Page 59 of Cast in Shadow
She’d wondered how long it would take him to ask. “I can’t tell you everything you want to know, I’m sorry. Those aren’t my secrets to share. What I can tell you is, they’re good people, and they’re not on anyone’s books.”
He considered that for a moment, then nodded. “How do you know them, and why are they so willing to help you, no questions asked?”
“You ask really good questions,” she murmured, pressing a kiss to his lips. She was tempted to do more, but they had to have this conversation. “Believe it or not, there’s a network of people who see the issues we face every day and know that the systems put into place to deal with them are broken. They take it upon themselves to do what they can, knowing they have to do it outside of proper channels. Much like you do but on a greater scale.”
“What do you mean, like me? I’m a mercenary, remember?”
She laughed softly. “Right, Raguel.”
He tensed and narrowed his eyes. “What do you know about Raguel?”
“I know he was a highly decorated, highly respected, skilled tracker. I know his team was compromised on a mission in the Middle East, and that good men died.” He flinched, and she softened her voice. “I know he signed a confession that said he betrayed his team and his country when he didn’t. What I don’t know is, why.”
Zeke grasped her around the waist and lifted her off his lap. Then, he stood and began to pace around the room, prowling like an angsty panther. “Given what I know about your friends, I guess I don’t need to ask how you know about that.”
“Tell me,” she said quietly.
“I can’t talk about that.”
“You can,” she insisted. “Who are you protecting?”
“Who says I’m protecting anyone?”
“It’s the only thing that makes sense. You’re a good man, Zeke, and I don’t believe you’d betray anyone for your own personal gain. But I have no trouble believing you’d sacrifice yourself for someone you cared about.”
When he continued to remain quiet, she said, “I can find out, you know.”
Concern flashed in his eyes. “You need to stay out of it.”
“I think we both know that’s not going to happen. You might as well just tell me. Who are you protecting?”
“Myself,” he said with a scowl. “My ... family.”
She sat up straight. No one had said anything about Zeke having a family. “Please don’t tell me you’re married.”
“I’m not married.”
“Kids?”
“No.”
“Parents, then? Siblings?”
He ground his teeth but said nothing. He didn’t have to. His eyes spoke for him. They were filled with pain. Pain and regret.
“When’s the last time you saw them?”
“Does it fucking matter?” he snapped. “Let me answer that for you. No, it doesn’t.”
“Why did you say you did something if you didn’t?” she pressed.
“You said it yourself. The system is broken. I didn’t betray my team, but someone had to take the blame.”
“Why you?”
“Because I had the most incentive to do so.”
“I don’t understand,” she said, exasperated and frustrated and wanting to help.
