Page 26 of The Hero
“Kendric?”
“Yeah?”
“You really are an idiot.”
He chuckled. “I know.”
“I mean it. You have this incredible group of friends. People who have your back no matter what. You shouldn’t have lied to them. If you need more excitement in your life, I’m sure they would’ve supported you.They’llprobably feel guilty for holding you back. I’m sure they would’ve encouraged you to do what you needed to do.”
“You’re right.”
Marlowe sighed. “So ... if they find out, what happens when you get home? After you apologize and grovel for their forgiveness? Another mission?”
“I’m not sure,” he said.
“Not sure about what? They’ll forgive you, I know they will. That’s what friends do.”
“Oh, they will. They’ll give me hell, and I’ll be hearing about this for the rest of our lives, but that’s not what I’m unsure about. I’m not sure I want to keep doing this. The rescue missions.”
“Why not?” Marlowe asked. This man fascinated her. She felt as if she could ask him a million questions and still never feel as if she’d learned everything.
“I don’t know. I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished, the people I’ve helped, but ... I can feel myself changing. The adrenaline rush I’ve gotten from these missions fades faster and faster. It doesn’t feel as exciting as it used to. And I’m not getting any younger.”
“Oh please. How old are you?” Marlowe asked.
“Thirty-five.”
“Really? Me too,” she said with a smile.
“I know. And it’s hard to explain, but I think I’m finally beginning to understand the appeal of living a quiet life.”
“What changed?” she asked, genuinely curious.
“So many things could’ve gone wrong on this mission. I’m not saying this to scare you, but the fact that you’re here in my arms, and not still in that prison, is literally a miracle. That in itself is enough to make me rethink attempting another harrowing mission.
“June and Cal are trying to get pregnant. Carlise and Riggs want a slew of kids. I can’t imagine not being in Maine when my nieces and nephews are born, if I’m on some mission. And no, I’m not related by blood, but those kidswillbe my family. So ... I’m thinking I can find other ways to satisfy that adrenaline rush. Maybe I’ll build a zip line. Or a rock climbing wall. Something that will give me the excitement I need without having to risk my life quite so much.”
“I think that’s a great idea,” Marlowe told him.
“But it means that people like you will be left hanging,” he said warily.
“Kendric, you can’t save the world. I mean, I know you’d try your hardest to do just that, but there will always be people who need help. There will always be jerks in charge of countries. Always be corruption. And there will always be other men and women likeyou, who do this sort of thing for a living. You’ve done your part. More than done it. In fact, I’m naming my first child after you. I pray I have a son first, otherwise my daughter’s gonna be real pissed to be called Ken.”
Kendric chuckled, and she felt his huff of breath against her scalp.
“No one’s ever reached out after they were rescued to thank me,” he admitted softly.
“Assholes,” Marlowe spat out.
“Wow. I think that’s the first cussword I’ve heard you say,” Kendric said.
“I try not to swear, Tony kind of drilled it into my head that ladies don’t cuss, but I think this situation warrants it. I’m sorry, Kendric. That’s awful. I understand why someone might want to put such a scary situation behind them, but if not for you, they wouldn’t be alive and able to forget in the first place. And I was serious about naming my firstborn after you. I’ve also already planned on sending Christmas presents, and flowers on our wedding anniversary, and random thank-you notes when you least expect them. Just a heads-up.”
He laughed again. “I wasn’t insinuating that I wanted or needed any thanks.”
“I know you weren’t, but seriously, that’s whacked. I don’t know the situations you’ve saved people from, but even if we don’t get out of the country, and I get thrown back in jail, I’ll always be grateful that you were willing to risk yourself to help me. And speaking of which ...” Her tone became solemn. “If anything happens, you aren’t allowed to get caught. Understand me? I’ll willingly give myself up if it means you can get away. I can’t live with myself if you end up in jail too.”
“Not happening,” he said firmly.
