Page 28 of The Only Reason (The Trident Trilogy 2)

Chapter Thirteen

Mason

San Diego, California

2020

It’s been three hours since Millie left to go jogging. I’m about to go out of my mind. I haven’t heard from her. I haven’t called her. I’m trying to be patient. I’m trying not to worry. But three hours is enough to test anyone’s limits, and I’m not anyone. I learned in training that any deviation from the norm—even a small one—is reason for concern. Millie’s never gone more than an hour when she jogs. I’m just about to track her phone when my phone rings. It’s her. The worst-case scenarios run through my head as I answer it.

“Millie,” I say, trying to keep the panic out of my voice. “Hey. Where are you? Are you okay?”

“Yeah. I’m fine. Sorry I’ve been gone so long.” Her voice sounds shaky. “I’m at Chase’s. Will you come over here?”

“I’ll be there in two minutes,” I say as I grab my car keys. I’m already out the front door before she can reply.

“Mase, I’m okay. Really.” I can tell she’s starting to cry.

“I know you are, babe. I’m almost there. I’m already on the freeway. Stay on the phone.”

She doesn’t say anything else, but I can hear her breathing. Honestly, that’s enough for me right now.

I make it to Chase’s in record time and find her pacing on his driveway with the phone still to her ear. I jump out of the car and run to hug her. She’s shaking. I push her back a little bit to look at her. She’s wearing one of Chase’s big SEAL sweatshirts.

“Mills, what’s going on?” I say cautiously. “I’m worried about you.”

“Let’s go inside. Chase wants to be in on the conversation, too.”

I grab her by the arm and turn her to look at me. “Are you and Chase,” I say, stumbling over my words, “together?”

The mere thought of it makes me want to kill someone—preferably Chase. I know in my heart it’s not true, but here she stands in only his sweatshirt—not wearing anything she left the house in this morning. She’s barefooted and her hair is that messy wild that only happens after she’s been in bed.

It takes her a second to register what I said. “No. Mase. No. God no. It’s about my dad. Just come inside.”

She takes my hand and leads me inside. I see Chase sitting in his recliner, looking like someone sucked every bit of air out of his body. There are broken pieces of glass all over the floor, and as I get closer, I see almonds mixed in with the glass.

“What happened here?” I say, pulling back on Millie’s hand, so she won’t cut her feet.

“I dropped a jar of almonds.” She lets go of my hand and tip toes around the glass and over to the couch.

“Is someone going to clean this up?” I’m so confused right now. Chase looks like he’s going to pass out. Millie is crawling back into the spot where it looks like she’s been sleeping—the pillows are fluffed up behind her and a blanket on top of her.

I walk straight through the mess—my flip-flops crunching through the debris—and plop down on the couch. Millie and Chase stare at each other. I’m getting nervous again.

“Someone say something!” My voice finally mirrors the anger that’s taken over my body. “Now!”

“The agency thinks my dad could still be alive,” Millie blurts out and then sinks under the blanket. All I can see is the top of her head. I turn to look at Chase.

“Don’t look at me, man,” he says, shaking his head. “I’ve told her they’re completely full of shit.”

I turn back around to Millie, who’s still hiding under the blanket. “Millie. Look at me.” She looks up slowly. “Your dad is not alive. And I didn’t hear your boss say that when he was at the house.”

“I met with him after he left the house. I wasn’t going jogging. He had more to tell me.”

“Millie,” I say, frustrated, “come on. I thought we were past you hiding stuff from me. You promised.”

“He wasn’t going to tell me everything with you there, so I met with him separately. And I’m telling you now.”

“Tell me everything.” I slump down on the couch, resting my head on the back and closing my eyes. I need to mentally prepare for this.

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