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C laire smiled as Knight walked in and took a seat without overanalyzing it. He felt like a man on a mission. Given time to ponder their last session, he hoped his visits with Claire helped him. Desperate to fix things between him and Gabby, he looked hard at himself and didn’t like what he saw over the last two years.

“Good morning, Knight,” she greeted.

“Hi. Can we get started? I’m anxious to return to the cabin. Today’s Gabby’s and my wedding anniversary. She tossed and turned all night, and I’m worried about her stress. I left her flowers and a note. I kept it friendly. Do you think I should’ve given them to her personally? I forgot last year and I didn’t want her to think I didn’t remember again,” he blurted.

Claire smiled. “If it came from the heart, I’m sure she appreciates them. You seem anxious. Do you feel this way often?”

He shrugged. “I’m nervous about how Gabby will feel about today. It’s not usually this bad.”

Claire set her file down on her desk and walked around, taking a seat on the couch. “Listen to your body, Knight. Close your eyes and tell me how it feels.”

He scowled, not wanting to play games.

She snorted. “You and Patch have things in common. Come on. Do it. Tell me what it’s saying to you.”

Knight clamped his eyes shut as he breathed out an aggravated breath. “I don’t see how this will help.”

“Trust me. I’m sorta of an expert on these things,” she quipped. “Take a deep breath in and let it out.”

He begrudgingly followed her instructions. His blood coursed through his veins at lightning speed. His heart thumped heavily against his chest. His palms felt sweaty and he felt…angry.

“Don’t think. Describe how you feel,” she instructed softly.

“I can feel my blood running through my body. My heart’s racing. My hands appear sweaty and I think this exercise is stupid,” he bit out angrily.

“Open your eyes. How much sleep do you get at night?” she asked as she picked up an empty notepad and made a note.

He shook his head. “I don’t know. Some nights go better than others.”

“How many hours last night?” she pressed.

He frowned at her. “Maybe three or four hours. I heard Gabby moving and I didn’t want to fall asleep in case she needed me…or something.”

“What about the night before?”

He bit his lip in aggravation. “About the same amount.”

“Because of Gabby or something else?”

“Something else.”

“What?” Claire cocked her head and waited for his answer.

Knight’s hand clenched the arms of his chair, trying to maintain his calm. “I’m worried about what’ll happen if we go through with this divorce. After the way things have gone, I’m stressed she’ll shut me out.”

“You think she’ll keep you from seeing the baby?” Claire reiterated.

He shook his head. “No. She doesn’t possess a mean bone in her body. She’ll allow me access to our child. I overheard her ask Bryanna if we can use her as a drop off point. It’s not the relationship I want to have with her.”

“Have you discussed parenting with her? When a woman gives birth, her needs change. Most of their priorities focus on their newborn. Do you feel it’s a good time to discuss your relationship with her?”

Marcus swiped his hand over his face, appearing frustrated. “Then how do I repair this?

“Even now, she must consider the changes in her life. Her body, for example, changes constantly. Her feet may swell, her back aches, or her emotions swing from happy to sad in seconds. Did you pick up some books on parenting or pregnancy?”

“Saint loaned me a couple. He advised me to ignore anything Leo recommends about childbirth. It surprised me. He runs the team with precision. They move as one, think as one and defend as one.”

“You sound as if you admire the trait. Didn’t you feel the same with your other team? Leo’s a great leader and will do anything to protect his family. He even saved me. He goes over the top for his family. It’s done out of love.”

“No. We started out close. Toward the end, I pulled away. When I accepted the assignment, we rarely spoke. They covered my absences with Gabby, making excuses for when I didn’t return with them or stayed later at the base. It doesn’t matter if I liked the trait or not. I ruined my chance to join the team. Knowing Gabrielle moved here makes me wish I hadn’t fuck up the first meeting.”

“Did you speak to them after the first meeting? You’re staying on the same mountain. I’m positive you must’ve run into them at some point.” Claire scribbled on her pad.

“Yeah. I’ve seen Saint the most and Patch brought me here. It’s not like they extended an invitation after my first impression.”

“You seem stuck on a specific moment. I’ve known Leo for a while now. His moniker fits him. He lies in wait and watches his prey. He never jumps to one conclusion. If you want to change his mind, I advise you to show him. Let’s get back to you. Please tell me what you do before you go to bed. Step by step.”

He pinched the bridge of his nose. Relenting, he finally said, “I stop drinking caffeine by 1900. I start checking the windows and doors to ensure they’re locked. Then, I walk to the back of the deck and scan the area for anything out of place before I secure the door. I check on Gabrielle and then lights out.”

“Do you know the mountain’s secured? As Patch says, a deer can’t shit in the woods without Matthew knowing.” Claire giggled.

He smiled. Patch’s woman came as a surprise, and she made it easy to talk to. “Yeah, Saint mentioned it.”

“Then why do you feel the need to secure the cabin?”

He grunted. “Who doesn’t? Gabby’s in danger.”

“Did you do it before you discovered her in Seattle?” Claire slid her shoes off and put her legs on the couch. He smiled.

“Does it bother you? My legs cramp and go numb. When I’m at work, I take advantage of the PT room. When I return home, Patch will massage them for me,” she explained.

“What happened?” he asked, leaning forward in curiosity. She seemed the very picture of health.

“A former patient used an experimental drug on me. I still suffer side effects. They’re slowly disappearing.” Claire placed a blanket over her legs.

“I’m sorry,” he said softly. “I didn’t mean to pry.”

Claire grinned. “In case you don’t realize it, we live in a small town. Everyone knows the story. I’m not telling you anything you can’t find out by walking down the hall.”

Knight shook his head. “How do you get over something like that?”

“Even doctors suffer setbacks. Patch helps. He’s seen me at my worst and loved me through it. We both learned love is worth fighting for and work together on the hard days.”

He sat back in his chair. His mind reeled as he recalled returning home from the mission on Gabby’s birthday.

He parked the truck in the driveway and stared at the house. This time, she planted a tree in the front yard. Didn’t she know it blocked the view of the street? The shrubs she planted along the sidewalk invited intruders to lurk in the dark, waiting for her. Slamming the door shut, he locked it and entered the house.

The vanilla scent of a candle filled the air. Cards sat on the kitchen table and a bunch of balloons dangled above one of the chairs. He cursed under his breath. How did he forget her birthday?

The bug bites on his arms itched, reminding him of the two weeks he spent in a jungle waiting for Marghai to show his face. The latest intel indicated he planned to trade the schoolgirls he kidnapped for weapons. Knight lay in the brush, watching and waiting for the man to show. The team assigned with him planned to raid the place as soon as he took Marghai down.

A message came over the coms to hold as a caravan of cars came into view. The moment he waited for finally came to fruition. He’d take the shot once he got the go-ahead and return home to Gabby. Several men exited the vehicles and entered the building. Fifteen minutes later, screams resounded in the air as girls burst through the doors, only to get pushed back toward the men. He reached for his com and requested to engage.

“Negative,” came the response. The men laughed as they tore the innocent girls’ clothing from them and raped them repeatedly. For three hours, he endured watching the scene unfold before him. Finally, they lined up the surviving women in a row as a truck pulled up. Ordering them into the back, the young women rushed to escape the hell they endured. They picked up the dead bodies and threw them in with the terrified victims, making the girls wail at the sight of their friends or family members dead and bleeding. They huddled toward the back until the men loaded all of them. Again, Knight spoke into the coms. The leader exited the building while another man handed him two bags, resembling drugs. The two men stood side by side, and he only needed to press the trigger. The order came back in his ear. “Negative.” He pressed his lips firmly together, as he lined them up in his sights. These men didn’t deserve to live. Why did they want him to wait?

The other man entered his car and drove off, making Knight curse. His patience came to an end. When the man’s car disappeared from sight, the leader raised his hand. Gun fire blasted in the air and he watched in horror as the innocent women fell to join their friends. Marghai’s men led them to their deaths and then drove off with the bodies as if they resembled mere trash. Their leader entered his car and left. Knight hung his head and cried. He took this job to save his marriage and it crumbled little by little every time he returned. He traded his team for an offer of early freedom. Instead, it took his soul.

“Tell me what you see, Knight,” she encouraged him.

He recounted the story as if a movie played inside his head. Claire didn’t offer platitudes as she listened to his tale. When he finished, Claire took a tissue and dabbed at her eyes. “What happened when you returned home?”

His voice became monotone as he described what happened.

“Gabby woke up. When she saw me standing there, she ran into my arms. I criticized her about a tree she planted in the front yard and the shrubs near the house,” he admitted, glancing down at his hands in shame.

“Why did the trees and shrubs bother you?” Claire set her paper down and shifted into a more comfortable position. She gazed at him like two friends talking about the weather.

“She put herself in danger. Gabby…she’s so damn independent sometimes. She doesn’t think about all the risks in this world. I returned home from watching innocent young girls get slaughtered for no reason other than drugs, greed, and evil men. When I met her, she pretended the cook stayed in the kitchen and fed me.” He chuckled at the memory. “Her ability to see the good in people drew me to her like a moth to a flame. She saw it in me even when I acted like a jerk.”

“How did she handle it?”

Knight chuckled. “She smiled and told me if I wanted to chop it down, then be her guest. Gabby said she didn’t want to spend our time together fighting. My phone rang and I went into my office. I argued with the CIA agent. The assignment consisted of eliminating the threat. My whole purpose for lying there. Now, I close my eyes and see those girls brutalized and beaten. When I finished my call, Gabby left. I returned to base to keep from fighting with her. I couldn’t control my emotions and chose to stay away.”

“Interesting,” Claire mulled over his statement.

“What?”

“I met Gabby. She said she knew what she agreed to when she married into the military. You seemed surprised when I said Patch and I get through the tough days together. Did you ever share how you felt with her?”

Sitting back in the chair, Knight stared at her. “I can’t discuss ops with her.”

“No. But what about how you felt? How did she feel when you told her about the special assignment?”

He glanced at her sheepishly. “I didn’t exactly tell her about it. I spun up a ton the year before, and I didn’t feel it was necessary to tell her about the op until I received the contract termination.”

Claire laughed. “Gabby seems like a smart woman. She’s an accountant. Did you think she couldn’t put two and two together?”

His mouth dropped, and then he chuckled as he stroked his jaw. “Nice, a doc with a sense of humor. No wonder you can take Patch for longer than five minutes.” He turned serious as he answered her question. “We fought because she said I seemed distant. I returned home and never felt present.”

“Do you agree?”

“At the time, I denied it. Walking away from an argument became easier when I returned home than facing anything. Since I discovered her at the hospital, I’ve seen how much pain I’ve caused. I’d take it all back and be a better man and husband.”

Claire turned and put her feet on the ground. “Can I be blunt?”

“Yes.” He nodded. “I know something’s wrong with me. But I don’t even know how to fix it. If I can’t figure it out, I’ll lose my wife.”

Claire smiled. “I can’t promise you Gabby will change her mind, but I can promise you, if you’re willing to do the work, we can help you.”

“We?” he asked, confused.

“They say it takes a village, but we’ve got something better. We have a mountain, Knight.”

He didn’t know what Claire planned, but he’d do whatever it took if it allowed him to right his wrongs and end the chaos in his head. His heart knew he needed to heal, but he needed Gabby, too. Knight gazed at Claire as she waited for him to decide. “I’m willing to do whatever it takes.”

“I’ll make some calls this morning and text you where to meet tomorrow,” Claire instructed him as she picked up the notepad and started a list.

“I’ll be ready.” He rose from the chair and closed the door behind him. Patch, again, stood in the hallway.

“Hey, asshole.” Patch fell in line beside him as he walked toward the hospital’s entrance. “How did it go today?”

Knight glanced over at him and smirked. “Your woman’s something else.” He watched as Patch puffed up in pride at Claire. “She told me a little about her former patient and her legs.”

The man beside him frowned. “Did she appear in pain?”

“I’m no expert. She only said they ached.” Knight replied as they walked into the parking lot.

“I’ll check on her at lunch. Leo asked you to join us at PT at 0500 at the facility tomorrow.” Patch walked past him and stood by his truck.

Knight’s eyebrows shot up at the invite. Taking Claire’s advice, he nodded. “I’ll see you then.” Climbing into his vehicle, he turned onto the road to the cabin. Maybe the mountain offered him the serenity he needed to find his way back home.

***.

Wednesday morning Gabby lay still under the blankets. She didn’t want to face the day. Maybe if she kept her eyes closed, she might deny the date a bit longer. It felt even worse knowing Marcus lurked somewhere in the cabin.

Unable to resist the urge to pee, she crept from the warm bed and entered the bathroom. She washed her hands and pulled her hair back from her face. She tossed and turned all night, dreading the arrival of the morning. Groaning, she noticed the bags under her eyes and her hair stuck up in every direction. The oversized jersey of the Seattle Seahawks stretched across her boobs, the only reminder of Knight she kept. She didn’t need fancy lingerie when she wore his favorite jersey with nothing underneath.

She shook her head to prevent herself from thinking of the man she planned to divorce nine days after their fourth anniversary. Turning on the shower to warm, she placed the plastic sleeve over her cast. Working with one hand sucked, but she shaved her legs, applied a face mask, and moisturized her body with the lotion from Samantha’s spa. The scent of vanilla filled the air and calmed her as she wiggled into a pair of maternity leggings and a pretty pink top. She straightened, then curled her hair, scooping it up on the side with a barrette. Biting her lip, she glanced at her image in the mirror. Why did she need to dress up on the day she wished to forget?

She put off leaving her bedroom long enough. Gabby decided to turn in some work. Matthew installed a program to prevent anyone from tracing her whereabouts. She attempted to work over the last few days, while Marcus spent time at the facility. When he returned, he brought meals with him and they ate together at the bar before she retired to her lonely room.

Entering the kitchen, she halted in surprise to find a simple bouquet of wildflowers in a vase sitting on the coffee table. A note sat beside them. She reached out with her hand and touched the pretty blossoms before leaning in and smelling their sweet fragrance. Picking up the envelope, she opened it and read.

Gabrielle, I know this doesn’t make up for the last year, but I didn’t want to miss another one without expressing how much you mean to me. I respect your decision to proceed with the divorce; however, it won’t stop me from reminding you how much I care about you. I’m excited to begin the journey of parenthood together and can’t wait to meet our child. Love, Marcus

Tears pooled in her eyes and she hastily swiped them away. It was only flowers. She stared at them a while before deciding to leave them on the table. Maybe he dreaded today as much as she did since he didn’t appear anywhere in the cabin. It felt almost like a relief not to have to face him.

Pulling her computer out, she messaged her assistant. The office planned a small memorial luncheon for Jackie on Friday and she wanted to attend. She doubted the team’s enthusiasm about her going, but it didn’t feel right after all Jackie had done for her. With the women throwing Bryanna a baby shower, Saint volunteered to take her into town to find a gift and she planned to ask him about taking her to the gathering for her friend.

Her stomach growled, reminding her to eat. She rose from the chair and entered the kitchen, setting the kettle on the stove for tea. Opening the fridge, she stared at the selection. Marcus must’ve done some shopping. She noticed her favorite apple juice replaced, a container of cut-up veggies, and a selection of her favorite fruits sat in a bowl with a note attached, saying ‘washed.’ His thoughtfulness surprised her. Gabby finished making toast and tea before heading back to the living room. She set her plate on the side table as she adjusted the computer over her growing belly.

The lock to the cabin disengaged and Knight walked inside. He smiled on seeing her.

“Good morning,” he greeted her, removing his shoes and crossing the room to where she sat. “Happy Anniversary.”

“Good morning,” she murmured as she took in his dress shirt, which stretched across his chest and showed off his muscular arms. “Thank you for the flowers. They’re beautiful.”

“You’re welcome.” He leaned down, peering into her cup before taking it into the kitchen for a refill. The scent of sandalwood drifted in the air from his cologne as he left, sending butterflies to her stomach. Checking to see if the water remained hot, Knight poured her another cup and one for himself, bringing it into the living room.

“Do you plan to work today? Would you like to go into town for dinner tonight for a change of scenery? Bryanna mentioned a place in town called Ty’s,” he gently suggested.

“I can’t. Saint volunteered to take me into town. They planned a shower for Bryanna on Saturday. I want to find her a present. My assistant emailed the details of a luncheon the firm plans to have on Friday for Jackie. She didn’t have many friends and it’s important for me to attend.”

“You know it’s too dangerous for you to go. Whoever tried to kill you might be watching to see if you’ll come,” he reminded her. “Jackie would understand your reasons for skipping it. You said yourself she mothered you and the baby. Putting yourself in harm’s way seems like the last thing she’d want.”

A single tear slid down her cheek. “I know. I feel guilty. She showed me such compassion and loyalty and I asked her to bring me those files. If I only kept my mouth shut…”

Knight tilted her chin with his forefinger until her gaze met his. His thumb swiped away the evidence of her grief. “I’m sorry you lost your friend. Even if you didn’t ask Jackie, the person trying to hurt you, would want to tie up loose ends. She worked as your assistant and was privy to all your files.”

At a loss for words, she nodded. The computer slid, and she lifted it back on her stomach. “With everything happening, I forgot to ask about renting a car for the drive to California. I don’t know how to do it without using my name, and it’ll cost a fortune for a last-minute reservation,” she groaned.

“Always the accountant,” he chuckled as he removed his hand. “I spoke with Saint. Leo suggested we borrow one of the team’s vehicles. They have a minivan. It’ll be more comfortable for you and I can escort you to and from. I called Wolf. He and Abe will meet us at the hotel as long as they don’t spin up. They’ll act as our backup while we’re in town. I booked two rooms at a hotel under assumed names. No one can track us.”

Shifting uncomfortably, Gabby refused to meet his eyes. She demanded he not interfere with the divorce, but it hurt how he planned everything efficiently. “Don’t you think us traveling together under the circumstances might feel a bit awkward? I’ll feel better if Saint escorts me.”

“Gabrielle. We share a child. Regardless of what happens, I’ll always care for you. I’m not stupid and I know I put us through hell. We have two choices. We can make this feel incredibly hard or try to remain friends. I know you don’t have any reason to trust me, and I hope to earn it back. How about I text Saint? When you finish your work, I’ll drive you to town for shopping and dinner.”

“Okay,” she reluctantly agreed. The need to leave the cabin and feel some sense of normalcy tugged at her.

“Are you ready for breakfast? I’m making pancakes and bacon. I didn’t get a chance to eat before leaving,” he explained.

Her stomach growled as if the child inside her pulled the umbilical cord, demanding her to agree to his suggestion. Gabby laughed. “I guess you have your answer.”

He chuckled as he rose to start breakfast. Gabby bent to her task as she added numbers and reported her time. Something about the log bugged her, and she opened the file to study how the transactions appeared. She barely noticed when Knight set a tray before her and poured the syrup over the food.

“Gabby, eat it while it’s hot,” he admonished as she stared at the notations, making no move toward the food.

“In a minute,” she said as something clicked into place. Her heart raced as she put the pieces together like a jigsaw puzzle. “I found something.”

Knight leaned over her chair, distracting her from her discovery. “What did you find?”

Gabby pointed to the screen. “Do you see the notation after these lines? It’s on the ledgers with a key. Most people don’t use paper anymore. It appears after each deposit. The color of the notation must be assigned to a specific customer. Here’s their order, the funds requested, the date it shipped, and another for delivery. They’re all accounted for, accept this one. It’s due next Monday. This number,” she pointed to the last column, “It’s not a sum. It’s a time. If we can figure out the drop off point, we might save them,” she exclaimed.

“You’re a genius, Gabby.” He stood and texted Saint.

I need the team at the cabin. Gabby deciphered the accounting notes. Can you come?

We’ll be there in fifteen.

Saint replied.

Gabby held her cheeks. Excitement ran through her as she thought about saving the helpless victims. Knight cut up the pancake and held the fork to her mouth.

“Eat. Once they get here, you’ll forget as you explain all those numbers. Our child demanded food and I’m making sure his or her mama eats,” he softly demanded.

She opened her mouth and accepted his offering. His gaze held hers as her lips slid over the tines. She glanced down as she started chewing. He went into the kitchen and brought her a glass of milk and took her teacup. She smiled as she picked up her fork and dug into the fluffy, buttery goodness.

Knight shook his head when she devoured her entire plate by the time he cleaned the kitchen. He took her dish and exchanged it for a bowl of mixed berries.

Gabby rose from the chair and headed down the hall to the bathroom. Taking care of her most pressing needs, she washed her hands and plopped back into her chair, feeling invigorated at catching these awful people. Whoever did this deserved a sentence behind bars along with the rest.

Knight walked to the door as the team arrived and filed into the living room. Matthew sat at the bar, logging into his computer. Leo, Saint, and Taco sat on the couch and Shadow stood against the wall. Whiskey and Ragu grabbed stools from the kitchen and joined the group.

“Way to go, G-girl.” Matthew complimented her. “Show me what you got.” He waited as she sent him a copy of the file to share on his larger screen, then moved it near her.

She pointed to the image and explained her theory.

“How did you figure out the dates? They’re written as sums,” Leo asked.

“An accountant won’t list sums like this. Plus, the amounts don’t add up until you get to the product column.” She pointed to the figures noted in red. “These numbers appear small, usually ranging from one to five. Red indicates a negative number. When I saw the deductions taken from this column, I realized they’d lost some of their products. Since I know they’re human trafficking, I can only guess it indicates someone died or escaped. If you search the dates, it shows the profit.”

“Great job, G-girl,” Taco praised her. “Assuming this ledger shows profits from Seattle, what are the chances they’ll schedule a drop somewhere near their last port drop-off? Shall I call the task force in?” Taco asked his leader.

Leo studied the information. “Julio plans to check in tonight. Technically, this involves the FBI and CIA. With Rebecca underground, she can’t confirm this as an international crime. Hold off on the task force until we hear from him. You did an incredible job, Gabby. Matthew’s building a case against your boss, Mr. Wilkinson. We’ve uncovered several deposits to international banks amounting to the numbers shown here. There’s no doubt he’s in on it.”

Gabby sagged against the chair in disbelief. It’s not as if the news came as a surprise, but she trembled at the thought of working with someone who considered humans as property, bartering and selling them.

“On Friday, they planned a luncheon for Jackie. Can I go? We keep a backup system on the floor below the offices. When we have a new client and our boss needs information fast, we use the systems down there rather than the ones in front of a prospective client. They want to give the impression we’re on top of all things. They may not recall all files from our computers get downloaded at six every evening. I stayed late and worked because I took off the following day for a doctor’s appointment. All my files updated the night before my accident.”

“It’s most likely how they discovered you in the file. Each time you entered, it left a date and time stamp,” Matthew informed her. “If Jackie copied your files to bring to you, it wouldn’t trigger an alert. It’s not unusual for an assistant to take files from their boss’ office. How did they know she took them?”

“Do you think she worked for them? Her record indicated she’s one of the longest working employees there,” Leo surmised.

Gabby shook her head. “No. Jackie cared too much about people. She always brought in homemade goodies and passed them to employees who didn’t have family around. She said everyone needed to feel like they filled a purpose. She made the office feel like a second home. When she discovered my pregnancy, she cared for me like a mother. Jackie even carried a backup box of saltines when I suffered morning sickness and forgot mine.”

Knight rubbed her shoulders. “Leo’s only covering all the bases. It’s his job to question everything and everyone.”

Gabby nodded. When she scanned the men, they focused on Knight.

Leo stood. “Let’s let Gabby rest. We’ll head back to the facility to run down these leads and see if Victoria and Ivan’s men have heard any chatter.

Saint neared Gabby. “I’m sorry G-girl. I won’t be able to take you into town with these new leads. I don’t know how long it’ll take to follow up on them.”

“I’ll take you,” Knight volunteered. His jaw clenched and he stood stiffly, waiting for her to reject him in front of the men. He reminded her of a lost little boy.

“All right. I’ll nap, then we can head to town.”

Saint and Patch glanced at Knight and nodded as if they spoke in code. Gabby yawned as she rose from the chair and padded her way to her room. After the restless last night and the morning’s excitement, she needed a small rest before she power-shopped. The baby kicked as if it knew her thoughts dwelled on Knight’s dinner offer. She closed her eyes and the comforting smell of sandalwood relaxed her as she felt a quilt cover her before she fell asleep.