Page 64 of The Merciless King

“I’ve kept two undercover Marines alive for over six years, Brax. I’m not going to let you die. Give me ten minutes and I’ll get you these numbers.” Mack says with such confidence and conviction it fills my chest with a feeling only someone who has been part of a team like this could understand.

Support.

That simple word has so much meaning. It’s nicely packaged up but includes loyalty, people you can rely on, commitment, a brotherhood.

That’s what I have here.

Not just physically, but each of them has shared words to let me know they understand the emotional toll I’m under.

“When I get eyes on the cargo—fuck, I mean on Amy—what do I do?” I ask and listen as he draws in a long, deep breath.

It tells me two things; one, that it’s a long shot. Two, that if I do things are ramped up to operation level: serious.

Nerves dance inside as I wait for his reply.

“How certain are you they’re taking you right to the source?”

“I’ve told them I have to check out the merchandise,” I reply. “So, unless they’re setting me up and taking me to the river to dump my body, I’d say pretty certain.”

My poor mother.

If she knew what I was doing.

This is far more dangerous than anything I did in the Marine Corps.

I may have backup, but being undercover is a whole other beast.

“Fuck. Okay,” Mack says. “We’ll prepare to do an extraction. If Amy is there, we’ll get her out and back home.”

My anxiety skyrockets as I realize how close I am.

Any soldier who says they don’t get scared is bullshitting you. Fear is healthy and keeps you alert and alive.

Or it can cripple you.

“Take it one step at a time. If you can’t communicate while you’re there, then we can put an operation together to go back in. Most important thing is making sure Amy doesn’t see you. And don’t react.”

Fucking hell.

The thought of seeing her and having to walk away totally messes with my mind. This is Amy. My buttercup. The nickname is old, and she hates it now, but god fucking damn it. How the hell am I going to stay quiet?

To save her damn life.

That’s how.

“Okay.” I grit my teeth.

“No one said this would be easy, Braxton, but you have my respect for doing what most men wouldn’t do.” Mack lets his words hang heavily in the space between us.

They are meaningful and I appreciate it.

I won’t be able to tell anyone what we’ve done here. Not my parents, not my brothers. No one. I’m not doing it for bragging rights, but it’s nice to take a moment and be acknowledged for my courage.

I’m going to need a lot of it.

“Wipe my text after it comes through.” Mack tells me next.

“Thanks, man. I appreciate it. All of it.”

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