Page 33 of Pallas & Kawehi

Wolf's tone at the end said he was joking.

"Well, the Marines."

Wolf's eyes widened at that answer and Pallas explained what Kawehi was going through. What she'd been going through for years.

Pallas sighed. "I've gone down to talk to a few people and see if they can get her some help or even some advice on how to find him, but-"

"Hitting a few walls?"

Pallas nodded.

Wolf reached out his arm and gave the thick cinder block walls a few hearty pats. "Nothing worth having comes easy. You might have to break down a few walls to help her. If you’d like, I can contact a few folks that I know. They might be able to help. One works in an office that handles family services."

"As far as we can tell, he never informed the military that he was married." Pallas felt his own frustrations building up again.

"That's a problem of its own. I think we can work with that." Wolf pulled out his phone and made a few notes. "Is he on a mortgage with her?"

Pallas felt a muscle tick in his jaw. "No. He didn't have good credit, so their house is on her credit."

Wolf shook his head and a blood vessel swelled in his forehead. "We know not every man or woman in the military is a good person, but this guy..."

Pallas agreed. "I want him out of her life just because it will make things better for her."

"But you also want to be in her life, too." Wolf gave him a pat on the shoulder. "Then we should talk about the reason I asked you to come in early."

Pallas nodded. "Okay."

"You've been on my team for the better part of a year, and I know some people would expect Chicago or Buck to take over for me-"

Pallas felt his chest tighten.

"In case something happens."

"I don't think I'm comfortable discussing this with you, Wolf. We don't have to worry about this right now."

"It's always time to talk about things like this, Pallas. You know this as well as I do."

"Yes, I know what could happen. I just don't want to think about it. I don't want people to think..."

"I've already talked to Buck and Chicago. They were in full agreement before I even mentioned your name."

Pallas looked at him with open surprise. "They did?"

"They know your worth to the team. They also agree that you're a natural leader. Most of the men look to you first when things happen and I'm not in the room. It makes sense to have you take over when the need arises."

"If," Pallas knew his voice was louder than it should be, but he didn't like the idea of taking over for Wolf. No matter what the reason.

Wolf nodded. "We don't always know what our future has in store for us, Pallas. We're thrown into situations, and we don't know the outcomes."

Pallas shrugged. "That's why we train as much as we do. Some of the men say we're over trained."

Wolf shook his head. "Twinkie and POS?"

Nodding, Pallas agreed. "Maybe."

Wolf smiled. "You know them as well as I do, Pallas. You were born to be a leader. And I'm glad I have the chance to work with you and train you for when that time comes."

"In ten years or so, maybe."

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