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“No one on my team,” he said softly. “And as for the assets we were there to extract, my men did so. Unfortunately, because of my decision, twenty innocent civilians died that day. Fifteen men and women and five children.” He closed his eyes and turned away. He couldn’t believe he’d told that story. He hadn’t spoken of it since it had happened. Since some stupid-ass Navy shrink had made him before he’d been approved to go back to active duty. The next couple of years had passed without incident. Well, not really, but at least he hadn’t been responsible for any civilian deaths.

Sure, people had died, and he might have killed a few not-so-innocent enemies. But nothing to feel guilty about.

Until Ken.

Whether or not the rest of his team had wanted to retire from the Navy after that, Dawson was done.

So was Fletcher.

But Hayes and Keaton had been just as deeply affected. They’d all pushed aside their re-enlistment papers and walked.

A warm palm cupped his cheek, turning his head. He blinked.

“So, is that one of the reasons you became a cop instead of something else, like the rest of the guys on your team?”

“That’s very Freudian of you.”

“It’s an honest question.” She pursed her lips.

“I suppose that’s what my psyche eval would say.” He chuckled, giving her a quick kiss, trying desperately to lighten the mood, but it was impossible. The damage had been done. “I took one of those aptitude and personality tests my senior year in high school. The personality part ranked me the highest in protective instincts and loyalty. The aptitude part put me in a career as a cop or the military.” He shrugged.

“Looks like you’ve stayed true to who you are.”

“I followed my instincts.” He rolled to his side and waggled his brows.

“You’re cute.” She smiled.

“Just what a man of my age wants to hear.” He batted her freckled nose. “Your turn. Tell me something a lot of people don’t know about you. Or maybe something that would shock me.”

Her smile faded, and her eyes glazed over. “I’m scared. For the first time in a long while, I’m really afraid.”

Well, now that damn near broke his heart. He wiped the single tear that dribbled down her cheek.

“Someone killed my dad. I know it. I remember blinking open my eyes that night after… after…” She hiccupped. “I don’t know. Things went black. Then I saw my dad being pushed into the water. The alligators got him. I saw all the tails. Someone was chumming the waters. And then there was a sharp pain in my head again. I don’t know why they left me out there. Maybe they thought I was dead. Or figured I’d die out there before dawn. I did lose some blood from a wound on my head. I was disoriented, dehydrated and?—”

“Hey. Slow down. We don’t have to talk about this right now.”

“But do you believe me? That it wasn’t a dream? That it was real? Please, you’ve got to believe me.”

He kissed her. Softly. Tenderly. Lovingly. “Yes. I believe you. And I’m going to look into this. I’ve already pulled your dad’s file. I’m going to talk to those who Trip interviewed. I’ll reach out to any law enforcement he worked with. I’m not going to let it just sit there when something doesn’t settle right in my gut.”

She wrapped her arms around his body. “Thank you.”

“Technically, I’m just doing my job.”

“Giving me an orgasm has nothing to do with being the chief of police.”

He chuckled. “You’re giving me whiplash.”

“Get used to it. I don’t like being emotional.”

“Anger and sarcasm are emotions, and you do those two just fine.”

She pinched his nipple. Hard.

“Ouch. That hurt.”

“Good. Because saying things like that won’t get me out of my panties again.”