Page 108 of Hard Knock Hero

“Jessi said you volunteered to help out around here?”

Trace chewed his lip and glanced at the barn. His hair was still long enough to cover half his face, and the sun had added bleached highlights from all the time he’d been spending outdoors. “As much as I can. I’m no construction expert. But I’d like to be a part of this. I could tend bar and wait tables when the place opens, too. Whatever you guys need.”

He’d been doing odd jobs like that for months. I ran my palm over my beard. “Maybe there’s another role you could take on once it’s built. Something that would play to your skills.”

“And what skills would those be?”

“Whatever skills you honed while you were overseas doing ‘aid work’.” I added air quotes with my fingers. He didn’t take the bait, and he likely never would. I had no doubt his stories were all classified.

“What role are you suggesting for me, exactly?”

Over by the main ranch house, Jessi and Scarlett had emerged, joining the rest of their friends. There was conversation and smiles, the same thing that always followed when Jessi was around. But when Last Refuge opened, we would be welcoming people who needed help. Who might even need justice.

They would be escapingfromsomething. What if that something followed?

“Jessi wants to provide a safe space for women who’ve been abused. And for other people who have nowhere else to turn. Once those people start arriving at Last Refuge, they’ll need protection if the things they’re running from come looking. You can’t have a true refuge without someone to defend it.”

“Like you protected Jessi before I got here?”

“More or less. And you know what they say. Best defense is a good offense.”

I was still using vague terms, but I was sure Trace understood what I meant. He was quiet as he considered this. “What about the police? Sheriff Douglas?”

“You know that official avenues aren’t always the best option. We might have to use…other methods. Things that Sheriff Douglas wouldn’t want to know about.”

His eyes turned hard. Shrewd. “You’re talking about becoming vigilantes.” Trace seemed more amused than shocked. As I’d expected, because he had no problems breaking rules.

“If that’s what it takes. If they fight dirty, so will we. But I’d rather call us Protectors.”

“Us?”

I nodded. “You, me. Other guys with the right kind of training who want to take this on. I’m going to call some of my Army brothers. See if they’re interested.”

“They still talk to you?”

“Ha. You’re funny, Novo.” I flipped him off.

He shrugged. “I might know some guys too. Ifthey’lltalk tome.”

“We need people we can trust. We’ll have to be careful, and I don’t want to jeopardize anything else we’re building here. But I’ve spoken to Jessi about it, and she agrees.”

Trace and I both watched as Jessi and Scarlett hugged.

“I’d like to have something worth defending,” Trace said quietly.

“So you’re in?” I held out my hand. We shook.

Eventually, I would want Trace to lead the Protectors. He’d be a far better point person than me, given his training and experience. But I wasn’t sure he was in the right headspace to take that on. Not yet.

Trace wandered over to Jessi. They spoke briefly. Then she came over to me. “We’re supposed to meet everyone down at the diner,” she said.

“We can head there soon. I need a minute with my girl.” I wrapped my arms around her, and she rested her head on my shoulder.

“You asked Trace about the Protectors?” she said.

“Did he mention it just now when he spoke to you?”

“Yes. He wanted to make sure I was on board. I’m glad he’s going to help. We’ll need him.”

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