Page 3 of Liam

“My son is fatherless because of you. My Ambrose is dead because of you.” She began to sob, and he approached, pulling her into his arms. She sagged and cried for a few minutes before she pushed him away with a heave. “Leave, get out. I never want to see you again, you murderer.”

Liam stood frozen with anguish and pain at her words, at his loss. All of it too much, he turned and walked quickly for the door. He had lost more today than just Ambrose; he had lost his family.

Liam Hayes’ heart hardened at that moment, but he vowed he would live a life that would make his friend proud, even if it killed him.

CHAPTER ONE

Present Day

THE TENSION IN THE ROOM WAS SO THICK, LIAM COULD ALMOST TASTE IT . HE STARED AT THE MAN sitting on a lone chair in the middle of the room, his legs and hands restrained, a black bag made of harsh calico over his head. Jack and Alex on either side of him, along with Decker, a former FBI profiler, in the dark room that was Eidolon’s interrogation area. Decker always took part in these ‘interviews’.

This one though was different from any other interrogation he’d ever been part of, and he had conducted a lot in his time. All the men who worked for Eidolon had been through the extensive Resistance to Interrogation training, known as RTI, used by the SAS to train all of their recruits. The man in front of him was no different. What was unusual was that he’d once been a trusted member of the team.

Liam glanced at Jack, who nodded silently, giving Liam the signal to remove the cover from Gunner Ramberg’s head. Liam controlled the mixture of anger, betrayal, and fury inside him as he watched Gunner blink as his eyes adjusted to the light in the room. As he did, Liam saw him look around at each of the men present, assessing them as he would do in the same position.

Finally, Gunner’s gaze stopped on Jack as the leader of the team—his old leader before he’d betrayed them. Liam clenched his fists in an effort to remain calm on the outside at least. What did surprise Liam was the lack of expression on Gunner’s face. It wasn’t what he was trying to hide that surprised Liam, but rather what he wasn’t hiding.

He didn’t show signs of hate or dislike. In fact, Liam could see he was trying hard not indicate anything, yet relief was in his every movement. This surprised Liam, and he looked at Decker, wondering what he thought. Of course, Decker didn’t show a single emotion, the man was like a robot with the way he hid every personal feeling, as if worried someone would perhaps profile him.

Jack stepped forward his arms loose at his sides. “Nothing to say? No apology or excuses?” His voice was hard and cold, and Liam was glad he wasn’t on the wrong side of that.

Gunner angled his head to look up at Jack. “Is there any point? You’ve already decided how you feel.” Gunner shrugged, but it wasn’t without feeling, it was resigned. “I don’t blame you for hating me, fuck, I hate myself.”

“I hope you don’t expect us to feel sorry for you,” Alex growled from where he leaned against the wall, his arms crossed.

Gunner twisted to him and shook his head. “No. But I’m praying with everything in me that you’re better men than I am. That you’re the men I know you to be.”

Liam let out a bark of humourless laughter. “You don’t know fuck about me.”

Gunner focused on him. “Don’t I? I know you still mourn Ambrose. That you always resented me for taking his spot on the team.”

Liam dove for Gunner, his hand clamping around his throat as fury almost blinded him. “Don’t speak his fucking name. You’re not fit to lick his shoes. He was ten times the man you are, that I am.”

Jack watched, not interfering for a moment, letting Liam have his say. Gunner didn’t fight him or pull away, allowing the attack. Liam realised at that moment Gunner was taunting him, so Liam would punish him. He hated himself as much as anyone else in that room did, probably more so. Liam relaxed and let go, allowing Gunner to take a deep rasping breath.

“You’re right, I’m not worthy of any of you, but I need your help.”

The room went silent at his request, and the men glanced to one another in question. Jack took the lead. “Why would we help you?”

“Because you’re good men.”

“No, we aren’t. We kill, we maim, and all in the name of our Queen.”

“Yes, you are because you don’t hurt innocents and you have a code.”

“A code you seem to have thrown away.”

Gunner hung his head before he tipped it up to Jack. “I had my reasons.”

Jack paced slowly. “Oh, we know. Milla. We know all about your sister.” Gunner’s eyes widened in surprise, and Jack continued. “Yes, we know all about Milla. What I can’t understand is why you didn’t come to us?”

It was hard not to react to the betrayal in Jack’s voice.

“I couldn’t. They already had her, and if I’d told you they would’ve known. I couldn’t take that risk.”

“How would they have known?” Decker asked, speaking for the first time.

Gunner twisted to him. “I had to carry a chip with a mic and camera. If they thought for one second I’d signalled you, she would be dead.”