Mitch fought for control of his own emotions. “She’s strong. Give her some credit.”
Tar’s head bowed. Both men knew what it looked like when you thought all was lost. Then it hit Tar, he could fly back after the rest of the team landed in Los Angeles. “I’ll fly straight back. She’s in good hands.”
A lump crowded Mitch’s throat. “No. You won’t.”
“Come again?”
“Fuuuuuck,” he exhaled. “There’s a new threat.” Tar leveled a look at him. One Mitch fully understood. Swallowing past the dread, he continued, “Lisa and Cole are in grave danger.”
“Chase?”
“They may have a lead there; we’ll know more soon.”
“Wait.” Tar stood along with Mitch. “I thought I was helping find Chase?”
“You’re too closely related. Plus, they feel your family ties will help you keep your sister-in-law and nephew safe.”
“That’s horseshit!” Tar rumbled. “I should be out in the field.”
Mitch didn’t disagree but his hands were tied. “Sorry, man.”
Tar grabbed a piece of paper and pen, beginning to write. He might not be great with words but Keeley needed to know he hadn’t given up on her. He was still processing if there would ever be a them again.
The flight was short, and they’d already landed before Tar could regain any form of composure. The team filed off the aircraft as Tar met Mitch on the tarmac and handed the note over. “Please, get this to Keeley. I don’t know how, but she must have it as soon as possible.”
“I’ll make it happen, bro.”
“I know you will. I owe you one, Mitch.”
“Nah. Let’s find your brother, return all safely to their lives so you can get back to your woman.”
Tar raked his hair. “Doubt she’ll have me after this.”
“I think she might surprise you,” Mitch declared before assembling the team and handing out orders.
Keeley curled up in the fetal position and sobbed. He left her, again. How much more could a heart take before it was shattered beyond repair? She acknowledged to herself it was deserved. She broke his heart. Tar was too good for her, and he simply realized it. She beat her chest convinced that any fragment left behind needed to be removed.
A nurse watched in concern from the doorway. She read the patient’s chart and knew Miss Kincaid was being moved the next day to a private psychiatric hospital, which meant someone with money cared for this girl. With caution she approached the wailing woman, who seemed to be more child at that moment. But when Keeley’s sable gaze met hers, she knew better. A survivor stared back at her. One fighting like hell. How could she help? Sitting in front of her, she offered, “Sometimes I find it helps to write out all that stuff boiling to the surface.”
Keeley wiped her face with her arm. “Yeah, I’ve done that before.”
The nurse reached into her pocket and pulled out a small spiral notebook and pen. “Please don’t hurt yourself with this,” she said, handing them over and earning her furrowed brows. “The pen…”
“Can be used as a weapon,” Keeley finished for her. “I’m in enough pain to keep that demon satiated.”
“I see that. Want to talk about it?”
“Simple really. I lied to the man who loved me. He decided deception wasn’t something he could live with. So he left,” Keeley’s voice caught on the emotional agony those words brought. God, it really was satisfying the cravings. What did that make her?
“Lost beyond help,” came the whisper of a familiar companion. “You’re unforgivable. Tar has made that very clear.” Keeley winced from the torture the demon spoke into her.
The nurse studied her, knowing she was in some kind of fierce battle. She might not be able to save this girl but she could offer respite. “I think this man realized how important it is for you to love yourself, to find your self-worth. Those who truly love you don’t just stop when you hurt them.”
Keeley’s gaze locked on hers. “Some sins only fade. And no matter how much they love you, they can’t let you hurt them again.”
“So don’t. Find your strength in the flames. It’s there. I see it in you.”
“I don’t have what it takes.”
“That’s crap!” She stood up.
Who the hell was this woman to think she knew a thing about her? Keeley huffed, “You don’t know anything.”
“Possibly. But then, maybe I do know a thing or two.” She turned and walked out, leaving Keeley staring down at the pen in her hand.