“I don’t plan on dying.” Thane’s golden gaze reflected the same solid determination that made him the one you wanted fighting at your side. “I plan on being with Celine. I care about her. I can see us making a life together.”
Reid stopped cold in his tracks. She was a one-night hookup. Hell, she didn’t even remember him. “You’re not thinking this through. There are too many unknowns. What if she doesn’t let you back into her life? What are you going to do aside from look after her?”
As Thane shrugged, his dark brown hair met his shoulders. “I can play music. It doesn’t matter. I’ll figure it out once she’s safe.”
“Music isn’t our career. It’s a fucking diversion. Infiltrate, fight, take down targets. That’s what we do.” Reid stalked forward. “Damn it, Thane. Snap out of it. Normal for us ended when we agreed to join Dalir. We accepted that as a part of the deal.”
“I’ve made a new one.” Thane’s expression grew more resolute. “I’m not changing my mind. Dalir’s signed off on my decision. Why can’t you?”
Because he understood firsthand what happened when you mistook obligation for love. Once the shine wore off, Thane would see the damage and hate himself. Why? Because he’d let his dick instead of facts lead the way. No. He wouldn’t let him sacrifice himself. Reid curled his hands into fists. Evenly matched in muscle and fighting skill, neither one of them would go down easy.
Thane, cool under pressure, subtly shifted his stance. “We’ve always been on good terms. The last thing I want to remember about our friendship is me kicking your ass.”
“Fucking idiot.” Reid lunged.
Dalir appeared in solid form. His jeans, boots, and a dark T-shirt glowed with energy as he held them apart. “While you fight, Celine fades. You don’t have time for this.” He looked to Thane. “Go.”
Thane focused on Reid. “Someday, you’ll understand.” He disappeared.
Dust floated where his best friend once stood. Understand what? That he’d failed to stop Thane from ruining his life over one night. “Why did you tell Thane about Celine?”
Dalir frowned. “How could I not?”
“Are you serious? From day one, you told us not to let anyone get too close.”
“But he did.” Dalir snapped out. “And there’s nothing we can do to change the situation. As she disappeared in the future, she would have faded away here. Would you have wanted to put him through that? You know as well as I do that he would have carried that burden forever.”
“I would have made sure he got through it.” Reid shrugged Dalir’s hand off his shoulder. “We were looking out for each other long before we met you.”
“I get that you’re pissed, but he’s gone. You have to let him go. If you don’t, you’ll force the team to take sides. That happens, we all lose.” Dalir’s gaze glittered. “You had a hard mission. Because of that, I’ve been giving you the benefit of my understanding.” His eyes grew cold. His tone even colder. “It’s about to come to an end.”
Reid’s breastbone tingled where Dalir had given him a mere tap earlier. Before he took another risk, he wanted answers. Even if it meant having the ancient go medieval on his ass. “Can you even guarantee we’re not phasing into a shitstorm on the next mission?”
As Dalir’s gaze darkened, the florescent bulbs flickered. “You won’t be around to encounter any shitstorms.”
An electricity-like buzz danced uncomfortably up Reid’s spine. Nerve endings raised, ready to fire in pain. “So you’re going to light me up because I won’t keep my mouth shut and blindly follow?”
“No.”
The lights brightened. Tension trickled from Reid’s back.
“Because like I said, division only hurts us.” Dalir’s gaze faded to gray. “You’re angry and second-guessing what you shouldn’t. You need to remember that you answer to me. I decide what you will and will not do. I choose where you will and will not go. Not the other way around. The guys need you, but I won’t let you poison them with your attitude. You’re all grounded from missions for the next month. You need to go somewhere. Get drunk. Get laid. Do whatever the hell you need to do to come back and lead my team.” The ancient shimmered and disappeared.
Thane had let his personal life get in the way of the job. Dalir’s intel had suddenly become unreliable. Their last mission had gotten screwed and now he’s the asshole? How did that happen? Forced vacation. Fine. No problem. He was done. As Reid shoved open the door to the club, an unseasonably cold wind blew over him. Late afternoon Florida sun glimmered off the large glass picture frame holding their poster. He did a double take as the picture morphed into their new reality. The band minus Thane.