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The red light on Bridger North’s vest flashed, signaling a kill shot.
Hands to his chest, he let his own weapon slide away and crumpled to the ground, going for maximum theatricality. “Noooooo! I’m too young to die.”
A loud snort emanated from the growing shadows to the south. The mesquite bush shook as the thin nine-year-old rushed out from behind it, laser rifle held above his head, his small face alight with triumph.
“That’s three kills for me and … ZERO for you.”
Bridger climbed to his feet and dusted himself off. “Nice shooting there, Dead Eye, but it’s time to head inside.”
“Awe,” Kellen protested mildly, but immediately strolled toward the back door, bow-legged, as if he were Gene Autry or John Wayne.
Bridger followed, his pulse still pounding from the exhilaration of playing laser tag with Kellen in the backyard. The boy had a natural talent for the game, his quick reflexes and sharp eye making him a formidable opponent. Once the kid got some meat on his bones, the days of taking care to let the boy win would be over. Bridger planned to savor this childhood part while he could.
Jane looked up from where she was sitting on the couch, a grin spreading across her face as she took in their flushed cheeks and bright eyes. “Looks like you two had fun,” she said, her voice warm with affection.
Kellen nodded eagerly, his eyes shining with excitement. “I totally kicked Dad’s rear,” he said, bouncing on the balls of his feet.
Jane raised an eyebrow, her gaze flickering to Bridger. “Is that so?”
Bridger shrugged, a rueful smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “What can I say? The kid’s a natural.”
Jane chuckled, shaking her head. “Well, as much as I hate to break up the party, it’s a school night.” She pointed at Kellen, her expression turning stern. “Scoot, mister. Time to brush your teeth and get ready for bed.”
Kellen’s shoulders slumped, but he nodded. “Okay,” he said, turning to head down the hallway.
But before he disappeared around the corner, he paused, miming shooting Bridger one last time. “Pew, pew,” he said, his voice low and serious.
Bridger slapped a hand to his chest, groaning pitifully as he feigned a hit.
“Too slow, Dad.” Kellen rolled his eyes. “You snooze, you lose. So sad.”
As the boy clattered off down the hallway, Bridger’s heart squeezed.Dad. The title still felt new and unfamiliar, but every time Kellen used it, a warm glow spread through his chest.
It had only been a week since he and Jane had returned from their honeymoon, but already, Bridger couldn’t imagine his life without her and Kellen in it. The Lord had blessed him beyond measure, giving him an instant family to love and cherish.
Jane cleared her throat, surreptitiously wiping away a tear as she pointed after Kellen. “That’s going well.”
Bridger threw himself over the back of the couch, pulling her into his arms and burying his face in her hair. “Better than well,” he murmured, inhaling the sweet scent of her shampoo. “I never thought I could be this happy.”
Jane hugged him back, her arms tight around his waist. “Me neither. I can’t believe the adoption will be finalized in less than a week. We’ll be a real family.”
He’d never imagined himself as a father, but now that he had Kellen in his life, he couldn’t imagine anything else.
But even as he savored the moment, Jane surprised him by pulling back and fixing him with a serious look. “So when are you going to tell me about Jason?”
Bridger forced himself not to freeze, keeping his expression carefully neutral. Good thing he was an expert interrogator, because if Jane were a professional spy, she’d be a great one. Her instincts were on par with her big brother’s.
“What about Jason?” he asked, trying to buy time. He’d wanted to let her savor their newlywed status a little longer before worrying her with the latest not-great news about her brother.
But his new bride saw straight through him. “What? Bridger, tell me.”
He fidgeted with a knickknack on the bookshelf next to him, avoiding her gaze. The truth was, he was deeply worried about his colleague and new brother-in-law. Jason was Delta Force, the toughest of the tough, but no one could go up against an unseen enemy with a reach as big as the Consortium’s alone.
Not that Bridger was going to communicate any of that to Jane.
He took a deep breath, finally meeting her eyes. “We just heard from him. He’s in Prague, following a new lead.”
“That’s good, right? At the wedding he agreed to bring you and the team in on this.”
