Page 45 of Bombshell

I nod. “Just finished up last week.”

“Why’d you sign up for more hell?”

I’ve been told that assessment is going to make bootcamp look like a tropical vacation. I guess I’m not the only one who’s been warned.

“My instructor saw potential.” I shrug and take a bite of my barbecue sandwich. It makes me miss Tennessee. Never thought I’d feel that way.

“Luca DeAngelo.” The blond finally pauses long enough to introduce himself. His friend doesn’t shake my hand. Instead, he bumps Jack’s shoulder, his dark eyes lighting up like they’re in on a joke. “Potential, huh? So, you’ve got a death wish?”

“I wouldn’t say a death wish. I just don’t really have much keeping me here.” Is it possible to have disinterest in death? Honestly, I could go either way. Live. Die. It hardly matters to me. It doesn’t matter to anyone else.

Jack’s eyes narrow as if he’s reading my thoughts. “Yeah, he’s got a death wish. So, what’s her name?”

“Her?” I repeat, digging into my fries and pretending I don’t understand.

“Yep,” Luca says. “There’s definitely a her. Look I could give you some lecture about how it’s not worth getting blown up over some pussy, but, honestly, there’s no real reason to get blown up.”

“Patriotism?” I offer.

Luca snorts. “Nah. That’s not it. It’s definitely running away from something—like your girl. That’s how we all wind up here.”

“What are you running from?” I lean forward.

“Who’s the girl?” he counters.

“There’s no girl.” Not anymore.

“Not running from anything,” Luca says, settling back in the plastic chair with a smug grin.

“Oh good, you’re as stubborn as he is,” Jack interjects. “I don’t think it matters what we’re running from, it matters where we’re headed.”

“I hear it’s going to be hell,” Luca says.

“I’ve got nowhere else to go. Might as well go to hell.”

“That makes two of us,” Jack agrees. “Just another bastard on his way home.”

“Home?” Luca repeats. “Is your dad the devil?”

“Mine is,” I say soberly. “You?”

“Wouldn’t know,” Luca admits.

“I think I’d like my dad more if he was the devil,” Jack says.

“I guess all of hell’s bastards are heading home then,” I say.

Luca laughs and extends his hand finally. I take it. “It’s a regular fucking family reunion.”

“Nothi in infernum,” Adair reads with a laugh. “Hell’s bastards. I thought I needed to refresh my Latin the first time I saw it.”

“Your Latin seems good to me,” I say. “We got them done before everything went down—when we were in London.”

She inhales sharply like she’s been punched in the gut. A memory of her the night of the gala flashes to mind. London had come up then, but what happened there? I wait, hoping she’ll finally start talking. I don’t know how long I wait before I finally whisper, “You aren’t going to scare me, Lucky.”

She remains quiet, and I look down to find her sleeping in my arms. The truth can wait. For now.

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