Pierce

Chapter Fourteen

14 Pierce ~

Pierce and the rest of Bravo and Delta team sat around a large conference table as they finished going over specs for an upcoming job. The only person who was not in attendance was their resident tech expert, Nate, who wasn't being contracted for the mission they were discussing. Instead Nate had been roped into staying home with his wife Claire as she hosted Lexi and Natalie at their house for a day at the pool. 

Pierce was thrilled at how well Natalie and Lexi had hit it off. They had met for lunch every day that week and seemed to have bonded instantly.

Hunter closed the files in front of him and stacked them together as he wrapped up their meeting, but left one file out and slid it toward Pierce.

"DEA raided three more of Estrada's compounds last night. They're slowly closing in on this bastard and I thought you guys would like an update. Has he had anymore contact with you, Hollywood?"

"Just the note and the flower, about two weeks ago. Radio silence since then." Pierce confirmed still pissed that Estrada knew his address.

"I got the rest of my mail forwarded here for now."

Hunter nodded at Pierce in acceptance and addressed the whole team with his next words.

"I think he's running scared, but you all need to keep an eye out. Desperate people tend to do really stupid things when they're scared and I don't want you or your families getting caught in his crosshairs."

Hunter's words resonated deeply with Pierce now that Natalie was staying with him. It hadn't dawned on him how irresponsible it was to let Natalie come and go from his apartment alone and unprotected until that very moment. His mouth went dry as he analyzed all the potential dangers he had exposed her to that week and he hated himself for it.

There was only one person in the room who truly understood what he was wrestling with, so he turned to Declan to ask for help.

"Natalie works nights and I'm not crazy about her being alone at my apartment during the day. You think she could come hang at your place with Lex next week?"

Declan's knowing grin lifted the side of his mouth.

"So what I'm hearing is that your temporary living situation may become not so temporary?" He asked already knowing the answer.

"Come on man, are you gonna answer my question or just bust my balls?" Pierce groaned.

"Answer my question first then." Declan grinned widely, enjoying watching his friend squirm.

"Fine...Yes, I'm hoping that she'll agree to stay with me long term. Is that what you want to hear?"

"Someone finally locked Hollywood down. Never thought I'd see the day." Marcus said with a smirk.

"I'm not locked down. I don't know what this is yet, so why doesn't everyone just chill the fuck out."

"Oh really? Because from the looks of it I'd say you're in love, brother." Slater added.

"I'm not in love. Hell, I've only known the girl for two weeks. You can't fall in love in two weeks." Pierce argued.

"Took me less than that to fall for Lex, just longer to say it out loud." Declan added.

He knew he loved Lexi that soon?

"Can we talk about something else, please?"

"Let me just ask you this...Have y'all done the deed yet?" Kincaid asked as he raised an eyebrow.