AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Maybe the information was right, but they just moved her before you got there.”
“I don’t know. Call me crazy,” he fought his emotions, “I just thought maybe for once things would align and she’d be there.”
“That’s not crazy, Keith, that’s staying optimistic.”
“Optimistic,” he repeated with a head shake, and I could feel the darkness inside him fight to take over. I knew what he needed, but sadly, I wasn’t there to get him to punch the wall again, so I played dirty and prayed it would work.
“Or maybe she’s gone forever, dead or sold off.” I hit him low in the hope I’d smack him back in line again.
His face snapped up, and he looked like he wanted to hurt me. I lifted my chin and looked at him. That’s right. Get angry.
“What did you just say?”
“You heard me. It’s the truth, isn’t it?” I shrugged and kept going. “I can see it in you. The words I just said are playing with your head. You think she’s dead. You think it’s too late to do anything.”
“No,” he whispered, but he wasn’t fooling anyone. I picked up my iPad and started to take notes.
“You know what’ll happen if you let yourself get pulled down into that dark place in your head.” I eyed him through the screen of the laptop. “Cole will be forced to sit you out on the next mission.”
“Are you threatening to report me to Logan?” He started to move about like the reality of what I’d just said hit him hard. Because he knew it was the truth.
“No,” I tossed my iPad aside and leaned toward the camera, “I’m trying to prove a point here. Don’t let yourself go dark. You’ll hate yourself for it later. I can promise you that. You’re a Blackstone soldier in an awful situation, so man up. Even if you believe, deep down, she’s gone. Your kids need to know you did your very best to get their mother home again.”
He stood straight up and sent his chair flying backward as he covered his mouth and took a few deep breaths. Slowly, his hands moved to the back of his head, and he squeezed his eyes shut.
“Jesus,” he said to himself, and I could see it took all his willpower not to scream out his pain. “This wasn’t how it was supposed to be.”
I felt my own emotions rise to the surface, and I blinked back the tears that prickled my eyes. My heart ached for this man who had done so much to save the woman he loved, only to have her fall out of love with him and then be taken from him this way. She was snatched out of thin air. No person deserved that, especially not a man like Keith.
He paced back and forth then he pressed his palms down on the desk as he leaned forward, and his face filled the camera.
“Okay,” his jaw flexed, “I’ve got myself back in check.”
Good.
“At the risk of sounding condescending,” I switched it up, “I’m incredibly proud of you for having a meeting with me today.” I softened my tone. “I’m starting to see how your head works, and you’re strong Keith. Remember that when you find yourself slipping.”
“Okay.” He nodded, and I knew he was himself again.
“Good. Now, let’s talk some more.”
We ended up talking for well over an hour, and I didn’t care. He needed it, and that was what I was there for.
When we were finished, I packed my things and left the office the way I found it. I headed down the hall and saw Frank’s office door open and decided to check in with him. I wondered where Ty was.
“Frank,” I knocked on his door, “may I have a quick word?”
“Sure.” He tossed his glasses on his desk, and I closed the door behind me. “What’s up?”
“I had a session with Mark and Keith today.”
“Good.”
“Yes, Mark’s was interesting.”
“I bet.” He chuckled slightly.
“He has concerns.”
