Page 60 of Explosive Vengeance

“They’re all orphans.” When Heath just stared at him, he continued. “All of them lost their parents young, were put into foster care and then fed into the Valkyrie Program if they showed the right scores on their aptitude tests.”

Wait. “You’re saying it was an involuntary program?”

“Yeah.”

“Jesus Christ,” he muttered, sickened and horrified. He imagined Chloe as a frightened young orphan, being subjected to that kind of treatment, and a giant wave of protectiveness rose inside him.

“They were taken in when they were alone, young and impressionable, then essentially brainwashed. They’re trained to kill their targets no matter what gets in the way, to never get attached to anyone. Look at Megan and Amber, they were split up as kids and led to believe the other one was dead or a figment of their imagination. And the training is fucking brutal. In some ways, tougher than what you and I went through. And if they manage to make it through all that, the prize was being sent out alone to hunt dangerous targets for the government.”

It was hard to accept that the government would do that to innocent girls. But it also explained why Chloe was as strong as she was. And why Fleur’s death was hitting her so hard. Chloe had let Fleur in. She’d let him in as well, though in a different way.

“Have you seen her mark yet?” Ty asked.

“What mark?”

“I’ll take that as a no.” His buddy regarded him somberly. “She’ll have a brand on her left hip.”

“Abrand?” A growl built in his throat. “Who fucking branded her?” And how had he missed it?

“Her head trainer. They did it on graduation. It’s a Valkyrie design.”

Jesus Christ. The thought of someone putting a branding iron to her skin made him want to put his fist through something. “That’s goddamn barbaric.”

“Yup, but to them it’s a rite of passage and a mark of pride. I just want you to know what you’re up against,” Ty said. “I got lucky with Megan, but these women have emotional shields like you wouldn’t believe. They have to, to survive.”

Heath nodded, processing all of that. But if his friend was trying to warn him off getting emotionally attached, it was way too late for that. “I’ll be leaving soon anyway, so it doesn’t matter.” Not that it would stop him from constantly wondering about Chloe and whether she was okay.

She made him want things he’d never considered himself ready for. Could see himself trying a real relationship, even if it had to be a long-distance one for a while, and wasn’t that a kick in the ass for a guy who’d sworn never to go there? Not that he was even sure she would be up for that.

Bottom line, he didn’t want to lose her. He also didn’t want to spook her, and he’d seen enough friends’ long-distance relationships implode after a few months apart.

“Just so you know, the offer I made still stands. Once you’ve finished your contract, I’d love to make you a permanent member of the team,” Ty said.

Heath gave him a tight smile. He couldn’t do that if Chloe was still in the picture and they weren’t together. Seeing her and not being able to have her would be like a dull knife being repeatedly plunged between his ribs. “Thanks, I’ll think about it.”

“I hope you do. There’s no one else I’d rather have on board.”

Heath sat up straighter and changed the subject. “So. If you get a lead on Dubois, you’ll be going after him?” The mission had been to free the captive women, but that had all changed now.

“Yes.”

Heath appreciated that his buddy didn’t bullshit him.

“You gonna stick around for that?” Ty asked him.

He didn’t want to be part of a hit squad, but he also didn’t want to leave them without backup against such a dangerous enemy, and couldn’t stand the thought of not being here to watch Chloe’s back. “I’ll stay until the last minute before I have to leave for Syria.”

He’d already contacted his boss there, saying he was dealing with a personal situation. But he didn’t feel right pulling out of his upcoming contract this late, and the guys there were depending on him. He’d made a commitment to them. He couldn’t leave them hanging and shorthanded when they were in harm’s way every time they left their secure compound.

Ty nodded once. “That’s all I needed to hear.” He stood. “Text me when Chloe’s up and we’ll grab something to eat. If there’s any update on Dubois, I’ll let you know.”

Heath let Ty out, torn about whether he wanted the team to get a lead on Dubois or not. He didn’t want Chloe and the others in danger any more. But while Dubois was alive, Chloe would always be a target.

Silently cracking the connecting door open, he checked on her. She was asleep in the bed, curled on her side facing him, her chest rising and falling in an even rhythm.

The sight of her like that, so vulnerable despite her formidable internal strength, turned his heart over.

His feet carried him across the room before he even realized he was moving. He eased onto the bed and tucked his body around hers, carefully wrapping an arm around her to hold her close as she slept, unsure if he’d ever get the chance again.

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