by Piper Stone
I continued to nurse the drink as Hawk remained outside, trying to go over what I did know in my mind, which was very little. The man who owned the building where the explosion had recently occurred was an up and coming mogul in town. By all rights, he was well respected and on the up and up, even though just his leering smile always gave me the creeps. I was observant about people and always had been, enough so that I knew Ramsey Ellis was far too slick.
That wasn’t something that I could allow to go public.
I heard the door and immediately rose to my feet.
“Well, sweetheart, you’re stuck with me for a while. I had to place the battery charger on that truck of yours, but I have my doubts I’ll be able to get enough of a charge to get you home.”
“You are kidding me?” Things couldn’t go any worse. There was no way. I might be attracted to him, but I wasn’t going to spend the night with him.
He wiped his hands on the rag he was holding, giving me a scornful look. “Don’t worry. I’m not the one who bites.”
I gave him a hateful look, doing my best not to shiver. “And my bite is poisonous.”
“Why don’t I make a fire? It’s chilly in here.”
“Not because of the weather.”
His exhale was exaggerated, the man grumbling under his breath, storming out of the front door. I waited for a few minutes, finishing the rest of my drink as my head continued to spin. Damn this entire day.
After another full minute, I walked toward the kitchen. I definitely needed another drink if I was going to be forced to spend more time with him. I noticed a single duffle bag on the floor, keys to whatever vehicle he was driving dropped on the kitchen table. While it appeared that he’d sifted through the mail, there was little sign of anything else.
The house was clean, the dishes put away. There was nothing amiss.
It was obvious that Hawk didn’t plan on hanging around long. What could have made the two brothers never want anything to do with each other? From what my producer had told me, Drake and Hawk were the surviving members of their family, the parents dying a few years ago. The ranch was expansive, over one hundred acres and likely worth a pretty penny given its location.
There was a hell of a lot more to their story and a part of me wanted to continue digging, even if I’d made a promise.
I poured another hefty amount of bourbon, not bothering to add any additional ice. Why would I want to water it down? I stared at the duffle, my instincts screaming at me. Just a single peek wasn’t going to hurt anything. It wasn’t like I was going to steal from the man.
Snorting, I walked toward the kitchen door, peering out to make certain he was still outside. I took a sip then a gulp of the drink before easing the glass onto the table and grabbing the bag, placing it on the kitchen counter. My hand was shaking as I unzipped the outside flap. When I pulled his credentials into my hands, for some reason I was in awe.
Sergeant Jake Travers, United States Marines
I pressed my finger across his picture, trying to imagine what it was like for him in the field. After carefully placing his identification on the counter, I pulled out a group of papers. Snooping suddenly seemed like the wrong thing to do. I couldn’t invade his privacy. I wasn’t that kind of reporter, no matter how much I wanted to succeed.
“See something of interest?”
Hawk’s tone of voice was gruff, but soft as brushed velvet. I held my breath as I returned the papers to their rightful compartment, adding the ID before turning to face him.
He was leaning against the doorjamb, his feet crossed and his arms folded. Sadly, he was expressionless.
“I’m sorry, Hawk. I shouldn’t have done that.”
“Nope. You shouldn’t. You just can’t help yourself, can you?”
“I just...” What the hell could I even say to him?
“You just decided that you would steamroll your way into finding information that doesn’t concern you. You just thought that my life and my privacy don’t matter. Isn’t that right, Bryce?”
I felt about two inches tall. “I have no idea what to say.”
“All evidence to the contrary.” He moved swiftly, grabbing my wrist and yanking me behind him. “Here’s how we’re going to play this. Unfortunately, I’m stuck with you tonight. I’m taking you to the guest room where you’re going to undress completely and stand in the corner where you’re going to wait for me. Like a damn freaking good little girl. When I return, I’m giving you another harsh spanking. Then you’re going to go to bed where you will stay until I come and get you in the morning.”
He dragged me up the stairs, looking at the four closed doors, grousing under his breath. Opening the first one, he flipped a switch, pointing into the bathroom. “This is the only other location you’re allowed to go.”
I continued glaring at him.
“Do you hear me, because it certainly didn’t seem like you did?” he demanded, dragging me to another closed door. The soft light highlighted the increasing anger on his face.
“Yes. I hear you.” I wanted to call him a series of terrible names for his overreacting, but I knew better than to fan the flames. I was already in far too much trouble as it was.
He gave me the kind of stern look that could melt someone into the ground. “Yes?”
Jesus. What the hell did the man want? Oh, yes. How could I forget? Respect. “Yes. Sir.”
He softened, enough so he lifted his head, even if he cursed under his breath before opening the door.
The light from the bathroom was just enough or maybe too much, the shock of what I was seeing forcing a gasp from my lips.
Hawk shifted his gaze as he searched for and found the overhead light. When he saw my eyes, he slowly turned his head.
“Oh. My. God.”
Chapter Five
Hawk
Afghanistan—Five days earlier
The day was treacherous, the temperatures capable of frying eggs on the goddamn sand. I was in a foul mood, pacing the outside of the barracks as I’d done for two solid days. I knew the shit was going to hit the fan, I just didn’t know when.
We were contractors, having served our country in various ranks as well as in several countries. We now served as liaisons, our expertise and skills sought after. We were also considered dangerous, soldiers who could erase the very souls of our enemies. Unfortunately, we were also expendable.
Scarred.
Damaged.
Incapable of rehabilitation.
I’d heard all those words and more shit during the last three days. Three fucking days of interrogations, finger pointing as to what the fuck we’d done. My answer had been the same during every heated discussion.
We had continued to serve our country and the men and women behind enemy lines, and we would do so no matter the cost.
Our penance?
I had no doubt the entire group would be quietly released, our contracts terminated in order to avoid a scandal.
And it pissed me the fuck off.
Today was the day my number would be yanked. I had no doubt, none at all. I was the leader, the man in charge and almost everyone said I’d fucked up. Our actions didn’t call for a slap on the hand. What we’d exposed had created a ripple action, although the extent we might never know. The major in charge of our skilled camp had been called to his quarters and had been there for some time. That was never a good sign.
“It’s going to be all right, bubba.” Holt ‘Mustang’ Wills had a way of making me feel better, but not today. Even his boisterous laugh couldn’t drag me up from the hell I’d placed myself in.
“You did what you had to do,” Reaper added. “I’d do it again. We all would.”
I turned to look at him. He’d argued with me, giving me shit for the decision I’d made. Nash Carter had always been the glass-is-half-empty kind of guy, but as a Marine, his instincts had come in handy.
They were almost always spot on.
If only I’d listened to him.
The decision hadn’t been easy, but it had been one that was required. Even if the upper brass thought differently.
“The brass has a funny way of handling things we have to do in the field,” I answered, eyeing Major Wallace’s barracks.
“Look, you can’t second guess the decision that you were forced to make. We’re alive because of it,” Scorpion added. He shot a glance toward Vader, giving him a nod. Of all the men who served with me, Cooper McKenzie had transformed the most, his nickname of Scorpion well deserved.
Then there was Vader. Always moody. Always getting himself into trouble. Refusing to follow the rules. His brazen attitude had almost gotten him killed in the line of duty. Austin Bridges was a name he refused to own up to, his difficult upbringing pushing him into acts of violence back home. Everyone knew that if he hadn’t signed up for the military, he’d likely be serving a lengthy prison term.
This time, his number had almost been called permanently.
Still, there was no recourse. We would lose our jobs, a passion that every one of us had embraced all those years ago. Now we’d be forced to face pasts that we’d avoided, even pretending that our previous lives hadn’t existed.
But I had no doubt that the four men flanking my side would do it all over again.
We were one unit, all for one and one for all.
The words both haunted and inspired me.
Vader stood still, his lips pursed and his eyes covered by a pair of dark shades. He’d said very little after returning from our mission. Fortunately, his injuries weren’t life threatening, something the major had called a happy accident.
Actually, his words were along the lines of a ‘freaking ridiculous happy accident.’ That’s how I knew that the shit was going to hit the fan. Maybe I’d been too aggressive in my actions, pushing my unit too hard. Then again, I also shouldn’t have listened to the freaking informant. I’d known something was up, his grubby hand seeking more money than we were willing to shell out for ‘special’ information.
I’d been the one to push the boundaries, no longer caring for the required protocol. Look where it had gotten us as a team.
I heard the sound of a Jeep headed in our direction and my blood boiled, my stomach churning.
“Here we go,” Mustang huffed. “Just remember, we have your back, Hawk.”
And I knew they did.
I thought about the four men standing beside me and sighed. Every one of them would die for the other, our bond stronger than any force of nature or freaking Taliban enemy. We’d all earned our nicknames from the years spent behind enemy lines, accepting re-ups without any questions. We were men of honor, men of steel. Each sequestered to a different location, fighting the same enemy. Then we’d ended up here, accepting military contractor positions in order to round out our careers. This shit had been more dangerous than standing on the front line.
We were nothing but sad and damaged assholes who’d attempted to make something good out of their lives. I turned to gaze at my buddies, proud to have served with them in an effort to protect all that America stood for.
All around the same age. All living in the same town in Montana, growing up close to each other. We’d built forts and fought off imaginary aliens and monsters from the time we could walk. We were true cowboys in every sense of the word. Even our trucks had been similar.
As well as our taste in women.
We also had our share of problems, the reason for enlisting together, promising never to set foot in Montana again. I wouldn’t know what to do if I couldn’t fight for our country.
That decision was out of our hands.
As the Jeep screeched to a stop, I darted a glance at the others. They knew how hard the last couple of days had been on me. They also knew I had no method of expressing my sadness. That wasn’t part of my makeup and had never been.
“Sergeant Travers, the major would like to have a word with you.” The lance corporal’s salute felt stiff, or maybe I was searching for answers.
I saluted him in return, moving to the passenger seat and dragging my sunglasses from my shirt pocket. The short drive felt like it was interminable, my heart skipping several beats. When the lance corporal remained in his seat, I knew this was bad news.
I said nothing as I walked into the barracks, merely holding my breath. The major stood at the window, peering out at his troops. I could tell he was tense, his shoulders and back rigid.
“Major Wallace.” I stood in formation, trying to calm my nerves.
He didn’t bother looking around. “At ease, son.” When he finally shifted to face me, there was extreme sadness in his eyes.
There was no way he could be any more disappointed in me than I was in myself.
“Sergeant, these last few days have been difficult,” the major said in an offhanded manner.
“I’m well aware, Major. Why don’t you cut to the chase?”
He sighed, shaking his head. “I always respected you, Sergeant.”
I opened my mouth then held my tongue as he held up his hand.
“While your actions and those of your men are under scrutiny, the reason I called you into my office has nothing to do with the last mission you were hell bent on taking, son. You have a phone call from the States.”
My gaze shifted to the phone on his desk, confusion setting in. “I’m sorry?”
“Go ahead and take it. I’ll give you some privacy.”
He walked around me and toward the door, leaving me in the uneasy quiet of his office. I hesitated before walking toward the phone, my instincts on high alert. “This is Sergeant Travers.”
“Sergeant Travers, this is Kelsey Simons. I’m an attorney with Simons and Caufield in Missoula, Montana.”
What the hell?
“I know who you are, Ms. Simons. What can I do for you?” The firm had represented my parents for years before their death, making certain the ranch was protected.
“I’m sorry to bring you bad news, Sergeant, but I was the only one who knew where you’d been assigned.” She hesitated before continuing. “Your brother was in a horrific accident.”
“What?” Flashes rushed into my mind. I hadn’t spoken to Drake in... Shit, years. “What happened?”
“There was an explosion at a building that he and his fellow firefighters were working on.”
“Fellow firefighters?” The last time I knew, my brother had taken over the heavy load of supervising my father’s ranch.
“Yes. I’m sorry that I wasn’t able to call sooner. Things have been... difficult.”
“How is he? Is he okay?” When there was another hesitation, I couldn’t hold back my anger. “Tell me!” What the hell did she mean by difficult?
“I hate to inform you but your brother... didn’t survive the explosion.”
Another round of images rushed all around me.
The last time I saw him laugh.
The last horseback ride we’d gone on together.
The last time we’d shared a beer against my parents’ wishes.
The last time I’d seen him.
And the anger between us.
As I fell against the desk, I knew my world had just imploded. I had no other family. They were gone. They were all gone.
I was alone.
“There are extenuating circumstances and I’m certain you’re going to want to come back home and deal with them.” The attorney’s words were almost lost in a massive haze.
“Yes, I...” What the hell was I supposed to say?
“Major Wallace has been helpful in arranging your transport. When you arrive in Missoula, we will talk further,” Kelsey offered, her tone full of sympathy.
I wasn’t even aware I’d hung up the phone, nor the fact the major had returned until he cleared his throat.
“Sergeant, I’m going to put in for your release papers given the emergency family situation. I’m certain I can arrange a termination of your contract without incident,” Major Wallace said with absolutely no inflection i
n his voice.
Which meant the timing was perfect to sweep the tragedy under the proverbial rug. I was being fired from the only life I’d known for years. Because of a single mistake.
Because I remained the fuck-up I’d been my entire life.
What the hell was left?
* * *
Missoula, Montana
I stared out the window, seeing absolutely nothing. I remained sick to my stomach and had since the night before. There were no emotions to describe what I’d seen or the nightmares that had plagued me even though I hadn’t had a minute’s worth of sleep. My mind had drifted back continually to the day I’d found out about Drake’s death, the phone call in the middle of the desert the last thing I’d expected. While Major Wallace hadn’t indicated there’d been an outcome to the investigation in what had occurred during the mission, he’d reminded me that I’d served my country well and that my brother’s death had been merely a sign that it was time to move on.
Interpretation. My days in the military were finished on every level. I suspected my buddies would be forced to return to the States as well. Fuck. Everything was one big mess.
At least I’d had company during the remainder of the night, even though my ability to handle emotions had been clipped a hell of a long time ago. And through all this bullshit and sadness, my cock ached for her.
Bryce.
A handful but caring.
A woman who knew no bounds.
Sighing, I was grateful that she’d known when to talk and when to leave it all the fuck alone. Today was going to be much harder than I’d originally thought. What the hell did it all mean? She’d insisted on leaving very early, the battery in her beat-up truck taking a charge after all.
For the first time in years, I’d felt true loneliness with her absence, the house cold and uninviting, even though I’d kept the fire going all night long. What I hadn’t been able to do was venture into any other part of the house. Summertime in Montana was a hell of a lot different than the desert heat in Afghanistan. I’d felt as if I was intruding even more, prying into a life that I had no business in.
