“First one to the pond just over that hill?”
Mike followed Jake’s gaze to the large mound in the distance. “What’s the wager?”
“We’ll keep it low. Say, a Benjamin?”
“You’re on.”
Without warning, Mike spurred Daisy with the heels of his boots and with a “Ha!” he took off.
“Cheating bastard,” Jake mumbled and shook his head, smiling.
He closed in on Mike, loving that he was able to spend time with his best friend again. Guilt tried to wiggle its way in, but he pushed it away for now, not knowing when—or if—they’d ever get the chance to do this again.
Mike had worked damn hard to get accepted into some of the most dangerous organizations in the world. Every day he survived without being made was like living on borrowed time.
He was the best there was for jobs like the ones he took on, but even the best could have a bad day.
The two men reached the pond at the exact same moment, but of course, each one swore his horse had gotten their first. After going back and forth a few times, they both finally agreed it was a tie and left it at that.
They dismounted and led their horses to the water’s edge for a drink. Standing silently for a few minutes, both became lost in their own thoughts.
Jake wasn’t sure what was going through Mike’s mind, but all he could think of was everything that had transpired between him and Olivia during the past few months.
Lost in the moments they’d shared—both good and bad—Jake didn’t know how in the hell he’d survive it if she left him, once he told her the truth.
Mike finally broke the silence when he cleared his throat. In a somber voice said, “Thanks for watching out for her, Jake. I know it sounds crazy given the situation, but I don’t know what I’d do if I lost her.” The man’s voice was thick with emotion.
Trust me, buddy. I know how you feel. “I’m not going to let anything else happen to her, Mike.”
Mike turned to face him. “I know you won’t. And in case I’ve never said it, thank you. For watching out for her all these years. For saving her from those bastards and bringing her back home.”
Jake swallowed back his own emotions. “Don’t have to thank me for that, man. Not ever.”
Mike tilted his head once and then went back to staring out over the beautiful horizon. Jake used the opportunity to take in just how different his friend looked.
It had been over a year since he’d seen him, and the guy was damn near unrecognizable. Of course, that was kind of the point, given the whole undercover gig.
Before going deep, Mike had always kept his hair military short and his face clean-shaven. Even in high school, he’d get a haircut the second it got long enough to start brushing the tops of his ears. Said it bugged the hell out of him.
The man standing before him, now, had a long, dark brown ponytail that reached down to the middle of his shoulders. His beard was unkempt, and the tattoos peeking out from under his short sleeves were some he’d never seen before. He looked like a total thug, but Jake knew that was far from the truth.
“It should have been me keeping her safe,” Mike growled. “I should have been here to protect her.” Even from the side, Jake could see the guilt in his friend’s eyes.
“Kind of hard to do from the grave.” Jake put his hand on the guy’s shoulder. “I won’t stop watching over her, Mike. Not ever.”
He briefly considered telling Mike about his relationship with Liv, but decided not to, for fear his friend would return to his job distracted. Mike needed to keep a clear head.
Jake guessed it was why his friend had felt the need to see Olivia with his own eyes. Now that he had, Mike could focus on what needed to be done without personal shit getting in the way and putting him at risk.
Giving Jake an earnest nod, Mike looked at his watch. “Speaking of the little hellion, we should probably head back. I’m sure we have time before she gets home, but better not chance it.
The two men remounted and headed back toward the ranch. There was no racing this time. Their movements were slow and steady as they made their way back to the barn.
After a few quiet moments, Mike said, “So, don’t bullshit me, Jake. How is she? Really.”
Jake smiled, “She’s good. No bullshit. Stubborn as ever, but she’s good.”
He opted to not share with Mike what had happened at the hospital. The guy was shouldering enough guilt already. He wasn’t going to add to it unnecessarily.
The corners of Mike’s mouth turned up in a sad smile. “Good. I’m glad.” He was quiet for a time and then, “I’ve missed out on so much with her.”
Jake waited a beat and then asked, “Was it worth it?”
Mike drew a deep breath in then let it out slowly. “If you’d asked me eight years ago, I’d have said yes. Hell, if you’d asked me two years ago, I probably would have said yes. These guys are bad news, Jake. I’ve been able to help put away some of the worst people out there. It’s not just about selling illegal weapons and trading government information anymore. It’s all about skin trade with these freaks. Fucking sick shit, man.”
Jake understood his friend’s anger all too well.
“The guy I’m in with now, Alexandar Volkov, is seriously bad news. And his sons are no better. Ivan, the oldest, is even worse than his old man. Total piece of shit. Uses his strip clubs as a way for his buyers to get a look at merchandise before spending their hard-earned money.” Mike’s words were laced with sarcasm. “Those women have no idea, either. They think they’re just there to dance and maybe
