Jared doesn’t like any of this one bit, and I see it when he flares his nostrils the way some guys do when they’re pissed.
“This is dangerous territory you’re getting into, Trace. The Patriots, or whatever they’re calling themselves, are ruthless and so secretive. Miah and Roman have been working this thing for over a year and we still got nothing but a few dirty cops and a police chief that we can’t tie to any of the terrorist acts.”
“I know. That’s why I’m here. I’m doing a profile from what little I have and can manage to gather. It should tell us more about the organization and the men who work for and run it.”
“No,” Jared barks, getting to his feet to start pacing around. “You can’t be involved in any of this, Trace. Jace just go shot—”
“You think I don’t know that, Jared? I was there to see the blood and try to keep more of it from pouring out of him. I know—”
“They took Roman. That’s why Jace was out on Farmer’s Road in the first place and why he got shot. I sent him there after tracking Roman’s cell phone and he got shot. These people do not care about family connections or wealth. All they care about is their own agenda, and I will not see you hurt trying to investigate this shit.”
He thinks I can’t handle this shit? I’ve logged hundreds of hours in the firing range and I know enough hand-to-hand to cripple a man that isn’t too large.
I can take care of myself and have been for years while Jace and the Lanes forgot I even existed.
“Look, if you think I’m letting this go because some big, strong man thinks I’m too much woman—”
“The last time he let you go I had to fish him out of a bottle almost every night when we weren’t out on missions. He spent a full year crying in his fucking sleep like a girl, Tracy. He just got you back. I won’t let him lose you again just to prove to you that you’re capable.”
My lip is trembling now and I can barely hold the tears in at the thought of Jace being that distraught…over me.
And it saddens me, too, because I know that even if I’m not out for revenge against him anymore, Jace and I aren’t meant to be. I have a job to do and nothing left for anyone but myself.
All of my efforts for three years have been focused on this case and finding something to free myself from these ogres. I want a life of peace and security when this is all said and done. Not a family feud that turns deadly at every turn, or a husband who gets shot on the regular.
For once I’d like to just relax without having to worry about what I look like, the latest gossip, or the family member creeping up behind me with a knife.
“He can’t lose me, Jared, because he doesn’t have me. Now I’m sorry to say this because I do not want to hurt you or Jace or any of your kin, but I’m here to do a job and then I’m going home to finish it off. I’ve worked for three years to gain my freedom from the Bureau and my father, and I won’t just give it up now that Jason wants me again.”
“Trace.”
“No. This conversation is done. Go check if your brother’s okay. I need to know.”
Jared shakes his head and leaves me alone with nothing more than a sad look and a sigh and I sit there thinking about it all with a clearer view of how things are.
It’s easy to forget all the hurt and stuff when Jace is around. He’s like my moon or something, I don’t know. All I do know is that he pulls me into his orbit and keeps me there so easily, I can’t move away without his say-so.
I loved him once. Hell, I adore part of him now. I just can’t risk it again.
If Jared and the family are disappointed, well…I’ll live, I guess.
“Hey, Trace, Jared said to tell you that Jace just woke up. Want to see him, babe?”
Yes.
“You go on ahead, Miah. I’ll hit the bathroom and clean up a little better and then I’ll be in,” I lie, smiling at Wyatt when he hands me the coffee I never wanted.
It takes a lot not to cry as they nod and run to go see their brother, and it takes even more for me to walk out of that hospital without at least seeing him one more time.
I need to do a lot now that I have more information on the Patriots. I think I may be ready to deliver that profile now that I know how they’re working.
But first I need to find out what the hell happened with Roman Lane, and the only way to do that is to go to the source.
Chapter Seven
Jace
My shoulder hurts like a motherfucker and that’s with a boatload of pain meds swimming in my bloodstream and taking the edge off. I’ve been shot a couple times now, and being a big badass SEAL I’m used to it by now.