Page 54 of Unleash You

“Can you look in on Rebecca while we’re gone? She’s safe here, but she gets spooked so easily.” I gestured for Zack to have a seat. He deserved to know the truth. Or at least, my truth.

“You finally decided you can trust your own brother?” He sat and braced his arms on his knees.

“It was never about trust. We’re in deep shit here. The kind that can get you killed.”

“Jesus, Wes. What’s going on?”

I recounted the whole series of events in detail and held nothing back. I told him about the human trafficking business, why we were honorably discharged from the corps, why we needed traveling visas, and about how Rebecca helped us bring down her own boss. Though when it came to details of her life and previous job, I left all that out. It wasn’t up to me to tell her story. Zack listened intently and without judgment. I hated that he was involved now. His relationship to me, knowing about Smith’s operations and Marcel, and being here with Rebecca made him a target, same as Anabelle.

“After what you went through, you still want to go back?” He rubbed the side of his face. “Let me go in your place.”

“No. It has to be me.” I sat back on the Adirondack chair. “I was the one who made the decision to leave without Charlie. I sacrificed the one to save the many.”

“The way I see it, that was his choice. He’s a trained marine. He knew the consequences of breaking away from the team.”

In my head and in my nightmares, I’d gone through these scenarios so many times. Every time I’d come to the same conclusion. I could have done more. But I was too fucking afraid to be left behind. To stay one more day in the jungle.

“I was a coward, Zack. I’ve had to live with that for the past eight months. I need to make that right. Not just for Anabelle and Charlie, but for all of us.”

“Cut yourself some slack, man.” He gripped my shoulder. “And don’t worry about Rebecca. I’ll keep an eye on her. She’s made friends with Mom. Apparently, Mom wasn’t feeling well last night so Rebecca made her a special tea. She says she woke up feeling ten years younger.”

I chuckled. “Be careful, Zack. I can see you like her. Don’t let that angel face fool you. She’s lost so much. Her view of the world is not the same as ours. She’s a survivor.”

“I love it when you give me cryptic advice.” He rose to his feet. “Don’t worry about me, brother. Promise me you’ll call if you need anything. No more of this hiding shit from me, okay?”

“Yeah, okay.”

“Where are you off to now?” he asked.

“To see a friend about getting a backup exit plan in place. That’s if Anabelle and Mom are done planning our wedding.”

“I’ll go get her for you.”

“Thanks, man.”

On our way to Teak’s place, Anabelle sat on her side of the car looking out the window at the unchanging view of the woods. I glanced at Will, who kept his gaze on the road. “Did Mom talk you out of going on this trip? Or did you finally figure I’m not good for you?”

“What?” She shifted her body toward me and reached for my hand. “No.”

“Then why are you so quiet all of a sudden?”

“Because you were being quiet.” A smile brightened her face. “I hope you don’t think I’m in a rush to get married. I went along with it because I figured it would keep your mom busy for a few days…maybe weeks.”

“You’re probably right. I’ve never given much thought to the idea of getting married.” Not until now anyway. I wouldn’t mind spending all my time with Anabelle. Life with her would be as easy as breathing.

“Me neither.” Her gaze shifted toward Will, then back to me. “You’ll like Teak. He’s kind of the broody type, but nice.”

I supposed we were done with the marriage talk. Charlie was our priority. “He came highly recommended.”

“I think he feels he owes Dad something. You know, for saving his life.”

“We need all the help we can get.” I ran the pads of my fingers on her cheek.

Will offered a quick nod before he turned onto a gravel road. A half mile down, he parked the SUV in front of an old log cabin.

We sat in the car until a man in his fifties came out to greet us. Will opened my door, and I climbed out with Anabelle close behind me.

“Wesley, this is Teak,” Anabelle said as soon as we were inside.

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