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Chapter 8
You’re off,” Declan acknowledged, coming to stand beside him as they took in the scene that was crawling with law enforcement.
The SWAT team was called in for a domestic disturbance in the area of Melrose Heights. A disgruntled man had barricaded himself in to one of the suburban homes with hostages. In these situations, SWAT was dispatched to ensure the livelihood of all parties involved. Mac and his team were able to make the entry into the home, clear it, and secure the hostages and the target. No causalities on this call.
He leaned back against the team’s armored vehicle and looked to his longtime friend.
“What are you talking about?” he growled, his irritation growing at Declan’s observance.
“Your mind wasn’t on the mission,” Declan replied, crossing his arms in front of his chest and glaring at Mac. “I know you. You moved through the motions, but you weren’t the same ‘pit bull’ Mac who usually leads this team into a situation.”
“Bullshit.”
He didn’t want to admit to his friend that he was correct. Since he’d left Sarena, his mind had been solely on her. He hadn’t liked the look on her face when he’d come out of his closet. It was one he was all too familiar with when he left for deployment.
Fear.
That was the reason why he didn’t do relationships.
But he couldn’t get the memories or taste of her from his mind. Declan was right. It was dangerous to go into a situation and not be there mentally one hundred percent.
“Where were you when you got the call?”
“I was in my fucking bed,” he snapped, pushing off the vehicle to face his friend. He didn’t owe an explanation to anyone. He scowled at Declan, knowing his buddy knew him all too well.
“And who was in it with you?”
Mac turned away with a curse. He stood with his hands on his waist and looked out at the scene. The area was flooded with investigators and the local boys in blue. He watched one of the ambulances pull off, taking a hostage to the local hospital. He turned back to Declan knowing he couldn’t lie to his friend.
“Sarena was with me,” he admitted, pulling his helmet off his head. He ran a weary hand through his hair.
He met Declan’s unwavering gaze. Declan was the first to look away with a curse.
“Listen, Mac. You know men like us aren’t good with relationships,” Declan began.
“We’re not in a relationship. It was just fucking. Expelling some pent-up sexual frustration.” Even to his ears, he didn’t like the sound of his explanation.
As much as he didn’t want to admit it, what he and Sarena had shared just hours before was more than ‘just fucking’.
“I may have only met her once, but I can tell you that Sarena is definitely a woman who deserves a man’s last name, Mac. Make sure she understands what she’s getting into fucking around with you.”
Declan moved to leave, but Mac growled, grabbing his friend’s arm. Declan’s eyes cut his, and they stood glaring at each other.
What could he say? He knew Declan spoke the truth. He just didn’t want to admit it aloud.
“Everything all right over here?” Ashton said behind Mac.
He turned to find the rest of their team paused, watching them. Curiosity burned in all their eyes as they stared at Mac and Declan. Myles, Brodie, Ashton, Zain, and Iker all stood poised as if ready to jump in to break up a fight between Declan and him.
Declan shook Mac’s hand off. He stalked away around the armored truck then jumped into the back. Mac glanced back at the team and nodded.
“Yeah. We’re good. Let’s go. We need to go in for debriefing and fill out our reports,” he snapped, waving them into the vehicle. He could see none of them believed him but he didn’t have to explain himself to them or Declan. He hopped in behind them and shut the door.
Brodie tapped on the partition to let Iker know they were set and ready to go back.
Tension was thick in the vehicle as it pulled off. Mac knew his friend was right, but he didn’t want to admit it. He knew Sarena understood. He had ensured she knew nothing would come of them being together.
He just didn’t understand why it left a bad taste in his mouth.
