Page 3 of Absolution

“Gina is getting threatening calls, but she doesn’t seem to care.”

Both men stiffened at her announcement. My gaze darted to meet Leo’s stare, but I quickly returned it to Connor.

“Is this true?”

“Not really. An old acquaintance may be coming back to town, is all.” I tried to be nonchalant.

“From prison,” Bridget piped up.

I gritted my teeth, because she wasn’t helping. It was time to end this. I rose and glanced between her and Connor, disregarding Leo entirely.

“Look, I appreciate you watching out for me, but this is being blown way out of proportion. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going home.”

Ignoring my name being called, I made my exit and headed toward the hallway leading to the entrance. I’d almost made my escape when someone clasped my arm.

“Gina, stop.”

I jerked out of his grasp with an unexpected snarl. “Get your hands off me.”

Leo raised his hands in surrender. “Whoa, sorry.”

He was still too close, but I held my place.

“Don’t touch me again.”

He blinked at the ferocity behind my words, and there was a flash of hurt in his eyes. I always avoided him when I could, and when I couldn’t, I was cold and distant, but this was the first time I’d truly lashed out.

“Sorry,” he repeated and lowered his hands. “I just wanted to make sure you were all right.”

I hated the concern in Leo’s voice. He didn’t have that right. Not anymore.

“I’m fine.” All I wanted to do now was go home.

He hesitated but gave a short nod. “Okay, but if you need anything, I’m here for you.”

A scoff escaped before I could stop it.

“The same way you were there for me when we were kids? No thanks.”

Without waiting for a response, I turned my back on him and marched toward the exit, dangerous memories of my childhood rising to the surface. Memories I fought daily to bury. For six years I’d managed to keep the ghosts of the past locked away. I was terrified the day was coming when I was no longer strong enough to keep them at bay.

Chapter 2

Leo

For several days,Gina’s parting jab nagged at me. I couldn’t get her accusation out of my head. It had been thirteen years since I’d left New York and headed to basic training. I tried to recall those last few days, but nothing jumped out at me. I remember her crying when I’d told her I was leaving, but I’d expected that. She’d been a thirteen-year old girl with a case of puppy love. I’d pulled Gideon aside a few days before my bus left town and asked him to watch out for Gina since our foster parents couldn’t be counted on for shit. I’d done everything I could to keep her away from Lorenzo and his ‘associates’, so unless she’d gone looking for trouble, she should have been fine.

“Hey, Marshall! You gonna fight, or you gonna stand there all day with your dick in your hand?”

Raucous laughter followed the insult. Former Staff Sergeant Padraig ‘Paddy’ O’Keefe stood inside the ring staring down at me with his boxing gloves up and ready, a cocky grin on his lips. I dropped my gaze to scan the perimeter of the roped off raised square and took in everyone. Several former military buddies stood around the ring with giddy looks of anticipation for the upcoming match.

I joined everyone in laughter and glanced back up at Paddy. “You know Sarge, it is getting awful heavy. Maybe you need to hold it for me.”

He made a rude gesture with both arms while I climbed under the bottom rope to join him. In the background, I could hear the sound of gloved fists pounding away, and the pungent scent of sweat and man filled my nose.

“Just because I only have one leg and am twenty years your senior doesn’t mean I can’t kick the shit out of you,” Paddy taunted me in good humor while he bounced restlessly on his feet, one made of carbon fiber.

“I have no doubt you could kick my ass from here back to Afghanistan, sir.”

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