Their Battle for Love (The American Soldier Collection 15)

“Hello?”

“Hey, Star, how’s everything going?” Cosivan asked.

“Okay, if being stuck at a dinner party at my parents’ place gives you an idea.”

Cosivan chuckled.

“You and your team at a dinner party? That’s fucking funny.”

“Yeah, yeah. What’s up?” Star asked.

“Well, I got a tip from someone working at our club that a guy who is into some drug shit is moving in through the back door at the Crest.”

“What?”

“Yeah. I had a feeling you may not know about it. I know you and the team have been searching for Malayna for months and that you have some other family watching out for things but this guy got through the cracks.”

Star looked down the hallway and immediately spotted Hal, his cousin Marcy’s husband. He never liked the guy and always thought he was shady. But his cousin wasn’t exactly a prize for a wife.

“Do you have any suspicions of who might be letting them in? If you need some assistance finding out, we’re there.”

“I think I have an idea who may be working against us. I’ll take care of it. I’m heading there tonight.”

“Good. We’ll have to try and meet up for those drinks. Maybe you guys can come by the Copper Pot or Bailey’s soon.”

“We’ll try.”

“Oh no you don’t. You’re going to blow us off. Not after what we all went through. We’ll get you to have some drinks with us,” Cosivan stated.

“I won’t hold my breath. I saw Nalia. You wouldn’t catch me leaving that woman alone for a minute.”

“Don’t get me started on her. She came downstairs the other day for lunch when she’s not even supposed to be putting weight on her ankle. Laying around not being able to take care of herself fully is making her crazy.”

“She’s a strong, capable woman. Being shot, stabbed, and beaten didn’t stop her. Did you think a broken ankle would?

”

Cosivan chuckled. “I suppose not. She did shock Malayna, though,” Cosivan added.

“How is Malayna doing? She adjusting to things there?” he asked.

“She seems to be. It’s going to take some time. She’s got an instant family, kind of like Nalia.”

“Let me know if she needs anything.”

“You can stop in to see her any time. I think Malayna would like that,” Cosivan added.

“We’ll see. Talk to you soon.”

Star disconnected the call and bit the inside of his cheek. He wished he could see her again. He remembered how scared she was and how thin when he helped to rescue her from that estate in Mexico. From the time they found her she remained clinging to him, instantly seeing him and the team as her personal protection. She even hugged each of them once she was safe and secure in Chicago at her father’s estate. He hadn’t wanted to leave her, and neither did the team, but their mission was over. Three years of hunting the woman down and trying to get a lead was over. At least she was safe and secure. Now he and the team hunted Vlladim, the man who got away and the one person Malayna feared with all her heart.

He spotted Hal again and knew he needed to nip this situation in the bud immediately. Lucca approached. Star nodded his chin upward.

“What’s going on?” he asked.

“That was Cosivan. He got a little info on something fishy going on at The Crest. I’ll fill you in on the way. Let’s just get Krane and Border and then say good-bye to Mom.”

Lucca followed him.