“Rebel isn’t my only client, asshole,” he fired back. “If I had anything to report, you would’ve heard from me.” He went on to inform me that he and the sheriff were working together behind the scenes. “Mac hasn’t been able to trace the gun back to anyone, which isn’t surprising. He’s also not done trying.”
“Has he brought in a gunsmith?” I asked, not wanting to admit I’d completely forgotten about the planted gun.
“Of course he has, Edge.”
I ended the call feeling like a wanker for questioning him the way I had. I definitely wasn’t feeling myself, and given I was about to leave for one of the most important missions of my life, I had to get myself together.
I rolled my shoulders and rang Decker, who reported that the cowboy who had approached Rebel in the dining hall had seemingly vanished into thin air. He and Boon had questioned the other ranch hands extensively, but it seemed the guy was more of a drifter than someone who had ties to this area. His background check came up squeaky clean, both before he was hired and when Decker ran it again. Something that bothered both of us equally.
Finally, I sent a text to my brother. I hadn’t heard from Lennox and had no idea how things had gone between him and Emerson. Are you engaged to be married?
Not officially, but Emerson has agreed to spend her life with me, he answered within a few seconds.
Rather than send another text, I rang him.
“It’s good to hear from you, Keon.”
“Congratulations. I mean that sincerely.”
“I love her so much. I never thought feeling this way was possible.”
Neither did I, and yet inside me, I felt a stirring. “How long was it before you knew? Really knew?”
“The night we met.”
During my recovery from arm surgery, Lennox had admitted he first met Emerson years prior, in a bar in London. They’d spent one night together. She left the next morning before dawn without either of them knowing the other’s last name. “Truly?”
“I spent a long time trying to convince myself otherwise, but when I woke that morning and she was gone, I felt a pain like none I’d known. My heart knew then that she was the woman for me, even if it took my brain far longer to catch up.”
“I’m happy for you, brother.”
“I hope this for you, Keon. Nothing beyond the life Emerson and I are about to make with each other would make me happier than seeing you find the love of your life.”
What would Lennox say if I told him I believed I had? Would he scoff? He’d just said he knew Emerson was the woman for him after only one night.
“I hear you’re headed into the ABT.”
“How in the bloody hell do you know that?” Although as soon as I asked, I realized the answer.
“I haven’t yet officially resigned from MI6.”
“What are you waiting for?”
“Nothing, I suppose.”
“Then, do it. Come join the Invincibles.”
“I’ll need to be based on the East Coast.”
“As if anyone would care where you were based.”
“Then, I guess it’s done.”
“When will you give Z your resignation?”
“I just hit send on the email I’d already drafted.”
“Bravo, brother.”