It all just felt so strange to me. I leaned up against Tara’s garage, hands in my pockets, running through the situation in my mind.
But I just kept coming back to Tara and Mason. They were the key to all this, or at least they were the key to me right now. Although I barely knew Tara, and barely knew my son, I was quickly finding that I would do anything to keep the both of them safe. Just because I didn’t know about Mason didn’t mean I could simply walk away from my fucking responsibility.
I knew what it was like to grow up without a father. I didn’t wish that fucking shit on anyone, and I wouldn’t let that happen if I could avoid it.
Worse than that though was the way I felt around Tara herself. Fucking stupid, was how I felt. Stupid, and my cock was constantly rock hard, just begging to fuck that incredible pussy again and again.
I shook my head, getting my shit together. I couldn’t fantasize about her, not when the risks were so high. Even though I could easily take out Omar’s entire cell, I realized that I was going to need backup. I was just too distracted by Tara and Mason, too interested in getting to know them, and in getting a taste of Tara’s tight pussy again.
I pulled out my phone and dialed a number. It rang and rang but didn’t go to voicemail.
“Come on,” I grumbled, not surprised that he wasn’t picking up.
Finally, the line clicked to life. “What?” he groaned. “What do you want?”
“Morning, Travis,” I said.
There was a short silence. “Hey, cap,” he said. “Didn’t know it was you.”
“Since when did you disconnect your answering machine?”
“Fuck, I don’t know. Maybe a few days ago. Time blurs together when you’re not out saving the country, you know?”
“Yeah, soldier, it sure as fuck does.”
“What can I do for you, cap?”
Travis was the second in command of our team. He was an expert in espionage, counter-surveillance tactics, and sniping. Plus, he was one of the few men I trusted with my life implicitly and without question.
“I’m on a mission,” I said.
“I thought we were supposed to be on vacation.”
“Plans change. Listen up.”
I gave him a quick rundown of the situation. I started with the package from The Network, told him briefly about Tara and Mason, and finished up with recent events.
“Holy shit, cap,” he said when I was finished. “You’re a fucking daddy.”
“Don’t I know it,” I grumbled.
“How’s it feel?”
“Strange,” I said. “Not sure it’s really hit me yet. Been too busy with Omar Hooth.”
“Well, what do you need from me?”
“I want you to get your ass out here as soon as you can.”
“Fuck, you’re killing me. You want to tear me away from my bender so that I can hunt some fucking terrorist scumbags?”
“That’s exactly what I’m saying.”
“Great. Be there in a few hours.”
“Sending you my location. Call when you’re near.”
“Roger that.”
We hung up. Travis was in Chicago, and he was probably nursing one hell of a hangover. If there was one thing SEALs liked to do when they weren’t out killing America’s enemies, it was getting drunk and fucking.
I wasn’t an exception to that.
I pushed off the garage and headed inside. Tara was probably waiting for me, terrified. I headed up and knocked on the nursery door. “It’s me,” I said.
I heard her unlock the door and open it slowly. “Quiet,” she said. “He fell asleep.”
I gestured for her to follow me. She shut the door behind her and we went down into the kitchen. She turned the baby monitor on and sat down while I started to clean up the mess I’d made while cooking breakfast.
“When will your parents get back?” I asked her.
“Soon,” she said.
“I think we should tell them when they get here.”
She sighed. “Okay. If you think that’s the right move.”
“I don’t want to, but Omar is working with a local cell, and who knows what their plan is.”
“How do you know?”
“There were multiple tracks leading to and from the house.” I decided she didn’t need to know about the grouchy old lady.
“Okay,” she said. “Fine. But I want to tell them myself.”
I looked at her. “Are you sure?”
“Of course. They’re my parents.”
“Might be easier if I did it.”
“You’ll be there. You’ll explain it all to them. But they’re my parents and my mess, so I’m the one who tells them.”