OUTLIER: Blood, Brotherhood, And Beauty (Beauty 0f Lifee Book 4)

by Laura Acton

  The lengths he went to, to procure items which would tempt Broderick to eat and regain his strength, were unprecedented. She thought about how small the world was with the connection of his brother and Broderick. She made a quick notation Tate deserved commendation for his actions. Sighing, she flipped to her exhausting schedule … back to Ottawa on the redeye flight.

  St. Michael’s Hospital – Room 1030 – 11:00 p.m.

  Lexa slipped into Dan’s room and waved at Scott.

  Scott rose and yawned. “I’m going for coffee. Can I bring you anything?”

  She shook her head. “How was his night?”

  “Extremely grueling, Dr. Larsson came by after you all left and had him do some breathing exercises to establish a baseline. He’s wiped out tonight. I’ll be about thirty minutes if you can stay that long,” Scott said to give Lexa notice of how long she and Dan could be alone together. He was absolutely sure now the two of them shared an intense attraction. Lexa came with the team and only stayed as long as they did, but she would slip back in late at night without the team. It didn’t take a genius to figure that one out.

  “Sure, take your time. I bet you could use a bit of a break.”

  “See you in a while. I’ll just take a bit of a stroll outside and stretch my legs, maybe walk to the Timmy’s instead of putting up with the café coffee.” Scott left and ensured the door clicked closed on his way out.

  After Scott left, Lexa made her way to the bed. The dim light in the room cast a soft glow on Dan’s face. She was struck again by how young he looked while sleeping. Lexa wanted to touch him, but she didn’t want to wake him if tonight was as arduous for Dan as Scott indicated.

  She sat down in the chair by the bed. As Lexa gazed at Dan’s face, she reviewed today in her head. She was not thrilled with the temporary rookie—he grated on her nerves, but she remained professional.

  Lexa admitted to herself had been unwelcoming to him—not outright hostile, but rather standoffish and cold. It was a good thing the rookie understood he was only temporary. It wouldn’t be right if he thought he could morph it into a permanent position—because Dan would be coming back. Of that, she had no doubt. Even if she had to drag his butt around on calls.

  She relaxed and closed her eyes as the image of her dragging Dan around on a call made laugh lightly. Dan wouldn’t appreciate that imagery.

  Dan heard Lexa’s laughter. It sounded lovely. He forced his eyes to open and found her smiling. That was even better. He loved her smiles, they lit up her exquisite face. “What’s so … funny?”

  Long lashes fluttered as Lexa opened her eyes at Dan’s words. “Nothing much. Scott told me you had a rough night. Would you like a drink?”

  Dan nodded and then took the cup from Lexa when she handed it to him. He drank the entire glass, and she poured him more. He drank half, then gave her the glass. “Yeah, … not the … most fun thing … to do.”

  Lexa put the cup down. Now that Dan was awake she couldn’t resist. She moved forward and leaned over to kiss him.

  Dan’s arms wrapped around Lexa pulling her close.

  In an awkward position, Lexa shifted, turned, and leaned in close, but careful not to put pressure on his chest. A sigh escaped as their lips met and Dan’s arms came around her and gently massaged her neck as he held her close.

  After five minutes of soft kisses, Lexa pulled back when Dan’s breathing sounded off. “Dan, you okay?”

  A lopsided grin played on Dan’s face. “This … breathing … exercise … much … funner.”

  Lexa chuckled. “Funner is not a real word.”

  Dan shrugged. “Exercise … me … more.”

  “We’ve got about twenty minutes to exercise.” She leaned in close again.

  “Mmmmm,” Dan responded as their lips met again. His fingers slid into Lexa’s gorgeous auburn hair. He sighed at the silky feeling between his fingers. Too bad kissing Lexa isn’t on Dr. Larsson’s must do list.

  About ten minutes later, Lexa pulled back and chewed her bottom lip to hold in a giggle. Dan fell asleep while kissing her. He must be thoroughly exhausted. She caressed his cheek tenderly. “Sweet dreams.”

  Dark Side of Being a Sniper

  49

  August 7

  TRF HQ – Briefing Room – 1:00 p.m.

  John Brewer sat at the briefing room table and stared out of the window. The sick feeling in the pit of his stomach wouldn’t go away. He clenched his hands into fists in his lap to stop the shaking. The image of the body falling relentlessly played in his head.

  Jon glanced at Nick, and they communicated silently. Nick tilted his head towards the door when the rest of the team turned to him. Bram, Loki, Lexa, and Ray noiselessly rose and left the room. They understood Boss and Jon would take care of John.

  Nick moved in closer to John and took a seat. “How are you doing, John?”

  Turning his gaze to the sergeant, John’s eyes were distant. “Not well. I never killed someone before. I didn’t know it would feel like this.”

  Jon leaned in closer and put a supportive hand on John’s knee. “I’ll be your contact for the next seventy-two hours. If you need anything, anytime, you call. I don’t care if it is three in the morning.”

  Nick softly said, “Dr. Herridge is available also if you would prefer to speak with the department psychologist.”

  John released his fists, and his hands shook. He clenched them again. “I can’t do this. I can’t. I thought I could but I can’t. I can’t take another life. I’m sorry but I just can’t.”

  “Why don’t you take a few days off? See how you feel then,” Nick urged.

  Abruptly standing, John shook his head. “I don’t need a couple of days. I can’t take another life. You need to find someone else. I’m done.” He ran from the room like the hounds of hell pursued him.

  After drawing in a deep breath, Jon stood. “Got this. Say hi to Dan for me tonight. We can pull in our other finalists and make a selection tomorrow.”

  Nick nodded. He watched as Jon went after the rookie. John Brewer is a good officer. He and Jon figured out what Brewer meant about the bank robbery. It took them aback when they learned John was one of the officers who assumed Dan was one of the robbers and failed to check him out properly.

  Though they talked to Commander Gambrill about John. Walter indicated that he reviewed the Brewer’s file before he accepted his TRF application. That one incident is the only black mark on John’s record, and given the confusing nature of that day, it was forgivable.

  Ample experience told Nick the TRF isn’t a fit for all officers. No magic wand, test, or measure could predict if an officer can handle the demands of TRF—it took a real situation. It saddened him that John needed to take a fatal shot on only his second day with the team, but that is the job—the dark side of the job. Not everyone dealt well with taking a life. Numerous officers quit after their first lethal. Taking a life was never easy.

  Nick sighed, rubbed his head, and then started toward the dispatch desk. “Tia, can you pull the files of the five finalists from the last round of trials.”

  “Sure. I’ll have them for you in about ten minutes.”

  “Thanks. If the team is looking for me, let them know I’ve decided to go grab us all coffee.” Nick turned towards the elevators. He needed a moment to clear his head. Giving the command to take a life is also never easy—especially when the subject is an abused teenage boy who wanted to kill his abuser. Today was a bad day—a dreadful day.

  St. Michael’s Hospital – Room 1030 – 3:00 p.m.

  Walter Gambrill knocked on the door. When Scott opened the door, he and the sergeants from Bravo, Charlie, Delta, and Echo teams entered Dan’s room. The first thing Walter noticed was Dan appeared bushed, and his breathing came in shorter, faster breaths than yesterday.

  Scott recognized the concern on Dan’s godfather’s face, so decided to ease his mind. “Dan just finished a difficult pulmonary function test.”

  Camden Bradley stepp
ed forward to the bed. “Terrific to see you, Dan. All of TRF is pulling for you.”

  Dan nodded but didn’t speak, he had enough trouble breathing without adding talking.

  Glen spoke from near the foot of the bed because Jon instructed them not to crowd around Dan’s bed. “The guys of Delta Team wanted me to tell you we’re all looking forward to your return. Don’t stay away too long.”

  Dan grinned and blinked several times. His eyelids were feeling very weighty now. It would be rude to close his eyes since they had come to visit. He forced his eyes open again.

  Colton glanced around at all the colorful artwork and get-well cards which adorned the walls. He laughed. “You have quite a fan club. You should see how many care packages arrived at HQ for you.” He pointed to one picture and said to the others, “Bram’s coloring skills aren’t so good.”

  The guys all laughed—that is, all except Dan.

  Walter turned back to Dan and found him sleeping. “Shhh, Dan’s asleep.”

  Crispin shook his head with a smile. “Jon did say he could sleep almost anywhere at the drop of a hat. Created that unacceptable nap location list.” He looked at Scott and asked, “How’s Dan really doing?”

  Scott heard the concern. “He struggles to breathe, but his attitude is positive. He’s determined to return to TRF. I don’t doubt he will.”

  Walter smiled, Dan is as single-minded and stubborn as William. Which meant Dan would beat the odds. “Please let Dan know we understand he needed rest. Do you know when he is leaving for Ottawa?”

  “If everything goes as planned it will be the day after tomorrow.”

  “Let Dan know I’ll try to stop back in before he leaves,” Walter requested.

  “Will do,” Scott answered before the TRF men said goodbye and left.

  Ottawa – Special Forces Base – Conference Room A – 5:00 p.m.

  Master Corporal Marcel Vinson lay with his head on his arms on the table. His head pounded something fierce. Woozy and nauseous with the power of the memories which came crashing back in with a vengeance, he had trouble catching his breath.

  “The medic will be here in a few minutes. Try to slow your breathing.” Concerned about the man, Major Kenric placed a hand on the back of the master corporal. The look of utter horror which crossed Vinson’s face before he passed out several minutes ago had Lieutenant Colonel Bonomi racing out of the room to find a medic.

  Relieved slightly when the door opened, and two medics rushed in with Bonomi, Kenric moved out of their way. A few moments later, Colonel Sutton entered and joined Bonomi and Kenric in the far corner.

  Sutton scrutinized Viper, worried about the young soldier. Marcel Vinson, code-named Viper, was one of their best snipers and a good man. These interviews were intense for all the men, but no one had collapsed. Tom turned to the lieutenant colonel. “What happened?”

  Bonomi spoke softly so the medics couldn’t overhear. “We’ve been at it since noon and were at the point of asking him about his first mission with Special Forces. I’m not really sure what happened. His face contorted, he cried out and grabbed his head, then he requested to speak with you or General Broderick right before he passed out.”

  Kenric added, “His breathing has been off since he regained consciousness and Vinson said his head is pounding.” She wondered why he had requested to speak with the colonel or the general.

  The three stood quietly as the medics did an assessment. After about ten minutes one approached them, and Sutton asked, “How is he?”

  “His breathing is back to normal, but his blood pressure is a little elevated. We gave him some aspirin for his headache.”

  “Is he okay to continue?”

  The medic glanced back at his patient. “I suggested he rest, but he said he wants to finish.”

  Sutton walking towards Vinson and pulled a chair around the table next to him and sat. “Viper, are you certain you are up to this?”

  Marcel peered up at the colonel through squinted eyes. “Yes, sir. I need to speak with you or the general.”

  Sutton nodded. “We’ll take a twenty-minute break so the aspirin can take effect and I want you to eat and drink something before we continue.”

  Kenric took a small step toward the door. “I’ll go grab something for him.” She hurried from the room.

  Vinson put his head back down as the medics left the room. If only he known who to trust years ago, maybe none of this would’ve happened. Nausea ratcheted up again as he thought about what he might have prevented if he hadn’t been a rookie fresh out of training when he was assigned to Gleason’s unit. If he had known back then he could trust the colonel. If not for the IED explosion which caused a gap in his memory he would’ve told Buzz and Dutch what he witnessed.

  Twenty minutes later, after eating only a partial sandwich and downing the entire soda, Vinson turned his gaze to the colonel. “Sir, I witnessed a murder. Major Plouffe ordered it. Sergeant Murphy carried it out.” Then Marcel shared with the colonel the full details.

  Sutton’s stomach dropped as he listened. God, if they had only known. William would be knocked for a loop by this revelation. The perfidy of Plouffe and Murphy knew no bounds.

  St. Michael’s Hospital – Room 1030 – 11:30 p.m.

  Lexa caressed the back of Dan’s hand as he slept. He didn’t wake tonight when she came into the room. She wished he would. His voice would go a long way in settling her nerves. Today had been a bad day. They lost the subject. He was little more than a boy—only fourteen.

  She tried so hard to get through to the boy—but she couldn’t. John neutralized the subject when Boss gave the command.

  Typically neutralized helped lessen the impact—but this was a fourteen-year-old boy who should’ve been playing video games, basketball or hanging out with friends. He shouldn’t have been standing with a gun to his father’s head. He shouldn’t have died—but he did, and it hurt a lot.

  She spent most the night with Loki and Ray. The call dredged up memories of Loki’s youth from when his stepfather verbally abused him. Calls involving kids were always tough on the team. She left Loki in Ray’s care tonight so she could stop by and check on Dan.

  Lexa blew out a tired breath and laid her head on the bed near Dan’s hand. She would miss visiting him every day when he left for Ottawa. Even seeing him while he slept—like now would be better than nothing.

  Many thoughts swirled around in her head. How did she get to this point with a man? No man ever got past a third date—not since high school. How come Dan had her thinking things which were so out of character for her? Dan confused her yet drew her to him simultaneously. She wanted him—wanted him bad—he set her core on fire with a word, a look, or a single touch.

  Though feeling like this scared the hell out of her. She hadn’t felt this out of control of her emotions since she was a teen. Lexa liked being in control. She hated the feeling someone else could have power over her and force her to do something she didn’t want. Ever since she was sixteen and walked home from band practice late one night, she strove for control. Never would she allow a man to have power over her again.

  But Dan … he challenged everything in her life. A small part of her wanted to give in and let him control things. But the fear of being hurt and abandoned was too strong and overrode that small part.

  Lexa yawned, and her hand stilled over Dan’s hand. She forced herself to quiet those thoughts. For now, she is in control … they are only friends-with-benefits. She could put a stop to that at any time she wanted. It is nothing more than a way to satisfy a mutual physical attraction … and for now that would be all. She would remain in control.

  Sleep beckoned her and Lexa drifted off not hearing the light knock on the door signaling Scott’s return.

  As he entered the room, Scott saw Lexa’s head on Dan’s bed. He stepped forward and noted her eyes were closed and her breathing slow and regular. He grinned then quietly moved to the couch in the room. She needed rest so he would only wake her bef
ore Uncle Will showed up at zero four hundred. Leaning back on the comfortable couch, Scott relaxed and let his mind wander. His first thought was, yeah, there is definitely something between them.

  Justice, Orders, and Protocol

  50

  August 8

  St. Michael’s Hospital – Room 1030 – 7:00 a.m.

  The last three days had been exhausting for Dan. The barrage of tests Dr. Larsson wanted done before he went home left him so fatigued he only slept between them. He barely ate anything—it was too much work. He mostly chose broth, less energy needed to drink than chew. Feeling weak and helpless as a newborn kitten grated on his nerves.

  Dan was so tired he rarely spoke with his visitors. Mostly he listened and usually nodded off to sleep without meaning to. He even fell asleep kissing Lexa—now that was utterly embarrassing, but Lexa was cool about it. She teased him she could kiss him awake and asleep because she possessed special powers. He laughed at that—Lexa made him smile and feel happier.

  Besides Lexa’s stealth visits late at night, the team stopped by after shift each night. They were aware of his fatigue, hard to hide, so never stayed long. Only enough time to tell him a little about their day, let him know he was missed, and offer him encouragement.

  Though Dan had no idea if they stopped by last night—he was sleeping. He checked the clock on the wall and noted it was seven. He slept for a solid sixteen hours. He had fallen asleep when Gambrill and the others were here about three in the afternoon and didn’t wake until just a little bit ago.

  Still dog-tired, he didn’t relish what today might entail. Dr. Larsson ordered a few more tests, but at least the first wasn’t scheduled until eleven. He wanted to leave the hospital today, but he needed to finish the tests and wait until tomorrow for Dr. Larsson to do another nerve block. Those were a godsend. The block controlled his pain so well, and he didn’t have to put up with any needles. Unfortunately, they only lasted three days, and the doctor insisted he stay until tomorrow to do one before he left.