Page 118 of Cowboys & Navy SEALs

Corbin’s head shot up. “For what?”

“For caring enough about Doug to come here tonight. And for keeping my son’s memory alive.”

The gravity of Sutton’s words hit Corbin full force. Something swift and strong flowed between them. They wouldalways be connected through Doug’s life and then later his death.

A man stepped in. Corbin recognized him as one of the security guards who’d tackled him earlier. The guy shot Corbin a surly look. It gave him a ping of satisfaction when he saw the guy’s swollen lip. He stepped behind Corbin and removed the handcuffs. Then he turned on his heel and left the room in a hurry like he feared a rematch. Corbin stood, glancing at the envelope and then at Sutton.

Sutton rose to his feet. “What will it be?”

He tugged at his jacket. “I’m in no hurry. I’ll go to the meeting.”

Sutton looked pleased. “Very well.” He motioned. “This way.”

“What is this?” Corbin glared at the four faces seated around the conference room table. Blayze, River, Zane, and Cannon … fellow members of SEAL Team 7—four people he hoped to never lay eyes on again. They looked just as surprised to see him.

Sutton motioned. “Have a seat.”

Blood thrashed against Corbin’s temples as his feet stayed rooted to the floor, his fists clutching into balls. “Whatever this is, I don’t want any part of it.” He couldn’t believe Sutton had dragged him here to face these guys.So much for opportunity.

River smirked at Zane, who was sitting beside him. “No surprise there.”

Corbin’s body tensed. “What do you mean by that?” He was ready to pound some heads.

Zane AKA Thor because of his striking resemblance to the Marvel hero, made a point of eyeing the blood streaks on hisjacket. “Same old Corbin, huh? Always got somebody’s blood on your hands.”

The comment was the match that lit the wildfire. He pounced at Zane who sprang to his feet. Corbin managed to strike a fist to Zane’s cheekbone before Zane landed a punch of his own that knocked Corbin back against the table. It was one thing to spar with a lumbering bodyguard, but another to fight a fellow Navy SEAL who was Corbin’s equal in every way. Still, there was no backing down from this. Corbin got back up, ready to go again. He swung, but Zane ducked. Corbin took another shot. Zane stepped out of the way, but Corbin ran at him, the two toppling to the floor.

The other guys pulled them apart.

“Enough, already!” Cannon yelled, stepping between them. A volunteer, lay pastor, Cannon was normally the easy-going one in the group, determined to help keep the peace. It was always an uphill task considering they were a group of alpha males, constantly vying to be top-dog.

Zane’s brow shot up, a derisive chuckle barking out of his lips. “Careful, Cannon. You know how Corbin hates taking orders from superiors.”

The comment was a knife in the gut. Zane had been the commanding officer in their platoon. He took it as a personal insult when Corbin defied his order on the day Doug was killed. And he’d never let Corbin forget it. “Respect has to be earned, not demanded.” It was probably not the best comeback, but the only one Corbin could come up with.

Zane shook his head in disgust. “Exactly. And you lost our respect the day you hung us out to dry.”

Sutton held up his hands. “Gentlemen, if you’ll please take your seats.” He looked at Corbin. “And put a lid on your anger for a few minutes, you might find this conversation beneficial.”

All eyes turned to Corbin, waiting for his reaction.

“I’m not sure it’s possible for him to cork his anger,” Zane said, an open challenge simmering in his eyes. “Why don’t you just tap the brass bell right now and save us all the trouble?”

It was a low blow, referring to the brass bell which sat in the courtyard at BUD/S Training. When guys couldn’t hack the drills they’d ring the bell three times, signaling that they’d had enough, at which point they’d forfeit their chance to become a SEAL and receive another Naval assignment. Before Zane’s comment, Corbin was ready to leave this room, turn his back on these men forever. But now, the only way anyone would drag him out of here would be in a body bag.

He lifted his chin and sat down in the closest seat, crossing his arms over his chest, his jaw set in stone. He could feel the other guys watching him. There was a time when he’d loved these guys like brothers, almost as much as he’d loved Doug. Their team had a reputation for being one of the best. That all changed the night Doug got killed. Deep down, Corbin didn’t blame the guys for hating him. He hated himself for what happened. All the training in the world, his former achievements, none of it would be enough to make up for those few short, dreadful minutes when he’d lost it and gone on the rampage.

Sutton cleared his throat. “You’re wondering why I asked you to come here tonight.”

“The thought has crossed our minds.”

This came from Blayze who was sitting on the opposite side of the table. Expert at reading people and situations, Corbin could tell from the intense look on Blayze’s face that he was trying to get a read on Sutton. Corbin risked a glance at Cannon who gave him a slight smile. For an instant, Corbin was taken off guard by the kindness. Then again, Cannon had always preached the value of turning the other cheek. Corbin offered a quick nod of acknowledgement before turning his attention back to Sutton.

“All of you are highly trained, retired SEALs. Men who can be trusted. Men whom my son Doug trusted.”

Corbin’s skin crawled a little at that. He knew none of the men in this room trusted him any further than they could throw him. They felt like he’d broken the code and betrayed their trust. Well, maybe he had, but he’d certainly not done it intentionally. If he could relive that day and react differently to Doug’s death, he would in a heartbeat.

Furthermore, everyone around this table would be a little squirrelly at the mention ofDoug’s trust. None of them knew for sure whether it had been enemy or friendly fire that killed Doug. Had Sutton brought them here to exact revenge? A shiver raced down Corbin’s spine. Maybe the billionaire philanthropist wasn’t so benevolent, after all. He pushed aside the misgiving. He and Sutton had shared a moment in the holding cell—he saw it in Sutton’s eyes, felt it rattle his core. He and Sutton shared a bond. They’d both loved Doug, both had been completely devastated by Doug’s death. Sutton said this was an opportunity, and Corbin believed the man was being truthful.

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