Page 1 of In Too Deep

Chapter One

COLE

Standing at the edge of the grave, I wince as the sounds of gunshots echo around me in tribute to the man who’s now six feet under and buried in a box. Each gun fire, saluting the best man I’ve ever known.

Keith was my best friend and under my command as a member of Joint Task Force 2, the elite special forces unit of the Canadian military. He trusted me with his life, but unfortunately, I couldn't live up to that.

His preciseness, speed, and ability to follow orders made him the best-trained soldier I had in my squad and the best sniper I’ve ever worked with. His ability to aim and shoot with such accuracy got him the nicknameHawkeye.

So, the day we were ambushed in Afghanistan was the worst day of my life. For some stupid reason, he took a bullet for me, missing me within an inch of my life.

But unfortunately, he sacrificed his life for mine, and the bullet pierced his heart, causing him to fall against me.

I had slowly placed him on his back but knew he was going to die in my arms. Tears had pooled in my eyes as he begged me to take care of his family. Keith was more to me than a work colleague—he was my best friend and family. His last words to me were to look after his wife, Theresa, and eight-year-old son, Harry. At that moment, I would have promised him anything in the world, but when his eyes shut for the last time, I promised myself that I would do everything in my power to make sure his family were well cared for.

Five additional gunshots blast through the air, followed by a harmonic melody as bagpipes are performed.

Standing there, motionless and relieved, my sunglasses shield my eyes as unshed tears burn. I know they must be red from the silent tears I have shed over the past few days.

Theresa sits in her seat, her son beside her crying as they cling to one another. The commander hands her a Canadian flag—a custom that is presented for all military at their burial.

Theresa accepts the folded-up flag, and her eyes land on me.

Does she blame me for Keith’s death? She should because it is my fault.

Theresa is an officer with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. She’s strong and courageous, and in all the years that I’ve known her, she’s worked bloody hard to bring the bad guys down.

I have no idea what I’ll do with my life now that I’ve taken a break from serving.

The military granted me leave to mourn my best friend. However, I’m going crazy at home with nothing to do with myself other than work on my bike, which I’ve had since I was a teenager—a project I started and never got around to finishing.

I’ve spent some time working out at the gym, keeping myself in shape because my fitness is something I intend to keep.

I’ve caught up with my friends, and they’re happy to see me back home, but they have their lives, and it’s just not the same as being out there fighting for my country. But I figured some time off could do me good.

The ceremony ends, and Theresa takes a few steps toward me with Harry by her side. She wears black pleated pants, a white shirt, and a black jacket. Her long black hair is tied low in a knot, and she’s wearing dark sunglasses to shield her eyes from the world.

Running my fingers through Harry’s hair, I notice how much he’s grown since I last saw him.

“Hi there, Harry.”

“Hello, Uncle Cole.”

Smiling, I squat so I can give him my full attention.

“You’ve grown since I’ve last seen you.”

He smiles, his eyes dancing.

“Really, Uncle Cole? I want to be tall, just like my dad.”

My heart aches at the mention of his dad. A dad he won’t grow up with, who won’t be around to offer him advice or help him with his first car.

“I don’t doubt that you will be, Harry.”

Standing, my eyes raise to look up at Theresa, her glasses now resting on top of her head. Her eyes are black with specks of red, proving she’s had some late nights crying. The dark circles around them let me know she’s not been sleeping either.

“How are you, Theresa?” I ask, genuinely worried about how she’s been coping with her husband’s death. All the while, guilt consumes me.