“What the fuck?” he repeated, tucking his gun into the waistband of his cargo pants as Hayes did the same. Then he stepped to the side, giving the retired SEAL the full view of my face. Ash’s gaze darkened, and I could feel the temperature inthe room dropping, having nothing to do with my nonexistent front door.
“Hi, Ash,” I mumbled, holding up a hand.
His dark eyes flicked to Hayes. “Again, for a third time: What. The. Fuck?”
“We have a situation,” Hayes told him, his voice monotone.
Ash looked at my front door, which was taking up the majority of my living room floor, and back to us. “That much is clear, and I’d like to get caught up.” He stared at Hayes, jaw tight. “Now.”
“When Margo is comfortable, I’ll loop everyone in.” I flinched, gawking at the back of Hayes’ blond head as he folded his arms over his chest.
When Margo is comfortable.
My lips parted as he continued giving orders, falling into his role so naturally, it was like breathing. “For now, I need you to stay here with Margo and prop the door up after I leave. I need to go to the hardware store. Shouldn’t take too long. When I return, you and I can get her door back on.”
“And after that?” he pushed, clearly wanting answers.
“You go back to Portland.”
“Mitchell—”
“The team will be looped in when Margo is comfortable, and not a second before. If I get word from any of the guys that you blabbed, I’ll rip your tongue out,” he clipped harshly, sending a chill down my spine.
“Hayes,” I hissed, putting my hand on his shoulder.
He turned, and I sucked in a breath, taking in the dark shadow looming over his features. I swallowed and gestured to Ash. “You aren’t supposed to threaten your friends, Top Gun. That’s rude.”
“Top Gun?” Ash parroted.
Hayes and I both ignored him, staring at each other, both of us begging for something we were unwilling to give.
“Hayes, get a move on. It’s getting cold.” Ash sighed, and my gaze snapped over to him. He ran a hand through his hair, muttering something about hell freezing over.
Hayes pulled out a set of keys and turned to me, cupping the good side of my face. “I’ll be back,” he promised, his eyes searching mine.
I nodded, my throat thick with uncertainty.
Then his lips found my forehead, pressing a hard kiss into it before he turned to Ash. “Help me lean this door up. That’ll help with the wind.”
Ash glanced at me. “Who kicked down the door, Mitchell?”
Hayes was standing in front of him now. “I did.” He turned his head to me. “I’ll be back in half an hour, okay?” he urged.
Again, I nodded.
Not even five minutes later, Ash and I were alone. He cleared his throat as he came into the kitchen, leaning a shoulder against the wall, folding his arms over his chest. I pressed my lips together and avoided his eyes.
“I know we’re going to be debriefed when you’re comfortable with Red Snake having that information, but I need you to answer one question for me before I lose my mind,” he stated, his voice warm but firm.
I nodded, staring at the row of half-empty cereal boxes on top of my fridge. I loved cereal. When I had super bad days, a bowl of cereal fixed everything. However, I didn’t think a fresh bowl of chocolate vampire cereal would fix this.
“And I need you to look at me when you do, Margo,” Ash continued.
I blinked back tears, biting the inside of my good cheek. “Okay,” I pushed out, meeting his eyes, my hands wrapping around the edge of the counter as I crossed my ankles. “Shoot.”
His eyes left mine, going to the bruise. “You have that when Rossy called me last night?”
A hot tear landed on my cheek against my will as I shook my head rapidly.