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PROLOGUE
Brothers in arms.
Bad boys, cowboys, soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines.
We’d been labeled delinquents, incapable of redemption.
And we’d gone our separate ways.
Heroes. Monsters. Sinners and saints.
Above all we were men honoring our country even while a terrible secret loomed just below the surface.
There were those who would never forget, praying we’d never return.
Others would stop at nothing to prevent us from doing so.
We were intent on finding salvation by protecting those we loved.
But demons from a single act would never allow us to forget.
Six men determined to right the wrongs from our past.
Six men prepared to do what it took.
No matter the cost.
Together in life.
Together in death.
CHAPTER1
Phoenix
“What the fuck is wrong with you?” Maverick’s voice was muffled, the sound lost completely as an explosion of fire erupted in the forest.
“We’re surrounded on all sides!” Gage yelled from behind.
Fuck my life.
I stood staring at the fire as wind carried embers high over the thick canopy of trees. I’d always been mesmerized by fire, the beautiful blue hue mesmerizing. Even now, the heat oppressive, I couldn’t break away from the intensity of sensations rocketing through me.
“Riggs. We have to get the hell out of here.” Houston snapped as he flanked my side, holding his arm over his face as the thick, acrid smoke rolled in billowing clouds. When I said nothing, he grabbed my arm, trying to lure me away.
“No fucking way.” I jerked from his hold, anger burrowing deep inside. “No one will be left on this mountain. Do you fucking hear me?” I lunged forward through the wall of flames, a furnace blast of heat stealing my breath. After jumping over several fallen limbs, I glanced up at the canopy of trees as the fire exploded all around us. How the fuck had this happened? There was no sense calling out, the bellow of my voice unable to filter through the raging fire.
Already disoriented, I turned in a full circle, struggling to concentrate. Where the hell did you go? Why? Why had this happened?
I heard another sound behind me and ducked seconds before another limb fell from thirty feet above. I jerked to the right, but it wasn’t fast enough, the limb crashing down on me. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Scrambling, I crawled away, slapping my smoldering jeans. When I noticed a figure just ahead, I bolted forward, tackling Colt to the ground.
“Jesus. We’re can’t get through this,” he yelled, panting as I rolled him over, dousing the flames as he kicked out, almost frantic.
“Stop. Breathe. I got you,” I told him, pitching him over one last time.
“This is crazy. We can’t do this,” Colt moaned.
“Yeah, we can.” I was no longer so certain.
