FatalLove

AShadowForceInternationalWorldsNovella

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MistyEvans

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FatalLove,AShadowForceInternationalNovella

CoverArtbySweet&SpicyDesigns
FormattingbyAuthorE.M.S.
EditingbyAngelCleary,PatriciaEssex,ElizabethNeal

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TableofContents

FATALLOVE
FREEShortStory
Copyright
Dedication
Acknowledgements
Chapter1
Chapter2
Chapter3
Chapter4
Chapter5
Chapter6
Chapter7
Chapter8
Chapter9
Chapter10
Chapter11
ThankYouforReading
BooksbyMistyEvans
AbouttheAuthor

ToMark,alwaysandforever.

Sometimesthelittlestthingstakeupthemostroominyourheart.

~WinniethePooh

Acknowledgements

BeatriceandCalhavecomealongwaysincetheyfirstappearedinDeadlyForce,SCVCTaskforce

Series,Book3.Thisnovellaisdedicatedtoallofyouwhokeptaskingformoreaboutthetwoofthem.

Nowthey’rehelpingrunShadowForceInternationalandthey’llhavemanymoreadventureswiththemen

andwomenofSFI.I’mespeciallyhappysinceBeatriceisoneofmyall-timefavoritecharacterstowrite!

AspecialthankyougoestoElizabethNealforgivingmeSabrina’scodename,21Pilots,andtoLinda

Quick,whosuggestedSabrinahaveredhairandonlywearonecolorofclothingtoaddtoherquirkiness.

Thankyou,ladies!

ChapterOne

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“U

GGGHH…”

AINRIPPED

throughBeatrice’sbellyasCaldrovethemthroughdowntownDCinthe

middleofawarmsummernight.Grippingthearmrestanddoingherdamnedestnottogroan,she
wonderedifsheweregivingbirthtoahumanbabyoratwo-hundred-poundgiraffe.

“We’llbethereinnotime,”herhusband,Cal,triedtoreassureher.Hisbrowwasfurrowed,hisface

tightwithacombinationoffearanddetermination,allhighlightedbytheglowfromthedashboard.

Somuchforreassurance.
Herlipspressedtogethertokeepintheprimalscreampushingagainstthem.Herbackspasmed,

robbingherofbreath.Asshementallycountedofftheseconds,shebobbedherheadinaneffortto
acknowledgehisstatementandtrytorelievehisconcern.

Breathe,shetoldherself.RememberwhatMariataughtyou.
Maria,hermidwife,andTrace,herbodyguard,followedbehindasCalspedthroughthenighttoward

theirhome.

HerwaterhadbrokenontheplanewhileontheirwaybackfromChicago;anothermissionforRock

StarSecurity—thathadbecomeaShadowForceInternationaloperation—wrappedupandputtobed.
Thebabywasoverdue,butBeatricehadbeeningoodhealthwithnosignsofimpendinglaborwhenshe’d
flowntoChicagotohelpoutoneofherfavoriteemployeesandaCIAoperativewho’dbeenindeep
trouble.

Theywereallokay,andnowitwastimetogetherbabyoutintotheworld.
“Ican’tbelievethatvoodooshitMariadidtoyouworked,”Calsaid.Thebabywouldprobablystill

notbeonitswayifMariahadn’tusedsometypeofreflexologyonBeatrice’sfeetandgottenthingsgoing.

TheworstofthecontractionpassedandBeatricedrewashallowbreath,thenanother,deeperone.“It’s

not…voodoo,”shehuffed.“It’sprovenmedicine.”

Calgrunted.“Should’vehadherwaituntilyouwerehometogiveyouthatprescription.”
Probably.“Ididn’treallybelieveitwouldwork.”
“Soyouadmititisn’tbasedonscience.”
Notanysciencehergeniusmindhadstudied,butthatdidn’tmeanitwasn’tlegit.“Acupressure

techniqueshavebeenapartoftraditionalEasternmedicineforcenturies.”

Hemadealightscoffingnoiseandswitchedlanes.“I’dfeelbetterifyou’dletmetakeyoutoGWU.”
GeorgeWashingtonUniversityhospitalwasonlyminutesaway.TheirhomeontheoutskirtsofSilver

Spring,Maryland,wasclosertothirty.

“I’mhavingthisbabyathome,”Beatriceinsisted.“Ihatehospitals.”
Calknewthat,butshefelttheneedtosayitanyway.Allthemeninherlife—andtherewerealot

becauseoftheRockStarsandSFIoperatives—knewshewasalwaysrightaboutherdecisions,andyet
noneofthemtrustedherjudgmentwiththis.

“It’sjustnotlikeyou,B,”herhusband,aformerSEALsaid.“You’reso…”
Analytical.Calculating.Logical.Shewaitedforhimtosayoneoftheobviouschoices.Herbrainran

onfactsandprovenstrategies,notemotionsandthe“whoowhoo”stuffCalhaddesignatedthealternative
medicineMariaused.

“Empirical?”Beatricefilledintheblankforhim.“Yes,I’musuallyleft-brained.However,Iassure

you,thereiscompellingevidencesuggestinghomebirthsarebetterforthebabyandthemother.Thereis

nothingillogicalnortheoreticalaboutwhatI’mdoing.”

Calshookhishead.“Ithinkyou’vebeenspendingtoomuchtimewithHunter.”
TraceHunterwasasupersoldier,partofascientifictestingprogramtogenerateunstoppablefighters.

Hewastheonlyonewho’dsurvivedtheprogramandnowworkedforSFI.

Butforallofhissuperiorskills,thethingthateveryonefixatedonwashisloveofyoga,meditation,

andnaturalliving.“Youassignedhimtome.”

Trafficwaslightintheveryearlymorninghours,forwhichshewasthankful.Astheybrokefreeofthe

mainDCareaheadingnorth,shecouldseemorestars.

Abeautifulnighttogivebirth.
JaxonSloanhadwarnedherthatitcouldbehours,dayseven,sincethiswasherfirstbaby.Oneofthe

formerSEALswhoworkedforSFI,hewasalsogoingtobetheirfirstofficialstaffdoctorassoonashe
finishedhistraining.She’dteasedhimaboutdeliveringherbaby,butpartofherhadbeenserious.
Beatricedidn’ttrustmanypeoplewithherownlife;entrustingsomeonewithherchild’sliferequired
seriousworkonherpart.

“Whatdidthepresidentwant?”Beatricesaid,decidingtofocusonworkinsteadofthepossibilityshe

wouldbeholdinganinfantinafewhours.Whileshe’dbeeninChicago,he’dbeeninsecrettalkswiththe
prez.“Younevertoldmeontheplaneridehome.”

Calkepthisattentionontheroad.“Nothingtoworryaboutrightnow.”
Shewasworried.AfterherstintwithNSAandCommand&Control,hertrustissuesextendedto

anyoneinthegovernment,thepresidentnotexcluded.“Idon’twantyourunningsometop-secretgroupfor
him.Ordoinganythingelseforhimforthatmatter.”

“B,it’salright.I’mnotrunninganytop-secretanythingforhim.”
Aswashernature,shefeltunsatisfiedwithhisanswer.“Ifit’snottop-secret,whywon’tyoutellme

whyhecalledyoutotheOval?”

Calblewoutalong-sufferingsigh.“Thelastthingyouneedtoworryaboutiswork.”
“I’mworriedaboutmyhusband.”
Hereachedoverandgaveherhandasqueeze.“It’sreallynotabigdeal.”
Shedidn’tsqueezeback.Herstomachwasturningsomersaultsanditwasn’tbecauseofthe

contractions.“You’rehedging.Whichmeansyou’relyingtome.”

Thechangeinhisexpressionwasafamiliarone.Onethatsaidhewasgivingin.Whichrarely

happened,evenwhenheknewshewasrightaboutsomething.“IfItellyou,youhavetopromisenotto
startdolingoutinstructions.HunterandIwillhandlethespecificsoftheassignmentandIalreadyknow
whoI’massigningtothedetail.”

“Bodyguarddetail?”ThepresidenthadtheSecretServiceforprotection,asdidhisfamily.“For

whom?”

“WarshankhasagrownstepdaughterwholivesinNorthBethesda.Runsabakeryandcafeandlivesin

some1800scolonialthatshe’sfixingup.”

“MiaLayne.Iknowwhosheis.”Theformerpresident,LincNorman,hadbeenexposedbyTraceasa

murdererandimpeached.Ironically,onlyafewweeksbeforethat,Calhadstoppedagunmanfromkilling
Norman.TheassassinhadbeenworkingfortheVicePresident,andshe’dbeenimprisonedforthe
assassinationattempt.AnewVPhadnotbeenassignedtofillheroffice,sowhenNormanwas
impeached,nextinthelineupofpresidentialsuccessionhadbeenSpeakeroftheHouse,HalWarshank.
“WhydoesMissLayneneedabodyguard?”

“She’sbeenunderattack—itstartedwithhercreditcardsbeinghacked,thencameidentitytheft.A

weekago,someonetriedtoburndownherbakery.”

Thegrownstepdaughteroftheinterimpresidentdidn’tqualifyforSecretServiceprotection.
Miadid,however,maketheperfectclientforRockStarSecurity.

AnothercontractionbeganbuildinglowinBeatrice’sbelly,buthermindwasfocusedonthepotential

client.“SheneedsRorytostopthecyber-attacksandNickleback—JonWolfe—forhermainsecurity
specialist.HewasawesomeinChicago,helpingtostopthatsniper.Butbeforeyouassignthemtoher
case,youneedto—”

Calreleasedherhandandthrewbothofhisintheair.“B!Itoldyou,HunterandIhaveithandled.”
Thecontractionwentfromamildsqueezingsensationtofullonlinebackertackle.AsBeatricesucked

inairandsqueezedhereyesshut,shefeltCal’shandonhersagain.Instinctively,shegrippedit,alifeline
throughthepain.

Oncetheworstpassedandsheopenedhereyes,Calshotheraserious,narrowed-eyedglance.“That

wasonlyfiveminutessincethelastone.”

Sothecontractionswerecomingclosertogether.Finewithher.Thesoonershegotthebabyoutofher

wombandintotheworld,thesoonerCalcouldstopworryingandshecouldgetbacktowork.“Sloanis
suddenlyanxioustogethere,”shemuttered,layingherheadbackagainsttheheadrest.

“Yes,sheis,”Calagreedeventhoughhewas,inasense,disagreeing.“DoesSloanworkifit’sagirl?”
ShehaddecidedtonamethebabyafterJax,who’slastnamewasSloan.He’dwheedledhiswayinto

herheartandBeatriceconsideredhimfamily.“We’rehavingaboy.”

“Whataboutamiddlename?Weneverreallytalkedaboutthat.”
Calwastryingtodistracther.Whichwasgood.Theyneverhadenoughtimetogethertorelaxandtalk.

Bothofthemwerehigh-energypeople,andwhiletheylovedtheirrespectivejobswithSFI,theyalso
lovedbeingalonetogether.Oncethebabywashere,whatlittletimethey’dcarvedoutforeachother
beforewouldcertainlygobythewayside.“IwasthinkingHunter.SloanHunterReese.”

“Hunter?”Calscreweduphisnoseinmockdisgust.“You’vegottobekidding.”
“LikeJax,he’sbeenthereforme.Foryou.”
“NamingourkidaftertwooftheRockStarswillmaketheotherguysjealous.They’llthinkyou’re

playingfavorites.”

True,but…“Wecan’tnameoursonafterallofthem.”Theirrankshadgrownconsiderably.“He’dend

upwithtwodozennames.”

Theyrodeforamomentinsilence.ThenBeatricehadanidea.“HowaboutZebulon.SloanZebulon

Reese.”

ZebwasafriendwhowasbecomingmoreandmoreofastaplearoundtheSFIheadquarters.
Calpassedasemitruckandscreweduphisface.“Zeb’skindaoldfashioned,don’tyouthink?”
“Itgivesanicesolidnesstothename.”
“Thatman’segoisalreadysobig,whenyounameourkidafterhim,we’llneverheartheendofit.

Whydon’tyoumakehimagodfatherorsomething?Wemightgetsomefreebabysittingoutofhimthat
way.”

Beatricehadthefeelingfindingbabysitterswouldn’tbeaproblem.BetweentheRockStarsandtheir

girlfriends,everyonewasalreadysigningupforbabysittingduty.

“Sloan,ourdaughter,doesn’twantZebulonforamiddlename,anyway,”Calteased.“Youbetter

comeupwithsomethingmorefeminine.”

Sheplayfullysmackedhimonthearm.“Ifitisagirl,you’reintrouble.Shewillwrapyouaroundher

fingerandyou’llbetoast.You’llgiveheranythingshewants.”

Heleanedoveranddroppedaquickkissonhernose.“IthinkI’dlikethat.”
Beatricesmiledathim,buthe’dalreadyturnedbacktotheroad.Herheartfeltalltinglyandwarm.

Probablybecausethecontractionshadraisedherheartrateandbloodpressure,butmaybebecauseof
somethingmore.

“You’regoingtobeagooddad,”shesaidtohim.“Nomatterwhatsexourchildis.”
“You’regoingtobeanawesomemomtoo.”Agrincrossedhisfeaturesashespedaroundacarintheir

way.“Ican’tbelieveI’msayingthis,butIthinkI’mgoingtolikebeingadad.”

Beatriceknewthefeeling.Herlogicalmindtoldherthat,givenherpast,shewasdestinedtobeabad

mother.She’dhadaroughchildhood;hermotherhadsufferedfrommentalproblemsandcommitted
suicidewhenBeatricewasateen.Herfatherhadneverbeeninthepicture.Shedidn’tevenknowwhohe
was.Oddsofovercomingherpastconditioningandsenseofbetrayalwerelow;Beatriceknewstatistics
doomedhertorepeatthemistakesherparentshadmade.

Butshedidn’tfeelthatway.Herheart,sillymusclethatitwas,seemedtoknowdifferent.Shewanted

thisbaby—andmaybeafewsiblingsforhim—andshewassmartanddeterminedenoughtocreate
whateverfutureshewantedforherfamily.

“I’mlookingforwardtohavingchildren,”sheadmitted,rubbinghergiantstomach.“Ourlittlefamilyis

abouttobecomplete.”

ETTINGHISPREGNANT,

in-laborwifeintothehousewasharderthanCalanticipated.

Mostlybecauseshewasstubbornanddidn’twanthelp.
“Justgiveme…asecond,”Beatricesaid,halfbentover,andhalfcrouchedbecauseshecouldn’t

actuallybendfromthewaistasshegrippedthesidemirrorofhisLandCruiser.Hercheekspuffedinand
outwithherbreath.

Calheldontoher,onehandonherelbow,theotherwrappedaroundthebackofhernonexistentwaist.

“HunterandIcancarryyouinside.”

“Over…mydead…body,”shehuffed.
HunterandMariadrewupatthecurb,HunterthrowinghisTundratruckintoparkandbailingout

beforethemidwifeevenhadherseatbeltunbuckled.“How’sshedoing?”hesaid,chugginguptothemin
thedriveway.

“Fine,”Beatricegroundout,althoughitwasprettyobviousshewasn’tfromherbentposture,locked

jaw,andthewayherknuckleswereaswhiteasthenewlandscapingrockaroundthetreeintheirfront
yard,glisteningunderthepartialmoon.

“Letmehelpyou.”Hunterpeeledherfingersoffthemirror.
Withonemanoneachsideholdinghersteady,Beatricetookababystepforward.Stopped.Took

anothersmallstep.

Iftheycontinuedatthispace,shemighthavethekidrighthereinthedriveway.
“Letuscarryyou,”Calinsistedagain.
Thecontractionmusthavepassed.Eitherthat,orhiswordsangeredherenoughsheforgotshewasin

pain.Herbackstraightenedandsheglaredathim.“Icanwalk.”

“Ofcourseyoucan,”Tracesaid,shootingCalawinkbehindherback.“Butyouneedtoconserveyour

energyforpushing.”

Shetookadeepbreath,seemingtocenterherself.Hergazelandedontheirfrontdoor.“I’mokaynow.I

justneededtowaitforthatlastcontractiontopass.”

Mariafinallycaughtupwiththem.“Walkingisgoodforher.Gravitywillhelpbringthebabydown

faster.”

Faster?CalhelpedBeatricetakeanotherstep,thisoneabitbiggerthanthelasttwo.“I’dprefermy

babygirldoesn’tcomeuntilwe’reinside.”

“Boy.”Beatriceshothimanotherdeathglare.“Ourbabyisaboy.”
God,shewasstubborn.Alwayshadbeen.
Helovedthatabouther.
Aroundthem,thesummernightwasinfullswing.Treefrogsandnightinsectshummedandbuzzed,

callingtoeachother.Anowlhootedinthetreesacrosstheroad.

Calhadwantedtobuyahouseinthenewsubdivisionhalfamilewest.Beatricehadinsistedonthis

Tudorwithabrickwalkwayandfive-point-twoacresofland.Awillowgracedthesouthside.Acouple
ofappletreesandsomewildrosesdottedtheslouchingwoodenfenceinthebackyard.

Calhadalreadyusedhissmartphoneapptoturnontheoutsidelightsandunlockthefrontdoor.Oneof

thefewupgradeshe’dbeenabletogetdoneinbetweenassignments.“Idon’tcareifwe’rehavinga
raccoon,I’dratherwegetinsidetodoso.”

Huntersenthimalook.“Rockingchaironthree?”
Calnodded,releasinghisholdonBeatriceinordertolockarmswithHunter.“Rockingchairon

three.”

WhichinShadowForcelingostoodforone…two…
Upsydaisy.
Themen’slockedarmsformedtheirownversionofachair,andtheysweptBeatrice’slegsoutfrom

underher,supportingherupperbodyastheyliftedherofftheground.

Sheletoutastartledcryandthemidwife’seyeswentround.Ignoringtheprotestsofbothwomen,Cal

andHuntermarchedBeatriceuptothefrontdoor,whereCalmanagedtotwisttheknobandkickopenthe
oakdoor.

Thelasttimehe’dcarriedBeatriceacrossthethresholdhadbeenaftertheirsecondhoneymoononlya

fewshortmonthsago.Wherehadthetimegone?

She’dfalleninlovewiththehousethemomentshe’dseteyesonit.AllCalhadseenwasamoneypit.

Theroofneededreplacing,thechimneytuck-pointing,andtheonlythingremotelycoolontheinsidewere
theoriginalwoodfloors.

ButseeingBeatricefallinlovewiththehundred-year-oldhousehadbowledhimover.She’dtalked

nonstopaboutremodelingeachroom,andtoseehiswifeexcitedaboutputtingdownrootsmadehim
happytosignhisnameonthemortgagepapers.

Whowouldhaveguessed?Himwithamortgage,wife,andbaby.Whatadifferenceafewmonths

couldmake.

AfloralarrangementsatonthewoodenfoyertableandoneofBeatrice’sfeetsnaggedastem,knocking

itover.Hunter,supersoldierthathewas,caughtthevasebeforeitspilledasingledropandrightedthe
arrangement.

“Thankyou,”Beatricesaidtohim,andthenshelaidherheadonCal’sshoulder.“CanyoucallConnor

andhavehimbringMaggiehome?I’vemissedher.”

Maggie,theirdog,wasprobablylivingthehighlifewithConnorMcKenzieattheSFIoffice,wherehe

wasdogsittingforthem.TheLabhadoriginallybeenCal’suntilshe’dmetBeatrice.NowMaggiestayed
byB’sside24/7.Hewassomewhatsurprisedhiswifehadn’ttakenMaggieonhertriptoChicago.

Afteralongestrangement,BeatricehadshownupatCal’sboatandaskedforhisprotectionagainstan

assassin.Duringtheirtimeontherun,they’dfalleninlovealloveragainandmanagedtogettheassassin
tohelptheminsteadofkillingB.Intheend,CalhadstoppedthepresidentfromdyingandBhadendedup
pregnant.

NowtheyworkedforEmitPetit.Beatricerantheoffice,signingonclientsandhoveringoverthemen

whomadeupRockStarSecurityand,behindthescenes,thosewhoalsoranmissionsforShadowForce.
CalwasinchargeofoneoftheShadowForceteamsthatweremuchliketheSEALs,thoughhistimewith
theSEALsnowseemedlikealifetimeago.

Beatricebeatweaklyonhisarmbeforehe’devenclearedthekitchen.“Putmedown,Cal.”
Herprotestwasasweakasherpunch.Stubbornnessandbravadocouldonlycarryyousofar.Shewas

physicallyingreatshape,buteveryonehadlimits.

Heleanedoverandkissedhertemple.Shewasdeadtiredfromhertripandthecontractions.“There’s

noshameinacceptinghelp,B.Letusgetyoutothebedroom.”

“I’mnotafrailoldlady,andifI’mgoingtotakecareofoursonandrunSFI,Ibetterbeabletohandle

walkingthirtyfeettoourbedroom.”

“You’rethestrongestwomanIknow,honey.”Itwasn’talie.He’dgrownupwithBeatrice,knewall

theshithermentallyunstable,drug-addictedmotherhadputherthrough.Hewasconstantlyamazedat
howadeptBeatricewas.“AllowingHunterandItocarryyoutothebedroomwillnotlessenyour
willpower,tenacity,ordeterminationtobeWonderWoman.”

CalcockedhisheadtotherighttosignalHunterthedirectiontheywereheaded.Together,theycarried

Beatriceacrossthefoyer,throughthelivingroom,anddownthehall.Mariafollowedbehindthem,mute,
butCalcouldfeelherdispleasedglareonhisback.

Huntermanagedtofliponthelightsinsidethebedroomdoorastheycrossedthethreshold.Calhad

beengoneforseveraldaysandseeingtheunmadebed—Beatriceconsideredmakingitupawasteoftime
andenergy—andsmellingthelight,floralperfumesheusedthatpermeatedtheroom,madethetightness
betweenhisshoulderbladesrelaxslightly.

Home.Agoodplacetobe.
Astheystartedforthebed,Beatricedemandedtheyswitchdirection.“Takemetothebathroom,”she

said.“Ineedtogetoutoftheseclothes.”

Afewminuteslater,MariaandBeatricewereshutawayinthebathroom,MariahavingwavedCaloff

togomakeBeatriceacupoftea.CalhadwrestledupalooseshirtofhisforBeatricetoputonandhe
heardwaterrunninginthespecialtubhe’dinstalledforthebirth.

Atfirst,he’drecoiledattheideaofBgivingbirthtotheirchildinthewater—thedangersseemedtoo

great.Butaftershelaidoutthefactsabouthomebirthsandthebenefitsofthewaterhelpinglabor,he’d
hadtogoalong.Seemedfittingthathiskidwouldentertheworldviawater.Hepersonallypreferred
beinginwatertowalkingonland.

WhichmadehimmisshisSEALdaysalloveragain.
Nowaywouldhegiveupwhathehadnow,though.Awife,akidontheway,agreatjobthatputmany

ofhisSEALskillstousehelpingpeoplewhohadnooneelsetoturnto—thosethingsallmadehimgetout
ofbedeverydaywithasenseofhopeanddetermination.

HunterhaddisappearedafterhelpingCaldepositBeatriceonthebathroomwindowseat.Nowthatshe

washomeandinthemidwife’shandsforthemoment,Calrubbedhiseyesandwenttofindhim.

SavannaBunkett,Hunter’sfiancee,probablywantedtoseehim.ThemanhadbeenwithBeatrice24/7

fornearlythreeweeks,andhadgoneonhermissiontoChicago.EventhoughHunterwasasupersoldier,
hehadtobetired.Burnedout,too,fromBeatrice’sraginghormonesanddownrightstubbornness.

Calalmostfeltsorryforhim.
HefoundHunterinthedarkenedfrontroomthatBeatricereferredtoastheformallivingroom,

standingatthebaywindowandstaringoutatthestreet.Hunterdidn’tturntoacknowledgeCal,even
thoughtherewasnowayCalcouldsneakuponhim.Hunter’shearingwasassharpasaneagle’s;hehad
somekindofsixthsenseaswell,beingabletoanticipateaperson’smovesbeforetheyevenmadethem.

“I’veengagedthesecuritysystem,”Huntersaid.“Howisshe?”
“She’singoodhands.”Calploppeddowninhisfavoritelounger.“Youcangonow.Iappreciatethe

help,man.”

“IthinkitwouldbefortuitousifIstay.”
“Fortuitous?Jesus,Hunter,you’vedefinitelybeenaroundBtoomuchlately.You’restartingtosound

likeher.”

“Shedoesruboffononeafterawhile,but,sir,IdothinkI’llhangaroundfornow.”
Sir.CalfeltoldwhenHuntercalledhimthat.Theyweren’tthatfarapartinage.“Savannamaynot

appreciateit.”

“I’msureshewon’t.She…missesme.”

Themanstillstaredoutatthenight,hishandsbehindhisbackasifhewereateaseinamilitarylineup.

Hisbodyposturelookedrelaxed—asrelaxedasHuntereverlooked,exceptwhenmeditating.Hewas
stillstaringdowntheblockwithanintensitythatmadeCaluneasy.

Maybeitwassomekindofstandingmeditation.“Idon’twantSavannaanymorepissedatmethanshe

alreadyisafterIputyouonbodyguardduty.”BecauseCal’sdutieshadcausedhimtobegonesomuch
recently,he’dpulledHunterfromhisownSFIteamandmadehimBeatrice’spersonal,one-mansecurity
system.“I’mhereforBnow.Ifanythinggoeswrong,I’llcallanambulancetocomeandtakehertothe
hospital.”

“IfI’mnotmistaken,somethingisabouttogowrong.”HunterglancedoverhisshoulderatCal.“Not

withthebaby,butwithus.”

Calsatup,hisbootedfeethittingthewoodenfloorunderhim.“What?”
“Didyounoticethatblackvanparkedattheendofthecul-de-sacwhenwepulledin?”
No,hehadn’t.He’dbeentoofocusedonBeatriceandherlaborpains.
Theyonlyhadtwoneighbors,eachhouseagenerousdistancefromtheotheronadead-endroad.

Woodsandhillsranaroundtheirsmalllots,andwhiletheywereonlyafewminutesoutsideofthetown
proper,itfeltliketheyweredeepinthecountry.

Caledgeduptothebaywindow,andcrankedhisnecksohecouldlookthedirectionHunternow

pointed.Theendoftheroadwasagoodquartermileaway,butthereitwas—theblackvan,justlikethe
soldiersaid.“Whataboutit?”

“Ibelievewe’reundersurveillance,”Huntersaid.“Ididaquicksweepofthehouseandfoundnobugs

orcameras,but…”

Hunterpaused,tiltedhisheadslightly,andallofCal’sinstinctswentberserk.
“Butwhat?”hegrowled,alreadyreachingforthegunhekepthiddenunderthesidetablenearthedoor.
“Ibelievewe’reabouttohavecompany.”
Sureenough,beforethewordswerefullyoutofhismouth,theblackvanrolledforward.

ChapterTwo

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ONNOR

CKENZIEWOKE

tothephoneblaringinhisear.

Probablybecausehewassleepingontopofit.
Droolingonitaswell,becausewhenhejerkedback,hisinstinctsautomaticallydirectedhishandto

thehandset,andhefoundslimeallovertheblackSFIofficephone.

Gross.
Ofcourse,sincehe’dbeenworking24/7withnotimeoff,hehadn’tseenhisbedsincezerodarkthirty-

seven…no,makethateight,sincetheclockonthephone’sreadoutsaiditwasaftermidnight.

Rubbinghiseyesasthephoneblaredagain,hepushedupoffofhisdeskandclearedhisthroat.Near

thedesk,Maggieraisedherbig,blackheadandlookedathimwithherperpetuallysadLabradoreyes.

BeingtheofficemanagerforRockStarSecuritycamewithalotofperks.RSSwasthefrontfor

ShadowForceInternational,whereformerSEALsroamedthehallways,covertlysavingthefreeworld
onadailybasis.Connorwasconstantlysurroundedbymenherespectedandwhorespectedhim.They
understoodeachother;understoodwhateachotherhadbeenthrough.AddtothatthefactBeatricelethim
bunktwofloorsupinanofficehe’dconvertedtoabedroom,anditwasthebesthomehe’deverhad.The
bedroomwasn’tmuch,butitbeatlivingoutofhiscar.

Maggiewasanotherperk.Helovedthatdog.Meetinghiseyes,shewaggedhertailwithasolid

thump-thump-thumpagainstthefloor.

Shewasalwaysupforanadventure,andgoodtohavearoundbecauseofhisPTSD.Shedidn’thave

anytraining,butCalhadtoldConnorshe’dsavedhismentalhealthmanytimes.ThedoghadkeptConnor
fromsinkingintoadarkholeonmorethanoneoccasionaswell.

Technicallysincehelivedupstairs,Connorcouldgohomeanytimehewanted,eventhoughnoonewas

intheofficetomanthephonesbuthim.HeandRoryhadsetupasystemthattransferredallcallsto
Connor’sphoneinhisbedroomwhenhequitforthedayorneededdowntime.Beatricedidn’ttrustan
answeringservicewiththeparticularcallsthatmightcomeinfromRockStarsorSFIoperatives.

Connoropenedhistiredeyesandcaughtsightoftheblinkingbuttononthephoneasthedamnthing

continuedtoringinsistently.Red,notorange.TheprivatelineEmithadforthemanagerstousewhenthey
neededimmediateassistance.

Shit.Grabbingoneofthenapkinsfromthepizzahe’dhalfeatenearlier,hewipedoffthedroolfromthe

handsetandpunchedthebuttonunderthered,blinkinglight.“ThisisSlash.HowmayIdirectyourcall?”

SFIruleswerethattheyneveridentifiedthebusinesswhenansweringontheoffchanceitwasawrong

numberoroneofthemhadbeencompromised.Beatricewasstrictaboutthat.Whilethecellphonesevery
employeeusedweresecure,breachescouldhappen.Allpersonnelusedcodenamesandhadtoanswera
securityquestionbeforediscussinganyRockStarorSFIbusiness.

Justincase,Beatricealwayssaid.
Connorhadthefeelinghedidn’twanttoknowwhatjustincasemeant.Healsodidn’twanttoknow

whatmighthappenifhefailedher.

“Con,we’reintrouble.”
Connorsatstraightup,nearlyknockingoverhisCoke.Thevoiceontheotherendwaslowand

guarded,andthepersonhadalreadybrokenprotocol.

Butitwasavoiceheknewwell,andapersonhedefinitelydidn’twanttofailtohelp.Ifanything,he

hopedtogetontheguy’sSFIsquadoneofthesedays.“Sir?Pleasestateyoursecurityclearancecode.”

“Fuckin’A,that’smysecuritycode,”CalReesequipped.“Weneedhelp.Weneedreinforcements.”
“Areyouinimminentdanger?”
“Yes.Thequeenbeeisinthehiveandsheisinimminentdanger.”
“Butsir,thereareno…”
Thelinewhendead.
“…reinforcements,”Connorfinished.
Hestaredatthehandset.ThequeenbeewasBeatrice.ThehivewasherandCal’shome.
Beatricewasinimminentdanger.
Athome.
Fromwhom?Fromwhat?
Fuckonastick.Connordroppedthehandsetintoitscradle,hisgutsturningoveronthemselves.
Emit,Rory,Jax,andColtonwereallstillinChicago,openingthenewCentralDivisionRockStar

headquarters.Obviously,Cal,Beatrice,andTraceHunterwereback,buttherestoftheRockStarsand
SFIoperativeswereworking,manyofthemoutofthecountry.

RSbodyguardscouldn’tsimplyleavetheirclients.DittofortheSFIoperativeswhowereundercover

onassignmentsatallfourcornersoftheearth.

ConnorstartedtoliftthehandsetagainandcallMiles,butno,MileswasinSanDiego,oncemore

runningtheWestCoastSFIoffice.

Whichmeanthewasoutofoptions.
Zeb.Yeah,he’dcalltheoldspymaster…
Hisout-of-optionslistgrew.ZebhadgonetoChicagowithBeatrice.Connorhadn’theardfromhim.

HadhecomebackwithCalandtheothersorstayedinChicago?

Aburningsensationstartedinhisgutwhileicypinpricksattackedthebaseofhisspine.Bothspread

likebloodfromagunshotwound,makinghisbodytrembleandhisbreathingcomeinshort,barely-there
intakes.

Beatricewasindanger.RealdangerifCalwasignoringprotocolandcallinghimforbackup.Callan

ReesewasaformerSEALwho’dsavedthepresidentinfrontoftheentireworld.

Beatrice’spersonalbodyguardwasTraceHunter.AnotherformerSEALwithsuperhumanpowers.The

guybelongedinaMarvelcomicbookforrealz.

Ifbothofthemcouldn’thandlewhatevertroubleBeatricewasin,well,then…Howthehellwashe

supposedto?

Hishandshookashejammedhisfingersthroughhishair.Getup,hetoldhimself,buthecouldn’tmake

hislegsmove.Theywerefrozenstiff.

Notnow!Hecouldn’tlethisPTSDhandcuffhim.
ButthenPTSDwasarighteouswanker,asMiles’sfiancee,Charlotte,alwayssaid.Itparticularlyliked

tohitwhenyouneededaclearheadthemost.

Breathe.Beatricewasalwaystellinghimtotakeadeepbreathandfocusononething.Atrickshe’d

learnedfromHunter.

Itdidn’talwayswork,especiallywhenConnorwokeinthemiddleofthenightsweatingandgasping

forairafteroneofhisnightterrors.TheonlythingthatworkedthenwasabottleofSmirnoffandlosing
himselfinhissecretinvestigationinto12September.

Grabbingthehandset,hedialedZeb,hopingagainsthopetheoldmanwasbackinDC.Waitingforthe

calltoconnect,hetappedhisfootunderthedesk.SFIheadquarterswasdarkbeyondthebubbleofpale
yellowhisdesklampthrewoff.Evenhiscomputerhadgonedarkafterhe’dfallenasleep.

Bracingthehandsetbetweenhisearandshoulder,hewokeupthecomputerandstartedshutdown

procedures.He’dneverhadtodoitbeforeandanothermomentofindecisionandself-doubtcaughthim

withhisfingershoveringoverthekeyboard.

Heneverlefttheofficeunlesshisbackup,usuallyRoryorthenewlabtech,Sabrina,wasavailableto

answerphonesandhandleemergencies.

Zeb’sphonerangthreetimes.Voicemailanswered.ConnorleftaquickSOSandaskedZebtocallhim

back.

Whatnow?ShouldhegearupandheadtoCalandBeatrice’s?
Whataboutthebaby?
Ifanythinghappenedtoanyoneofthem…
Theicysensationattackedhistoesagain,spreaduptohiscalves.
Breathe…
Maggiewhimpered,drawinghisgaze.Shesatbesidethedesk,tailrappingthefloorandstuckherhead

inhislap.

Therewasnotimetopetthedog,buthishandhadamindofitsown,naturallygoingtoMaggie’shead

andrubbinghersleek,softfur.Hisbreathingresumedasemi-normalin-outrhythmafteramomentandhis
mindre-engaged.

Graspingatstraws,hedialedthelabextension,hopingagainsthopethatSabrinamightsomehowstill

beinthebuilding.He’dneverseenherleave—oneofthereasonsheroutinelystayedatthedesksolate
everynightwasforthatveryreason.Heenjoyedwatchinghersexylegsinthoserighteoushigh-heeled
bootswalkpasthisdeskeveryevening.Helovedherredhairandthewaysheteasedhimaboutbeinga
camo-wearingreceptionist,eventhoughtheterm‘receptionist’madehisegosmart.

Frombig,tough,badassSEALtoauselessreceptionist.Hislifehadgonetohell,thanksto12

September.

Bastards.
StillpettingMaggiewithonehand,heclosedofftheblackholethatsuckedathimeverytimehe

thoughtoftheterroristgroup.

Bzzz-bzzz.ThephoneonSabrina’sendrangagain.ItwasSaturdaynight.Abeautiful,smart,hipgal

likehercouldn’tpossiblystillbeworkingthislateonaSaturdaynight,couldshe?

“Conmeister?”Hervoicewasroughandsexy,likehe’dwokenherfromanap.Heheardheryawn.

“It’snearlytwoa.m.Whatareyoustilldoingatthemaindesk?”

GodAlmighty,hehateditwhenpeoplecalledhimnicknames—flashbackstofifthgradeandDerek

MartincallinghimConniealwaysmadehimwanttopunchawall.Buthearinganyversionofhisname
comingfromSabrina’slusciousmouthwasheaven.Shegotafreepass,regardlessofwhatshewantedto
callhim.

“Whatareyoustilldoinginthelab?”
Shechuckled.“Touché.What’sup?”
“SOSfromCal.HeandBgothomefromChicagobutsomething’swrong.Idon’tknowwhat.Hemust

havethoughthiscellwascompromisedbecausehewasspeakingincode,butheusedmyname,whichis
like,Idon’tknowwhat.Ithinkhewasdefinitelyshookup.”

Shewasfullyawakenow.“Oh,shit.WhatcanIdo?”
“ManthephonesandwatchMaggieforme.I’mgearingupandheadingtheirway.”
Hervoicewasfullofindignation.“Noway!Notwithoutme.Whodidyoucallforbackup?”
“Thereisnoone.Everyoneisworkingoroutoftown.”
“You’rekidding,right?”
ConnoropenedhisbottomdrawerandpulledouthisBerettaPX4Stormandcheckedtheclip.Full.

“WiththeadditionoftheSanDiegoandChicagosatellites,we’reshortonstaff.Literally,there’sjustyou
andmeinDCatthismoment.Wecan’tleavethephonesunmanned,sotag,you’reit.”

“Whydon’tyoucallthecops?”

IfCalhadthoughtthepolicecouldhandleit,hewouldhavedialed911himself.Whateverthiswas,he

didn’twanttheminvolved.“I’vegottogo.”

Hehunguponherprotest,punchedthebuttontotransferincomingcallstothelabphone,toldMaggie

tostay,andheadedfortheweaponsroom.

Preparingfortheenemywaschallengingwhenyouhadnocluewhotheenemywas.
Pretendit’sasleepercellof12September.Ifyouweretakingthemon,whatwouldyoubring?
Arocketlauncher.
Thebiggestonehecouldcarry,infact.
SFI’sweaponsroomhadplentyoffirepower,buttheydidnot,infact,haveanyrocketlaunchers.
Ashame,that.Hementallyaddedittohisinventorylistfornextmonth.
Connorsnatchedablackduffelfromashelfandstartedthrowingingrenades,acoupleofH&K

submachineguns,ammo,andasweetsniperriflehe’dbeendyingtouse.

HewasstrappingonavestwhenSabrinacameskiddingintotheroominhersocks.Herbootswerein-

hand,herhairflatononeside,totallysexyandtousledontheopposite.

Probablywhatshelookedlikewhenshefirstgotupinthemorning.
Anddamn,ifherbigbrowneyesandthatcrazyhairdidn’tmakehimhard.
“You’renotleavingwithoutme,Conmeister.”Sheslippedononeboot—witha3-inchblackheel—

jumpingandhobblingonherotherfoot,andbreathingheavyfromherruntocatchhim.Shewasdressed
fromheadtotoeinredlikealways.

Adeepburgundyredthattotallyclashedwithhercoppercoloredhair.
ConnortorehisgazeawayfromherfulllipsandevenfullercleavageondisplayfromthedeepVof

hersilkyshirt.Shecontinuedhoppingonherfootasshepulledonthesecondhighheel,theactionjiggling
herdouble-Dsandmakinghishard-ondownrightpainful.“I’mtotallyleavingwithoutyou,Red.”

“Bullshit!”Shesnatchedabulletproofvestfromthewallandshovedherarmsthroughtheholes.“You

havenoideawhatyou’rewalkinginto.ThisisBeatricewe’retalkingabout!”

Heslammedthecageshutonthesubmachinegunselectionandlockedit.“I’llhandleit,whateverit

is.”

“Look,”shesaid,grabbinghisarm.“IknowIwasjustachopperpilotandIneversawactionlikeyou

didwhenIwasintheNavy,butIknowhowtohandleagun.Atleastletmeflyyoutotheirhouseandset
upastakeout.Icanhaveyouthereinfifteen.Itwilltakeyouatleastthirtybycar.”

Fly?“Unlessyouhaveamagiccarpethidingunderyourlabcoat,howareyougoingtoflyme

anywhere?”

Sabrinagrinned,shruggingoutofthelabcoatandputtingonthevest.“YouknowthehelopadontheU-

Commbuildingattheendoftheblock?There’sanEC145thatcancruiseat150milesperhoureasy.I
happentoknowtheownerandwecanuseit,noquestionsasked.”

Thiswomaninredwasamystery,butthen,soweremanyofthepeoplethatworkedforSFI.“You’re

friendswiththeownerofoneofthemostexpensiveluxuryhelicoptersavailableinthemarketplace
today?”

Shegrinnedagain.“Morethanfriends,actually.”
Connor’shard-onsoftened.“Idon’tthinkyourboyfriendwillappreciateyoutakinghisheloona

rescuemission.”

Andifyourboyfriendisamillionaire,whyareyouhereworkingtonight?
“He’snotmyboyfriend,”Sabrinasaid,grabbinga.38milfromthehandguns.“He’smydad.”

HEYWEREIN

theair,theMercedesBenzEC145cruisinglikethehigh-end,beautifulhelicopteritwas.

Thenightwasdark,thecity’slightsbelowthemfadingintothedistance.

SabrinaMerinoswasinheaven.
“Youneveransweredmeaboutcallingthepolice,”shesaidintoherheadset.“Ifsomething’shappened

toB,whyaren’twegettingtheminvolved?”

Connorrodeshotgun,dressedfromheadtotoeinblack,hisfingersfidgetingwithhisphone.He’d

pulledupsatelliteimageryonhisphone’soptimizedmappingprogramandadjustedhismic.“Thelocals
meanwell,buttheyaren’ttrainedforSpecialOpsorthekindoffieldworkwedo.They’relikelytoend
uphurt.Orworse.IfCalhadwantedpoliceinvolvement,hewouldhavetoldmeso.”

“Areyousure?”
Hiseyesslidovertoher,thennervouslybacktothewindshield,butitwasn’tannoyanceshesawin

them.

Itwasdoubt.
Hisfistclenchedonhisthigh.“I’msure,”hesaid.“Whereareyouputtingthebirddown?”
Sabrinalovedflyingatnight.Lovedflying,period.Ithadbeentoolongandshehadn’tfeltthistypeof

freedomsinceherlastflightbeforeshe’dbeendischargedandshippedbacktotheStates.“There’san
openfieldapproximatelyathousandmetersnorthoftheirplace.I’llsetherdownthereandwecanhike
back.”

Hewentbacktoscanninghisphone.“IwillhiketoCalandBeatrice’s.You’llstaywiththe

helicopter.”

Whatever.Therewasnowayshewaslettinghimleaveherbehind.“DidyoutrycallingCalback?”
“He’snotanswering.”
Stupidquestion.Ofcourse,Connorhadalreadytriedthat.
Ano-answercouldmeanCalwasinhidingoritcouldmeansomethingworse—likehecouldn’t

answerhisphone,eitherbecausewhoeverwasafterBeatricehadcaughtorkilledhim.

AndthatmeanttheyhadBeatriceandtheunbornbaby.
Whichmeant…
Bestnottogothere.
Sabrinaclosedhereyesforhalfasecondandfocusedonclearingthedark,horriblethoughtsfromher

head.Shehadatendencytodothat—letherselfgetsuckedintosticky,uglymuckthatampedupher
alreadytoo-highlevelsofanxiety.Nextstop,panicattack.

Panicattacksandflyingdidnotgowelltogether.
Henceherdischarge.
Flippingherlidsopen,shefoundConnorstaringather.Thedashboardlightsmadehiscoffeebrown

eyesflashwithgoldashenarrowedhislids.“Youokay?”

Panicattackinstantlyaverted.Howcouldshenotfeelcalmerlookingintohisruggedfaceandthose

soulfuleyes?

Althoughwhenhelookedatherlikethatherpulsedidafunnyhopandskip,andhermouthwentdry.

“I,uh…yep,allgood.”

Astheawkwardmomentpassed,shepretendedtobebusycheckingtheinstrumentgauges,feelinga

warmflushrisinginhercheeks.“Howcomeyouneverleavetheoffice?”sheasked.Aslongasshehad
himathermercy,shewasgoingtofindoutmoreabouthim.Askhimthequestionsconstantlyburningin
herbrainthatsheneverseemedtofindtherightmomentfor.

Hisvoicewasmodulatedsomewhatbytheheadset,butshestillheardtheincredulityinhistone.

“What?”

“Youneverseemtoleavetheoffice,exceptforthosesupportgroupmeetingsatthechurch.”
“Howdoyouknowaboutthose?”
“ThePTSDgroup?Everyoneknowsaboutthem.”
…didn’tthey?

Fromthelookhewasgivingher,itwasatouchysubject.Withmostveteransitwas.
Timetoshiftgears.“You’realwaysatSFIheadquarters,whetherI’mcomingorgoing.Doyouhavea

clone?”

Herelaxedabitlikeshe’dhoped,givingasmallsnickerthatcausedhislipstotwitchinanalmost

smile.“Iliveupstairs.”

“Noway.”Sheshothimasurprisedlook,eventhoughshe’dalreadyfigureditout.“YouliveatSFI

headquarters?”

Hisexpressionturnedsour.“Yeah,so?”
She’dflownplentyofSEALteamsinandoutofhotspotsfortop-secretoperations.Theywereaproud

lot,andwhocouldblamethem?Withtheirtrainingandexpertise,theyweredefinitelytheeliteofthe
elite.

Butscoreanotheroneforherdoofusteam,she’dsteppedonhistoesyetagain.Realsmooth,Sabrina.

Howtofixit?“Ithinkit’scool.Somedays,IwishIcouldlivethere.”

Sheglancedoverintimetoseehimabouttoaskwhy,buthehesitatedandhislipssnappedshut.He

resumedstaringoutthewindshield.

Okay,sothedrop-deadsexy,formerSEALridingshotgundidn’twanttogetpersonal.Shecould

respectthat,eventhoughshewantedtojumphisbones.WhichinSabrinaWorldmeantknowinghimona
personallevel.Lotsofintimatequestionsandhangingoutsharingdeep,darksecrets.

Shewasn’tintohookupsorone-nightstands.Neverhadbeen.Toomanyguysinheryouthhadseenher

lastnameandfiguredtheycouldsomehowincreasetheirpersonalwealthand/orfamebyridingher
coattailsstraighttoherfather.Wasitsoridiculoustothinkaguymightwanttogetwithherjusttobewith
her?

Soyeah,shewasatotalsuckerforfairytalesandDisneymovieswheretwopeoplefallinlove—even

whentheywereclearlyfromoppositeworlds—andlivehappilyeverafter.

Unfortunately,shewasnolostprincessordamselindistress.Shewassimplyasciencegeekwho

lovedtofly,occasionallyhadapanicattack,andseemedtohaveaparticularpenchantforgettingherself
intotrouble.

Caseinpoint—ConnorMcKenzie.Themanhimselfwasobviouslytrouble,withthesecretsheso

carefullyguardedwhilekeepingthewholeplacerunningwithcarelessease.Allthemenwhoworkedfor
RockStarSecurityandShadowForceInternationalhadsomethinguglyintheirpasts.Nobiggie.Sabrina
wasnoangeleither.

ButConnorwasn’tliketheothermen.Hewasn’tabodyguard,neverwentonmissionsoutofthe

country.Hestayedintheoffice,answeredthephones,anddidBeatrice’sbidding.

Notthathedidn’thavesomerighteousskillswiththecopymachine,andhiscoffeewastodiefor,

but…

TherewasawholelotmoretoConnorthanmettheeye,fromthedragontattoounderhisusual

conservative,white,button-downstohisextensiveknowledgeofallthelatesttechgadgetsandweapons
hestockedinthewarroom.

Washeageek,too?Excepthispassionwastechnologyandguns,insteadofforensicscienceand

helicopters?

“ETAfourminutes,”shetoldhim.“We’realmostthere.”
“Yourordersstand,Red.”Hepocketedhisphone,grabbingadifferenttypeofheadsetfromhisbag.

Oneequippedwithnightvisiongogglesandalight.“Staywiththehelo.I’llradioyouwiththesitreponce
I’vedeterminedthethreat.Ifweneedahotextraction,Ineedyouinpositionandreadytofly.Doyou
copy?”

God,shelovedthathecalledherRed,buthe’dmadeitclearhewasn’tinterestedinher,soitwas

probablybetternottogogagaoverhim.“MyRockStarcodenameis21Pilots,sir,”shesaid,givinghim

agrin,alongwithapropersalute.“Andbytheway,I’mstillcomingwithyou.”

ChapterThree

_____________________

______________________________________________________

“W

HEREIS

AL?”

Beatricesaid,sittingontheedgeofherbed.Shedidn’tknowwhattodowith

herself.Ifshestoodupandwalked,thelaborpainsweretoointense,makingherwanttoliedownand
curlintoaball.Whenshedidliedown,hernervesweretooagitatedtostaystillandshefoughtherway
uptostanding,herfeetdemandingshepace.“Ineedhim.”

Thebedroomwassoftlylitfromtheoverheadlightingcomingfromthebathroom.Shecouldsmellthe

lavenderoilMariahadputinthebirthingtub’swarmwater.

“Hewenttomakeyousomechamomiletea,”Mariasaid,positioningherselfatBeatrice’sfeet.“How

aboutafootmassage?Itmayhelpwiththecontractions.”

ThelasttimeMariahadtouchedherfeet,she’dstartedthelabor.“Willitmakethisprocessgoany

faster?”

“Maybe.”Maria’ssmilewaspatient.“Itcan’thurt.”
Herfeetweren’tusuallytouchyandshewasn’tticklish,butanothercontractionhitattheexactmoment

MariagrabbedherrightfootandBeatricejerkedlikeamulewho’dbeentazed.Herfootflewout,nailing
Mariainthenoseandsendingthemidwifesprawlingontoherbackside.

“Oh,crimeny,”Beatricesaid,curlingupfromthepain.“I’mso…ugghh…sorry.”
MariawasholdinghernosewithonehandandwavingoffBeatrice’sapologieswiththeother.Blood

seepedthroughherfingers.“It’sallright.”Hervoicesoundednasally.“I’mokay.”

ShehurriedintothebathroomandBeatriceoverheardwaterrunninginthesinkandthesearchfora

washcloth.

Ialmostknockedoutmymidwife.
Notexactlythewayshe’dplannedthings.
Grittingherteethandrockingontheedgeofthebed,shecontrolledherbreathinglikeMariahadtaught

herandwaitedforthecontractiontopass.Five…four…three…two…one.Timeseemedtofoldinon
itselfandBeatrice’sbrainfoughttomakeherbodydowhatitwanted.

Losingbattlethere.
Butthecountinghelped.Heroveractivebrainhadsomethingtofocusonduringeachcontractionwhile

herbodyhadamindofitsown.

Mariawassayingsomethingbuthervoicesoundeddistantandfuzzy,aradioonthewrongfrequency.

TheballoffireinBeatrice’slowerabdomenandbackeasedabitandherspineunlockedslowly,one
vertebraatatime.Sweattrickleddownherneckandshehastilybrusheditaway,herskinhypersensitive.

Whereismyhusband?
SheandCalhadbeenthrougheverythingtogethersincetheywerekids.Althoughthey’dstruggledas

marriedadultsforafewyears,mostlyduetojobsthatrequiredtheyspendtoomanynightsawayfrom
eachotherhidingdarkssecrets,nowtheywereascloseasever.

ThattheybothworkedforSFIhelped.Eventhoughtherewerestillplentyofnightsspentapart,theyno

longerkeptsecretsfromeachother.Thefriendshipthathadbeguninelementaryschoolandbloomedinto
aromanceintheirteenswasaliveandhotterthaneverastheywaitedforthearrivalofthechildBeatrice
thoughtthey’dneverhave.

Threemiscarriageshadonceruinedherdreamsofbeingamother.They’dbeenthefinalstrawinher

andCal’smarriagebeforeshe’dbecomeatargetoftheUSgovernment.

ThankGodCalhadn’tsignedthedivorcepapers.
Whileontherunfromtheassassin,they’drekindledtheirloveandshe’dendeduppregnantonceagain.

Thischildwasafighter,justlikeher.JustlikeCal.

Tracewasalwaystellingherthatmiraclesdidhappen.Shedidn’tmuchbelieveinmiracles,but

occasionally,evolutionarybiologyhadawayofovercomingobstaclesinthemostbeautifulway
imaginable.

Pushingherselfoffthebed,Beatriceshuffledslowlytowardtheclosedbedroomdoor.Shedidn’twant

anydamnchamomiletea.Mint—that’swhatshewanted.Orthatneworganichoneygingerteathat
Savannahadsenther.

“Whereareyougoing?”Mariasaidfromthebathroomdoor.Sheheldawetwashcloth,spottedwith

blood,tohernose.

Damn.She’dalmostmadeitoutofthebedroom.“TofindCalandmytea.”
Shewantedherhusbandtobewithherwhileshelabored.Itmightbealong,uglyprocess—andit

wasn’tthatshedidn’tappreciateeverythingMariawastheretodo—butsheneededCal’sreassurance.
Hissimplepresence.Hisloveforherworkedbetterthananyfootmassageortubofwatercouldtocalm
hernervesandgiveherconfidence.

Hercognitionandlogiccouldout-thinkjustaboutanyoneorsituation,givingherplentyofmettle.The

onlytimeshe’deverfoundherselfunabletohandleasituationhadbeenwhentheCIAassassinhadcome
afterher.She’dneededCalthenandsheneededhimnow.

Becauseatthemoment,herbrainwasshort-circuiting,herbodyamutinousmasswithamindofits

own.SeeingCal,touchinghim,wouldgiveherbalance.Fortitude.

Godknewshecoulduseabitofthatrightnow.Shewasabouttofinallybecomeamother.
Mariahustledtocatchup.“Wait,letmehelpyou.”
“Thanks,butI’vegotit.”Andshedid.Thelaborwasintense,nodoubtaboutthat,butashortwalkto

thekitchenwouldgiveherasenseofcontrol.“Imightmoveslowly,butIcandoitonmyown.Tendto
yournose.”

“Nowayareyouwalkingdownthehallwayalone.”Mariatookherarm.“We’llgotogether.”
Theirfirstattempttogetthroughthebedroomdoordidn’twork,Beatrice’sbellylikeathirdperson

betweenthem.Which,forallintentsandpurposes,itwas.SoMariawentfirst,pivotingtokeepherhand
onBeatrice’sarm,andthenhelpherwaddlethrough.

Thehalllightwason.BeatricecouldseethelampnexttoCal’schairinthelivingroomwhereitthrew

acozyglowontheoldoakfloors.

SheandMariahadtakenthreestepsdownthehallwhenthelightswentout,plungingtheminto

darkness.

ALDIDN’TKNOW

whothepeopleintheblackvanwere,orwhatthefucktheywanted,buttheymeant

trouble.Allofhisinstinctswerefiringliketinymachineguns,thewarningbellsinhisheadringingloud
andclear.

Whichwaswhyhe’dSOS’dMcKenzieandsentHunteroutsidetotryandgetsomeintel.
SaveBeatrice.Savethebaby.
Thewordscircledhisbrain.Knowingthiswasnowelcome-to-the-neighborhoodparty,he’dtried

calling911thirtysecondsagoinordertogetanambulanceinbound.

NotforBeatrice.He’dprotecther.Theambulancewasforhim.Whateverwentdowninthenextfew

minutes,hewasprettydamnsureeitherheorthepeoplecomingafterhimweregoingtoneedmedical
attention.

Mightneedafewbodybagstoo.

WhileheandBeatricehadbeencarefultokeeptheirpersonalinformationburied,hisenemieswere

plentifulallovertheglobe.ItcouldbetheRussians,theChinese,orISIS.

Maybethey’rehereforBeatrice.
OrHunter.
Shit.TheNSA,theCIA,oneofthepresident’sformercolleagues—thereweretoomanypossibilities

tocontemplate.

Butthebastardshadturnedonacelljammerandhiscallto911wentnowhere.Nowthey’dkilledthe

electricitytothehouse.

“Situationreport?”hesaidsoftlyintohiscommunitashemadehiswaythroughthedarkwithhisnight

visionglassesinplace.Themilitary-gradecommsdesignedbyEmit,thefounderofSFI,hadanextra,
high-tech,transductiveEMIshield,keepingthejammerfromscrewingthemup.

“Fourmen,onewoman,”Hunterresponded.“Plusthedriver.Allarmed.Womanisapproachingthe

frontdoor.Driverisstillinthevanwiththeenginerunning.Theothersarestationedatyourrearandside
exitpoints.”

Meaningthebackdoorandwindows.
Sothegroupabouttocomeafterhimhadthemcompletelysurrounded.
“Cal?”
Beatrice’svoicestartledhimandhewhippedaround.“B?Whatareyoudoingouthere?”
“Lookingforyou,”shesaid,hervoicestrained.Whetheritwasfromtheircurrentsituationorfrom

labor,hecouldn’tbesure.“Whyarethelightsout?Didweblowafuseagain?”

Hecouldseeshewashunchedover,Mariabyherside.“Yeah,wemusthave.It’snotsafeouthere.

Youmightstumbleandfall.GobacktoourbedroomandI’llseeifIcanfixit,okay?”

Shereachedforhiminthedarkandhegrabbedherhand,keepinghisotherhand,completewithhis

weapon,athisside.Hegaveherasqueezeandfelthergriptighten.“Afteryougetitfixed,canyoucome
sitwithme?”

Vulnerability.Itlacedhernormallystrong,directvoiceandhisheartpinched.She’dbeenavulnerable

littlegirltoo,butgrowingupshe’dbuiltherownversionofEmit’sEMIshield.Sheusedherintellectto
coverheremotions.

Onceinawhile,hervulnerabilitysurfaced,makinghernotsomuchhelplessordefenseless,butjust

plainhuman.

Oneofthethingshelovedabouther.ShehadtheheartofaSEAL.
Hesuspectedthat’swhyallofthemenwhoworkedatSFIfeltthesame.Theyrecognizedthekindness

andloyaltyinBeatriceaswellasthewarrior.

“I’llbethereshortly.”Hegaveheranothersqueeze.Hewouldhavekissedherexceptshewouldhave

feltthenightvisiongogglesbumpingintoherface.“Youbecarefulwalkingback.”

MariatuggedonBeatrice’sarm.“Comeon,Beatrice.Watchyourstep.”
Asherfingersreleasedhisandsheputherhandonthewalltouseasguidance,Cal’sheartpinched

again.Hehadnocluewhowassurroundingtheirhousewithweapons,buthesureasshitwasn’tgoingto
letthemgettoBandhisbaby.

Turningtowardthefrontofthehouse,heskirtedalongthewalluntilhehadaclearshotofthefront

door.JustlikeHuntersaid,someonewasstandingthere,herpaleshadowfallingacrosstheglasswindow
inthesidetransom.Didshereallybelieveshecouldsimplywalkin?Ordidsheplantoshootherwayin?

Inchingforward,hestucktothedeepshadowsincaseshetriedtopeerinthewindow.Whywasshe

juststandingthere?Whatwasshewaitingfor?

“CanyouIDanyofthem?”Calmurmuredintohiscomm.
“Negative,sir,”Tracecameback.“Gunmenarewearingskimasks.Thewomanleadingthemis

wearingahood.”

Heinchedclosertothedoor.Toobadhe’dinstalledametalentrydoorinplaceoftheprevious

woodenone.Hecouldhaveshotthroughthewoodanddroppedherwhereshestood.

Butbeingsolidmetal,thatdoorwouldholdupunderalotofpressure.Itwouldactasashieldfrom

bullets.

Asmartpersonwouldshootoutthesidewindowinstead.Goodthinghe’dinstalledbulletproofglass.
Thesecuritysystemblinked,lettinghimknowitwasstillworking,regardlessofthelackofelectricity.

Emithadhelpedhiminstallthestate-of-the-artsystemandifhecouldgettoitandmanuallysetoffthe
alarm,thepolicewouldbeherewithinminutes.

Hewasn’tsurehehadminutes.TherisktoBeatricewastoogreatnottotryit,though.
Hedroppedtohisbellyandstartedslidingacrossthefloor.
Tile.Weneedtoredothisentrywaywithtile.
Exactlywhathe’dtoldBeatricethefirsttimethey’dlookedattheplace.She’ddisagreed,sayingshe

likedtheoldwoodenfloors.Itwashomier.

Beatricewasalwaysright,buthewishedhehadn’tlistenedtoher.
Notthathewasplanningondoinghiscommandoslideacrossthissectionofflooreveragain.
Sittingupunderthesecuritysystemboxwithhisbacktothewall,heliftedhisfingerstofindthesilent

alarmbutton.

“Mr.Reese.”Thewomanspokethroughthedoor,makinghimfreeze.“Isuggestyouputdownyour

weaponandopenthedoor.Thiswillgomucheasierifyoudo.”

Whatwasthataccent?NotBritish.NotFrench.DefinitelynotRussianorMiddleEastern.
Butitwashaughty,well-educated,condescending.
Swedish?German?
Bottomline,itdidn’tmatter.Armedmenoutsidehishousedidn’tgetafreepassjustbecausehe

couldn’tguesstheirleader’sidentityorpurpose.

Fuckyou,hementallytoldherashepushedthesilentalarmbutton.
“Thermalsensors,”Huntersaidinhisear.“They’retrackingyourmovements.”
Nowondershewasspeakingatanormallevelthroughthedoor.Sheknewhecouldhearher.Sheknew

exactlywherehewasandwhathe’djustdone.

“Iassumedyou’dforcemyhand,”shesaid,soundingslightlydisappointed.“Lookslikewe’redoing

thisthehardway.”

“Backdoor!”Hunter’svoicerose.“They’recominginthroughthebackdoor!”
Caljumpedtohisfeetandstartedrunning.

ChapterFour

_____________________

______________________________________________________

ONNORKEPTGETTING

staticonhiscomm.

Hestoppedontheridge,lookingdownintothevalley.“Zeppelin,thisisSlash.Doyouread?”
Thetreecoverwasdense,butitwasthestraightestshottothebackoftheReeseproperty.Heflipped

uphisnight-visionlensesandstaredatthemotionlessvalleybelow,awashinasoftlightfromthehalf-
moonabove.

WithnoresponsefromCal,hetriedraisingHunter.“Coldplay,doyouread?Comein.”
Nothing.
Sabrinatrudgedupbehindhim,finallycatchingup.She’dswappedoutthosefancyheeledbootsfor

combatboots,whichhewassortofsorryandannoyedabout.Seeingherinthosesexyheelsturnedhim
on;havingherdefyhisordersandfollowhimalsokindofturnedhimon.

Sick.
Hewasonesickbastard.
Becauseshecouldgethurtanditwouldbeonhishead.
Buttherewasnostoppingher.Thewomanhadamindofherownandmadeherintentionsveryclear.
Likewhenshegavehimthatlook.
Theoneshewasgivinghimrightnowasshesnappedoffhernight-visiongoggles,huffingandpuffing.

“Eitheryou’respendingwaymoretimerunningontheSFItrackthanIthought,orI’moutofshape.”

Shewasdefinitelynotoutofshape.Thevestsheworeoverherfatigueswasbulkyonherbuteventhat

couldn’thideherfabulouscurves.

Thewoodyhe’dhadsincethey’dmetintheweaponsroomwasstillatattention.SeeingSabrinain

combatgearshouldhavedeflatedit,butno.Ifanythingitmadehimharder.

Yep,hewasonesickSOB.
He’drunhisassoffgettingtothisridgethatlookeddownintothevalleywherethehousesat,closing

thedistancetoCalandBeatrice.He’dalsoranhisassofftryingtogaindistancefromthiswomanwho
wasfuckinguphisbodyandhisbrain.

“Thirteenmilesadayonthetrack,”hesaid,checkinghiscompass.Hetendedtorunlateatnightwhen

thingsatheadquarterswerecalmer.“You’rewelcometojoinmeanytime.”

“Thirteen?”Shescruncheduphernose.“Nothanks.Idon’tneedanymorebadluck.”
Soshewassuperstitious.Anotherreasontostayawayfromher.“Thirteenismyluckynumber.”
Especiallysinceyoudon’tlikeit.
“You’recute.”Shetouchedherearbud.“I’mgettingstaticbutnothingelse.Thestaticmeanstheir

commsareonandthey’reusingthem,right?Whycan’twegetthroughtothemorhearwhatthey’re
saying?Weshouldbeinrangebynow.”

Cute?Jesus.He’dshowhercutesomeday.HelookedathisSFI-enhancedphoneandtheapphehad

openonit.“Somethingisdampeningthesignal.Lookslikeourbadguysputaperimeteraroundthehouse
toblocktransmissions,soCalandTracearestillabletocorrespondwitheachotherbutnotus.Oncewe
breachthatperimeter,we’llbeabletocommunicateagain.”

Flippinghislensesbackdownoverhisgoggles,hetookoff,notwaitingforfurtherdiscussion.They’d

rannearlyhalfamilealreadybuttheywerestillquiteawaysfromthehouseduetothewoods,hills,and
thecreekthatflowedbetweentheirlandingspotandhere.Summerrainshadcausedthecreektooverflow

itsbanksandthecurrentwasriver-swift.

IfConnorhadbeenalone,hewouldhaveswamacross.WithSabrinaalong,andahealthysupplyof

weaponsonbothofthem,hedidn’twanttochanceit.Sohe’dtakenthelongwayaround,findingasafer,
morenarrowcrossingpoint.

HeheardanotherburstofstaticandwhatmighthavebeenHunteryelling.Hecouldn’ttellforsure.

Hittingtheedgeoftheridge,hedidaslip-and-slidedownthehill—layersofdeadleaves,fresh,green
undergrowth,andasharpembankmentspeduphisdescent.

Morethanonce,henearlywentdownonhisass,buthisbalancewasasgoodashis5-minutemileand

hemanagedtolandatthebottomonhisfeet.

Sabrinawasn’tsolucky.
Shewasn’tevenhalfwaydownwhenoneofheranklesturnedandshewentsideways,jerkingherinto

apencilroll.

Exceptthereweretoomanytreetrunksinherwayandshesmackedintoonewithagrunt.
“Sabrina!”Connorhauledhimselfuptheembankment,cursingandslidingtwostepsbackwardfor

everyonehetook.

“I’mokay,”shesaid,pushingherselfintoasittingposition.Sheheldupahandtohim.“Staythere.”
Gainingherfooting,sheheldontothetreeandbeganmakingherwayataslowerpacedowntohim.As

sheneared,hemanagedtohikeseveralfeetupandheldoutahandtoher.“Grabon.”

Theyfinishedthelastfewyardstothebottomoftheembankmenttogether.“Youhurt?”heaskedher.
“I’llhaveabruise,butI’mfine.Let’sgo.”
Theystartedrunningagain,thistimeacrossanopenfield.“Zeppelin,Coldplay,thisisSlash.Ifyoucan

hearme,we’refourhundredyardsoutandclosingin.Over.”

Staticresponded.Whichcouldbegood—maybetheycouldhearhimevenifhecouldn’thearthem.
Offtohisright,anocturnalcreaturejumpedfromitshidingplaceandtoreoff.Connorglancedoverhis

shoulderandsawSabrinatwentyfeetback,herbodylistingslightlytooneside.

She’dbangedupherrib,he’dbetonit.Hisconstantguiltreareditsuglyhead.
She’dinsistedoncomingwithhim,soreallywhatcouldhehavedone?Hecouldn’texactlyhandcuff

hertothehelo.

Althoughthatwasanideahecouldgetonboardwith.
Heshovedawaythefantasy,hiswoodyalreadymakingitentirelytoohardtorun.
Shakingoffthegrinthatsurfaced,heslowedhispaceeversoslightly,givingherachancetocatchup.

HehatednotrunningfulloutinordertogettoBeatriceandCal,buthehadtotakethesituationwithhis
unwantedteammateintoaccount.BeatricewouldskinhimaliveifheletanythinghappentoSabrina.

Nottomentionwhathe’ddotohimselfifshegothurt.
Whichnowshekindofwas.
Damnedifyoudo,damnedifyoudon’t.
Hisfuckinglifestory.
“Why’dyouleavetheSEALs?”sheasked,bendingatthewaistandbreathingdeeply.“Why’dyoujoin

ShadowForce?”

Nowwasn’tthetimetogetintohislousylifestory,butheknewwhatshewastryingtodo.Slowhim

downanotchandcatchherbreathsoshecouldkeepmovingthroughthepainofherankle.

He’dlovedbeingaSEAL.Lovedbeingpartofhisunit.Hehadn’tlovedthetorturehe’denduredatthe

handsof12September,buthe’dsurvivedit.Spitintheirfacesandrefusedtogivethemthedetailsabout
theaccountantandhisfamilythatConnorandhisunithadbeensentintosneakoutofGermany.The
accountantontherunfromHezbollah,ISIS,andpracticallyeveryotherterroristorganizationoutthere.He
hadinformationthatwouldcripplethemall.

Butthemanandhisfamilyhadendedupdead.Connor’sbuddieshadtoo.

He’dbeentheonlyonetogetoutalive.
Mostdays,hewishedhe’ddiedwithhisteammates.
“Notmuchtotell,”helied.“Ihadsome…healthissuesaftermylastmission.Recoverytooktoolong,

soIbailedfromtheSEALs.Wasn’tsurewhatIwasgoingtodowhenIgotout,butmyfriend,Colton
Bells,putmeintouchwithBeatriceandSFI.NextthingIknew,I’mmakingcoffeeandanswering
phones.”

“Youdomorethanthat,”Sabrinasaid,gingerlyrollingherankle.
“Whydon’tyouheadbacktothehelo?I’vegotthis.”
“Areyoukidding?ThisisthemostfunI’vehadinmonths.Leadon,Conmeister.”
“Red…”Tough,stubbornwoman.
“21Pilots,”shecountered.“ButyoucancallmeRedwhenwe’renotonamission.”
Hergrinwasadirectlightningstriketohisheart.
Hewantedtoreachoutandthrowherarmoverhisshoulderssohecouldtakeherweight;the

determinedlookinhereyesaidthatwouldbeexactlythewrongthingtodo.

Sohestartedwalking,pretendinghebelievedshewascompetentenoughtojudgehercondition.God

knewhehateditwhenpeopleassumedtheyknewwhatwasgoodforhim.Thelastthinghewasgoingto
dowasassumeheknewanythingaboutSabrinaMerinos.

OtherthanthefactthatherfatherownedUConn,thecutting-edgetelecominnovatorForbesclaimed

wasworthsixbilliondollars.Leonardowasinfamousforthethinktankpeoplehehired—DJs,rockstars,
evenaformerUSpresident—andapparentlyitpaidoffinspades.

Thepropertyattheendofthecul-de-saccameintoview.Asweepingexpansewithafive-foothigh

fenceborderingit.

Whatdoyouwanttobettheyhaveaguarddog?
HewasabouttogoupandoverandfindoutwhenheheardSabrinaspeaksoftlyinhisearbud.
“I’llgosoutheastandskirtthroughthewoods.”
Afterhertumbledownthemountain,throwingherselfoverafenceprobablywasn’thighonherlistof

fun.Shewasdamntough,butshewasn’tstupid.

Hewasn’teither.Thefastestwaytohisbosswasoverthisfence.
Andsplittinguphisgroundforceshadbackfiredonhimoncebefore.Backfiredwasputtingitmildly.
NowayinhellhewaslettingSabrinagoanywherealone.
“I’mcomingwithyou,”hesaidanddivertedhisforwardmotiontotheeast.
He’dgonetwostepswhentheguarddoghe’dsuspectedwasontheothersideofthefencewent

ballistic.

“C

ANYOUTAKE

anyofthem?”Calsaid.ThankGodhehadn’tfinishedthewoodfloorsyetinthehallway.

Heranfulloutfromthelivingroomandhittheflooronhisass,slidingdowntowardthebedroomdoor.

Agruntcameoverhiscomm.“Onit,”Hunterresponded.
Onedown.Threetogo.
“Cal?”Beatrice’svoicecamefrominsidethebedroom.“What’sgoingonoutthere?”
“Notafuse,”hesaid,hearingthebackdoorexplodeopen.“Getintheclosetandlockthedoor!”
Hewasalreadyonhisfeet,grabbingthebedroomdoor,lockingandpullingitshutbehindhim.Inthe

nextbreath,hesprintedforthebacksideofthehouse,gundrawnandreadyforthebastardthathadbroken
downhisbackdoor.

WasittoomuchtohopeHunterhadalreadynailedtheguy?
Hisbrainkeptdemandingananswerastowhothesepeoplewereandwhatthehelltheywanted.

Knowingmighthelphimfigureouthowtodefeatthem,butintheheatoftheaction,hecouldn’ttaketime

toanalyzeit.

Atthispoint,itdidn’tmatter.TheywereheretodobodilyharmtohimandBeatrice,andhewasn’t

goingtoletthathappen.

Heroundedthecornerandpulledupshort.Amaninfulltacticalgearstoodbacklitinthebusted

doorway,agasmaskcoveringhisfaceunderhishelmet.AnH&KMP7dangledfromonehandanda
smallcanisterglintedinthemoonlightinhisother.

Aflickofhisarmandthecanistersailedthroughtheair,landingwithasolidthunknotfarfromCal’s

feet.

Hehadlessthanasecondtodivebackthewayhe’dcome,grabbingforthedoorknobonthehidey-

holeclosetunderthestaircase.Behindhim,thecanisterdidn’texplode,butheheardthehissofgas.

Smokegrenadeorteargas?Eitherway,hewasn’ttakingchances.Hethrewhimselfintothecloset.
Thecramped,triangularclosetheldsomeout-of-seasoncoatsandafewpairsofBeatrice’sboots.

Whenhedidn’thearanybangfromtheotherroom,hesnatchedoneofthescarfsfromahangarandwound
itaroundhisface,coveringhisnoseandmouth.

Andthenhesethisearagainstthedoorandlistened.
Themaninhishousewasstealthy,hisfootstepsnearlysilentasheroundedthecornerandstarted

downthehallway.CalmightnotbeasupersoldierlikeHunter,buthehadtheelevatedawarenessthat
SEALtraininghadbeatenintohim.Hedidn’tsomuchhearthemanwhenhereachedthedoorasfelthim.

Hesensedthepresencerightontheothersideofthedoor.Withimpossibleslowness,heturnedthe

knob.

Thedistinctsoundoftheman’ssubmachinegunslidingalongthematerialofhisjacketfilteredthrough

thedoor.Withouthesitating,Calattacked.

Thedoorknockedthemanbackwards,hisgungoingoffandpepperingthewallandceilingwith

bullets.Inhisear,CalheardHunteryellsomethingathim,buthewasshootingnow,too,thesound
overridingwhateverHuntersaid.

Aseriesofbulletshittheman,sendinghimtohisknees,butnonedoingmuchdamageduetohistact

suit.

Calaimedforhisneck.
Onebullet,thenanothermadecontact.Themandidn’tgetup.
Calheardthereportofagunbehindhim,feltthesharpstingofabulletinthebackofhisthigh.
Hiskneewentout,pitchinghimsideways.Halfkeeling,heswunghisweaponaroundtofireandfelt

thesecondpunchofabullet,thistimeinhisupperarm.

Hisgunclatteredtothefloornexttothedeadman.Calfoundhimselfononekneestaringupintothe

blackmuzzleofawickedhandgun.

Theweaponwaspointedathishead,theglareofatactlightunderthebarrelpartiallyblindinghim.

Whathesawabovethegunwasawoman’ssmilingface.

Herhairwaslongandplatinum,heralmond-shapedeyesheavilylined,matchingthedeepcolorofher

lips.“CallanReese,leaderoftheSEALteamthatkilledmyfatherandbrother.Wefinallymeet.”

Twoofhergoonsstoodoneithersideofher,theirweaponsalsopointedathim.Hisgunwaswithin

reach,sowasthedeadman’sH&K.Bloodrandownhisarmandtwoofhisfingerswerenumb.He’d
havetousehislefthand.

“Whoareyou?”hegroundout.Hislegwoundfeltlikeahotknifeinhishamstring.“Whatdoyou

want?”

Sheplacedherfreehandonherchest.“Youdon’trememberme?I’mhurt.Butthen,monsterslikeyou

neverdorememberthecollateraldamageyouleavebehind,doyou?”

Hecouldplayinnocent—becausehonestlyhehadnoideawhatshewastalkingabout—butthatjust

wasn’thisstyle.“HowdidyoufindoutwhereIlive?”

Shecluckedhertongue.“Foolishman.Isawyourlittledisplayontelevisionwhenyousavedyour

snivelingpresident.Withmyresources,ittooklittletimetoconnectthedots.”

Resources.Anunderstatementiftheweaponsandgearhersoldiersweresportingwereanyindication.
“Whatdoyouwant?”
“Retribution,ofcourse.Foralltheorphansyouandyourteamcreatedallovertheworld.Forthedeath

ofmyfamilyandtheneardestructionofeverythingmyfatherworkedsohardfor.”

WherewasHunter?AtleastBeatricehadn’twanderedout.Hopefully,she’dlistenedtohimandlocked

herselfandMariainthewalk-incloset.Whyhadn’thebuiltapanicroom?

Thepersistentthoughtscircled.Nonewouldhelphimnow.“Ifyourfatherwasaterrorist,hegotwhat

hedeserved.”

Shetookastepforward,glaringdownathim.“Myfatherdealtinantiquities,savingculturaliconsand

religiousartifactsfromthegreedyWesternersyouprotect.”

Artdealer.Hmm.Amemoryteasedathisbrain.
Shekeptthemuzzleofhergunpointedathisforehead.“Where’syourwife?”
Ohhellno.Forhalfaheartbeat,hesimplystaredather.Sheandhercohortshadobviouslyseenhim

andHuntercarryBeatriceinside.DenyingBwasinthehousewoulddohimnogood.Heraisedhishands
inashowofsurrender.“Youwantme,nother.”

Onecornerofthewoman’smouthtwitched.“Myfatherandbrotherdiedatyourhands.Nowyouwill

watchyourwifeandchilddieatmine.”

Shebentdownsoshewaseyetoeyewithhim.HergoonskepttheirH&Kstrainedonhim.“Whereis

she?Whereisyourpregnantwife?”

CalwasabouttodiveforhisgunwhenheheardthebedroomdoorcrackopenandBeatrice’svoice

soundedbehindhim.

“Righthere,bitch.”
Andallhellbrokeloose.

ChapterFive

_____________________

______________________________________________________

EATRICESQUEEZEDTHE

trigger.

Atthesametime,acontractionsqueezedher.
Calyelled,hershotwentwide,andthebitchwho’dshotherhusbandran.
Thetwogoonsflankingthewomanranwithher.
Beatricedroppedtoherkneesandmoaned,onehandgrippingherbelly.Mariasteppedinfrontofher,

bendingtoshieldher.

Beatrice’svisionmorphedintodancingblackdotsandshefelthandsonherback.Mariahadholdof

hershoulders;Calwasrubbingherkidneys.

“Whatthehellwasthat?”hesaidoverthesoundofgunfirecomingfromthelivingroom.Heopened

herfingers,stillonherSigSauer,andtookitfromher.“Itoldyoutogetinyourclosetandlockyourself
in!”

Withherjawsclampedtogether,shecouldn’trespond.Warm,stickyblooddampenedherT-shirt—

Cal’sblood.Shereachedforhim,felthimliftheroffherknees.Eveninjured,hewassodamnstrong.

Somehowhemanagedtocarryhertothebed.Mariafollowed,andBeatricenoticedhermidwifewas

wellarmed.

CalhandedherBeatrice’sgunandshestuckhersinthewaistbandofherpants.“You’resupposedto

keephersafe,”Calgrowled.

“Ididn’trealizetherewouldbeashootout,”Mariaretortedsmartly,stickingBeatrice’sguninthe

nightstand.TheangeronherfaceevaporatedwhenshesawCal’sblood.“Areyouokay?”

“No,”Beatricegrunted.“He’snot.”
BeatriceheardTrace’svoice.Hesoundedfaraway.Caltouchedhisear—hemusthavebeenwearinga

communit—andheadedforthedoor.“Copythat.”ThentoherandMariahesaid,“Stayinhereandkeep
thisfuckingdoorlocked!”

HeslammeditshutandMariadidashe’dsaid,lockingitbehindhim.Sheturnedherdarkeyeson

Beatrice.“Whatonearthwereyouthinking?”

Itwasn’teverydayshecouldoutsmartaformerIsraeliintelligenceofficer-turned-midwife.“We’re

underattack,”Beatricehuffedasthecontractionreceded.Calhadliedtoherandshehatedfeelingso
helpless.“Whowasthatwoman?”

Mariagrabbedthedresserandstartedscootingitacrossthefloortoblockthedoor.“I’mnotsure.I

onlycaughtaglimpseofherbutthathairishardtoforget.IthinkitwasEbbaNielsson,theSwedishart
thief.Interpolhasbeenafterherforthelastthreeyears,eversinceherfatherandbrotherwerekilledina
shootout.”

“Artthief?”Beatricerubbedsweatoffherforehead.Hereyeswereblurringandherlowerbelly

burnedlikeshe’dbeenbrandedwithahotpoker.“Whyissheafterme?”

“Ididn’thearalloftheconversation,butitsoundslikeshe’slookingforrevengeforherfatherand

brother’sdeaths.”

“Calkilledthem?”
Marianodded.“Irememberwhentheywerekilled.IwasworkinginIranatthetime.Hotblackmarket

forreligiousantiquitiesthere.”

“Tofundvariousterroristgroups.”

“They’regonenow,andincaseyoudidn’trealizeit,you’reinlabor.Also,yourhusbandandyour

bodyguardareformerSEALs.CalandTracecanhandlethesituation.Youhavetotrustthem.”

Mariadidn’tknowit,buttheissuewasn’ttrustingCalandTracetostoptheintruders.Theissuewas

control.

HottearswelledbehindBeatrice’seyesandsheblinkedrapidlytoclearthem.“Nobodythreatensmy

familyandgetsawaywithit.”

Mariarolledhereyes.“YousoundlikeanactorinamaudlinBmovie.Stoptryingsohardtobeaman

andacceptthatyoucanbeweak!”

ThemidwifecametothebedandproppedBeatriceuponsomepillows.“It’sokaytobeawoman,

Beatrice.Youcan’thelpthem,theycanhandleitjustfineontheirown,andyou’reonlygoingtogetCal
killedbecauseyou’redistractinghim!”

Shehadn’tthoughtaboutitlikethat.“We’reateam.Wealwayshaveeachother’sbacks.Andhe’s

injured.Heneedsmedicalattention.”

“Yes,wellfornow,theonlywaytohelphimistogivebirthtohischildandkeepitsafe.”
Beatricetookadeepbreathandimaginedshewaslyinginasnowyfield,coolandclean.Soundless.

“Weneedtogotothecloset,likeCalsaid.”

“Youneedtostayrightwhereyouare.Ineedtoseehowfaryou’redilated.”
Beatriceleveragedherselfuponanelbow.“No,weneedtogointhecloset.There’ssomethingIhave

toshowyou.”

“Itcanwait!”
Beatricesatupandshookherhead.God,shewaslookingforwardtonotfeelinglikeabeachedwhale.

“No,itcan’t.”

WithMaria’sexasperatedhelp,sheshuffledtothecloset.Itwasexcruciatinglyslowgoing.Beatrice

feltlikeherchildonceagainweighed200pounds,allofthatweightbearingdownonherweaklegs.

Theyfinallymadeit,Mariaflippingthelightswitch,butofcourse,itdidn’twork.Thewalk-incloset

waspitchblack.“Helpmeovertothebaseboardonthesouthwall,”Beatricesaid.“Thesectionundermy
handbags.”

Mariausedtheflashlightonherphonetolighttheirway,aidingBeatriceasshewentdowntoonhands

andkneesandranafingerunderthebottomshelf.

“Whatareyoulookingfor?”Mariasaid.
Beatricefeltthefingerprintreader,cleverlydisguisedinthemopboardundertheshelfthatheldher

favoriteBurberrytotebagCharlottehadgivenherasadiaperbag.OutofalltherenovationsCalhad
accomplishedontheirhouse,thissecretweaponsdrawerburiedinherclosetwasthelastoneBeatrice
hadeverthoughtshe’dappreciate.

Asoftclickletherknowthedrawerhadunlocked.Movingback,shemotionedatMariatoopenit.

“WemayneedmorethanhandgunstotakecareofMs.Nielssonandherminionsiftheycomeback.”

Mariaopenedthedrawer,hereyesgoingwideasshesurveyedthesubmachineguns,smokebombs,

bulletproofvests,andahostofammunition.ShelovinglyfingeredanMPK59mm.“Ihavetoadmit,this
isthestrangestbirthIhaveeverbeenapartof.”

“That’ssomething,comingfromyou.”Beatricesurprisedherselfandlaughed.“Incaseyouhaven’t

figureditoutyet,weneverdoanythingthenormalwayaroundhere.”

Marianoddedwithasmile,alreadyloadingtheMPK.“Besideshelpyoudeliverthebaby,whatwould

youlikemetodo?”

Beatricefeltawaveofdreadflowoverher.“Yousawthewoman’sface.IfCaldoesn’ttakeherout,

there’snowayshe’llleaveusalive.Youmaybemylastlineofdefenseagainstherandhergoons.”

MariatuckedthegununderherarmandgaveBeatriceasharpnod.“Stayhere.I’llgetsomepillows

andblankets,andmybag.We’lldeliveryourbabyinthecloset.”

Beatriceleanedherbackagainstthewall.AboveherhungCal’sclothes.Hernosedetectedthefaintest

scentofhimandsherubbedherbellyasanewcontractionbegantobuild.

Whatwashappeningoutsideherbedroom?Shehadn’theardanymoregunshots.Novoices.Hadtheart

thieftakenoffforgood?WasCalokay?

Sheslowedherbreathingandgrittedherteeth.Afeelingoflonelinessswampedher,mixingwiththe

dread.Worst-casescenariosranthroughherbrainandshepurposelyignoredthem,forcingherselfto
imaginethesnowyfieldagain.

Clean.Quiet.Relaxing.
ShebelievedinCalwithallherheart.IfanyonecouldhandleNielsson,itwashim.Still,thesenseof

forebodingsatheavyinherbellyalongwiththebaby.

Thecontractionshiftedintohighgear,makinghergroanthroughgrittedteeth.Whatifshehadtoraise

thischildalone?HowcouldshebeagoodmotherwithoutCal’sguidance?

WhatifEbbaNielssongotpastCalandTrace?WhatifshecameafterBeatriceand…
Stopit!Shewouldnotthinklikethat.Calisgoingtobefine.Thebabyisgoingtobefine.
I’llbeokaytoo.Nomatterwhathappens.
Becauseiftherewasonethingsheknew,itwashowtosurvive.She’dsurvivedhermother,she’d

survivedCommand&Control.She’dsurvivedaCIAassassin.

Crawlingovertothedrawer,shehelpedherselftoaweaponandthenlaiddownonherbackanddid

herbesttobreathethroughthecontraction.

“D

ON’TSHOOT,

RISH.”

Connorfroze.Besidehiminthedark,Sabrinadidtoo.
Slowly,Connorglancedbackoverhisshoulder.“Hunter?”
“Whatthehellareyoutwodoingouthere?”themanasked.
Howhadhesnuckuponthem?Hewasnothingbutashadowinthegroveoftreeswheretheywere

hiding.

Ofcourse,they’dbeenprettydamnfocusedonthehouseandthesuppressedgunfirethey’dheardas

they’dclosedinonthebackyard.

“We’resavingyourass,”Connormurmured.“WhichmightbeeasierifIknewwhatwasgoingon.Is

thisahitteam?”

“Detailsareunclear.”Huntereasedinclosertothem.“Fivemen,plustheirleader,afemale.Themen

havetraining,butI’vetakenouttwoofthem.Thewomanandtwoofhersoldierswereinsidethehouse.
Gunfirewasexchanged.Theybailedandarecurrentlyintheirvanwiththedriver.Regrouping,Iassume.”

“IsBeatrice…?”Sabrinalettherestofthesentencehang.
“IfI’mnotmistaken,”Huntersaid,“IbelieveIheardthesoundofherhandgunfiringearlierandCal

reprimandingher,butmycommhasbeenunreliable.”

Whichdidn’tanswertheunspokenquestionofifshewasallright.“IsCaldown?”Connorasked.
“Thatismyassumptionsincehehasnotexitedthehouse.Ourcommsinitiallyworked.Theywenton

thefritzshortlyafterthehitteamenteredthehouse.I’veonlypickedupsnatchesofintelhereandthere.”

IfCalwasinjured,Beatriceandthebabyweredefinitelyinimminentdanger.“IftheytookoutCal,

whyhaven’ttheyleft?”

Hunterconfirmedhisworstfear—thesamefearetchedonSabrina’sface.“FromwhatIcaughtofthe

conversation,theleaderwantsBeatriceandthebaby.”

ConnorhandedHunteroneoftheearbudshe’dsnaggedfromhisdeskdrawer.“Usethiscomm.Itwill

work.”

Hunterexchangedtheoldearbudwiththenewone.“YouandEmitplayingMadScientistagain?”

“Youknowit.”Heknockedafistagainsthisbulletproofvest.“Underthisvest,I’mcurrentlyahotspot

directlylinkedtothesecomms.ThetechnologyisthesameassomeshitNASAandNSAhavebeen
collaboratingonforyearsthatEmitonceplayedahandin.AslongasI’mupandrunning,nothingcan
interferewithourcomms.”

“Coolio,”Sabrinasaidandsmiledathim.Herteethwerebluish-whiteintheshadows,thankstothe

moon.“You’remykindofgeek.”

Geek,huh?Heneverletthatsideofhimshow;hisfatherhadmadesurethatConnorneverdisplayed

anykindofweakness,andinhishouse,mightmakesrightwaspracticallyaCommandment.Onlythe
strongandforcefulgottomaketherules.

“Weneedtotakeoutthatvan,”ConnorsaidtoHunter.
“Andgetinsidethehouse,”Sabrinaadded.“Ifnoneofthebadguysareinthere,shouldbeapieceof

cake.”

Huntercuthisgazetoher.“Unlesstheysetupboobytraps,whichmaybewhyCalhasnottriedto

leave.”

“Oh,”Sabrinasaid.“Thatwouldmakesense.”
NowayConnorwasputtingSabrinaindanger,buttheyneededherhelpiftheplanthathadpoppedinto

hismindwasgoingtowork.

“Ineedyoutocreateadistraction,”hesaidtoher.ThentoHunter,“Whileshedoesthat,youdisable

thevanandanyoneyoucangetto.I’llbreachthehouseandassessthesituationinside.”

Hunter’sgazeslidoverConnor,analyzing,calculating.“Yousure,Irish?”
Thefatefulquestion.Howhehatedthosewords.AtleastHunter’snicknameforhimdidn’tmakehim

wanttopuke.“I’msure.”

HeturnedtoSabrina.Inthedistanceheheardthedogattheendofthecul-de-sacstillraisinghell.He

drewabagofsmallfireworksfromhisbackpackandhandedthemtoher.“Drawtheirattentionaway
fromthehouse.Backtracktothatfieldwecrossedbetweenhereandtheneighbor’shouseandsetthese
off.”

Sabrinatookthelight-and-noiseshow,browsknittingwithuncertainty.“Fireworks?Seriously?”
Thesetcontainedminirockets,poppers,romancandles,andafewotherspectacularthunderand

lightningpieces.

Hunternoddedhisstampofapproval.“Thatshouldgettheirattention.”
“It’llgeteveryone’sattention,”Sabrinasaid.
Connorhandedheracracklingthunderstring.“Whichisexactlywhatourattackersdon’twant.Wecan

hopetheytrytotakeoff.”

Hunterstaredtowardtheroad.“I’llhavethevandisabledbeforetheycan.”
ConnorandHunterexchangedalook.IfHunterhadachance,he’ddisableeverypersoninsideaswell.
“I’lltakecareofCalandBeatrice.”Hehatedtosayit,butsometimesthetruthsucked.“We’llprobably

needanambulance.”

Sabrinapulledoutherphone.“Mycellreceptionisblocked.”
Connorrubbedhisthumboverthebuttofhisgun.“Afteryousetoffthefireworks,theneighborswill

probablycall911.Gettotheirhouseandmakesuretheyaskforanambulance.HunterandIwillhavethe
intrudersneutralizedbythetimelawenforcementandtheEMTsarrive.”

Sabrinaputherphoneawayandgavehimaseriouslook.“I’dratherstayhereandhelpyouguys.”
Hunterwasalreadybleedingbackintotheshadows.Connorfelttheitchtoo—theonethatsignaledhe

wasabouttoentertheaction.

Twoyears,threemonths,andfourteendayssincethatfatefulday.HisPTSDdemonchuckleddeep

insidehishead,waiting,readytoreachoutwiththeicycoldhandoffearandclampdownonhim.

Hejiggledhisshoulders,rolledhisneck.Hehadtostayloose,staycalm.CalandBeatricewere

dependingonhim.

ButSabrinawasn’teasilyputoff.“Thebestwayyoucanhelpusistosetoffthatdistraction,”hetold

her.“Oncethingsareunderourcontrol,I’llgiveyoutheall-clearoverthecomm.”

Shereachedoutandtouchedhisarm.“Becareful,okay?”
Hesteppedawayfromhertouch.“Getgoing.”
“Connor…”
Beforeherealizedwhatshewasabouttodo,shethrewherarmsaroundhim,makinghimonceagain

gomotionless.

“Please,”shewhispered,herwarmbreathonhisneck.“Please,becareful.”
Andthenshewasgone,disappearingintothewoodswithasetoffireworksandexplicitinstructions

thatConnorwasprettysureshewasn’tgoingtofollow.

ChapterSix

_____________________

______________________________________________________

ALWASBLEEDING

heavily.Hesworethroughgrittedteethashepulledhimselfacrossthelivingroom

floor.He’dusedBeatrice’sscarftotieuphisthigh,butbloodhadalreadyseepedthroughthatandhe
didn’thaveanythingtouseforhisarm.

Hewasdefinitelygoingtohavetosandthefloorandrestaintheoakafterhe’dbledalloverit.
Thewomanandhergoonshadfledthehouse,buttheirvanwasstilloutfront.Theyweren’tleaving

untiltheygotwhattheywanted.

Beatrice.
Alltogetbackathim.
Theyobviouslyhadn’texpectedBtobeinlabor.
Ortocomeoutofthebedroomfiring.
AsaSEAL,he’dseensomeprettycrazythings.None,however,toppedhispregnantwife—onthe

vergeofgivingbirth—savinghisassfromaterrorist.

GoodthingMariahadbeenarmedandabletohelphimgetherbackintothebedroom.Ofalltheways

he’dimaginedthisbirthcouldgo,anambushtokidnaphiswifeandunbornchildhadneverenteredhis
mind.

EbbaNielsson.Herememberedherfatherandbrother.TheseniorNielssonhadrunalegitimate

internationalantiquitiesbusinessbuthissonhaddabbledinblackmarketpieces,ago-betweenbrokerfor
terroristswhoraidedandstolepricelessartifactsinordertosellthemandfundtheiractivities.Hansand
SteffenhadbothdiedduringaraidtotakeoutasheiknamedZayed.Ebbahadbeenleftwiththefamily
businessandsomepissedoffterroristsonherheels.

Unfortunately,she’dfollowedinherbrother’sfootstepsandhadtakentheantiquitiesbusinessfullyinto

theblackmarket,makingheroneofthewomenofInterpol’stop100wantedcriminals.

Cal’sSEALteamhadonlybeenafterZayed.EbbawascorrectaboutHansandSteffenbeing

unfortunatecollateral.Hanswasn’tsupposedtobeanywherenearthesheikh’scompoundwhenthe
SEALslanded.Steffeneither.Steffenwasthereforaprivatepartyinvolvingthehigh-rankingleadersof
aninternationaltraffickingring.Hisfather,havingdiscoveredsomeofSteffen’sillegaldealingswiththe
sheikh,crashedthepartyonlyminutesbeforetheSEALsdid,inanefforttoconfronthisson.Thesheikh
madeitoutalive.Sodidafewoftheterroristswhowerenowbeingdetainedfortheircrimesagainstthe
USandFrance.

HansandSteffendidnot.
NowEbbawashereforrevenge.
Aneyeforaneye.
Calhadkilledherfamily.Shewasheretokillhis.
White-hotangersurgedthroughhissystem.Overmydeadbody.
Beatriceandhischildwereinnocentofanythinghe’ddoneovertheyears.Thedeathsonhisheadwere

justifiable,allexceptHansNielsson.Hanshadbeenanunfortunatebystander,buttheSEALshadn’teven
knownhewouldbethere.Therewasnowayhewouldlethiswifeandchildpayforthatunfortunate
accident.

Calusedthewalltoshovehimselfintoastandingposition.WherewasHunter?HadConnormanaged

toraiseanyonetohelpthem?

Thepainfromhisgunshotwoundswastremendous,butheignoredit.“Hunter,doyouread?”
Aman’svoicecameback,butnotoneheexpected.
“Zeppelin,thisisSlash.Coldplayisengaged.I’monyourflank.Over.”
Slash.Connorwashere.
Caltippedhisheadbackagainstthewall.ThekidhadmajorPTSDafterthetorturehe’dsufferedatthe

handsof12September.HavingsprungtolifeonSeptember12th,2001,lessthan24hoursafter9/11,the
groupwasyoungintermsofmilitantfanatics,buttheywereruthlessandstayedwellhidden—asopposed
totheirterroristcounterpartswhoconstantlysoughttheworld’sattention.Manyofthe“anonymous”
internationalcrimescommittedinthepasttenyearsweremostlikelythedoingof12September.

Ifitweren’tforBeatriceandallthetherapyshe’dhadConnorinvolvedin,he’dprobablybecurledup

inafetalpositioninsomepsychward.

Ordead.
“Goodtohearyourvoice,Slash,”Calsaid.“TellmeyoubroughtgunsandSFIbackup.”
“Copythatonbothcounts,sir,”thekidreplied.“Yourattackersappeartohaveretreatedbutarestillin

range.AnythingIshouldknowaboutbeforeIcomein?”

Connorhadbeenroutinelybrutalizedafterhiscaptureandhe’dbeenforcedtowitnessthetorture,and

eventualdeath,oftwoofhisteammatesaswell.Calknewhecarriedtheirdeathsonhisconscience.Not
somethingamanevergotover,especiallynotaSEAL.

Connor’swholeunithadwalkedintoonegianttrapandthat’showConnorandhistwobuddiesended

upprisoners.Calcouldn’tblamethekidforbeinggunshyaboutwalkingintoanother.

“NonethatIknowof.I’mslightlyimmobile,soIdon’thaveclearintelonthebackdoor.Becareful.”
“Copythat.Areyouinjured?”
“Nothingserious,”Callied.Hisvisionwasblurryandhefeltlightheaded.
“IsQueenBinjured?”
“Negative.Ibelieveshe’squitepissed,though.”
Theysharedachuckle,thenConnorsobered.“Sir,Ihaveaproblematthebackdoor.”
Cal’sbodyfeltlikeitweighedmorethanitdid.Heleanedheavilyonthewallandlockedhiskneesso

theywouldn’tgiveout.“Whatisit?”

“Infraredlaserpointsaroundtheperimeter.Isthispartofyoursecuritysystem?”
Lasertripwires?Hehadn’tgottenaroundtoinstallingthatlevelofsecurityyet.“Negative.Source?”
“Notsure.”CalheardthefaintsoundofmovementasConnormusthavebeenfollowingthetrail.“Ho

boy.”

Thelasttwowordsweresaidsoquietly,Calalmostdidn’thearthem.Buttheycameoutlikeacurse

andthatmadehisheartdipintohissolarplexus.“Whatisit,Slash?”

WhathegotbackwasalongpausethatmadeCalpushoffthewallandstartputtingonefootinfrontof

theother.Itwasmorelikedraggingonefootbehindtheother,butatleasthewasmoving.

“You’rewired,Zeppelin.”
“Wiredasin…?”
Aheavysigh.“Abomb,sir.”Connor’svoicewastightlycontrolled.“You’rewiredtoblow.”

HROUGHHIS

NVGS

Connorsawthewebofinfraredtripwiresleadingtoatinybombpositionedonthe

southeastcornerofthehouse.

Invisibletothenakedeye,thethinthreadswouldsetoffthebombifanyonetrippedthem,goingin—or

out—thedoor.

Sothegroupsatoutfront,waitingtopickoffanyonewhotriedtocomeoutthatway,andthey’dused

thelaserwirestoensurethatanyonegoinginoroutthebackdoorwouldtriggerthebomb.

Eitherway,CalandBeatricewerescrewed.
“Talktome,Slash,”Cal’svoicesaidoverthecomm.“Whatkindofbombisit?”
Connorbackedawayslowlyfromthebuilding,hisbreathcominginshort,hardgasps.
BillieArgon.
SaulKohen.
Everyday,Connorsawtheirfaces.Everynightwhenheclosedhiseyes,theywereinhisdreams.
Histwobestfriends.Hisbrothers-in-arms.
Billiehadbeentheexplosivesexpert.He’doftentoldConnortheonlythingheneededtoknowabout

bombswasthattheywerevolatilelittlebitchesandtendedtokillyou.

Steerclear,heheardBilliesaytohim.Callinsomeonewhoknowswhathe’sdoing.
“Slash?”Cal’svoicecutthroughthementalchatter.“Youthere?”
Connorwipedsweatfromhisforeheadandeyedthedeviceonthecornerofthehouse.“Workingonit,

sir.”

Asmallbox,barelybiggerthanabrick,wasattachedatthebaseofthehouse.Hesteppedcloserand

hisalreadynarrowwindowoftimegotsmaller.

Tinyrednumbersflashedonthetopofthebox.
Atimer.
Countingdownwithlessthansevenminutesonit.
Sorry,Billie.Notimetocallinthatexpert.
Theyhadtogooutthefront.Connorhadn’theardanysoundssuggestingHunterhadincapacitatedthe

meninthevan.Hunterhadn’tcommentedonthebombpredicamenteither.Washedeadorsimplynotina
spottospeakwithoutbeingoverheard?

Connorhopeditwasthelatter.
ButhowthehellwashegoingtogetCalandBeatrice,nottomentionthemidwife,outofthehouse

beforethatbombwentoff?

Beatricewasinlabor.Calwasinjured,probablyprettybadlyeventhoughhewasn’tcoppingtoit.
TheoaktreeaboveConnorswayedinthebreeze,sendingashadowoverthehouse.Connorglancedup

andsawalargebranch,asbigaroundashewas,stretchingtowardtheroof.

Sixminutesandcounting.
Inthedistance,heheardthedistinctpop-pop-popoffireworks.
Nowornever.Hehitthestopwatchbuttononhisphone,hustledovertothetree,andstartedclimbing.

ChapterSeven

_____________________

______________________________________________________

BOVEHER,

EATRICE

heardglassbreak.

Atleastshethoughtitwasglass.Herheadswamandherthoughtswereconstantlybeinghijackedby

thepaincrampingherbelly,back,andinnerthighs.“God…damn…it!”sheyelled.

Huff-huff-huff.Longbreathin.Huff-huff-huff.
Cal’svoicefloatedtoherfromfaraway.Thesoundoffootstepsrunning,pounding.Someoneyelled.

Morevoices.Abang-bang-bangonthebedroomdoor.

“You’redoinggood,Beatrice,”Mariasaid.“ButIthinkweshouldfindyousomethingelsetohangon

to.”

Themidwife’scoolhandstookthegunfromBeatrice’sgrip,replacingitwithasmallrubberball.
Whilestout,therubbercollapsedunderthepressureofherfingers.“No…good.Giveme…mygun.”
“No.Focus.”
Somuchforthewarmwatersofherbirthingtub.Somuchforhavingherhusbandnearby,holdingher

handandbreathingthroughthecontractionswithher.“Who’sknockingonthebedroomdoor?”

“Don’tworryaboutthat.”
Seriously?Theywereunderambush,Calwasinjured,andMariawastellinghernottoworryaboutit?
Onhernextinhale,shethrewtherubberballatthefarwallashardasshecould.“Givememyfucking

weapon!”

Mariaduckedastheballzoomedbyherhead.“Soyoucanaccidentallyshootme?Idon’tthinkso.”
“EithergetCal,”Beatricehuffed,“orgivememygun.”Huff-huff-huff,inhaaaale.“Oneortheother.”
“It’salmosttimetostartpushing.I’mnotleavingyou.”
Painsurgedupherspineandherbackarched,liftingheroffthefloorandpillowsMariahadtucked

underher.“Ugggghh.”

Mariasaidotherthingstoher,comfortingthings,butBeatrice’svisionwentwhiteandallthenoise

blurred.Forlongmoments,shewaslockedinsidethecontraction,thepainforcinghertorideitswave
whethershewantedtoornot.

Atthecrest,somethingbroke.Notinsideher,butoutsideofthecloset.Woodsplintered,thevoices

amplified.

Cal.
Maria’sgazesnappedtotheclosetdoor.Therewasnolockonit,butshe’dusedtwoofCal’sbeltsto

tiethedoorknobtothebuilt-inshelving.She’dalsotakentwoofthemetalpolesfromtheshelvingandran
themacrossthedoor,oneeachatthetopandbottom,lockingeachoftheirendsintotheshelvesoneither
side.

Somethinghitthedoor,makingitpopopenhalfaninchandcausingMariatoyelp.Beatricewould

haveyelpedherselfifshecouldhavemusteredtheenergy.

Onedarkeyepeeredthroughthecrack,lockingonBeatrice,proneonthefloor.
“Openthedoor!”themancommanded,evenashethrewhisweightagainstitagain,jostlingthemetal

poles.

“In`alabuk!”Mariayelled.
Beatricewasn’tonehundredpercentsure,butshethoughttheHebrewsayingtranslatedtoyourfather

shoulddie.

Inotherwords,fuckyou.
Shecouldsecondthat.
Exceptthemanwassnuggingtheendofhishandgunthroughthecrack,theuglyblackendofthebarrel

pointedather.

Mariaraisedherweapon.
“No!”Beatricesaid,kickingatherhands.
Toolate.Mariafired.
Themanfiredatthesametime.
Boom!Boom!
Move!
Beforeshecouldrolltotheleft,afreshcontractionseizedher.
Shefeltthewhizofthebulletasherbodybowed,liftingherbellyintotheair.
Boom!
Shewaitedforthestingofthebullet.Thepain.
Death.
Allwentquiet.
Outsideanyway.Notinternallyasherwombcontinuedtoseize.
Throughthepainandthebreathing,shepeeledoneeyeopen.
Themanatthedoorwasgone.Oneofthepoleshadslidfromitshangarandfallentothefloor.
Mariawasdown,bloodsplashedacrossherneck,hershoulder.Hergunhadfallenfromherhand.
Defyingthewhite-hottorturespearingherbody,Beatriceshiftedenoughtotouchthecoolmetal.
Alittlemore…
Herfingersdugintothecarpeting,nailsstabbingintoit.Closer,closer…
Gotit!
Huff-huff-huff,breeeathe.
Ashadowdarkenedthedoorway.
Beatriceraisedthegun,hereyesblurringwithhottears.“Gotohell!”sheshoutedandstartedfiring.

OOR

XPLODED

inaseriesoffragmentsasbulletsrippedthroughtheflimsywood.

“Beatrice!”Connoryelled,draggingthedeadmanathisfeetaside.“It’sme.Connor!”
Sabrinahaddistractedtheattackers.Hunterhaddisabledthevanandtakenouttwoofthefourpeople

inside.

“Andthatmakesthree,”HuntersaidinConnor’sear.
Okay,makethatthreeofthepeopleinside.
“SavethatbitchEbbaforme,”Calgrowledoverthecomms.
Atthatmoment,themanhimselfstumbledintotheroom,barelyabletostandorspeak.Inasliceof

moonlightcomingthroughthewindow,ConnorsawsweatrunningdownCal’sface.

He’dlostalotofblood,andthepainshowed.
“Beatrice,”hepanted.“Howisshe?”
“She’sshootingatme,”Connorsaid.
Hunterchuckledinhisear.“That’sBforyou.”
Calgrimacedasheshuffledforward.“What’sthestatusofthebomb?”
“Whoa,there.Steady.”ConnorgrabbedCalbeforehetoppledover.Carefully,hemovedhimtothe

bed.“Icouldn’tdiffuseit.YousithereandI’llgetBeatrice.”

Fromthecloset,aguttural,primalcryrose.“CAL…LAN!”
“I’mbeingpaged,”themansaidwithaloopygrin.“Howmuchtimedowehave?”

Betternottotellhim.“Thebestthingyoucando,sir,istogetyourbuttoutofhere.I’llgetBeatrice.”
“Nocando.She’smy—”
Crack!Connordidn’twaitforhimtofinish,kickingtheclosetdoorin.“Don’tshootme,boss!”
Thewoodsplinteredandhepushedthesectionsaway,knockingametalpoletothefloorandnearly

hittingthemidwife.

MariagroanedfromherspotonthefloorandConnorpulledupshortatthebloodcoveringher.
Threepeople.Hehadthreepeopletogetoutofthishouseandoneofthemwas…
Hisgazeswungtohislaboringbossandquicklydartedaway.
Because,hoboy,thatwasmorethanheneededtoseeofBeatriceReese.
“Ihaveto…push!”shescreamed.Herfacewaspulledtaut,teethgritted.Herkneeswerebentandher

legsspreadwide.

Shit,shit,shit.Whatthehellwashegoingtodo?CalandMariawereinnoshapetohelphim,andhe

couldn’tjustthrowBeatriceoverhisshoulderandhaulass.

“Coldplay,comein.Now!”
“Onmyway,Irish.Holdontoyourpanties.”
HereacheddownandgrabbedMariabyherwrists,draggingherbodyoutofthecloset.Helaidherby

Cal’sfeet.“I’vegotthreepeopletogetoutofthehouseandthatbomb’sgoingtoexplodein…”

Hecheckedhiswatchandsworeloudly.
“GetBeatriceout,”Calcommanded.
Atthesametime,Huntersaid,“Beatricegoesfirst!”
Connorwasalreadybackinsidethecloset,butitwasano-winsituation.Hecouldn’tdragheracross

thefloor;thatwouldtaketoomuchtime.Andhecouldn’tpickherupandcarryherinhercurrentstate.

We’refucked.
Howmanytimeshadhethoughtthatinthefield?Toomanytocount.
Andyet,herehewas,stillstanding.
HewasliftingawrithingBeatriceintohisarms—whichwasnoeasytask—whenHunterranin.“Side

toside.”

“Comeon,”CalyelledfromthebedroomasConnorshiftedtoletHunterhelp.Theyeachtookanarm

andleg,andtogethertheyranasBeatriceyelledobscenitiesandCaldraggedMariaacrossthebedroom
floor.

Tick-tick-tick.Hismindknewwhathisheartdidn’twanttoaccept.Theyweren’tgoingtomakeit.
“Faster,”heshouted.“We’reoutof—”
“Igotit,”Sabrina’svoicecalledovertheircomms.“Idefusedthebomb!”
HuntersentConnoralookthatshowedequalamountsofsurpriseandapproval.“Nice.”
Connorslumpedslightlywithrelief,butBeatrice’sbodyarchedagainandshecriedout,andheand

Hunterhadtosetherdown.

Thecontractionrackedherbody,makinghergorigid.CaldroppedMaria’swristsandfelltothefloor

nexttoBeatriceasshestartedsomefunnybreathing.

Calwasbreathingfunnytoo,asifhecouldbarelygetenoughbreathintohislungs.
Shock?Toomuchbloodloss?
“Weneedtogetbothofyoutothedoctor,”Connorsaid.
HunterstaredatBeatrice’shand,probablybecause,likeConnor,hewasn’tsurewheretolook.“I

calledforanambulance,but,um…”

Beatricecameuponherelbows,obviouslybearingdown.
“Um,what?”Connorasked.Somethingtoldhimhewasn’tgoingtoliketheanswer.
“It’snotgoingtogethere,”—HunterglancedathimanddownatBeatrice,—“beforethebabyarrives.”
EverythinginConnorwentstill.“What?”

Calstartedtosaysomething,buthiseyesrolledupinhisheadandheslumpedtothefloor.
Outcold.
“Cal!”Beatriceyelledbetweenbreaths.ShespearedConnorandHunterwithadesperatelook.“Do

something!”

“I’vegotCal,”Huntersaid,jumpingoverBeatrice’sbellytokneelnexttothemanandcheckhispulse.

“Youhandlethebaby.”

“What?”Handlethebaby?Whatthefuckdidheknowaboutbabies?
Andthen,asheglanceddownathisbossstrugglingtopushwhileherinjuredhusbandlaynexttoher

bleedingout,hesuckeduphissqueamishnessanddroppedtohiskneesnexttoher.

“Iknowzipaboutdeliveringababy,”heconfessed,“butI’lldowhateveryoutellmetodo.”
“Unnnnggghhh,”wasallBeatricesaid,butshegrabbedbothofhishandsandsqueezed.
Thepressurefromthatsqueezewaslikeahundredpoundweight,makinghimgrimaceandnearlylose

hisbalance.

HolyJesus.“21Pilots!”hesaidintohiscomm.“Ineedyou.”
“Um,yeah,aboutthat,”shesaid.
Buthervoicewasn’tinhiscomm.Itwascomingfrom…
Hisheadsnappedaround,zoominginontheendofthehallway.
Fuckagoddamnduck.Couldthisnightspinanyfurtheroutofcontrol?
There,attheendofthehallway,Sabrinastoodstaringback,EbbaNielssonnexttoherwithagun

pointedatSabrina’stemple.

ChapterEight

_____________________

______________________________________________________

HEWASGOING

todie.

Evenaftershe’dcausedthedistractionanddefusedthebomb,shewasstillgoingtodie.
Worse,sowaseveryoneelse.
Connor,Trace,Maria,Cal,andBeatrice.Thebaby.
They’reallgoingtodiebecauseofme.
She’dheardthechatteronhercomm,thoughtthatEbbahadrunoffafterHunterhadtakenouthermen.
“Surprise,”shesaidwithfalsecheertothegroupallstaringatherandthewomanholdingherhostage.

“Iranintoaproblem.”

“Youbitch!”Beatriceyelledfromherspotonthefloor,whereshewashuffingandstraining,andoh,

my.

Shewashavingthebaby.
Like,rightnow.
SabrinahopedBwascallingEbbathebitchandnother,butthatwasupintheairatthispoint.
Can’tblameherforbeingmadatme.
Connor,hisfacetotallyemotionless,heldBeatrice’shands.“Whatdoyouwant?”hesaidtoEbba.
“Isthatnotobvious?”thewomansaid.
ThebarrelofthegunwascoldagainstSabrina’sveryhottemple.Ebba’sbodywashardand

unforgivingagainstSabrina’sback.

“You’renotgettingthebabyorBeatrice,”Tracesaid.HisfacewasasemotionlessasConnor’s.So

washisvoice.Infact,bothmensoundedcompletelycoolandcompetent.

Sabrinawishedshefeltthesame.Herkneeswerequaking,herstomachdoingsomersaults.“Myfather

isaveryrichman,”shesaidsoftlytoEbba.“Takemeandleavetherestofthemalone.Youcangetavery
largeransomforme.”

Thewomanscoffed.“IhaveallthemoneyIwant.Thishasnothingtodowithmoney.Iwantblood.”
ConnorpeeledhishandsawayfromBeatriceandheroseslowly,keepinghiseyeslockedonEbba.
Sabrinatriedtocatchhisattention.Totellhim,atleastwithhereyes,thatshewassorry.
Whywouldn’thelookather?
Thenshesawhisguncomeup.Itwaspointedrightather.
No,notme.Ebba.
“Theonlybloodthat’sgoingtobespilledinthenextminuteisyours,”hesaidtothewoman.
Sabrina’salreadyparchedmouthwentdesertdry.Connor’shandwassteady,hisstancesolid,butthe

hallwasbarelylitandEbbawasstandingpartiallybehindSabrina,usingherasashield.

Calgroanedfromthefloor,asnexttohim,Beatricehuffedandswore.Marialayunconscious,blending

intotheshadows.

TracesidledupnexttoConnor,shouldertoshoulder,blockingBeatriceandtheothersfromEbba.He,

too,sportedahandgunwiththeuglyblackopeningofthebarrelpointedatSabrinaandEbba.“Dropthe
weapon.”

Twoagainstone.Ebbahadtoknowshewasn’tgoingtowinthis.
Didn’tmeanshewouldn’ttakeSabrina—andpossiblyConnororTrace—downwithher.
Dosomething!

Butwhat?Anelbowtothewoman’sribs?Astomponthetopofherfoot?
AllofSabrina’sself-defensemovesseemedcriticallyinadequatewithabulletonlymerecentimeters

fromherbrain.

“Mybackupisalreadyhere,”Ebbasaid.HeraccentseemedthickerinSabrina’sear.“Theyare

waitingoutsideformycommand.DidyoureallythinkIwouldn’thavemore?”

“Yeah,aboutthat…”aman’svoicecamefrombehindSabrina.Sodidthecockofagun.“Yourboys

areabittiedupatthemoment.”

Sabrinaknewthatvoice.ColtonBells,akaShinedown.Hewasacrazy,cocky,SOBfromwhat

SabrinahadlearnedfromtheotherSFImembers,withalazyOklahomadrawl.

EbbastiffenedandjerkedSabrinacloser.God,thewomanwasbuiltlikeabrickwall.
Finally,finally,ConnortookhisgazeoffEbbaandlookedatSabrina.Hiseyesmethersasacocky

smilespreadoverhisface,evenashespoketoColton.“Boy,amIgladtoseeyou.”

Tracewassmilingtoo.“You’reback.”
“EmitsentmeandZebtohandletheofficerightafteryouguysleft,”Coltonsaid.FromSabrina’s

peripheralvision,shecouldseehimleaningagainstthewall.Washe…cleaninghisfingernailswitha
pocketknife?“Bossmanthoughtyoumightneedsomehelp.Lookslikehewasright.”

ThecoldendofEbba’sgunjammedharderagainstSabrina’stempleasthewomantriedtoturnherand

backaway.ItwasclumsyandSabrinapurposelyletherfeettanglewithEbba’s,butthewomanwasso
verystrong,herchestincrediblywall-likeagainstSabrina’sback.ShekickedSabrina’scalfanddidn’t
loseherbalance.

ConnormotionedwithhisfreehandforSabrinatogetdownandheheldthreefingerspointedatthe

ground,foldingthemoneatatime.

Amessage.
Three.
Two.
One.
Drop.
Sabrinaletherlegsgoslack,plungingstraighttothefloorwhereshepurposelyshovedEbbaagainst

thewall.

Atthesamemoment,Beatricescreamed,highandguttural.
Bam-bam-bam,gunfireechoedthroughthehallway,Connor’sbootsgrowingcloserinSabrina’sview

witheveryshothefiredatEbba.

CalroselikeaphoenixfrombehindTracewithafiercelookonhisface,hisgunpointedatEbbaas

well.HeshovedHunterasideandfired.

Thereportinthenarrowhallwayfromallofthegunfirewasdeafening.Sabrinathrewherarmsover

herheadandwentfetal.

Ebba’sbodyspuninapirouette,bulletsriddlingherchestandbackastheypinnedheragainstthewall.

Theytoreathershirt,shreddingitinplaces,andthat’swhenSabrinarealizedwhyEbbahadfeltsosolid.

Shewaswearingabulletproofvest.
Connorhadalmostreachedher.HeheldoutahandtograbherandpullherawayfromEbba.
“She’sgotavest!”SabrinascreamedjustasshesawEbbaraisethatawfulblackweaponagain.
Timeseemedtoslow.ShesawthegunpointatConnor.Sawhisfreehandreachingforher,evenasthe

handwithhisgunrosetofireatEbbaonemoretime.

ThebulletsthathadhitEbbamightnothavepenetratedherbody,butshewasstillinpainandbarely

abletodrawbreaththroughherbruisedribs.Shetiltedsideways,herfingeronthetriggerandanevilgrin
onherface.

ConnorthrewhimselfoverSabrina,hisgunandEbba’sbothgoingoffatthesametime.

Sabrinafelthissolidweightfallontopofher.Felthisbodygorigidforhalfasecond,thensoften.
“No!”
Thescreamtorethroughherhead,outherthroat.Wrappingherarmsaroundhim,sherolledthemboth

over.

AndcamefacetofacewithEbba,herwide,deadeyesstaringbackatSabrinaasbloodtrickledfrom

thebulletholeinthecenterofherforehead.

Coltonleaneddownoverthewoman.“She’sdead,Cal.Yougother.”
“Um,someonewanttohelpmeoverhere?”TracesaidasBeatricescreamedandSabrinahearda

gushingliquidsound.

“Connor’shurt,”Sabrinacried,crawlingoffthemanwho’djustsavedherlife.Hiseyeswereclosed,

bloodflowingfromawoundshecouldn’tfind.Hisblackvestshowingaholeintheleftchest.

Oh,God.Thevestscouldhandlealot,butacloserange.40calslug?
“Connor!”Sabrinacried,shakinghimasColtonleanedoverandfeltforapulseathisneck.“Open

youreyes,goddammit!”

ColtonpeeledthevestofftorevealConnor’schest.OrmaybetoperformCPR,shewasn’tsure.All

sheknewwasthatherbodyshookwithfear.She’djustfoundsomeoneshereallylikedandontheirfirst
date—that’swhatshewascallingit,anyway—she’dmanagedtogethimkilled.

Shegrabbedhisfacebetweenherfingersandthumbsandwaggledit.“Don’tyoudaredieonme,you

fabulousman.Ihaveplansforyou!”

Bendingover,sheplantedakissonhislips,softandgentle,atearfallingonhischeek.

OMEONEWASCRYING.

Squallingwasmorelikeit.
Thebaby!
Connorsatstraightup,drawingahugebreath,and…
Shit,thathurt.
Hischestwasonfire.Sowashisneck.
“Whoa,there,cowboy.”ColtonBellskneltbesidehim,holdingaballedupdishtoweltoConnor’s

neck.“Youtookacouplerounds,onetothechestandagrazetoyourneck.You’rebleedingallover
Beatrice’sfloor,sokeepthisonyourwound.”

Connorwrappedanarmaroundhisribs.Oratleasttriedto.Thefireinhisneckseemedtomakehis

armuseless.Allitwantedtodowashanglimpathisside.

Andhewasdamnwoozy.TherewerethreeversionsofBellsfloatinginfrontofhim.
“WhenyoudovetosaveSabrina,”Bellsexplained,pointingatadentinthewallbehindthem,“youhit

yourheadonthecorner.Knockedyourselfloo-loo.”

“Sabrina,”Connorcroaked,usinghisgoodarmtoholdthetowelathisneck.“Isshe…?”
“SheandHunterwenttogetthehelo.Wehaveabunchofyoutogettothehospitalandthefastestway

iswiththatprettybird.”Heliftedhisheadastheyheardthethump-thump-thumpoftherotorsinthe
distance.“Soundslikeyourcarriageapproaches,Cinderella.”

Someonehadrestoredtheelectricityandthelightswereon.Connorblinkedtoclearhisvision.
Ebbaandhersoldierslaywheretheyhadfallen.Maria,Cal,andBeatricewerenowhereinsight.
“Whereiseveryone?”
Bellshelpedhimtohisfeet.“Bedroom.Beatriceandthebabyarefine,asyoucanprobablytellfrom

allthecaterwaulingyouhear.Cal’slostalotofblood,butthebastard’satoughSOB.Hewon’tletus
touchhim,he’ssoenamoredwiththatnewbaby.Themidwifetookabullettoo,butshe’llbeokayonce
thesurgeonfixesherup.”

Competingwiththenoiseofthehelicopter,Connorheardsirensapproaching.“I’mfine,”heinsistedas

Bellswalkedhimtoachair.“Takecareoftheothers.”

“Yeah,that’sthesamesongI’mgettingfromeveryone.”Bellsshovedhimintothechairandpattedhis

knee.“Sittight.”

Hemusthavedozedoffbecausethenextthingheknew,Sabrinawasshakinghimawake,herbeautiful

facecontortedinadeepfrown.“Connor?”

God,shewasbeautiful.Herredhairwasawild,gloriousmessaroundherface,herhandsshakingas

shefelthisforehead.Hereachedtotouchher,buthisrightarmstillwouldn’tworkandhislefthandwas
coveredwithblood.

Helethisbloodyhanddrop,hisvisiononceagaingoingabitwonky.SeeingthreeSabrinas,though,

wasfarbetterthanthreeofBells’uglymuganyday.“Youokay?”heaskedher.

Shesmiledsweetly.“Yousavedmylife.OfcourseI’mokay.”
“Comeon,cowboy.”Bellswassuddenlyhaulinghimoutofthechair.Theredandblueofpolicelights

swirledpastthewindows.Anambulancescreamedtoastopbythefrontdoor.“Let’sgetyouintoyour
carriage.”

ConnorgrimacedasBellstookhisarmandthrewitoveroneofhisshoulders.“Taketheothersinthe

helo,”hesaidtoSabrinaastheystartedwalkinghimtowardthebackdoor.“Bellscandrivemetothe
hospital.”

Sabrinaputanarmaroundhiswaisttoholdhimup.“TheambulanceisforBeatriceandthebaby,and

ofcourse,Cal’sridingwiththem.I’mtakingyouandMariatothehospital.”

Hunterpassedthem,givingConnorafriendlyslaponhisface.“Youdidgoodforarookie,Irish.”
“Didyoureallyjustcallmearookie?”hedemanded.
“Untilyou’reonmyShadowteam,”Huntersaid,“you’rearookieinmybook.We’lltalkafteryou’re

stitchedup.”

“Aboutwhat?”
Huntergavehimaduhlook.“Joiningmyteamandlosingyourrookiestatus.”
“YourShadowteam?”
Hunterkeptwalking.ColtoncontinuedtomoveConnortothebackdoor.“ThinkyoucanhandleHunter

foraboss?”

AShadowteam.He’djustbeenofferedaslotontheelitesoldier’sSFIunit.Couldhehandleit?
Itwasanhonorjusttobeasked.He’dhavetogiveitseriousconsideration.HisPTSDwasonething;

findinghisreplacementtoruntheofficewasanother.Addtothat,beingonaparamilitaryteamwouldcut
intothehourshehadavailabletohuntdown12September.

HunterwenttothefrontdoorandopeneditfortheEMTswhohustledinwithagurney.AsConnorand

theothershitthebackdoor,Hunterwasshowingthemintothebedroom.Thebabyhadquieted,and
ConnorheardBeatricelaugh.

Thesoundwassogood,sounexpected,hesmiledrightthroughhispainanddizziness.NoonebutCal

evermadeBeatricelaugh.Maybethebabywoulddothattoo.

Amomentlater,SabrinaandBellsloadedhimintothehelicopter.Mariawasalreadyinside,one

bloodyarmthrownoverhereyesassheslouchedintherearseatwithhereyesclosed.

BellsstrappedhimintotheseatnexttoSabrinaassheranaroundtothepilotseatandhoppedin.
Thehorizonwasbrighteningwiththesunrise,andConnoreasedbackintheseatandclosedhiseyesas

thebirdliftedintotheair.

ChapterNine

_____________________

______________________________________________________

ABRINAFLEWFAST

throughthemorningair,dippingdownthroughthevalley,racingabovethe

interstate,andrisingupoverthecity.She’dradioedaheadtothehospitalandthey’dgivenherpermission
tolandontheirhelopad,thegiantredXcomingintoviewassheneared.

Sheshouldhavefeltrelief,butbothherpassengerswereoutcold.Frombloodloss?Fromtheir

concussions?Fromshock?

Donotpanic.Anyorallcouldbethereason.Allsheknewwasthatshehadtogetthisbirddownand

getConnorandMariaintothehandsoftheprofessionals.

Pleasedon’tdieonme.Pleasedon’tdie.
Therefrainswamthroughherhead,overandoveragainasshechancedaglanceatConnor,slumpedin

theseatnexttohers,hisfaceashen.She’dtriedshakinghim,yellingathim,pinchinghim.Nothinghad
worked.Thepulseinhisneckbeatsoslowlyanderratically,she’dbarelybeenabletofindit.Allshe
couldnowwasflyforallshewasworth.

Becauseshewasflyingforhislife.
Herhandsshook,andherbreathwastightinherchest.She’djustlivedthroughasituationthathad

rivaledthebombinginAntwerp.Thatnight,withalltheinjured,manyofthemherfriendsandcolleagues,
she’dflownflightafterflightbackandforthfromthebombsitetothenearbyhospitals.

Menandwomenhaddiedinherhelicopter.
She’dalmostdiedwhentheperpetratorshadsentasurface-to-airmissileatherwhileshewasinthe

air.

Thatimpactandexplosionstillhappenednightlyinherdreams.Thesensationoffalling,falling,

falling…

Connorcoughedbesideher,aragged,burblingsound.Sabrinasteeledhernervesasshestuckthe

landing,bringingthebirddownswiftlybutasgentlyasshecould.Ateamofnursesanddoctorsranout
thedoortomeether.

Bythetimesheshutdownthehelicopterandjumpedout,theyalreadyhadbothofherpatientson

gurneysandwereheadedforthebuilding.Sabrinaranafterthem.

AburlymalenursestoppedherbeforeshecouldfollowConnorinside.“Getthathelicopteroffthe

pad.Themedcopterisinboundwithanotherpatient.”

“What?ButIhavetostayherewithhim,”sheargued.
“Sorry,there’snothingIcando.”Heshruggedonebeefyshoulder.“Youhavetogetthathelicopterout

oftheway.Thereisn’tenoughroomfortwo.”

Thedoorslammedshutinherface.
Anxietytoreitswaythroughherbody.Thememoryofthemwheelinghermotherawayonagurneyjust

likethatflashedintohermind.

Momma.Imissyouso.
Sabrinahadn’tbeenthereforherwhenshe’ddiedandtheguiltstillateather.
WhatifConnordiedtoo?
Herchesttightenedevenmore,airwhistlingthroughherpartedlips.Herbodyfeltimmobile,lockedin

place,herhandsandfeetterriblycold.

Thehelicopterhadtobemoved.Shehadnochoice.

Closinghereyesforabriefmoment,shesenthermindtoabeautifulmountaintop,asunrise,aquiet

brookinanoldforest.Thenaturescenescalmedherandeasedthevisegriponherchest.Shakingouther
hands,sheopenedhereyesandrantothehelicopter,hurryingtogetthebirdbackintheair.

TheUCommbuildingwasonlyhalfamilefromthehospital,butthatmeanthalfamilebacktothe

EmergencyRoominearlymorningtraffic.

NowaywassheleavingConnorforthatlong.
Intheair,shecircledaroundandfoundthespotsheneeded.Anemptyparkinglotonthefarsideofthe

eastwing.Theparkinglotheldoverflowfromthemainlots,wherenooneeverwantedtopark,butoften
timeshadto.Itwouldbeatightfittogetpastthebuildingsandnotclipthedecorativetrees,butshe
wasn’tanacepilotfornothing.

Acoupleofthetreeslostbranches,butshemanagedtobringthehelodowninaspotnotmorethana

hundredyardsfromtheeastwing’ssideentrance.Sabrinashutdownthehelicopterandranforthedoor.

BythetimeshegottotheERandpasttheadmittingnurse,shewaswinded.Thenursewhohadstopped

herontheroofcaughtherarmasshewentrunningpasthim.

“Hey,howdidyougetbacksofast?”
Shespunoutofhisgripandwaggledherfingersintheair.“Magic.”
ButwhenshegottotheERroomwhereConnorwassupposedtobeandwhippedthecurtainback,her

stomachdroppedtoherknees.

Thebedwasempty.
“He’sinx-ray,”themalenursesaidcomingupbehindher.
“Ishegoingtobeokay?”
Theguylikedtoshrugitseemed,givingheranotheronelikehehadonthepadupstairs.Hisdarkeyes,

whichhadprobablyseenalotinhistimeworkingtheemergencyroom,showedempathyforher.“A
brokenribandheneedsstitches.Otherthanthat,heshouldbeswinginglikeachampagaininnotime.His
concussionismild.”Heknockedhisknucklesagainsthishead.“He’sgotahardnoggin,justlikeme.”

TheguygrinnedandreliefmadeSabrina’skneesgooey.“He’snotinshock?”
“Sureheis,butwe’reloadinghimupwithfluidsandwe’llkeepaneyeonhim.”Hemotionedata

chairinthecorner.“Whydon’tyouhaveaseat?You’relookingalittlepaleyourself.”

Pale?Afterthenightshe’dhad,thewordmadeherlaugh.
Butshetookthechairbecauseherlegsweredefinitelyfeelingboneless.“Howaboutthewoman?Is

sheokay?”

Theguymadeaface.“She’sheadedtosurgery.Thebullethitherclavicleanddidsomedamage,but

thesurgeonswillfixherup.”

HisnametagreadOtis.Sabrinastuckoutahand.“Thankyou,Otis.Iappreciatetheinformation.”
Heshookherhand.“Justdoingmyjob,ma’am.”Hestartedtowalkaway,thenstopped.“Niceflying

youdidoutthere,bytheway.”

Sabrinagavehimathumbsup.Justdoingmyjob.

ChapterTen

_____________________

______________________________________________________

Threedayslater…

ONNORROLLEDONTO

hissideandgroanedintohispillow.

“Heyyou,”asoftvoicesaidaswarmarmswrappedaroundhiswaist.“Howareyoufeeling?”
Hiseyesflewopenandthewallacrossfromhisbedcameintoview.Slowly,helookedbackoverhis

shoulder,hisstitchesbalkingatthemovement.

Redhairandsleepyeyesmethisgaze.Sabrinasmiledathimthroughayawn.“Doyouneedoneof

yourpainpills?”

Thepreviouscoupleofdayscamebacktohiminarush.Theambush,thefirefight,thecriesofa

newbornbaby.

Beatrice’slaugh.Sabrina’sfacewhenhecamebackfromgettinghisribsx-rayed.Thenightthey’djust

spentinhisbed,afterhistimeinthehospitalfilledwithtestsandprocedures,Sabrinabyhissidethrough
itall.

Oncethedoctorshadreleasedhim,she’dbroughthimhometoSFIHeadquarters,fedhim,cleanedhim

up,andtuckedhimintobed.

Inhisdelirium—andregardlessofhisbandagedribcageandstitchedupneck—he’dpulledherinwith

him.

Hisbrokenribputadamperonhisacrobaticswithherbeautifulbody,butman,ohman,lettingherdo

mostoftheworkwasactuallyquitenice.

Nice?Whowashekidding.Shewasfreakin’awesome.Thethingsshe’ddonetohim,eveninhis

injuredstate,hadmadeeverymomentofthepastfewdaysworthit.

Hestillcouldn’tbelieveshewashereinhisbed.“You’remypainkiller.”
Asmileteasedherlipsandshekissedhisshoulder.“Icanfindafewmorewaystoeaseyourpain,if

youlike.”

Oh,helikedallright.Hewasdefinitelyupformoreofthatbrandofmedicine.
Shiftingcarefully,herolledontohisbackanddrewherinclose.“You’rewaybetterthanmorphine.

I’mtotallyaddictedtoyou.”

Hewaslostinherlipswhenhisphonebuzzedonthenightstand.Sabrinabrokethekissandglanced

overattheID.Herphonebegantobuzzatthesametime.“Uh,oh.Ithinkwe’rebeingsummedbyQueen
B.”

“Beatrice?Isshehomealready?”
“Home?”Sabrinalaughed.“She’scallingusfromheroffice.”
“Nofuckingway.”Connorrubbedhishead.“Shejusthadababy.”
“Thehospitalreleasedheraftertwenty-fourhours.Sheandthebabyaredoinggreat.”
Bothoftheirphonesbuzzedagain,likelittleangrybeesonConnor’snightstand.“Iknewshedidn’t

plantotakeanytimeoff,butthisisflippin’ridiculous.I’veneverknownanyonelikeher.”

“She’saforceofnature,forsure.”Sabrinareachedacrosshimtograbherphone,herfullbreasts

pressingintohischestassheanswered.“21Pilots,here….Yes,ma’am,he’sdoingbetter…Ithinkso.
Sure.”

SabrinapausedandConnorheardBeatrice’svoice,buthecouldn’tmakeoutwhatshewassaying.

Sabrinawinkedathim.“Ithinkhecanmanageashorttripdownstairs.I’llgethimupandwe’llbe

down…Copythat.”

Shedisconnectedandtossedherphonebehindherontothebed.“Thegang’sallhere,evenEmitand

Miles.Beatricesaysshehasanannouncement.Webettergetdownthere,asap.”

“Shit.Ineedashower.Who’sansweringthephones,bytheway?”
Shehoppedoutofthebedanddrewashirtoverherhead,abrightappleredthatclashedbeautifully

withherhair.“Everybody’stakingturns.EvenParkerandSavannasignedupforacoupleofshifts.
Henley,too.”

“Henleybetternottouchmyphones.He’llhaveeverythingscrewedup.”
Sabrinalaughed.“Don’tworry.Beatricetoldhimnottochangeanything.She’sgotyourback,

Conmeister.”

Yeah,itseemedlikeeveryoneheredid.
AsSabrinapulledonjeansandbrushedherhairupintoaponytail,Connorangledhimselfupandout

ofbed.Thepainwasthere,butmanageable,especiallywithhissexynursehelpinghim.

Oncehewasdressedandhishairwasnolongerstickingupinsixdirections,shedeclaredhimfitto

showhisface.

Shebrushedasidealockofhishairandkissedhim.“You’remyhero,”shewhisperedagainsthislips.
Hedidn’tknowwhattosay,sohedidn’tsayanything.
TheelevatorridetoBeatrice’sofficeincludedsomedeeptongueactionfromSabrina,andiftheentire

staffofShadowForcehadn’tbeenwaitingonthem,ConnormighthavehittheStopbuttonandtakenahit
ofhisfavoritepainmedicinerightthere.

Asitwas,hewashobblingslightlywhentheylefttheelevatorthankstohiswoody,butitwasworth

seeingtheevilglintinSabrina’seyesandhercunningsmileasshetookhishandandledhimtotheoffice
door.

“Hey.”Hehauledherbackandpulledhertotheside.“Beforewegoin—”
Hersmilefaded.“Yeah?”
“Ijustwanttobeclearaboutus.Aboutwherewestand.”
“Oh.”Herfacecloudedandshereleasedhishand.“Youdon’twantthemtoknow,doyou?”
“Me?You’rekidding,right?”
Shegavehimanoddlook.“I’mconfused.”
SoamI.“You’reokaywiththemknowingthatyoujustspentthenightwithme?”
Acockofherheadonlyseemedtodeepentheconfusiononherface.“OfcourseIam.Whywouldn’tI

be?”

Sabrinawasdefinitelyonehellofapainkiller.Herwordswerethebestdamnmedicinehe’dever

had.Forhisheartandsoul,notjustforhisbody.

Hetouchedhercrazyredhairandsmiled.“I’mamess,Sabrina.”Hepointedathistemple.“Myhead,

myPTSD…it’sallatrainwreckinhere.”

“Areyousure?”sheaskedquietly.“BecausewhatIsawwhenyousavedmylife,andBeatriceandthe

baby’s,wasamanofhonor,loyalty,andbravery.Soevenifyou’vegotsomeissues—andwhodoesn’t?
—you’redoingagreatjobcombattingthem.”

Areyousure?Thewordsechoedinhishead,tauntinghim.ThesamewordsBilliehadaskedhimright

before12Septemberambushedthem.

Hisheartbeatlikeatimpanidrum.Connortookadeepbreath,welcomingthepaininhisribs,and

closedhiseyesforamoment.Hestillhadascoretosettlewith12September,butrightnowhehada
familyhereatSFIandawomanwhocaredforhim.Theybelievedinhim.

Allhecoulddowasmakesureheprovedworthyoftheirsupport.
“Yeah.”HegrabbedSabrina’shandagainandsqueezedit.“Iamone-hundred-and-ten-percentsurethat

Iwanttobewithyou,andI’llshoutitfromtherooftopsifnecessary.”

Hersmilelitupthehallway.“Good,becausemydadwantstomeetyou.Dinner’sateighttonight.”
“Tonight?”
“Yep.”Shenoddedandherponytailbobbed.
ThedoortoBeatrice’sofficeflewopenandColtonBellsstuckouthishead.“Todayalready,people.

Jesus.”

HoldinghandswithSabrinaandunabletokeepthegrinoffhislips,ConnorenteredBeatrice’soffice

tofindallofhisSFIfamilywaitingforhim.

ChapterEleven

_____________________

______________________________________________________

EATRICEHADNEVER

beensoutterlyexhaustedinherwholelife.

Orsoextremelyhappy.
BabyReesewasmakingtheroundswiththeentiregroupgatheredinheroffice,whileCalstewedand

keptpassingthehandsanitizeraround.AsConnorandSabrinaentered,acheerwentupfromtherestof
theoperativesandBeatricethoughtConnormightbeblushing.

“Comein,”shesaid,wavingahandatthem.“It’sgoodtoseeyouupandaround,Connor.”
Extrachairshadbeenbroughtin,alongwiththebaby’scradleandachangingtable.Nearthefireplace,

SavannaandTracehadsetupatableanddecorateditwithribbonsandballoons.Inthecenterwasasheet
cake,andacoolerfilledwithassortedbeveragessatonthefloornexttothetable.Maggieeyedallofit,
waitingforapieceofcakeitseemed.

EmithandedConnoradrinkaftertheirnewestfieldoperativeconfirmedhewasn’ttakinganyofthe

narcoticsthedoctorshadprescribed.SabrinaacceptedabottleoficedteaandZebandHenleygaveup
theirchairsforthetwoofthem.

BabyReesehadgonehalfwayaroundthecircleofoperativesandtheirgirlfriendsandwascurrently

beingogledoverbyMilesandCharlotte.“Haveyounamedheryet?”Charlotteasked,herBritishaccent
lightandbubbly.

“That’swhywecalledyouallhere.”TherewereseveralRockStarswhocouldn’tleavetheircharges,

andasmallteamofShadowForcemenwrappingupasearchandrescuemissioninNicaragua,butmost
oftheresthadmadeitin.EvenJaxonhadflowninfromChicago,bringingtheCIAoperative,Ruby
McIntyre,withhim.ShewasstillasbangedupasCalandConnor,butsheseemedhappytobeinvitedto
thislittleimpromptuparty.“Butfirst,”Beatriceadded,“CalandIwouldliketotakeamomenttothank
ConnorandSabrinaforcomingtoouraid.You’rebothreceivinggenerousbonusesinyournext
paychecks.”

Connorstoppedwiththebeerhalfwaytohismouth,thenlowereditashisteammatesclapped,

whistled,andmadecatcalls.TracepattedhimonthebackandSabrinagrinnedfromeartoear.Maggie
madeherwayovertoConnorandlaidathisfeet,wagginghertail.

SeveralofthemengotupandgaveSabrinafistbumpsandslapsontheback,likeshewasoneofthem.

HergreeneyeskeptdartingtoConnor.

“Itwasnothing,boss,”Connorsaid,oncethehoopladieddown.
Butitwas,Beatriceknew,asdidCal,Emit,andtheothers.Connorhadovercomethedemonsthat

livedinhisheadinordertohelprescuethem.Thereweren’tmanymeninhissituationwhocouldthrow
togetheranemergencyrescuemissionandexecuteitsoflawlessly.

Sabrinaraisedherbottleofteainsalute.“ToConnor.He’stherealherohere.”
“ToConnor,”theothersechoed,followingsuitandliftingtheirdrinks.Beatriceliftedherfruit

smoothie.

“Ididn’tdefuseabomb,”Connorargued.Hewasdefinitelyembarrassed,hisneckflushedandhisgaze

drinkinginSabrinalikeshewasthemostbeautifulthinghe’deverseen.“Noneofusinthathousewould
behererightnowifitweren’tforyou,Red.”

Sabrinaleanedoverandkissedhischeekandanotherroundofcatcallsandwhistleswentoff.
“Bytheway,”Sabrinasaid,settlingbackintoherchair.“Whydoesthecakesay‘HappyRetirement?’”

Colton,leaningagainstthefireplace,scratchedhisjawline.“ItwasthebestIcoulddoonshortnotice.

Itwaseitherthator‘HappySweet16.’”

Thebabystirred,armswavingandlegskicking.Hertinyvoicecutthroughthenoiseassheletouta

heartfelt“mew”andeveryonestartedmakingoverheragain.

CalsteppedinandtookherfromCharlotte,holdingthebabyclosetohischestashehobbledoverto

Beatrice.Hisbulletwoundswouldaddafewmorescarstohiscollection,butheworehisinjurieslike
medals.“WewantedtowaituntilJaxgotheretoannouncewehaveanameforourgirl.”

Beatricetookherbabyandlookeddownintoherface.Sosmall.Sosweet.Sonotaboylikeshe’d

predicted.

Shewasneverwrongaboutanything,butshehadtheunwaveringnotionthatthischildwasgoingto

proveherwrongonmany,manythings.

Jaxonleanedforward,settinghiselbowsonhisknees.“WhatdoIhavetodowiththis?”
Jax.HewasmuchlikeCalinmanywaysandoutofallofherSFIwarriors,he’dalwaysbeen

completelyhonestwithher,whethershewantedtohearitornot.

“Allofyouarespecialtome,”shesaid,andhadtostopforamomentbecauseherthroatgrewtight.“If

Icould,Iwouldnamethisbabyaftereveryoneofyou.”

AlleyesswungtoJaxonandunderstandingdawnedacrosshisface.Hesatbackandlookedcompletely

gobsmacked.“You’renamingthebabyJaxon?Yousureaboutthat?Idon’tknowifthat’ssogreatfora
girl.”

“Actually,”Calsaid,grinning,“we’renamingherSloane.Yourlastnamewithaneontheend.Sloane

TraciaKenzieReese.Sloaneafteryou,TraciaafterHunter,andKenzieafterMcKenzie.”

Agreeablemurmursranthroughthegroup.Headsnodded.Tracesmiled.
“Asallofyouknow,Iwassurewewerehavingaboy,”Beatriceadmitted,“butregardless,sheneeded

somethingunique.Sloanefitandweaddedtheothersbecause,well,wewouldn’tbeherewithoutConnor
andTrace.Sabrinaeither.Ifwehaveanothergirlsomeday,youallcanguesswhathernamewillbe.”

“Oohs”and“ahhs”rippledthroughtheroom.Softchucklesaswell.
Coltongrabbedaknifefromthetableandstartedcuttingthecake.“Thatworks,cuz,honestly,Coltonis

awaybetternameforaboythanJaxonorTrace.Somaybenexttime,huh,boss?You’llhookmeupand
nameyourkidafterme?”

Beatricelaughed.
Milesstoodandheadedforthecake.“IthinkMileshasaniceringtoitifthenextkidisaboy.”
“Don’tbestupid,”Zebsaid,pushingoffhischair.“Zebulonistheobviouschoiceiftheyhaveaboy.”
Andsoitwentforthenextfewminutes.Alltheguyshadacommentaboutwantingtosharetheirname

withanyfutureReesebabies.CakewaspassedaroundandcongratswerebestowedonBeatriceandCal,
ConnorandSabrina,andJaxonandTrace.

SloanefellbacktosleepinBeatrice’sarmsasCalspoonfedBeatriceapieceofthecakeoverthe

baby’shead.Oncethecrowdhadsettledintotheirfood,Calleanedoverandwhispered,“Shouldwetell
themnow?”

BeatricelookedoverherSFIfamilyandnodded,givinghimasmile.Timewastooprecioustowaste.

Itwasoneofthereasonsshe’dinsistedtheycometotheofficetodayandmaketheirannouncements.
“Let’sdoit.”

Calusedhisforktobangonhisbeerbottleandtheroomquieted,headscominguptolookathimand

Beatrice.“There’sonemorething.”Heturnedtoher.“B?”

BeatricerockedgentlyinherchairasSloaneslept.“CalandIaren’treligiouspeople,butlikeusual,

we’redoingwhatwewantto,regardlessofrulesandsocietalnorms.You’reallourfamily,andalthough
Calstillhashismomaround,neitherofusisflushwithbloodrelations.WewantSloanetoknowwhat
it’sliketobepartofabigfamily,sowe’renamingeachandeveryoneofyouasgodparentstoher.We

hopeyou’lltakethatroleseriouslyandwelcomeherintoyourlivesthewayyouhavebothofus.”

Foramoment,stunnedsilencefilledtheroom.Savannadashedatearoffhercheek.Charlottepressed

ahandtoherlips.

ConnorrosefromhischairandcametowardBeatrice’sdesk,leaningoverandgentlytakingoneof

Sloane’ssmallhands.“Heythere,”hesaidquietly.“I’myourUncleConnor.Youcomehangoutwithme
anytime.”

Sloaneopenedhereyesforamomentandfixedherbabygazeonhim.Thenshewavedherballedup

fistandpursedherlipsasiftosaysomething.

Asifthefloodgatesopened,everyoneoftheSFIcrewfiledovertointroducethemselvesproperlyto

her,andlikealittletrooper,Sloanedidn’tfussorcryatall.Assoonasthelastpersonwasdonecooing
overher,shefellrightbacktosleep,lipspartingonasigh.

Thepartycontinuedforthenexthour,andthenthegroupbegantofileout,untilonlyTrace,Savanna,

Jax,Ruby,Connor,andSabrinawereleft.Thesixofthemhuddledaroundthecaketable,talkingand
laughing,whileBeatricegaveSloaneabottle.

Calsatinthechairwatching,hisinjuredlegproppedonBeatrice’sdesk.“It’sagoodlife,”he

murmured,hisgazefixedonSloane’sface.

Beatricenodded,hereyesfullofhappytearsassheimaginedthelifeherdaughterwasgoingtohave,

surroundedbypeoplewholovedher.

Sometimesitwasgoodtobewrong.

DearFabulousReader,

ThankyouforreadingFatalLove!
Ifyouenjoyedthisstory,wouldyouhelpothersenjoyit,too?

Lendit.Thise-bookislending-enabled,soplease,shareitwithafriend.
Recommendit.Pleasehelpotherreadersfindthisbookbyrecommendingittofriends,readers

groups,anddiscussionboards.

Reviewit.PleasetellotherreaderswhyyoulikedFatalLovebyreviewingitonAmazonor

Goodreads.Ifyouwriteareview,pleasesendMistyanemailatmisty@readmistyevans.com.I’d
liketoinviteyoutobepartofmyreviewcrew,Misty’sRockin’Readers.

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getafreeSuperAgentstory,andreadexcerptsofmyothernovels.

RomanticSuspenseandMysteries

byMistyEvans

TheSuperAgentSeries

OperationSheba

OperationParis

OperationProofofLife

TheBloodCode

ThePerfectHostage,ASuperAgentNovella

TheSCVCTaskforceSeries

DeadlyAffair,ASCVCTaskforcenovella

DeadlyAttraction

TheJusticeTeamSeries(withAdrienneGiordano)

MissingJustice

ShadowForceInternationalSeries

FatalTruth

FatalHonor

FatalCourage

FatalLove

TheSecretIngredientCulinaryMysterySeries

TheSecretIngredient,ACulinaryRomanticMysterywithBonusRecipes

TheSecretLifeofCranberrySauce,ASecretIngredientHolidayNovella

AbouttheAuthor

USATODAYBestsellingAuthorMistyEvanshaspublishednearlyfortynovelsandwritesromantic

suspense,urbanfantasy,andparanormalromance.Shegotherstartwritingin4thgradewhenshewon
secondplaceinaschoolwritingcontestwithanessayaboutherdad.Sincethen,she’swrittennonfiction
magazinearticles,startedherowncoachingbusiness,becomeayogateacher,andraisedtwinboysontop
ofenjoyingherfictioncareer.

Mistylikeshercoffeeblack,herconspiracystoriesjuicy,andhersupernaturalcharactersdressedin

couture.Whennotreadingorwriting,sheenjoysmusic,movies,andhangingoutwithherhusband,twin
sons,andtwospoiledpuppies.Aregisteredyogateacher,shesharesherloveofchakrayogaandenergy
healing,butstillhasn’tmasteredlevitating.

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