and head to the bathroom. I need a moment to collect myself.
Chapter Fourteen
Wes
I didn’t want to come tonight, but I had to see her. The things I do to people on any given day would make any sane man’s skin crawl. She wouldn’t like what I’d been doing before I came here. It got ugly. I found another lead and beat him until my fingers bled. Didn’t get anything out of him even after all the torture. Another Iraqi sent to spy on me. Someone knows I’m not who I say I am. It has to be the reason for all the spies. Could it be the general? I still can’t wrap my head around the why. Could be anyone really. I’m not sure at this point.
So, I needed her. She is the only one who can wash some of the memory away. The sight of her when she opened the door stole my breath. Her innocence is disarming. When the general said we would be shipping out, it included those with medical training. And, I just knew they would ask her. I tried to tell myself not to get involved, but I couldn’t. The thought of her over there does not sit well with me.
Then when she agreed to stay, however reluctantly, it made me breathe easier the rest of the day.
After leaving the hospital, I went to Leonard to tell him about the deployment. That’s when he shared what he’d found. Those guns being shipped from here to Afghanistan were army property. Part of them at least. Someone’s been trading them behind the scenes. The files weren’t specifically from the general’s personal computer, but they are in the army’s database. It was hard to find but found nonetheless. Leonard is working on hacking Mayfield’s computer tonight. I can’t believe this is going here. First the drugs, then my brother, and now this.
Why does a man like me do what I do? Because I like finding out the truth. It’s the game of it all that gives me a rush. The truth sets apart a man from a boy, a fighter from a coward. This job is the only thing that gives me purpose. I have a feeling that soon will change.
Jane’s been in that bathroom for a total of sixteen minutes and twenty-three seconds. My legs bounce with impatience as I wait for her to return.
Screw it.
“I’m going to see if everything is okay,” I say as they continue to chat among themselves. I get up and head down the short hallway to the bathroom.
I knock on the door. “Jane? Everything all right?”
She doesn’t answer. I have to fight the urge to kick down the damn door. After a few more minutes, she slowly opens it. Her eyes are downcast, but I can tell she’s been crying. I don’t like seeing her like this. She’s too beautiful to be marked with such sadness.
“Sorry.” She smiles through her tears, finally acknowledging me.
I don’t wait for an invite as I walk into the bathroom. She steps backward with every step I take until I’m in far enough to shut the door.
“Hey, what’s the matter?” I cup her face, bringing her gaze to mine, and brush away each tear with my thumbs. She hiccups and damn if that isn’t the cutest thing she’s ever done.
“Nothing. I guess I just got overwhelmed. It’s been a while since I’ve had people over like this.” She shrugs. “It just reminded me of who I was before.”
Her statement sends my mind into overdrive, thinking about what she means. Is she different than who she used to be? I think she’s great right now. And, if not, what the hell happened? Then, I remember her mentioning an ex in the army and it clicks.
“Did he hurt you?” My jaw ticks as I struggle to rein in my temper. I swear if she says yes, I will find the scumbag and make him pay with every torture known to man.
“It doesn’t matter,” she says quietly.
Question answered.
My guys know me and are used to my temperament, but she isn’t and neither are her friends. Not wanting to scare her, I steady my heart rate and breathe a few long cleansing breaths.
“Would you like us to go home?” I brush back a loose strand of hair that escaped her
Chapter Fourteen
Wes
I didn’t want to come tonight, but I had to see her. The things I do to people on any given day would make any sane man’s skin crawl. She wouldn’t like what I’d been doing before I came here. It got ugly. I found another lead and beat him until my fingers bled. Didn’t get anything out of him even after all the torture. Another Iraqi sent to spy on me. Someone knows I’m not who I say I am. It has to be the reason for all the spies. Could it be the general? I still can’t wrap my head around the why. Could be anyone really. I’m not sure at this point.
So, I needed her. She is the only one who can wash some of the memory away. The sight of her when she opened the door stole my breath. Her innocence is disarming. When the general said we would be shipping out, it included those with medical training. And, I just knew they would ask her. I tried to tell myself not to get involved, but I couldn’t. The thought of her over there does not sit well with me.
Then when she agreed to stay, however reluctantly, it made me breathe easier the rest of the day.
After leaving the hospital, I went to Leonard to tell him about the deployment. That’s when he shared what he’d found. Those guns being shipped from here to Afghanistan were army property. Part of them at least. Someone’s been trading them behind the scenes. The files weren’t specifically from the general’s personal computer, but they are in the army’s database. It was hard to find but found nonetheless. Leonard is working on hacking Mayfield’s computer tonight. I can’t believe this is going here. First the drugs, then my brother, and now this.
Why does a man like me do what I do? Because I like finding out the truth. It’s the game of it all that gives me a rush. The truth sets apart a man from a boy, a fighter from a coward. This job is the only thing that gives me purpose. I have a feeling that soon will change.
Jane’s been in that bathroom for a total of sixteen minutes and twenty-three seconds. My legs bounce with impatience as I wait for her to return.
Screw it.
“I’m going to see if everything is okay,” I say as they continue to chat among themselves. I get up and head down the short hallway to the bathroom.
I knock on the door. “Jane? Everything all right?”
She doesn’t answer. I have to fight the urge to kick down the damn door. After a few more minutes, she slowly opens it. Her eyes are downcast, but I can tell she’s been crying. I don’t like seeing her like this. She’s too beautiful to be marked with such sadness.
“Sorry.” She smiles through her tears, finally acknowledging me.
I don’t wait for an invite as I walk into the bathroom. She steps backward with every step I take until I’m in far enough to shut the door.
“Hey, what’s the matter?” I cup her face, bringing her gaze to mine, and brush away each tear with my thumbs. She hiccups and damn if that isn’t the cutest thing she’s ever done.
“Nothing. I guess I just got overwhelmed. It’s been a while since I’ve had people over like this.” She shrugs. “It just reminded me of who I was before.”
Her statement sends my mind into overdrive, thinking about what she means. Is she different than who she used to be? I think she’s great right now. And, if not, what the hell happened? Then, I remember her mentioning an ex in the army and it clicks.
“Did he hurt you?” My jaw ticks as I struggle to rein in my temper. I swear if she says yes, I will find the scumbag and make him pay with every torture known to man.
“It doesn’t matter,” she says quietly.
Question answered.
My guys know me and are used to my temperament, but she isn’t and neither are her friends. Not wanting to scare her, I steady my heart rate and breathe a few long cleansing breaths.
“Would you like us to go home?” I brush back a loose strand of hair that escaped her
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