Page 23 of Brutal Collateral

CHAPTER SIX

Hadleigh – Langley, Virginia – Three Months Ago

Istand in a plainblue suit before the Deputy CIA Director who reads a prepared statement from the admiral I reported to for the mission in the Mediterranean.

I sniff, holding back tears. I didn’t get the Trident, but getting the Intelligence Star feelsdamngood. Especially when it’s gone to other SEALs.

The part that sucks? This is a private ceremony.

SEALs walk on water all over the country, glory raining down on them. My mission was secret.

“Good work, Lieutenant.” Cherise presents the star to me, formal and unsmiling, like she doesn’t know me.

It doesn’t feel real in my hands. It’s not on a ribbon and doesn’t get placed around my neck with a handshake from the President.

Time stands still until she holds her hand out for the star. An odd tradition. I’m expected to give it back. I can’t publicly claim it until my death. Then it will officially be awarded posthumously, and my family will receive it.

Only, I have no plans to ever get married. My brothers are psycho mobsters who will surely be gunned down soon. So...yeah. That star will stay locked in a closet here in the George Bush Center.

Shaking all that away, I hand the star back with a salute.

Cherise salutes me, too, our eyes briefly connecting. In a flash, I’m back on that rope wall with her, killing myself for a brotherhood who didn’t want me.

“As you were, Lieutenant.” Cherise takes my star, pivots on her heels, and disappears with her aides.

Before I can wonder if she’s happy, someone clears their throat behind me, sending a jolt down my spine. I turn slowly and the shadowed figure in the doorway stops my heart.

The height, the set of his strong jaw, those wide shoulders.

Alexander!

He found me because I returned stateside, which I knew was a risk. I take a step forward and any fear I had about facing Alexander’s wrath triples.

No. No, no... Fear snakes down my spine.

That’snotAlexander.

Ares steps out of the shadow. Our other brother, who, according to Alexander, didn’t know I enlisted and who is being demoted to install me as his second.

Oh no...

This happens all the time. Brothers fighting brothers and keeping little sisters in their place. I feel the strong instinct to run, to chase down Cherise and hide under her desk.

The ice in my spine turns to fire as I coax myself to stand tall with the truth:You’re a fucking decorated Navy lieutenant. This is your fucking turf.

Squaring my shoulders, I trek cautiously toward my brother. “Can I help you?”

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