Page 57 of Stranded with the SEAL

“It is now, Jax.”

“How many of the team knew what you were doing?”

Trevor set his lips in a firm line. “I won’t answer that.”

“Son of a fucking pup.” Jax ran his hand through his hair. “Tell me why I should keep you on HERO Force, why I shouldn’t can your ass and find somebody else?”

Trevor stood and pushed his chair in. “Because I’m the one you want on your six. You know it and I know it. When it starts raining flaming shit, I’ll get you out of there or die trying.”

“Not good enough.”

“Because I saved your life back at Steele’s even though I knew it would cost me Olivia.”

Jax stared at him for what seemed a long time. “Fine. We go wheels up in five days. Can you do that?”

“I can.”

“Some Columbian drug cartel.”

“I’ll be there.”

“And Hawk?”

“Yeah?”

“You didn’t get the girl.”

“Excuse me?”

“You gave up. You didn’t die trying when the flaming shit started falling from the sky.”

“That’s different.”

“I’ve got your six, too, Hawk. And you and that woman have unfinished business.”

Hawk narrowed his eyes. “Speaking of unfinished business, how’d it go with Jessa?”

Jax turned his head slowly, leveling his icy gaze on Hawk. “Fine.”

“Was she happy?” asked Hawk.

“No.”

“Glad to see you?”

“You should go see Olivia before we leave town. Now get the fuck out of here.”

38

Olivia’s earswere ringing through the valley of the shadow of death. The only things she could see were the petals of the flowers on Marco’s casket trembling in the rain. Hard to believe he was in there, that the spirit had left his body, just like that.

Just like Ellie and Frank before him.

She suspected Marco had them killed, though she would never know for sure now. The Office of Homeland Security had filled her in on some of Marco’s illegal activities. Combined with what she already knew, it was no longer a stretch to imagine he was capable of the things he was accused of.

Guilt had been her constant companion these last three days, even though it made no sense. It just was, and it likely always would be.

Would you feel so guilty if you hadn’t been sleeping with the man who killed him?