Page 41 of Bound By Valor

We settled into their cozy living room, taking a seat on the gray couch. Her parents sat across from us, their eyes curious and a bit cautious.

“Are you two dating?” Oliver didn’t waste a moment.

“Dad!” Leora’s protest echoed around the room.

I extended my hand. “Hello, Dr. and Mrs. Mateez. It’s lovely to meet you both. I apologize for not introducing myself properly earlier,” I said, raising an eyebrow playfully at Leora.

Oliver’s handshake was firm, betraying his need for reassurance about the man with his daughter.

Alessandra, ever the hopeful, chimed in with a gentle smile, “So, you twoaredating?”

“We’re new, ma’am,” I admitted, a soft smile playing on my lips.

“Oh, please. Call me Sandra,” she smiled back and turned to Leora, “He’s very handsome, Ora.”

“Mom,” Leora glared at her.

I gave Leora a soft kiss on her temple and whispered, “I’ll step out so you can talk, okay?” She gave a small nod, and I walked towards the sliding glass door that led to the backyard.

About fifteen minutes later, Oliver joined me, carrying two glasses. He handed me one filled with whiskey and ice. “Thank you, Dr. Mateez.”

“Please, call me Oliver,” he insisted with a dismissive wave of his hand. He then took a moment to study my face intently before speaking. “She toldus about the risks she’s facing. Thank you for being there for her, Zarek.”

“It’s part of the job,” I replied respectfully.

“Were you in the military?” he asked, catching me slightly off guard.

I nodded, managing a small smile. “Yes, sir, I was.”

“And now a detective?”

I paused, wary of the discrepancy between what Leora might have told him and my actual story. “I—”

“You’re not really a detective, are you?” His expression turned steely.

“Dr. Mateez—”

He set both our glasses down on the patio table with a firm clink and fixed me with a scrutinizing gaze. My heart raced, wondering if I’d been found out.

“Zarek Rivera,” he mused under his breath, then looked up sharply. “I know a special unit man when I see one.”

I froze.

He extended his hand again, and as I reached out, he yanked me closer. “Major Oliver Mateez, ex-CSIS, military doctor,” he disclosed in a low tone, his eyes piercing. “Does Leora know the truth about you?”

I nodded, the revelation of his past and identity sending a chill through me. “She knows, sir. She wasn’t fooled. But what about you? Does she know about your past?”

He chuckled softly, “I’m no longer that person, Zarek. I met Alessandra after a mission went bad. In a few weeks I quit the force. Retired to be a normal, boring old doctor,” he smiled.

I smiled back at him, but quickly a shadow took over my expression. I wasn’t planning on quittingAlpha Squad. Did her father expect a normal life for her, a life she would never get with me? White picket fence, brick house in the suburbs.

I can’t give her that.

I was about to speak when Leora stepped out into the sunlight, her skin shining golden in the sunlight. Her appearance momentarily distracted me, and I lost my train of thought.

“Mom is calling us for lunch.”

Oliver gave a nod and picked up his whiskey, heading back inside. I pulled her closer, stealing a quick, tender kiss that seemed to lighten her spirits as a small smile graced her lips.

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