Page 18 of Glamour and Grit

“My bug out bunker.”

“Your what?”

“It’s a small compound I own outside the valley. Nothing too fancy, but I doubt Moreno’s men will think to look for you there.”

I re-appraise him in light of this new information. Dane takes notice of my change in expression.

“I know what you’re thinking, Selene.”

“Oh? Did they teach you to read minds in the Navy?”

“No, but it’s written all over your face. You’re wondering if I'm one of those survivalist doomsday people.”

“The thought did cross my mind,” I admit.

“I’m not, or rather, I don’t take it to the point of paranoid delusion. I just believe in being prepared in case a situation comes up where I need to lie low. Like this one.”

“Hey, I’m not judging you, man. I’m really not. I’m grateful you have this place. I’m assuming it’s a lightless cave bunker with zero amenities?”

“It’s just a hole I scratched in the ground with a sharpened stick.”

I wait for him to laugh, but he’s got a great poker face.

“You’re so full of shit.”

Then Dane does something unexpected. He laughs, for real, not holding anything back.

“Maybe,” he says, a genuine smile on his face for the first time. “Guess you’ll have to wait and find out.”

I lean back in the seat and chuckle.

“Guess I will.”

I guess I’ll have to wait to peel back more of his layers, too. But now, at least, I know Dane has them.

6

DANE

Selene’s a lot tougher than she looks. I can sense a “hard knocks” upbringing. A lot of guys in the Navy came from the same type of background. Hell, my family was anything but typical, come to think of it.

She’s not a pushover, and has tons of moxie. I don’t want to be attracted to her for a grocery list of reasons, but I can’t help it. It’s even harder to resist now that I find I respect her, too.

A lot of people in her situation would be a complete nervous wreck. Even though she’s deeply worried about her brother, she’s not falling apart. She’s taking proactive steps to find him and protect herself while she does it.

Guilt keeps me from making a move. Selene deserves someone better than me. I fucked up really bad and it turned into a nightmare for me, and a tragedy for a whole lot of other people.

But she’s stuck with me for now, and I have to make the best of it. I just have to avoid acting on these feelings. Keeping her safe and finding her brother are the priorities, not acting on a crush.

“You’re awfully quiet, Dane. And you’ve got a look on your face like you just sucked on a lemon. What’s up?”

I shake my head and pull off the freeway.

“I’m just trying to remember which is the right exit.”

“Okay, if you say so.”

I give her a look.

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