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Lachlan hit the button for the ground floor level. “I’m on my way out. Keep your snack away from my upholstery,” he teased the younger man.
It was the kind of warm, late spring day he could have only imagined growing up in Thurso, where the average temperature hovered around nine degrees Celsius this time of year. A soft breeze rustled the leaves on the trees planted along the street and swirled the remnants of decaying cherry blossom petals scattered on the ground. It smelled of new beginnings in the cycle of life.
Ach. He couldn’t help a slight smile. Here he was, getting all fanciful. Even if he proved his innocence, Landry would probably eliminate the entire Global Security division to try and salvage LAI’s reputation. He could start his own company—strongarm Ryder and Nathan into joining him. Convince Sophia to come along. They could make a fresh start.
Together.
Jeremy was already moving toward the Mercedes, tucked in the back corner of the surface lot away from the other cars. Lachlan put his fingers to his lips and gave a sharp whistle, then threw up a hand when Jeremy spun in his direction.
Jeremy waved. “I’ll bring her to you, Mr. M.”
The lad wanted one more opportunity to drive his car, and who would blame him? It was a braw ride. He strode in Jeremy’s direction. As much as he’d like to let Jeremy take his time, he had a plane to catch.
A smooth rumble filled the air as the engine fired, and Lachlan smiled.Listen to her purr li—
Sophia took a bite of store-bought vanilla cake. The icing was an inch thick and a yard too sweet.Poor Penny. Everyone at LAI was doing their best to celebrate her birthday, despite the pall cast by Fred’s death.
“Whoever he is, you look like you intend to rock his world.”
She choked on her bite of cake and winced at Penny’s knowing gaze. “What makes you so sure—”
A loud boom shuddered through the building, bringing conversation to an abrupt halt. Then everyone spoke at once.
“What was that?”
“—explosion.”
“An accident—”
“Construction site, maybe.”
“—plane—too low.”
Tension suffocated the room.
They were only five miles from the Pentagon, and 9/11 was never far from anyone’s thoughts.
The building fire alarms screeched to life.
Sophia tossed her cake into the garbage and hurried to collect her purse.
A tidal wave of heat and debris flung Lachlan through the air with a roar. He slammed into the asphalt and skidded several feet, shredding clothes and skin before his momentum halted. Deep, wheezing coughs wracked his lungs. He blinked his vision back into focus and found himself staring at sky.
Bomb.“Thom!” Where were his men?
Training kicked in. He felt around for his weapon. Where the bloody hell was it? Flipping to his stomach, the world spun.
When it stopped, he saw concrete and buildings, not mountains and dust. Virginia. He wasn’t in Afghanistan. He was in Virginia.
Jeremy.
He stumbled to his feet, fighting off vertigo. Pieces of fiery debris littered the pavement. His ears were full of cotton, the world on mute. An inferno devoured what had been his Mercedes.
He shut down. Went into survival mode.
Need cover.Whoever blew his car might have stuck around. Lachlan limped toward the partially built skeleton of the office building going up next door. The construction crew was already gone for the day. Sweat dripped into his eyes and down the side of his face. He raised his arm to wipe it away. It came back with bright red smears on the tattered sleeve.
Not sweat.