Page 3 of Blade and Arrow Origins (Blade and Arrow Security)

ZANE

“Great class, everyone.”

Forcing a cheer I’m not feeling, I flash a bright smile at the fifteen women in front of me. “Keep practicing the skills I taught you. Next week I’m going to have you partner up, so you can get some experience sparring.”

I catch a few nervous expressions on my students’ faces, so I add encouragingly, “Don’t worry. I’ll walk you through everything. And I won’t ask you to do anything you’re uncomfortable with. But I think you’ll find it helpful to practice some of our more basic moves with a partner.”

The eldest of the women, a retired teacher who confided to me on the first day of class that it’s always been her dream to be a black belt one day, gives me a bright smile. “I think it sounds great, Sensei.”

“Master Zane.” A hand shoots into the air. It’s Wendy, a tall brunette with very large breasts, who bounces up and down with enough enthusiasm I worry she may knock herself out with them. “Master Zane. I have a question.”

“You’re not supposed to call him master,” a petite woman with glasses—Aeris, I think—says, pinning Wendy with an annoyed glare. “It’s Sensei or Zane. He’s reminded us at least ten times.”

I have. Since this is an introductory karate class, I said they didn’t need to address me using the more formal title and that Zane would be fine. Some of the women, like Annette, the retired teacher, like the idea of standing with tradition, so they use Sensei. But the majority just call me Zane.

Not Wendy, though. She always calls me master using this sultry tone that makes me think she’s imagining the two of us someplace much more intimate. And it’s always said with pouting lips and a seductive, half-lidded gaze, promising more if I’m willing.

The first time she did it, I’ll admit, I was tempted. That first class, when she stopped to talk to me afterwards, asking if I’d like to meet for a drink—eyelashes fluttering and her breasts on full display—I considered it.

After all, there aren’t rules against dating gym members, just that all activity takes place off the premises. And I’m extremely single, have been for years, so there was nothing keeping me from accepting.

Except.

I know damn well I’m not willing to commit to anything serious. A casual hookup after a night at the bar, when we both know the score and agree to it? No problem. But to get involved with a student I’m supposed to see every Tuesday evening for the next ten weeks?

Not a great idea.

So I gently let Wendy down, making up a story about how I was fresh out of a relationship and not ready for a new one. And while she looked a little disappointed, she said she understood.

Does that mean she’s stopped flirting? No. But she hasn’t asked me out again, so I’ll call that a win.

When I think about it, my story wasn’t a complete lie. I am fresh out of a relationship, just not the kind I let her assume.

At least, it feels fresh, even though it’s been over a year since my team split up.

When my Green Beret team broke apart last year, it hurt. My teammates are my best friends—my brothers and sister—and knowing I wouldn’t be seeing them all the time anymore sucked. A lot.

It was inevitable—with Nora, Rylan, and Finn medically discharged, half my split team was gone.

And I couldn’t bear the thought of starting over with three new teammates, always comparing them to the ones I lost. So I separated from the Army as soon as my contract was up, and Cole and Leo did the same.

Now we’re all over the country—New York, Colorado, Texas, California, and me in Virginia—trying to come to terms with a new life we didn’t want, but couldn’t avoid.

I can’t think about my teammates without feeling that familiar ache in my chest, missing them so much it hurts. And I can’t stop the cloak of guilt from settling over me, reminding me of how badly I let them down.

They all insist it wasn’t my fault, but I know better. Whose fault was it if not the captain of the team?

I should have noticed. I should have been more observant. I should have protected my teammates better.

And now they have to live with my mistake.

“Master Zane?” Wendy’s voice pitches up and she widens her eyes at me. “Is it okay if I ask a question?”

“Of course.” Giving myself a mental shaking, I turn my attention to Wendy. “And remember,” I add with a small smile, “it’s Sensei. Or just Zane.”

“Right.” She beams at me. “I forgot.” Flipping her long ponytail over her shoulder, she says, “Well. Since there are fifteen of us in the class, that leaves one person out from partnering next week. So… I wanted to offer to partner with you. So everyone else can partner with a woman.”

Almost at the door, Aeris snorts loudly.

Another student walks past me, muttering just loud enough for me to hear it, “She’s a real hero, sacrificing herself like that.”

Biting the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing, I tell Wendy patiently, “That won’t be necessary. If everyone is here next week, I have Candace coming in to help. She teaches the women’s advanced classes, and she’s excellent. That way, I can step back and watch everyone’s techniques.”

“Oh.” Wendy deflates for a moment before perking up again. “Well. If you ever need someone to demonstrate moves on…” She walks over to me and puts her hand on my arm. “You can count on me… Zane .”

“Thanks.” I take a few steps back. “I’ll… keep that in mind.”

Or not.

Even if I were looking to actually date, which I’m not, it wouldn’t be with someone like her. Not that Wendy isn’t attractive, but I like a more natural look, not a woman with a full face of makeup and breasts I’m pretty certain are fake.

There’s nothing wrong with that. It’s just not for me.

As Wendy walks away, I turn to collect my own things, stuffing my water bottle and sweatshirt into my workout bag. I glance at my watch, mentally calculating how much time I have to shower, pick up some beer at the store, and get to the airport to pick up Cole.

He’s flying in for the weekend, partly to catch up after not seeing each other for almost six months, but also there’s some mysterious thing he’s been working on that he wants to tell me about in person.

I’d be happy just to see him, but after weeks of cryptic texts and his impromptu trip to a little town north of New York City, the curiosity is driving me crazy.

But I should find out this weekend. I’ll pick up Cole in Richmond at six, be back at my apartment by seven, we can order some delivery and have a few beers, and hopefully he’ll finally reveal this mysterious secret he’s been keeping.

It has to be something big. Maybe he’s finally decided to quit his job.

Or maybe he’s relocating. Could he be moving to Virginia, and that’s why he wants to talk?

I’d be happy to have him stay with me until he gets settled, or we could find a bigger apartment…

Maybe we could even convince Nora to move here instead of staying at her mom’s—

“Looks like you’re finding fans again.”

Spinning around, I spot Cole leaning in the doorway, a shit-eating grin on his face. “Just like always,” he chuckles. “Everywhere you go, you’ve got women hitting on you.”

“It’s not like that.” Swinging my bag over my shoulder, I cross the room and give Cole a quick hug. Lifting my chin at him, I say, “Good to see you, man. But I thought you were coming in at six?”

“I’ve been having crazy good luck at airports lately. Second time I’ve been able to get on an earlier flight. And if that gives me more time to watch women throwing themselves at you…” He smirks. “It’s good entertainment.”

“She wasn’t throwing herself at me,” I retort. At his raised eyebrows, I amend, “Well. Not much. She knows I’m not interested in dating.”

He gives me a skeptical look. “You’re not?”

“Not like that.” My smile sobers. “I’m not looking for anything serious. Not now. I might go out sometimes, but that’s it. It’s just… not a good time.”

Cole nods, his expression sliding into something more serious. Concern darkens his gaze. “Are you—” He stops. “You know, this isn’t the time. But I’m dying for a beer. Some food, too. You think we could stop on the way to your place?”

“Sure. If you don’t mind me taking a quick shower first.”

“‘Course not. I’ve got a few phone calls to make. I can wait in the lobby if that works.”

“Sounds good.” I gesture for Cole to go ahead of me, and we head into the hallway. “Give me five and I’ll be right out.”

On the way to the restaurant, I press Cole for clues about his big secret, but he’s not giving anything up.

“Come on,” I wheedle, feeling like a kid before Christmas begging my parents to tell me what’s under the tree. “You’re here. Why not tell me now?”

“Because I want to show you something,” he replies. “And it’s a little hard for you to look while you’re driving.”

“You could just tell me. And we could look at whatever this thing is once we get to the restaurant.”

“Or you could be patient,” Cole retorts, smirking.

He’s lucky I’m driving or I’d show him what I think of his patience crap. “I am patient. Just not when my friend has been dropping hints for weeks and I know damn well you talked to Leo about it already.”

“As soon as we get to the restaurant and I get some food,” Cole promises. “Then I’ll tell you everything.”

I hold him to his word. As soon as the server leaves after dropping off our wings, I pin Cole with a glare. “Now. Before you start eating and claim you can’t show me whatever this is on your phone because your hands are all messy.”

“I’m going to show you.” Cole unlocks his phone and taps the screen a few times, then slides it across the table to me. “This is what I went to New York to see.”

As I look at the real estate listing for an office building in Sleepy Hollow, a small town I’ve heard of but never visited, my brow creases in confusion. “This place looks pretty rough, Cole. Why are you interested in it? Are you starting a business?”

“Well.” He drags out the word. “I am looking into starting a business, actually.”

I’ve known Cole isn’t happy with his job at the police department, but starting a business… “What kind?”

He leans forward, resting his arms on the table. With a solemn expression, he asks, “You know how I had that domestic violence case a couple of months ago, right?”

“Yeah. I know I said it before, but I’m really sorry about it.”

Frowning, his voice dips. “Me too.” There’s a long pause before he continues. “I was angry. Frustrated. It didn’t seem right. This woman needed help and we just—”

My jaw clenches as I think about it. “It’s fucked up.”

“It is. And I got thinking about all the ways it could have been different. If Dana had protection, better security at her apartment, surveillance… Her ex wouldn’t have been able to get to her.

And if he tried, he’d be caught. Charged with violating the restraining order.

Possibly breaking and entering, if it came to it.

He’d go to jail and she’d still be alive. ”

I can see the pain in Cole’s eyes, the guilt, the desperate wish that somehow he could go back and fix things.

I know how he’s feeling, because I feel the same every day.

Meeting his gaze, I ask, “So… What’s your idea?”

Cole takes a deep breath and exhales slowly before responding.

“What if I started a company that would protect people like Dana? A team of people who could step in when the police won’t, or can’t?

For all the people in trouble who don’t have the money to pay for private security?

The people who are scared and feel like they have nowhere else to turn? ”

The emptiness in my chest starts to fill with a cautious hope.

“And where would this team come from?”

Cole looks at me. “Us. Me. You. Leo. Rylan. Finn. Nora. We could protect people. We have the skills. And we’ve worked together for years. I can’t think of a better group to do it.”

For the last year, I’ve felt adrift. But now… I can see a glimpse of the shore.

But I’m afraid to let myself hope. So I sound a bit doubtful as I say, “But that costs money. I mean, I’d contribute, I have some savings, but I’m not sure—”

“That’s what I’ve been working on. How to make it work.” Cole’s expression brightens. “And I think I’ve figured it out—a way to provide protection for free to the people who need it, but still keep the company afloat.”

“How?”

His words come faster as his enthusiasm builds.

“So, this office building. It’s really rundown, been on the market for months, so I could get it for much lower than asking.

And I have money my parents left me. I didn’t need it before, so it’s just been collecting interest. If I use all of it, I could buy the building and pay for the renovations. ”

“What kind of renovations are you thinking?”

Cole smiles. “A gym. A shooting range, so we can keep up our skills. A small clinic. Plenty of secure storage. And—” He pauses.

“Apartments. The place is big enough that I could have six apartments put in. So we’d all have a place to live.

Then we wouldn’t have to worry about finding housing nearby. ”

A breathless hope sweeps through me. “So we’d work together again? The six of us?”

“Yes. And I’ve been thinking about how to finance things after. We could allot half our time to the free protection—pro-bono, if you will—and the other half to paid security work. Six former Special Forces operators offering top-notch security services, and being so close to the city…”

“We could work events,” I offer. “Conferences. Maybe… train security teams.”

“Exactly. I think we could make enough money to cover everything. Our salaries wouldn’t be huge, but housing would be included, and—” All at once, he looks more vulnerable than I’ve ever seen him.

“We’d be a team again. I miss it. I miss you guys.

I thought I could be happy in Texas, but I’m not. Leo’s not happy, and I don’t—”

“Neither am I.” A lump rises in my throat. “I miss you guys. And this job at the gym. It’s not the same.”

My friend of almost a decade meets my gaze. “I think this could work, Zane. I really do. What do you think? Are you willing to take this gamble with me?”

Work with my best friends again? Be part of a team? Make a difference, protecting people, like I used to?

There’s only one answer. “Of course. Whatever you need, I’ve got your six.”