention. Frank told me he thinks the moron is after the ranch, and she knows it. You know you’re my best friend, but damn it, man, you’re blind in both fucking eyes not just the one with a patch over it.”
Joseph, Ember, and Tori walked up as Jacob ranted.
“That’s true you know, Adam.” Ember’s soft voice soothed some of the sting from Jacob’s retort.
Tori agreed before she added, “My sister has been gone on you since the two of you stayed at the line cabin. You hurt her. I don’t know what you said. She’d never tell me. Only that you didn’t want her.”
“But she was sick! For God’s sake, I told her we couldn’t. How the hell was I supposed to…”
Doc staggered and sat down hard on the chair dropping the glass in his hand. It shattered, but nobody noticed. Nobody moved. He held his hands in front of him both shook uncontrollably. Memories collided violently filling the void that had followed him relentlessly. He knew…everything. He remembered it all, the mission, the ranch, the move of the cattle down to lower pastures.
He lifted his eyes to Ember and whispered, “Oh fuck. I remember. She was so weak and sick. I couldn’t take advantage of her. Then I…oh God…”
~ END~
Doc & Keelee’s story resumes in the continuation of the Kings of Guardians series Book 3.
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Joseph Page 22
