AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You’ve been hurt before by men who weren’t worthy of you. Not letting it happen again.”
She sighed. “Dad…”
He touched her cheek. “I love you, Gem. And I think you’ve finally found a man who’ll love you like you deserve.”
* * *
Shep watchedas the FBI agents rounded up the mercenaries. Gemma’s father had worked some sort of magic with law enforcement, claiming Boone and Shep were part of her security team.
Hell of a day. He eyed the still-smoldering ruin of the cabin. This definitely wasn’t what he’d expected when he’d woken up today.
He realized how much he’d missed the work. He’d been a damn good soldier, and it had suited him. Today, working side-by-side with Boone again had felt good.
He glanced over at his friend. Boone had his woman wrapped up tightly in his arms. He looked happy. He’d earned some good. Shep knew better than anyone that Boone had watched their friends die, been through hell, and come out the other side.
Yeah, Boone Hendrix had finally found a woman who deserved him.
Not that Shep wanted a woman.Fuck, no.
He liked being alone.
He had a few people he trusted, and that was enough for him. He could see Boone was happy, and Gemma was one-of-a-kind, but it didn’t mean he wanted that for himself.
Boone had left the military with survivor’s guilt, and Shep had come back with a reminder that he’d been too fucking late.
Again.
It was a repeating theme in his life.
Up here in the mountains, there was no one depending on him.
“You did good work today, Shep.” Vander appeared out of nowhere.
Shep had always hated when the man did that. “I’ll always help my brothers.”
“I know.” His old commander paused, scanning the clearing. “You know, I always have work for you if you’re interested.”
Norcross Security was based in San Francisco, but Shep knew they did work all across the country.
He watched the mercs being loaded into big black Suburbans. He had liked using his skills today, but the thought of being back on a team, protecting others, having their backs 24/7…
“I’m good. I like the retired life.”
Vander’s dark gaze bored into him, and Shep fought the urge to hunch his shoulders. Vander had that kind of laser look that made it feel like he could see right into your brain.
“We couldn’t have saved Julio, Miles, and Charlie, Shep,” Vander said quietly.
Shep’s jaw tightened. He stayed silent.
“Do you blame Boone for not saving them?”
“No,” Shep clipped. “He was locked in a fucking cage. I wasn’t.”
“Do you blame me?”
“Hell, no. I saw you turn yourself inside out to find them.”
“You did, too. So how the fuck can you blame yourself?”
