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“It will come back. What did the doctor at the Veterans Affairs say?” his father asked.
“I have an appointment tomorrow.”
“Don’t be so hard on yourself, and give Charli a chance, okay? That woman has been through hell. She’s given up so much for you.” His mother gave his hand a squeeze.
What does she mean?
“You owe her your respect,” his father interjected.
“A marriage is a partnership. Everything you do affects her and vice versa. And she’s carrying my grandchild. The last thing she needs is more stress in her life,” his mother finished.
Finn nodded. “Alright. I get it.”
“Be the man I taught you to be, Finnegan. Take care of your responsibilities,” his father added and nodded towards the door.
“I will.” Finn gave his mother a hug and went back out towards the bar. But voices halted his steps from the storage room.
“Finn . . . doesn’t need to know.”
He could only hear pieces of what Charli was saying. His heart raced in his chest as every muscle tensed, his body on alert as he rounded the corner. The air sucked from his lungs as if he’d been punched in the gut at the sight of one of his best friends whispering in a dark corner with his wife. “What the fuck is going on?” Finn roared.
Charli jumped, and Bently spun around, arms wide as if to protect Charli. A line appeared between Bently’s forehead as he studied Finn. “What the hell, man?”
“Wanna tell me why you two are over here huddled in the corner, talking about what I don’t need to know?”
Bently sighed, his shoulders dropping. “I came to give Charli an update.”
“On what?”
Bently looked over his shoulder at Charli, as if asking permission. Finn clenched his fists until the nails bit into the skin.
Charli looked at him with wide eyes as if she didn’t recognize him. As if she was afraid of him. The thought made him sick to his stomach. She turned to Bently and nodded. “Fine.”
Bently stepped towards Finn. “I got news that the same man who attacked Charli on your last deployment just assaulted another woman in Massachusetts last week. Still haven’t got the fucker.”
What?
Bently’s gaze grew dark. “He killed this other woman. He’s escalating.”
“What do you mean Charli was attacked?”
Bently glanced behind him to Charli.
“I hadn’t told him yet because I didn’t want to burden him with anything more than what he is already going through.” Charli spoke to Bently but kept her gaze on him.
She tried to protect me even though she’s the one in danger?
“Do you think he’s gonna come back after Charli?” Finn asked, worry cinching his gut.
“Anything is possible. She’s the one who got away. He might return to finish what he started. He might not. Best to keep an eye out. Don’t go anywhere alone, Charli.” Bently leveled his gaze on her.
“I’ll be careful,” she promised.
Bently nodded. “I’ll be sure to send my squad to drive by your house a few times a night.”
“Thank you,” she said. “I’m gonna get back to work.” Charli gave Bently a quick hug and walked by him, not sparing a glance in his direction.
His heart squeezed. He wanted to fix whatever this was between them, but he had no idea where to start. “What happened to her?” Finn asked.
