Page 24 of I Promise You
It’s the first time I’ve done that…the first time in years that I’ve taken a leave of absence. Work has always been my only priority, but not anymore.
I take my phone out of my pocket and see it’s from the team. The group chat is going off again, and I know it’s bad news if it won’t stop. I take a deep breath before I read the texts.
Rooker: Sorry to disrupt your leave like this, but Admiral Ravenmore wants all executioners on a Face Cam right now. It’s important.
Shit.
I open up my laptop in Ari’s living room. I set down my thin black device on her wooden coffee table. Her house is a one-floor-only cottage home a few miles from mine. I helped her move everything into her home, even though I insisted she stay at my place. Lately, my little angel has become so fragile I’m afraid if I touch her, she’ll have an anxiety attack. I don’t want to push her for more until she’s ready, even though I’m dying to feel her the way I desire to.
I’ve wanted to devour her every single day and night, but can’t bring myself to do it. My way of loving her in the bedroom hasn’t changed, and I know she’s not ready.
I’ll be patiently waiting until the time is right.
I hop into the group call, and everyone’s already waiting for me.
Admiral Ravenmore, Rooker, Kane, and Lopez sit in their homes, each with a different background.
Admiral Ravenmore speaks first. “Grim, we’re pleased to see you’re doing okay. My condolences.”
I grind my teeth, and my soul blackens with anger. He hasn’t called once or texted me personally to express any empathy. He only cares if I’m alive and ready to return to work.
I look down at the coffee table and grab my glass of whiskey I had poured myself before I jumped into the call. I take a sip, giving him a nod of acknowledgment.
“How’s Ari doing?” Kane asks.
My eyebrows raise at the mention of my girl’s name, and I already want to cut throats.
I look at Kane through the screen; he’s eager to know the answer, fidgeting in his chair.
“She’s doing the best she can right now.” I look away from the screen as I pop my fingers. “I don’t want to talk about this. Please respect our privacy,” I demand through my rugged demeanor.
“Say no more,” Admiral interrupts.
Kane’s expression stutters and his face drops. He thinks I don’t know…but I do.
“Well, boys, I called you in tonight because we’re receiving threats. Gravely, dangerous impending threats that the Navy doesn’t take lightly. That the President of the United States takes very seriously. It’s top secret, and you guys have special clearance to this information because it specifically deals with your entire team,” Admiral Ravenmore says. “Remember the mission the night Paul died?”
We nod.
“Yes, sir,” Rooker tells him.
“The number one most wanted man on the terrorist list who escaped that night has come back to haunt us.”
I freeze in my chair.
“What the fuck? Forgive me, Sir, for the profanity, but…what the fuck?” Lopez asks.
“How?” Kane asks.
“Well, sons, there’s another thing. Remember the mission where Damon Hawk was found dead in Iraq?” Ravenmore continues, and I can feel myself dreading the information.
“Grim Reaper, here, killed his only son that night. The man you killed when you engaged in hand-to-hand combat? That was him. That was his only son, so he’s doing everything he can to avenge his death.” He shifts in his seat nonchalantly and intertwines his fingers. “He’s been gathering an entire army and threatening to find you. He is even putting a bounty on your head. A hundred million dollars if someone kills the Grim Reaper. They’ve got their nickname for you. Theywant to kill Death, they say. They say they want to kill the one that looks like the reaper.”
“I’d love to see them try.” I smirk wickedly. I place the glass between my lips, letting my favorite amber poison roll down my throat. They think they can kill me; well, that’s just too fucking cute.
“Hooyah,” Rooker roars in agreement, getting anxious in his seat.
“So what does this all mean?” Kane asks.
