Page 27 of Trigger Happy Ending

The hangar was lined with families, most waving homemade signs, holding balloons and presents, welcoming home loved ones. Most of the guys’ eyes lit up at the sound that engulfed the hangar as we marched in straight lines. I could sense Kade shift his weight from one foot to the other beside me, searching for his girlfriend.

Me? I wasn’t looking for any family. I didn’t have any.

But I did look for her.

Karlie. She’d said she’d be here.

The CO talked for a bit, but none of us listened, most just eager to see family and friends.

Once he said “dismissed,” the room erupted. People ran to their loved ones, embracing each other, full of relief they made it home alive. Not everyone is so lucky. But I didn’t know about that kind of grief, that particular strain of pain, yet. I stayed in line, not daring to break formation, and waited for her. That’s the rules. You wait, display soldier discipline until someone comes to claim you.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Kade wrap his arms around his girlfriend. She was squealing into his uniform. Across the way, Brock was locked in a hug with his brother and sister. I recognized their faces from the photos Brock carries.

But Karlie wasn’t there.

Still, I waited. Like the good soldier I was trained to be.

Fuck, I told myself all sorts of bullshit. She’s caught in traffic or fallen unwell.

Someone brushed past me, shouting someone else’s name. Another guy squatted down low and caught his daughter who launched herself into his arms.

Slowly, the soldiers around me left with their loved ones.

I remained rooted to the floor. Stony faced. Alone.

I stood there until the crowd thinned out and the noise faded. Until it was just me left. I didn’t have to wait there, but I couldn’t bring myself to move.

It wasn’t like a dramatic heartbreak. I don’t think I was in love with her. In fact, I know I wasn’t. But still … The slow, sinking realization that she hadn’t come means I wasn’t worth it. I don’t know why I was expecting a different outcome; even my own parents left me, choosing drugs over me when I was barely a teenager. Said I was worthless, would never amount to anything, so why bother? I was nothing but a burden on them. I was nothing special.

Eventually, I picked up my bag.

On the way out in the parking lot, Kade called after me, “Hey man, you good?”

He had his arm hooked around his girlfriend who looked like she might cry on my behalf. That just angered me.

“Yeah,” I said, stiffly. “Fine.”

Kade didn’t believe me, but he didn’t push for more. That’s what I liked about Kade and Brock—I never had to justify or explain myself. They knew I’d come from hard shit. I always was the tough one out in the field, the one who never showed emotion. Kade knew I’d be fine. And I would be. I planned to get my bike out of storage, maybe find an underground fight club and throw down. Thrash out my anger in the only way I knew how: with violence. But that day, I made myself a promise.

People have a history of leaving me. Time and time again.

So, I’m done with that. From now on? I'll leave people before they can leave me.

I will never give anyone the chance to not show up for me again.

Chapter 14

Raine

Present Day

Iglide the gloss over my lips one last time, smearing a final coat of shine before leaning into the mirror and pushing my tits together. Never looked sluttier. And that’s coming from the girl who wore a latex dominatrix outfit with no underwear recently.

The black leather bustier squeezes me into an hourglass silhouette men go stupid for. My skirt clings like a second skin, laced up both sides in little crisscrosses of temptation. Nowhere to conceal a gun, but I did manage to strap three blades to the inside of my thigh-high boots. I slide lip gloss into the crease between my breasts, adjust my platinum blonde wig, and take one last look in the mirror.

Angel O’Leary stares back at me. It’s showtime.

Agency intel says Carson’s not expected tonight, which is good news. I can breathe, take my time, learn the floor, the faces, the layout, and the lore of the Golden Claw. From what my research has revealed, it’s not your typical gentlemen’s club, but rather a playground for the rich and powerful, where you can do (and get away with) just about anything.