Page 71 of SEAL of Valor

“Like Malcolm?” Her expression darkens. “Yeah, he died three weeks in. Did you know that? I had a front row seat to it when they pushed him too far and he finally snapped.”

There’s pain in her dark gaze. It’s the first crack of real emotion I’ve ever seen.

“You and Malcolm deserved prison for what you did.”

“Prison? You and I both know prison doesn’t exist for people like us. Three meals a day and a cot? That’s vacation compared to what we got. It was days between meals for us.”

“Then you shouldn’t have committed treason.”

She grinds her teeth together. “You see treason; I see patriotism.”

How twisted must her mind be to believe that what she did is patriotism in any form? All she wanted was the power and the money that came with it. She was willing to murder innocent people to get it.

“Well, it’s good to see not much has changed. What is the mission this time? Are you going to try to force me to turn puppies into fur coats?”

“A Cruella reference? That’s a cheap shot, even for you.” When I don’t respond, she continues. “I have three targets you’re going to eliminate for me. Once they’re out of the picture, I’ll let you watch me set your girlfriend free before I put you down for good.”

“My team?”

She rolls her eyes. “I will let them live their boring little lives without interference from me.”

“How do I know you’re good for it?”

“Because once this is over, I will have no need for them. One final job and I disappear into the wind, ready to sip margaritas on a beach for the rest of my life. Mess this up, though, and I’ll kill every single person who matters to you. Starting with Reese and ending with that little ranch hand who you have following you around.”

Kyle. How long has she been watching me? How long has she been planning this? And why were we not notified the moment she escaped?

“I will do whatever you need me to do so long as you hold up your end of the bargain.”

“Good dog,” she whispers. “Now, get back into your cage until I’m ready for you.”

Pride screams for me to stay.

To rebel.

To fight.

But the image of Reese sleeping soundly behind me.

Of Kyle grinning as he works with the horses.

Of Zane and Tessa.

Katelyn and Garrison.

Sawyer and Anastasia.

Ryker.

No matter how this plays out, I have to do what’s asked of me so I can protect them. My life for theirs? It’s such a small sacrifice to make.

So, I swallow that pride down and move back into the room so they can shut and lock the door. Then I brace both hands on the doorjamb and lower my head as the feeling of complete and utter helplessness settles in around me.

There’s always been an exit for us. A plan ‘Z’ when everything else went sideways. But this time? It’s just me. And Brenda is holding every single card because she knows us far too well.

I swallow hard, the weight of it all crushing down on top of me.

And then the image of a white-steepled church in the dark hits me, and I know that there’s only one thing I can do in hopes that it actually means what everyone says it does.