Page 25 of Lethal Vengeance

“Retired Admiral John Boseman, West Point star athlete, decorated war hero, shining example of our military’s finest?” she says with derision. “And Senator of the great state of Texas, of course. I’m not a fan of his politics.”

I stumble but quickly recover. “Sorry, crack in the sidewalk.”

She looks at me warily. “Is this when you slummed it in dive bars?”

“My father’s extreme,” I admit, my mind reeling with possibilities. “And yes. I probably frequented every dive bar in Texas during those six months, drowning in drink, cloaking myself in their seediness. I’d probably still be there if it weren’t for Marcos.” I study her face intently, satisfied when I see her flinch at the word Texas.

“Marcos showed me a picture of two men being held hostage. A lieutenant from the US and a squadron sergeant major from the UK. Men captured during our retreat. I didn’t even know,” I admit to her, my voice low with anguish. Guilt never goes away. With time, it dulls like a tarnished penny, but it never leaves.

The sign for the burger place shines brightly just a few feet ahead. With relief, I pick up the pace and hurry us inside.

At the table, I grab the menu, studiously avoiding her gaze. “The jalapeno bacon avocado burger sounds delicious. Do you know what you’re going to have?”

Her hand captures mine, and she forces me to lower the barrier between us. “Zane, I appreciate what you’re trying to do, but not at the expense of yourself.” Troubled eyes look back at me.

Frustrated, I lean forward. She needs to know it’s possible to get through the dark and find something meaningful again. If my crap ass story is going to help her, I can damn well buck up and tell it.

“A high-ranking official covered up the hostage situation. When I confronted the man responsible, my father stepped in and defended him.” I rub the scar along my cheek in memory. “They blacklisted me, kicked me out of the Army, and threatened me with prison. But I didn’t fall into a black hole this time. Marcos ordered me to rescue those men, so I did.”

Although sometimes I almost wish they had died in the ambush. Tortured every day for a year, their minds and bodies were fractured. Even the love of their families couldn’t save them, and they committed suicide within weeks of returning home.

“Marcos also gave me the evidence to clear my name. When it went through, I immediately resigned, and went to work with him, rescuing others,” I finish, desperate for her to see that she can find another path besides the one she’s on now.

The server comes over and takes our order.

Quinn avoids my eyes to stare out the window. “If it was covered up, how did Marcos get the information?”

“A young hacker intercepted the ransom demand,” I say softly.

Her eyes leave the window to stare at me for several long minutes. “Is that how you and Sterling met?”

“Yes,” I answer, hesitantly. “But any more info will have to come from him.”

She nods and bites into her burger. “Your friend is right. This is delicious.”

Those are the last words she says for the rest of the meal. I want to believe she’s digesting the information, but the air is thick with undercurrents.

When I return from the restroom, she’s waiting for me by the front door. “I paid the bill, and I’m ready to go back to my apartment. Would you mind texting me the address for Lupe’s father?”

“I’ll send it,” I reassure her. Hesitantly, I lay my hand on her shoulder. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”

“You’re a very good man, Zane,” she replies, tapping my chest. “Marcos, the people you rescue, your current team—they’re lucky to have you on their side.”

“I can be on your side, too—if you let me,” I state firmly, offering her the same friendship and support I give to my team.

She smiles but says nothing in return.

We walk back to the apartment side-by-side, but miles apart.

* * *

Our temporary headquartersis empty when I return. Raider and Cruz are at the facility gathering intel, and Sterling is mapping different routes in and out of the city to give us exit options. I grab a beer and sit down on the couch.

My conversation with Quinn repeats over and over in my mind. I can’t figure out what I said to cause the distance between us, and it’s driving me crazy.

I’m still brooding when Raider walks through the door.

“Why are you sitting in the dark?” he cautiously asks, taking the seat across from me.