A Soldier's Honor

by Regan Black

  “You said no.”

  She shrugged. “Caleb and I were making things work.”

  “And you decided I didn’t need a wife and kid tagging along,” he said before she could. He’d heard her say it too often through the years.

  “I had goals, too,” she said, bristling. “Goals and plans for myself that were a little bigger than being your wife.”

  “Stop. Please.” He stalked away from her. Time and again they came back to this point where her goals and his “couldn’t possibly” line up.

  No matter what had brought them together, he’d been thankful for another chance, another opportunity to look her in the eye and ask to start over. From this point forward. Right now.

  “I love you.” There. He saw her eyes go wide with shock. Everything he wanted to say, every thought in his head and heart stemmed from those three words. If she could tell him, but not accept him, there wasn’t any sense in spitting out the rest of the plans he wanted to make.

  “Oh, Matt.”

  She didn’t sound like a woman about to leap into his arms with joy.

  “A part of my heart will always love you, too, as Caleb’s father,” she added after a lengthy hesitation. Her mouth didn’t twitch. “Caleb loves you already, too. He’s looking forward to spending time with you—with his dad.”

  Matt’s ears were ringing. She was pushing him away. Like every other time. What was it his mom had said this morning? That he should count his blessings Bethany hadn’t married anyone else. Maybe he would have gotten over her if she had.

  No. Not a chance. She’d been it for him from the beginning. And though he’d tried, he couldn’t make her see him as her Mr. Right.

  He reminded himself he’d lived with the disappointment and no son for fourteen years. He had more to love about life than Bethany. Now he could build memories and create a real bond with his son.

  “I’ll arrange to ship the car to a garage near your place,” Matt said, his voice echoing in his ears. “We’ll rent out a work bay and tools by the hour as needed. I’ll be up there as often as possible.”

  “Caleb will be thrilled.”

  Matt nodded. “Me too.”

  “I’ve made you angry. I wish I could give you what you want.”

  Harsh laughter burst out of him, backing her up. “No. I’m not angry.” There were too many other emotions for anger to play into it yet. Sad? Yes. Miserable? Definitely. And he was sure as hell confused. “How can I be angry with you?” he asked. “You were clear about your needs and intentions from the start.” He backed away, toward the door, any escape.

  Color stained her cheeks and he was reminded of her in his arms, her supple body twined with his. Hope had taken root inside him last night. Holding her was something he’d felt he was meant to do. Would he never stop being a fool around her?

  He blew past her and walked straight out to the beach, his heart in pieces again.

  * * *

  Bethany wanted to kick herself. She lingered in the dark privacy of the garage, wishing for the courage to give Matt what he needed.

  He deserved more from her than she’d ever been comfortable giving. Even after last night, after all the talking, she still wasn’t sure. Holding back might have protected her once, shoring her up to face the challenges ahead. Although locking her feelings away from everyone other than Caleb might have turned into a habit, it brought her no comfort now. She’d tried to be honest—she did love Matt—and managed only to hurt him. When he walked away, it felt as if a priceless treasure had slipped through her grasp and crashed into pieces on the floor.

  Again.

  She’d entered West Point so sure of herself, her goals and her courage. It wasn’t easy to accept she was a coward at heart, too afraid of love to take the chance.

  Being afraid of her reactions to Matt was senseless and maybe more of a habit than she’d thought. He’d shown her nothing but support and loyalty in the strict, limited ways she allowed.

  Caleb had made it clear how he felt about having a father and being welcomed by the Riley family. They’d given her a warmer welcome than she expected, more than she deserved in light of all her mistakes.

  After all of that, how could Matt send her on a cruise while he faced the risks alone?

  Because he loved her.

  Everything he did was for love. She could see it now, in the small moments and the big ones. He would stand and shield her and Caleb for as long as necessary. She might not be brave enough to let herself love him outright with a day-to-day relationship, but she could be brave enough to watch his back.

  Chapter 12

  They left as early on Sunday as Matt could reasonably get away. He’d used the investigation as an excuse to distance himself from Bethany and the rest of his family. His mother had nearly cornered him a time or two, but he’d managed to get away with the help of Grace Ann. Though he’d tried to hide it, his family knew something was wrong.

  Caleb had rambled about cars in every shape and size, practically without taking a breath, for the first half of the drive back to DC. It was an enjoyable distraction for Matt, who savored his son’s enthusiasm as he wondered what was going through Bethany’s mind. It shouldn’t matter. Once the threat was removed, the three of them would establish a new normal. Whether or not he could have a relationship with her, he’d made it clear he wouldn’t walk out of Caleb’s life.

  “How long will we stay with Matt, Mom?”

  “Through your fall break,” she replied. “I booked a hotel near the Mall so we can walk to the monuments and museums.”

  This was the first Matt heard about a hotel. With Caleb listening, he pretended this wasn’t news. They all knew he had plenty of room at the condo, but he supposed that had been wishful thinking. He’d have to tell Alex about this shift at the first opportunity. Thanks to two generals tugging on strings, two dedicated security teams were being briefed. One to protect Bethany and Caleb, and one to back him up.

  “We’re not staying with Matt?”

  “Matt has to work,” Bethany supplied smoothly enough to make Matt’s teeth ache. “This way we can all come and go as we please.”

  Yeah, his key assignment this week was to draw out the man threatening them. As of the last report that came in before they left, Matt was still the primary target. Good news, as far as he was concerned.

  “Your history teacher is looking forward to pictures and a brief report when you get back,” Bethany said.

  Caleb groaned and flopped backward. “You had to tell her where we were going?”

  “She’s my friend, as well as your teacher.” Bethany swiveled around. “What’s the big deal? You can do reports like that in your sleep.”

  “Can we go to the National Air and Space Museum?”

  “Sure.” Bethany’s voice carried a wealth of maternal patience.

  “What’s your favorite place in Washington, Matt?”

  “It’s been a long time since I’ve done the tourist thing,” he admitted. “I remember the view from the top of the Washington memorial as a kid.”

  “That would be awesome. It’s always been closed when we’ve been before.” Caleb yawned.

  Matt slid a glance to Bethany. “What about a tour of the Pentagon? You’ve only seen a few corridors and missed all the good stuff.”

  “Seriously?” Caleb sat up again. “Please?”

  “Do you like photography?”

  In the rearview mirror, he caught Caleb’s half-hearted shrug. “I guess. Why?”

  “Just thinking out loud,” Matt said. “General Knudson’s daughter is a freshman. She knows DC inside and out and she’s already on her school yearbook staff. If she has time, she might help with the photography part of your report.”

  “Huh.”

  Bethany pressed her lips together and turned her head toward the passing view, clearly not buying
into the ultra-casual reply. The easy conversation continued off and on during the rest of the route. Matt’s vigilance ratcheted with each mile that brought them closer to DC.

  A weekend of peace wasn’t exactly a statement of the enemy’s limitations, but it had been a welcome respite, regardless. Traffic increased as they passed through Richmond and they unanimously agreed to stop for a treat when it was time to fill up with gas. It wasn’t as if they were on a clock. Matt finished filling the tank and called Alex to check in.

  “How are things looking?” Matt asked as soon as his friend answered.

  “Looks to me like you lost sight of the target,” Alex said. “We just got an update this morning that she booked a hotel room. Why aren’t she and the kid staying at your place?”

  “Her choice.” Matt couldn’t hide his aggravation from one of his best friends. “I tried to get her to stay back with my parents.”

  Alex snorted. “Even I know she’s not the sort to go for that. Tell me, did you give her any kind of good reason to stay with you?”

  Clearly not. His gaze drifted to Bethany and Caleb at the booth inside the restaurant. “Drop it,” Matt warned. Alex could hassle him later. On their next fishing trip, maybe. “What am I driving us into?”

  “Nothing worse than typical traffic,” Alex reported. “The first walk through shows all quiet and calm at her hotel. The team on your place has two possible suspects, but still no definitive IDs at this point. Gotta say, as temporary duty goes, this is as cushy as it gets. Thanks, man.”

  Matt laughed a little. “Let’s hope it stays that way.” For everyone involved. “Intel isn’t any closer to getting a name for this jerk?”

  “Not so far. We won’t let anything happen,” Alex promised. “Will I get another chance to hang out with my nephew?”

  “I’ll talk with Bethany. I can’t see it being a problem.”

  “Uh-huh. Is fatherhood still working out?”

  Matt thought about the car project and the conversations. “Incredible,” he admitted. And nearly everything he’d hoped for. “He surfs as well as Grace Ann.” Alex whistled. “Dad and I discovered he’s interested in cars and we found one to fix up together.”

  “Sounds like a good start.”

  “I think so,” Matt said, turning away from the window. “Assuming we get through whatever is going on with the jerk who put a target on my back.”

  “No worries. You’ve got the best team available on your six. Just do your usual Riley tough-guy strut and let us take care of the dirty work.”

  “You’re a riot.”

  “That’s why I’m so popular, man.”

  Matt ended the call and walked back inside to join Bethany and Caleb. But they weren’t in the booth. His stomach dropped and he sidestepped around customers and staff to reach the table where they’d been moments before. A plate of french fries sat in the middle of the table, barely touched. Bethany’s purse was in the corner, her cell phone on the bench, screen shattered.

  The sound of squealing tires brought Matt’s head around in time to catch a glimpse of a silver four-door sedan tearing out of the parking lot. Delaware license plate, he noted before registering that it was Caleb’s face pressed to the back window.

  The world seemed to grind to a halt and roll slowly off its axis.

  “No.” Matt would never know if the desperate denial had been a shout or a whisper. The next words out of his mouth were orders, barked with authority and efficiency. He grabbed Bethany’s purse and demanded someone notify the authorities as he ran out of the diner to his Camaro.

  The engine roared to life and he used the redial option on his cell phone to get Alex back on the line.

  “Matt?”

  “Ambushed,” he reported. “Caleb and Beth were kidnapped. In pursuit, northbound.” He gave the details of his location and the car he was chasing. “I’m closing in now.”

  He swerved around an eighteen-wheeler and stomped on the gas pedal. The speedometer edged past eighty, past eighty-five. Grateful for every investment in this rebuild, from the oversize engine to the superior tires and upgraded suspension, he pressed on.

  No one was going to take away his family.

  “Hang back. Don’t engage,” Alex ordered. “Wait for backup.”

  “Can’t let them disappear,” Matt muttered. He needed that license plate.

  “Matt, listen! Listen to me.”

  “Caleb is in that car.”

  Alex was relaying details to another party. “Do you have a visual on Bethany?”

  “Negative. I have her purse. They broke her phone,” Matt said.

  “Where is Caleb’s phone?”

  The question threw him. “Unknown.”

  “Hold on.” Alex’s voice was low and rough as he spoke to someone else. “Matt. We have a location on Caleb’s phone, consistent with your report.”

  “Good.” Matt slithered around slower vehicles.

  “State troopers are en route.”

  “Good,” Matt repeated. He was right on the bumper of the silver sedan now and he read off the license plate number, along with the definitive make and model of the car.

  “Let the authorities handle it, Matt. We can track them by Caleb’s phone.”

  No way was he letting his kid think he’d given up. “Only until they realize that’s what you’re doing.”

  “Matt—”

  Sirens blocked out whatever Alex was saying. No one could say anything that would pull Matt off this chase. Not until he had his family back safely. When he did, the bastard driving the car, endangering his family, would pay.

  * * *

  Bethany struggled to haul herself up into the back seat, beside Caleb. She feared the man who’d caught her trying to call Matt had broken her hand, as well as her device.

  “Mom?” Caleb reached down to help her.

  “Shut up, kid,” the driver ordered.

  Bethany was tossed into the back of the passenger seat as the driver swerved and accelerated again. She tasted blood and realized her lip or nose had taken a hit somewhere along the way.

  “Are you okay?” she mouthed the words to Caleb.

  Wisely, he nodded. His eyes were huge and his face pale as he helped her fasten the seat belt.

  She could see him fighting back tears and she covered his balled up fist with her good hand. “I’m fine. We’ll be okay.”

  Pointing to the empty front passenger seat, she raised an eyebrow in question. They’d been hauled out of the diner by two men. One had held a gun to Caleb’s back, while the other had muscled her into the car.

  Caleb shrugged.

  Well, she wouldn’t complain about the advantage. The two of them could overpower the driver with the right opportunity. They just had to wait until he slowed down a bit.

  “Dad’s right behind us,” he said, too low to be heard over the sounds of the engine and tires.

  She smiled, though it aggravated her split lip. She wondered if he realized he’d called Matt Dad. In her heart, she vowed Matt would hear Caleb call him Dad soon.

  Up front, a radio crackled. “Take the next exit and turn west.”

  The driver swore at the traffic blocking his path.

  Bethany turned just enough to see Matt’s prized Camaro keeping pace with them in her peripheral vision. The driver couldn’t slow down or Matt would overtake him. “He won’t quit,” she told the driver. “You might have a chance if you surrender.”

  “Shut up!” His eyes were cold when they met hers in the rearview mirror.

  It was enough of a distraction to have him miss the exit he’d been instructed to take. The radio erupted with a furious voice and new directions.

  “Don’t blow it again,” the man on the other end of the radio barked.

  “Get him off of me and it won’t be an issue.” There was no respons
e.

  Fear spiking through her veins, Bethany twisted in her seat in an effort to warn Matt. “Oh, no.” A motorcycle surged up the interstate, weaving in and out of traffic. The rider was only two car-lengths back from Matt.

  She shouted despite the futility as the rider raised a gun. The muzzle flared—once, twice, three times—and she blinked back tears as Matt’s car jerked and shimmied, the back end skidding wide toward the shoulder. At the speeds they were traveling, she knew he could only hang on as the car became unmanageable.

  Caleb shouted, his hand reaching toward the rear window as the driver distanced himself from Matt’s problems, pulled around another big truck and skidded into the off-ramp, leaving the interstate behind.

  A cheer came over the radio and Bethany pulled her son into a hug, praying fervently for a way to escape, for Matt’s survival. “Your dad is as tough as they come,” she murmured into Caleb’s hair. “He loves you. Don’t give up on him.”

  Matt had to be alive; she wouldn’t accept anything less.

  Since he’d met Caleb, he’d demonstrated a tenacity and dedication that he wouldn’t be denied his place as father any longer. A few bullets hadn’t stopped him before; she doubted he’d stand for a kidnapping.

  “He loves us,” she said. “We’ll hang on until he can get here.”

  And if he didn’t get there? a little voice in her head dared to ask. If he didn’t get there, he would never know that she loved him, truly loved him. She’d simply been afraid of needing him too much and driving him away. Keeping him at bay had been safer, had left the control in her hands.

  “Mom?”

  “We’ll make it,” she repeated it.

  Though tears threatened as temper, frustration and confusion battered her mind and heart, she fought back against the urge to cry. This driver would not get any satisfaction from her. It was time to step up. She would not let Matt Riley’s son be used as a weapon or pawn in someone’s sick game of revenge against Ben.

  The driver slowed for a curve as he drove along a winding road, deeper into the Virginia forests, and she sat forward. “Get back.” He shot her another glance through the rearview mirror.