Wild Hearts (Novella) by Tina Wainscott

two references. One did a stint in the Marines, the other’s a former cop. They see enough action to fuel their need for adrenaline. But they like being able to make a difference without having to deal with bureaucracy. And they think a lot of Chase Justiss. I’m going down to Miami next week to talk to him. Who’s with me?”
    Yeah, Risk had fantasies about bringing the team together again under Justiss’s auspices. “We could all chip in on a boat, go fishing, hit the clubs. Do you guys have anyidea how hot the women are supposed to be down there?”
    “And how hot and muggy the weather is,” Knox added.
    “Yeah, buddy, but nothing like the deserts and jungles we’ve been in.” Risk took in his comrades. Rath was the most closed. Julian was probably reluctant to get that close to his family in Orlando. Knox was hard to read, as usual. Saxby was bending his straws about eight ways. Risk recognized the call to adventure sparking in his eyes. Or maybe it was the hot women.
    “I called the references, too,” Sax admitted. “Just out of curiosity. One was a woman who’s been with the agency for a year.”
    “Figures you’d get the female reference,” Risk grumbled, but inside he was getting excited. If one of them signed on, eventually, they’d all sign on. He knew these guys better than anyone, even his own family. Being shot at, covering each other’s asses with gunfire, and hauling an injured comrade out of a hot zone bonded people faster than anything. “You’re intrigued. Admit it.”
    Saxby narrowed his eyes. “The last time you had that look in your eyes, we assaulted a compound in Laredo, Mexico.”
    Knox nodded. “Those so-called references could be Justiss’s friends, his girlfriend.” Ever the cynic.
    Risk honed in on his likely cohort, Saxby. “What else you got to do? Aren’t you tired of all those women fawning over you like you’re a lap dog? Ooh,
Chihuahua
. Don’t forget, I’ve seen it.” Risk had gone home with Saxby on leave once. It was as sickly sweet as the delicious pecan pie and whiskey lemonade Sax’s mom had plied them with. That was one time when Risk didn’t jump into compete mode. No way was he dangling his rod over someone else’s pond. Saxby was like the freaking king of Cole, especially since the town was named for his family.
    “Yeah, yeah. I worked at the grill company for a while, unfortunately getting my daddy all excited, thinking I was going to settle in. I might have stayed if he’d taken the reality-show deal. One of the networks wanted to turn us into the latest family-business reality show.” He waved his hand marquis-style. “ ‘Hot and Sultry Grillin’.’ Or maybe ‘Smokin’ Louisiana.’ What do you think?”
    Julian snorted. “Better than ‘Washing Dirty Money.’ ”
    “Or ‘Rifle Travesty,’ ” Rath added. “In a takeoff of
Duck Dynasty
. The best rifle company no one’s ever heard of.”
    Sue brought a tray and set down the plates without having to ask who ordered what. “Need anything else, boys?” She was looking mostly at Sax, but she swung that smile back at Risk, too.
    “I’m good,” Risk said, picking up a piece of crispy bacon.
    “I’ll bet you are,” she murmured as she headed off.
    “Bet you fifty,” Sax said, digging into his country-fried steak.
    “She might do you both at the same time,” Knox said, a bit of humor creeping into his expression. “You could save your money.”
    Risk and Saxby both made a face. “Two women,” Saxby said, “sure. With another dude … no way.”
    Damn, how they’d gotten sidetracked. Risk dropped his fork on his plate, making a loud clatter. “I’m thinking about my future, not my dick. Can we focus here? I’m going down to talk to Chase so that maybe I can get some purpose back to my life. Who’s with me?”
    Rath shook his head as he shoved a forkful of mashed potatoes into his mouth.
    Risk turned to Julian. “Purpose. Escape. Action. Doing the right thing.