Page 53 of Jasper

“They’re going to fucking pay.”

“They already did.”

“No. I don’t mean court-martialed or whatever fucking thing the Marines thought was punishment enough. They’re going to pay for this.”

“They did, Jasper. They’re all dead.”

“Dead?”

“I told you. I made sure every single person who had something to do with Henry’s death paid for it. Even our own.”

“You killed them.”

“I didn’t just kill them, I tortured them.”

“But…when we found you…”

“I was nearly dead myself from injuries sustained through weeks of torture.”

“I don’t understand.”

“You don’t have to. Just know your brother was avenged in the same gruesome manner that he was killed.”

Jasper took several deep breaths, understanding what Conner had trusted him with. It wasn’t just classified information, it was actions that could get Conner thrown in jail for the rest of his life…or even the death penalty.

“Thank you.”

Conner grunted.

“I mean it. It’s haunted me for years that there was nothing I could do to make his death right. You did.”

“He was a good man who didn’t deserve what happened to him.” The line was silent for a heartbeat before Conner continued. “He wouldn’t want you to blame yourself for his death. He’d want you to be happy. He loved you.”

“You sound like you knew him well.”

“I did. That’s why I’m going to say this to you. Go out and live the same way he did, with no regrets. Be happy. That’s all he ever wanted for you, and if you can’t do that, I’ll kick your ass for him.”

And that was something Jasper never wanted to occur. Conner scared the shit out of him.

“I will. That’s part of why I called you tonight. I needed to say I was sorry.”

“Don’t ever be sorry. Blame me all you want. I couldn’t save him from what he went through, and for that, I’ll always hold myself responsible. He was part of my unit, my friend, and I couldn’t protect him, but I damn sure made those fuckers pay for it.”

“Thank you, Conner. It means a lot knowing someone paid for his death.”

“I’m on a job right now, so I can’t talk longer. If you ever need anything, Jasper, anything at all, you call. I owe your brother that much.”

“Let’s hope I don’t need to call in your particular skillset, but thanks for the offer. I’ll let you go.”

The line went dead, and Jasper pulled the phone away from his ear. Man hadn’t even said goodbye, justclick.

But with Conner Kincaid, he couldn’t say he expected anything less.

He rubbed his forehead, trying to process what he’d learned. His brother hadn’t merely been tortured. His own team, his brothers, had used his sexual orientation against him. The knowledge burned in the pit of his stomach. He wanted to get on a plane and head for Washington to demand satisfaction, to demand an acknowledgment of what happened.

But that wasn’t a viable option.

First, they’d never admit to it. The military held its secrets close to the vest. His brother was tortured—violated, most likely. That was the gist he’d gotten from Conner’s tone. And Washington would never admit their own men had a part in it.