Page 20 of Clear Blue Sky

“They ate lunch here yesterday. Why the fuck are they back?” Nelson stabbed his salad, but his stomach had soured. He honestly had no appetite, but he needed to eat. He also needed to vent.

His mind had been swirling with images of the past. Ever since he left Brandi at his house this morning, he couldn’t focus on anything but all the mistakes he’d made on each mission he’d commanded that failed. The techniques he’d developed to help him get through these moments had been working. He’d been slowly working his way back to the present.

Then Marcus walked through the fucking front door.

“At least we got the heads-up they were coming, and we were able to have a table in a certain area so we can keep a watchful eye on them,” Phoenix said.

“He’s taunting me.” Nelson lifted his water and chugged it down, wishing it were a beer, but he’d wait to have an adult beverage when he got home. His pulse raged. Fuck. It wasn’t because a brief thought of Brandi came into his brain. He kept trying to pull up her image—her beautiful smile—instead of all the bad things that happened, but he couldn’t let go of the past.

Or maybe the past wouldn’t let go of him.

And then there was the fact that he wanted to keep her as close as possible because he needed to know what was in that damn book.

He did care for Brandi, and he did want her in his life. That was all true. He’d been honest about his concern for committing but held back two things.

His knowledge that he knew their relationship wouldn’t last. Brandi understood that too. She’d been willing to let him go to give an ex-boyfriend a chance because in the end, she wanted it all. A powerful career and a family.

But she didn’t want it in Lake George.

Her life was in New York City.

This was a nice diversion for her, even if she couldn’t admit it to herself or to him.

The only problem with this scenario was the fact she was capable of love.

He was not.

“I’m sure he is, but you can’t let him get under your skin.” Phoenix pushed his empty salad plate aside. “The private investigator—her name is Hensley—is moving into The Heritage Inn as we speak.”

“I wish we could have met with her first.”

“I agree with Reese. We shouldn’t take the risk in talking with her at all. The only time that happens is if she comes into this restaurant, and that won’t happen because we’ll be in here and she’ll be poking around their room or somewhere else.”

One of the waitstaff came over with two burgers, a basket of fries, and an order of onion rings. Nelson set up his food and took a bite of his lunch, hoping that would help ease his mind. He made the mistake of glancing over his shoulder. Marcus and his crew had ordered another round.

“Do we know what time their party barge leaves?” Nelson asked.

“I overheard them say four, so they could be here for a while.”

Nelson dunked a fry into some ketchup and plopped it into his mouth. “I have to know what he’s writing.”

“Why?”

“Are you kidding me?” Nelson glared. “I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s writing about my mission and somehow demonizes me.”

“That would be slander and that mission will remain classified for decades. Too many people died. The military will never allow anyone to write about it.”

“He could drop it in a different geographical area and change the directive. There are a lot of ways to doctor it up and make it different,” Nelson said. “Marcus isn’t stupid.”

“I’ll give you that. However, you realize he not only would have had to research where we relocated, but that you and Brandi are an item. That’s a lot of time and energy to put into rattling you. And for what? To publish a book that in the end will have no impact on your life because lies can’t hurt you. The Army did their investigation. The case is closed.”

Nelson tossed his napkin on top of the plate and leaned back. He hated feeling paranoid. “Are you going to sit there and tell me that you believe Marcus and his friends coming here is a coincidence?”

“I didn’t say that.” Phoenix was almost four years younger than Nelson, but they were only three school years apart. They were as close as brothers could possibly be. They almost never fought; however, they wore their emotions on their sleeve when it came to each other. They never held back and often gave unsolicited advice.

Usually, it was exactly what the other needed to hear, but that didn’t make it any easier to swallow.

“I’m sure he’s here to fuck with you and I don’t trust that asshole any more than you do. I don’t understand why you won’t tell Brandi about the history.”

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