Fire (Beautiful Ashes Series, Book 2)(13)

Lisa walked in and Tar couldn’t help but notice how swollen her eyes were from all the crying. He held out his hand to her and squeezed when she placed hers in his. “I wish I could find that peace,” she said, stroking her son’s back with her other hand.

“Try not to make yourself sick with worry. It won’t help you or him.”

“Really hard not to. I just…” her voice caught.

“Your imagination is far worse than reality,” Tar assured.

Incensed, she pulled out of his hold. “Seriously? You’re going to placate me with that bullshit.”

He fought his grin hard. She’d always been a sassy woman. One of the reasons he fell for her years ago. “I’m not blowing smoke up your ass.”

“Could’ve fooled me.” She spun around and glared. “You of all people know exactly what they are most likely doing to Chase this very moment.” Tar cringed, and she didn’t miss it. “Ah-ha! Go ahead and tell me I have nothing to be worried about again. If you do, you’re lying and you know it.”

He couldn’t very well deny it. “Listen, he can get through anything as long as he can hold onto you and Cole in his mind. You can take that one to the bank.”

Her demeanor shifted instantly. “Oh!” Lisa covered her mouth at the realization that just hit with his words: She and Chase had taken away Tar’s lifeline. Then how was he sitting there? “My God, Tarius, where did you find the will to endure it?”

“What’re you talking about?” No one should’ve known he was held prisoner in that camp. That was classified information. Mainly because they should not have been there in the first place.

She backpedaled, “I…uh…I…shit, I’m not supposed to know.”

He leveled his gaze on hers. “Know what?”

“That you were a prisoner of war,” she gulped around those words.

“Was I?” His brow raised high in speculation of what all she actually knew. He wasn’t being an asshole about it. Simply put, he couldn’t talk about that.

She wasn’t privy to more than Tar’s unit was in an unapproved area. Direct orders to return to base camp were ignored. The eight-man team was taken by the enemy. When all was said and done, they lost three good men. It was kept quiet to protect many. “Okay, I know you can’t really talk about this. But it’s just us. And yes, I’m fully aware of your time in that godawful camp.”

“Chase should learn to keep his fucking mouth shut,” he growled, disturbing the little boy on his chest.

“Mommy,” Cole cried out.

“Shh,” Lisa rushed over, “I’m right here, sweetie.” She picked up her son, but Tar latched onto her forearm.

“This is not up for discussion again,” he warned. “Are we clear?”

She nodded emphatically, “Very.”

Tar released her. “Go take care of your son.”

He watched Lisa carry Cole out of the room as he stood. His fucking brother should know better than to discuss top secret operations. Tar attempted to control his temper by breathing through it but was back in time, caught in the horror that was his past. The unspeakable acts done to him. He got through it by sheer grit and determination, not love or a will to live. No, far from it. Worst part was, Tar had locked onto the fact he wasn’t going to die by anyone’s hands but his own. How the hell could he ever admit to such a thing? The reason he was alive was because he wanted to control his own death.

And Keeley thought she was unforgivable.

As that thought rippled through his mind another jointed the party. Was he projecting Lisa’s blatant betrayal onto Keeley? Interchanging them in some way?

Dear God, Tar knew he was just as screwed up. Maybe in a different way than Keeley, but still all kinds of fucked-up. Demons were his companions during that time in his life. Took more willpower than he knew existed to break those ties once he was freed from that prison camp. He could only hope and pray Keeley found that within herself as well. She was strong enough. If only she recognized it before it was too late.





Chapter Five





Lacey was beside herself. Keeley wouldn’t stop crying and E, well, he was in emotional lockdown. She paced outside the door where her sister’s sobs could be heard. Unable to figure out how the hell to help the two people she loved most, she turned and decided a walk might help clear her head. Alex’s home was just as beautiful outside as it was inside. A more modest house for the area. Most were elaborate, but not this quaint home. What made it stunning was the backside. It was all glass and looked out onto the vast Pacific Ocean. Being up on the cliffs made it downright breathtaking. But all of that was lost to Lacey as she tried to think of ways to help Keeley and E.