Page 65 of Steel Vengeance
“Lucky she’s got you, then.”
Stitch didn’t respond.
Blade changed the subject, filling him in on news from home. “Anna and Cole just had a baby boy,” he said with a grin. “Cole’s over the moon. Already bought him a tiny camo onesie.”
Stitch chuckled. He’d worked with Cole before. He was a damn fine operator. Stitch had never met Anna, Cole’s wife, but he’d heard they used to know each other a long time ago, but had parted ways after an op had gone south in Africa. Eventually, the conversation circled back to Afghanistan.
“Seriously, man, I’m really sorry to hear about Soraya.”
“Thanks. It’s been over a year now, so, you know?—”
Blade wasn’t buying it.
“You should’ve called. We would’ve been there for you.”
“I know, but I had to handle it my way. I’m okay now—or I will be, once I tie up a few loose ends.”
“You mean Omari and Rasul?”
Stitch didn’t need to answer. Blade knew.
“Let me know if you need help with that,” Blade offered.
“Thanks, but it’s something I gotta do myself.”
“I get it. But you might need someone watching your six.”
Stitch looked at him. “It could mean going back to Afghanistan.”
Blade shrugged. “So be it. Just don’t tell Lilly.”
Stitch smiled weakly. “Thanks. That means a lot.”
And he meant it.
CHAPTER 24
Sloane jumped up as the door opened, and Stitch walked in, followed by one of the tallest guys she’d ever seen. Stitch was big, but this guy was a giant—easily six foot five or six, with a chiseled jaw and sharp, piercing eyes. He even had to duck to avoid hitting his head on the doorframe.
“Sloane, this is Blade. Blade, meet Agent Sloane Carmichael.”
She shook his hand. It practically swallowed hers.
“Nice to meet you,” she said. “Call me Sloane.”
“Hey, Sloane. Sorry to hear about your arm.” Stitch had given her a sling to keep the weight off, but the bandage was a different story.
“Thanks.” She grimaced at Stitch. “I tried redoing it, but it’s not tight enough.”
“I’ll fix it. Take a seat.” He pulled out a chair and gestured for her to sit down.
Blade dropped his rucksack on the floor and pulled out his phone. “I’m gonna call Lilly real quick. She’ll want to know I made it here in one piece.”
Stitch nodded as Blade stepped out of the room, but not before giving them a curious glance.
Sloane sat down, and let Stitch take off the sling and ease her arm out. “You’ll need to undo your shirt so I can get to it.”
She hesitated, meeting his gaze in the mirror. Still no mention of last night.