Page 154 of Broken
“I’m so sorry,” she murmured.
“I was forced to resign. My career was over. I was fortunate I had the family business, but I’d never planned on doing more than sit on the board. A month after I left the Bureau, Z asked me to complete a special assignment.”
“Do you like what you’re doing?”
“I like being a lone wolf. When all those cult members died, it broke me. I would never have taken out the leader if I’d known they were going to blow themselves up. I miss the team aspect, which is why I’ve done some ALPHA missions. Dakota invited me into his elite BLACK OPS team, but I said no.”
Repositioning toward him, she tucked her legs under her. “Why?”
His stomach clenched. “If a BLACK OPS mission went sideways because I couldn’t do my job—and my team died—that would kill me.”
“You were following orders. You didn’t have a choice. I understand what really happened, and I don’t blame you.” She kissed him, and the anger and guilt he carried around day in and day out lifted a little. “I’m sorry I was such a bitch.”
“I hated me for what I did too.”
“Even though you fly solo, you’re handling Ethan well.”
“Thank you,” he said. “We gotta sleep, babe. I want you in my bed and in my arms all night long, but I will respect your decision if you want to stay down here.”
“What about Ethan?”
“We can talk to him about us,” Prescott said.
“My heart is telling me one thing, but I need to do what I think is right for him. I’m staying down here.”
As much as he didnotlike hearing that, he appreciated that she was thinking of Ethan. “Why don’t we tell him that you and Loki are moving in and leave it at that?”
“That’s perfect.”
“Knowing what you’ve been through, I admire you even more,” he said pulling her into his arms and holding her close.
“And I respect you so much, now that I know the truth,” she replied before marrying her lips to his.
He tucked her in, kissed her goodnight, and left. He hated that he couldn’t hold her close all night, but he had every confidence they wouldn’t be apart for much longer.
PRESCOTT WOKE,ready to take on the day. He worked out in his home gym, got ready for work, made Ethan’s lunch, then swung back upstairs to wrestle the tyke awake.
Ethan was a ball of energy the second his feet hit the floor. He zoomed into the bathroom to pee and brush his teeth. Back in the bedroom, he selected his own T-shirt and shorts.
As Prescott helped him tug on his shirt, he said, “I’ve got a surprise for you.”
Ethan’s eye lit up. “Another LEGO?”
“Not today, bud,” he replied. “Jacqueline and Loki are already hereandthey’re going to be staying with us.”
“Yay!! Loki is smart and fun to play with, but he’s not very good to share.”
Prescott laughed. “We can teach him. What doesn’t he share?”
“He takes my blocks and he won’t give them back, and he bites me a little when I take his rope toy.”
“We’ll tell Jack since he’s her dog. What do you think about that?”
“I want to help train him,” Ethan said.
Down the stairs and into the kitchen they went.
Jacqueline was scooping oatmeal into a small bowl. “Good morning, guys. Who wants oatmeal? I added blueberries and walnut pieces.”
