“What do you mean? Of course, it does! Jesus, Manny. I appreciate you having my back out there, but …” He didn’t want to think about how he would have walked straight into the first round of fire if Manny hadn’t tackled him to the ground, but that didn’t mean he got to order him off the op!
Manny smiled. “You haven’t even noticed, have you?”
“Noticed what?” Anger was bubbling up in Ryan’s chest. He liked Manny—had a lot of respect for the guy—but he wouldn’t stand for him laughing at him … pointing out what he’d missed.
Manny pointed at Ryan’s hip. “You’re going to need to get that taken care of.”
Ryan looked down. Blood was pouring from a wound he hadn’t even noticed, let alone felt. “Ah, shit!”
Manny chuckled. “I’ve been there, kid. And let me tell you, it’ll hurt like hell now you know about it.”
Ryan ran a hand through his hair. It was true. It was starting to hurt like a bitch.
“Reynolds!” called Manny. “Can you take Brady here back and make sure he gets that taken care of?”
“Sure.”
Ryan rolled his eyes at Manny. “I’ll be back as soon as they’ll let me.”
Manny shrugged. “I believe that. But I won’t be holding my breath. You know what it’s like with these joint ops. Even if your guys would let you stay, the others won’t want to. My guess is that you’re going home.”
Ryan knew it, even though he wanted to fight it.
Manny grasped his shoulder. “Don’t worry about it.” He winked. “They might call us Famous But Incompetent, but it’s not all true. I can handle it.”
Ryan had to smile. “It is mostly true, but I’ll make an exception in your case.” Manny’s laughter rang in his ears as he followed Reynolds out to the waiting vehicle.
~ ~ ~
Leanne sipped her drink and looked around the bar. This was the first time she’d been out in weeks … maybe months? She had no idea. All she knew was that she was spending most of her time studying her ass off. The final year of law school was no joke. Not even for her. If Ryan were still here, she’d no doubt be able to find some free time. But since he wasn’t, she was losing herself in her studies and it was working out for the best all around.
Tonight was an exception. Dan had asked her to come out. He wasn’t big on socializing himself. But this was a special occasion. His brother and his cousin were in town. The cousin … damn, what was her name? Laura. That was it. She was moving here from Texas and the brother … Jack. He’d brought her. He was helping her get moved. Dan hadn’t said as much. But Leanne got the impression that Laura was maybe leaving a bad situation. Whatever the story, all she knew was that Dan wanted Leanne to be here, so she was. She’d do anything for Dan. He was the sweetest, kindest person she’d ever known. Not to mention the smartest—and that was saying something, given the company they kept.
She took another sip of her drink and sighed, wishing Ryan were here. He emailed most days; they got to talk on the phone at least once a week, but damn, she missed him. She had no idea when she’d see him again, and she’d thought that that would drive her nuts, but it was okay. It was okay because she knew she’d see him when he could.
He was doing his job—whatever that really meant. She wasn’t with him because their circumstances didn’t allow it, and that was okay with her. She didn’t need to be with him all the time. It’d probably drive her nuts if she were. What mattered was knowing that he wanted her, that he wanted to be with her. She smiled as that familiar surge of happiness washed over her—he loved her! He told her all the time.
“Hi, Leanne.”
She looked up to see Dan standing by her table. “Hey, you. Are you by yourself?”
“No, Jack and Laura have gone to the bar. I said I wanted a word with you first.”
“Why, what’s up?”
“I wanted to warn you not to ask too many questions. Laura’s had a hard time lately and she doesn’t like talking about it. You’re usually … you know …”
She had to laugh. “You mean I shouldn’t interrogate her?”
“Yeah. That. Sorry.”
She touched his arm. “Don’t worry about it, Danno. I know what I’m like. I’m glad you warned me. I won’t be my usual in-your-face self. I’ll be a polite stranger. How about that?”
“Thanks. Here they come.”
Leanne couldn’t help thinking about Ryan. He hadn’t allowed her to be a polite stranger with him. He’d broken down her walls and worked his way inside. And she loved it. But she was good at playing the role with other people.
She watched curiously as Laura and Jack approached the table. Laura was a tall, svelte brunette. She was beautiful, but she had a wary look about her. Leanne got the feeling that they’d become friends. Laura might look wary right now, but she wasn’t some beaten down scared-ass chick. She was a fellow fighter. It was obvious.
Jack … she let her eyes travel over him. He was one good-looking guy. He was like Dan, only more so: taller, broader shoulders, the same dark hair and brown eyes. Oh, and that smile …
“Hi.” He held his hand out to shake with her. “Nice to meet you, Leanne. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
She had to laugh. “Uh-oh. I don’t know what I should say to that.”
Jack smiled. “Don’t worry. It was all good. Dan thinks the world of you. So, that means you’re awesome.”
She smiled back at him. It was the kind of thing that people said all the time, but when it came to Dan and to people who understood Dan, it wasn’t just a platitude, it was true. “Likewise.”
Jack nodded and turned to Laura. She held her hand out to shake with Leanne, too. “Nice to meet you.”
“You, too. Dan says you’re moving here?”
Laura nodded.
There was something about her that reached out and touched Leanne. She just knew that the two of them could end up being good friends—if Laura didn’t shut herself down because of whatever she’d been through. “I hope you’re up for making a new girlfriend? I could use one.”
Laura met her gaze as if weighing her up for the first time, instead of just dismissing her as one of Dan’s friends who she’d have to endure an evening with. She nodded, but Leanne could tell she wasn’t convinced.
“Well, if you have any time free at the weekend, I’m taking myself into town shopping. I’d love some company.”
Laura nodded again.
Leanne knew she could have waited and asked later in the evening, but this way she was planting the seed and giving Laura time to consider whether she’d want to.
Dan smiled at her gratefully. “Let me guess, another whole new wardrobe?”
Leanne laughed. “What can I say? I like clothes.” She winked at Laura. “And shoes and purses and jewelry.”
Jack laughed. “You’ve said the right thing there.”