Page 48 of Dash

“True for all of us.”

“I dragged Omega out of that hellhole with these, ma’am.” He lifted his hands, and looking down at them, flexed his big fingers. “Had I allowed it, he would’ve died with Captain Astor. He almost did.”

“You went into the battle to retrieve Dash?”

“We all went into the battle, ma’am. That’s our job. Omega was my team leader. It was my duty to make sure he survived. Guzman, Captain Astor’s second in command, triedhis best, but he wasn’t as lucky as I was. He survived, but he couldn’t save his team leader. I can think of no greater shame.”

I considered Micah with new eyes. He was a formidable person. He was by no means a talker, but he’d conveyed a powerful message.

“Thanks for telling me all of that.” I hesitated then asked. “Why did you?”

“So that you understand, ma’am.”

“Understand what?”

“Omega.”

“Too late now.” I got up from the stool and rinsed my plate in the sink. “He doesn’t want anything to do with me.”

“Doesn’t he now?”

My pulse ticked up and I turned to face him. “Did he say anything to you?”

“No, ma’am, but…”

“But what?”

“Not all that looks like anger is bad,” he allowed. “Fury is pain turned into wrath.”

“You are indeed a deep mind and an accomplished philosopher.” I turned off the faucet and let out a long breath. “Omega is in pain because of me.”

He gave a non-committal nod. “Your conclusion, ma’am.”

“You’re right, Micah, I fucked-up, big time. I did him wrong. I don’t know why I’m telling you this, but it’s the truth. I hurt him.”

“Hmm.” The maddening sound made me take notice.

“What is it now?”

“Men can’t get hurt by people they don’t care about, ma’am.”

Another good point. “He’s furious with me and hates my guts.”

“Back then, you had a reputation for beauty and wisdom,ma’am. You were also said to be fearless and tenacious as the goddess Athena herself.”

I took a breath. “Are you telling me there’s hope for me yet?”

“No, ma’am. A soldier never counts on hope. A soldier sets a goal and achieves it.”

“Wait.” My frown deepened. “Are you saying I should make a plan to reconquer Dash?”

“No, ma’am, you said that.”

I opened my mouth and closed it. I had said that, hadn’t I?

The doorbell rang.

“Excuse me.” He marched out to the foyer. I heard him directing traffic toward my bedroom and leading people upstairs. After a few minutes, he returned to the kitchen and announced. “They’re ready for you, ma’am.”

---