Page 68 of Viral Justice

“Excellent, thank you, Eugene.” Max hung up, then studied the two soldiers scanning the village and surrounding area through their scopes.

“Which of you wants to take the first watch?”

“I will, sir,” Tom said.

Ali slid away from the edge of the roof. “I’ll relieve you in three hours.”

Max went down the ladder first and was met by Ferhat.

“What is happening?” he asked, his face tight with worry and lack of sleep. “We could hear fighting.”

“People tried to leave. Men with guns wouldn’t let them. They killed children. Where are your boys?”

“Sleeping.”

“We will also, down there,” Max said, nodding at the hearth and its hidden stairway. “One of my sons will watch for unfriendly people.” He glanced up to indicate Tom on the roof.

The man nodded. “Thank you.”

“It is us who thank you.”

“Your son protected my sons,” the man said. “This makes us more than friends.”

Ali took that moment to slip past them and disappear down the stairs. After a nod to Ferhat, Max followed her.

Bull was already lying along one wall in full gear, his rifle on his chest, asleep.

Ali pulled a drop sheet out of her pack and spread it out on the dirt floor. Max did the same, a couple of feet away from her. She lay on her side, facing Max, a solemn expression on her face.

He wanted to offer her the comfort of his body, hold her, and show her she was okay. That she had done the right thing by killing the man who would have killed a child. “You did good,” he whispered. She’d taken lives today, but if she hadn’t those two little boys would have died along with her.

Her face softened, and for a moment she looked as emotionally open as she had when they were in bed together. A tear rolled across her face.

He reached out and offered his open palm to her. No censure, no hesitation.

She put her hand in his and he wrapped his fingers around hers, brought her hand to his mouth and kissed it.

She gave him a weak smile and though he knew she wasn’t right with it, she was functional.

Mostly.

Max went to sleep with her hand in his.

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