by Amy McKinley
Furious eyes met his, and the man sneered at both of them. “I want to press charges. We need to find a cop.”
“There’s no need for that. I’m sure he was just hungry. Look, there’s really no harm done. You’ve got your wallet back.” With his arm secured around the teen’s skinny shoulders, he moved them both back another step near the entrance of a convenience store. “I’ve got it covered. Besides, I’m sure you’re late for something.”
“Shit.” The man’s features pinched, and he glanced at his wristwatch. “I’ve got ten minutes.” He took a step back into the sidewalk traffic but turned back. “Make sure he stays out of trouble. Or better yet, turn him over to a cop.”
“Right.” Jack nodded and angled both of them into the store. Without letting go, he ushered the kid inside. “What do you want?” He gestured to the area with groceries.
Wary brown eyes met his, and the kid separated himself from Jack’s hold. “Thanks for that, but what do you want?”
“I don’t want anything from you. I’ve got to be somewhere too, but I can buy you some food before I go.”
“You’re not going to narc on me?”
“Nope. Pick out some food. But can you hurry it up? I’ve gotta run.” The kid was nervous, but he got it. Adults weren’t to be trusted. The only reason the kid hadn’t bolted must’ve been because he was hungry. Jack followed the teen to the pre-packaged sandwich cooler, making sure to maintain enough distance to give the kid a false sense of security. “You suck as a pickpocket.” He grinned at him while he grabbed both a turkey and a roast beef sandwich.
The kid snorted then looked Jack up and down. “What would you know about it?”
“More than you know.” Jack kept his answer cryptic. No matter what, the kid’s internal alarm had to be blaring. His would’ve been. A constant barrage of internal sirens would’ve screamed to run, that he wanted something, that there was danger. He grabbed a Gatorade, an orange juice, and a bottled water.
The kid grabbed a bag of chips, and Jack motioned for him to put the food on the counter. He paid for everything as the kid shifted from foot to foot beside him. The clerk gave him his change, and Jack handed it to the kid. He motioned for the kid to accept the bag, and they turned for the door.
When his hand grasped the handle of the door, he withdrew a fifty and a business card from his pocket. He stepped out, and before the kid could dart off, he slipped them into the bag, unnoticed. “See ya, kid. Stay out of trouble.”
The kid mumbled a few words, possibly thanks, maybe something else. It didn’t matter. Jack let the crowd swallow him from view. He was a few doors down from the pub where Hannah was waiting, and he was late.
Not once did he look back. He’d done it enough to know the kid would find and check out the single address listed on the card. He’d written Tess’s name and the words “free food” on the back. More often than not, the kid would be curious and would check it out.
There were a few long-term teens that he paid to hang around the front to help ease fears from the newcomers. They’d been handpicked and didn’t scare away cautious homeless kids. The handpicked teens were approachable.
A few years before, he and Mike had started a nonprofit to help homeless kids. It was something they felt passionately about, and it kept them busy when they weren’t doing their private military gigs. It was all about giving back. He would have given anything for something like that when he’d first found himself on the streets, shortly before he’d stumbled across the empty warehouse. In time, he’d led others to his newfound home. It had been a decision he never regretted. The guys became brothers to him: Mike, Hayden, Trevor, Chris, Hawk, and Keegan. And later, they added Liam, Connor, and Matt to their close-knit group.
They were his family, regardless of blood. Mike was most like Jack with his curt words and no-nonsense attitude. Hayden was the heartthrob with easy smiles and laughing eyes. Trev and Chris, actual brothers, couldn’t be more opposite in demeanor. Chris was quiet, his mind always working through some problem. Laid-back Trevor looked like he’d just come from spending the day surfing. Matt exuded a perpetual boy-next-door charm. Liam’s Irish accent set him apart. The last three of the crew raised the intensity of their group: Hawk had a piercing gaze, Keegan exuded hostility, and Connor made everyone feel like prey.
Jack pulled himself from his street-hardened past as he closed the distance to the kid that reminded him of darker times.
Not more than fifteen feet from where he’d intercepted the pickpocket kid, Jack entered the restaurant he was to meet Hannah. The Irish pub was loud as he made his way to a table in the back corner. The flash of blond hair he’d caught when he opened the door drew him. Hannah was already there.
“I’m sorry I’m late.”
She waved away his comment as he lowered himself into a seat across from her. She’d picked a good table in the back with a view of the doorway. Just as she opened her mouth to say something, a waitress approached, menu in hand.
“I’m Darla, and I’ll be taking care of you today.” The twentysomething waitress pulled a pen from the mess of red curls piled on top of her head and poised the tip over a pad of paper. She winked at Hannah before giving him her full attention. “Ever been here before, handsome?”
Hannah snickered as Jack moved the menu to one side and grinned. “I have.”
“What’ll it be, then?” She tapped the pad of paper, clearly in a rush with the nearly full restaurant and what looked like very few wait staff to help.
“Nothing yet. I need a few minutes.”
“Drinks?”
“Just two waters for now,” Hannah answered.
“You betcha.” Darla hurried over to another table, and Hannah chuckled.
“Never a dull moment with you around, Jack.” Hannah put her menu down and leaned on her forearms.
He gave the menu a quick perusal and made a decision. Placing the menu to the side, he leaned back in his chair. “How’s your day so far?”
“Crazy busy, but it’s better now.”
Darla buzzed by and deposited their waters before she was off again.
“I saw you.” Hannah took a sip of water.
“Saw me…?”
“Oh.” She chuckled. “I saw you from across the street. I was down a little farther, but I noticed the kid. You know him?”
He drummed his fingers on the top of the table, pausing for a moment as Darla materialized at their table again, pen tapping on her pad as she asked for their orders. After they’d given them, he focused back on Hannah. “No, I haven’t met him before. He got into some trouble.” He shook his head. “He’s a lousy pickpocket and got caught. After he returned the guy’s wallet, I bought him some food. I’m sure he was just hungry.”
“Oh.” She frowned. “Wasn’t there anything else you could’ve done?”
“Not much right now. I slipped an address into the bag with the food. He’ll see it when he finds somewhere safe to eat.”
“What’s the address for?”
“My buddy Mike and I have a nonprofit where we help homeless kids. It’s a safe place for them to get a meal.”
“Just food? I’d think they would need somewhere to stay. Do you help with that?”
“There are a lot of things in place. But trust is hard for them at first. We start with getting them to Tess. She’s like everyone’s favorite grandmother. The teens love her. But yeah, we’re able to give them shelter, help with school, counseling… A lot of things, really.”
Hannah took a sip of her water, her gaze never leaving him. She’d softened, and a wistfulness clung to her features. “I had no idea you did this. I thought you were only involved in your private military business.”
“That takes up a lot of my time. Mike and I have a few of these homes in different cities. After we get them established and with the right people staffed inside, we don’t need to be present that much. When we’re able, we go there and help out.”
“Oh, I…” She waved away wha
t she’d been about to say. “So you have one here and where else?”
“There’s one each in San Francisco, New York, and DC. We do what we can, but the problem is more widespread than people think, affecting youth with ages ranging from around ten to twenty-four. Some of these kids… there’s trouble at home, or the system isn’t working for them, or they’re being bullied or recruited for gangs. We do what we can to give them a safe place if they need it. They need someone to believe in them and to tell them and show them they’re important, not worthless.”
A hint of vulnerability flashed in her light eyes. “I never knew.” She covered his hand with hers.
His heart warmed from the interest she showed. “You can check it out with me sometime.”
“I’d really like that.”
The waitress appeared and plopped their food in front of them. After she’d left, Hannah picked up her fork but paused. “Tell me more about the teen shelter.”
“The ace up our sleeve is Tess. She looks like the quintessential cookie-baking grandmother. It’s impossible not to be drawn to her—even the toughest of kids. She cooks for them, tempts them to open up to her by feeding them, and even teaches them how to cook. What they don’t know is that she’s a highly qualified counselor. She doesn’t come across that way, and they’re not told that about her.”
“You hired her to help them?”
“Well, yeah. Some of them have been through or are going through terrible things. We do what we can to teach them how to get out of tough or unhealthy situations, how to cope, and how to heal.”
Hannah rested her elbow on the table and her chin in the palm of her hand. “I wish…” She cleared her throat. “What else do you do for them?”
He didn’t miss the faraway look she’d gotten or the longing in her voice, but he let it go. He understood. His past wasn’t easy either, and he knew she’d lost her family. “Other than feeding them and providing shelter, we have a lot of things going on like sports, art, and tutors to help them with their schoolwork. We even have extra classes they can take to get caught up—we worked a deal with the local school. The kids don’t pay a dime. Ever. And if they want to learn, or need to, we teach them self-defense. One of the most important lessons we teach is not to start a fight, but if it’s brought to them, they need to know how to finish it.”
“That’s pretty amazing. I wish we’d had something like that where I grew up.” Again, Hannah’s voice trailed off, and she put a bite of food in her mouth.
He wanted to ask her more, but sadness clung to her. Giving her space seemed like the right thing to do, and a comfortable silence fell between them as they finished their food.
A busboy took their dishes away, and Darla descended on them. “Can I getcha anything else?” She thumbed through her pad and tore a piece of paper out.
After Hannah shook her head, Jack declined and asked for the check. Darla slapped the paper she’d torn from her notepad onto the table and thanked them for stopping in. “Hold up.” Jack pulled a credit card from his wallet and handed it and the check back to her.
After she’d gone, he stretched his legs out and leaned back in his chair. “Do you like working for Henry?”
Warmth infused Hannah’s face, and a serene smile curved her lips. “Yes. He’s wonderful, actually. If my father had lived, I like to think he would be just like Henry.”
“So the old grouch has taken you under his wing.” Jack laughed. Henry was a teddy bear of a man, but he had a reputation for anger if he didn’t get answers or information he wanted in a timely manner.
“Oh, I’m aware of his temper.” She laughed. “I’ve never been on the receiving end of it.” She shrugged.
“Well, whatever the case is, I’m glad you’re happy working for him.”
Darla chose that moment to drop off the receipt and card. Jack added a tip and scrawled his signature on the paper before slipping the card back in his wallet. “Do you need to get back?”
She wrinkled her nose. “I do. I have a report to finish up and emails to send out before three.”
They left the restaurant and hailed a cab that would take them to the highway and across the river to the Pentagon. After they got out of the cab, they walked hand-in-hand the rest of the way to the Pentagon. As they neared the bottom step, he pulled her close. She went willingly. He bent and brushed his lips across hers. Her soft mouth drew him in, and the desire that was always present flared to life.
“Ahem.” A gravelly voice cleared way too close for Jack’s liking. His arms tightened around Hannah, and he lifted his head. It was Henry, and he wore an irate glower. Jack grinned. This should be interesting.
“What do you think you’re doing with my secretary?” Henry barked.
Jack fought his eyes from narrowing. “Henry.” He nodded a greeting. “We just came back from lunch.”
Henry continued to frown. “I’m not sure I’m happy with you anywhere near Hannah.” He grunted in displeasure, but then he turned to her, and his scowl melted away. “If he does anything to upset you, dear, you let me know. I’ll personally see to it that Jack is no longer a favored contractor with our organization.”
Hannah covered a smile shook her head. “I’m fine, Henry. Jack had been nothing but a gentleman.”
With a huff, Henry took a few steps away from them. “I’m off to a late lunch, Hannah. I’ll be back in about a half hour. But you”—he shook his finger at Jack—“I’ve got my eye on you.”
“Later, Henry.” Jack rolled his eyes once he faced Hannah again. That was a little over the top. “You really like working for him?”
She burst out laughing, and his heart swelled at the sound of it. “Yes, I do. See? He’s like a father to me.” With that, she’d winked and given him a peck on the cheek before she jogged up the steps and slipped through the door.
A shove at his shoulder had Jack pulling himself from the memory of Hannah. “We’re landing,” Liam said.
He returned his chair to an upright position while his mind continued to puzzle over why they were no longer together. They’d gotten along so well, and he was unsure of the truth behind why she’d ended things between them. Could it really have been about her job and about Henry’s disapproval?
The cabin of the Black Hawk helicopter buzzed with the whirl of the blades as they broke the sound wall. Jack double-checked his special-operations parachute and tightened the straps for the emergency chute that sat just above his waist on his abdomen.
After ensuring that his equipment was in order and weapons secure, he waited for Hawk to give him the go-ahead to jump along with the other members of his team, Liam, Matt, Connor, Trev, and Chris. Without the light of a full moon, the sky was inky-black, peppered with an array of stars and a crescent sliver for light. The helicopter banked right, and their anticipation to execute their mission increased.
Over the noise, Chris motioned for their attention. “Hey, Rich wasn’t kidding about this being a critical retrieval. Aside from me, Henry is the only other person that has detailed information about the top-secret weapon I designed. The flight they took was not public knowledge. It was all under wraps.”
“So what?” Tension filled the cabin as Connor’s cold eyes swept over them. “That doesn’t mean we’ll extract without everyone accounted for. Especially our team.”
“Yeah, it does,” Chris answered. “This is a big deal. Henry won’t handle torture the same way we would. There’s classified information that could be leaked if they take a crack at him.”
“You’re the only other one, besides Rich, who knows about the weapon?” Jack asked. At Chris’s nod, he shook his head. “Hell, we should have left you back home with Mike and Keegan. They could’ve babysat you like they are with Liv.”
Trev snickered and kicked out his long legs, crossing them at the ankles.
“Or Jo and the kids could’ve watched over you.” Matt winked.
“Hilarious.” Chris’s lips twitched as he fought a grin at the team’s ribbing. �
��I’m sure your wife and kids would’ve loved that. Actually, I could use another crack at beating Dylan. Your kid kicked my ass last time we played video games.” His joking manner subsided. “Still doesn’t change the facts. With how fast we headed out, I didn’t realize Rich didn’t tell you guys everything. Should’ve, though.”
They needed to be prepared for what they were walking into. Jack raised his voice over the sound of the wind whipping through the cabin. “What kind of weapon are we talking about?”
“Henry has the prototype for a pinpoint sound warfare gun I designed.” Chris’s voice resonated with the heavy worry of what would happen if a weapon like that fell into the wrong hands.
“Shit.” Trev thumped his head against the back of his seat, and a chunk of his tousled dirty blond hair fell across his forehead. “Why the hell are you messing around with something like that?”
Chris ignored him, his features closed off.
“Alright.” Jack stood, his hand braced on the side of the craft. “We’ll adhere to the grab-and-go Rich ordered. But if anyone is left behind, a team will immediately return after our package’s safe delivery.”
“Agreed,” the rest of the team answered.
“Get ready,” Hawk shouted from the cockpit, and they all stood and positioned themselves at the open door, approximately four minutes from the targeted jump site. They would land about a mile from the enemy camp.
“Check equipment.” Hawk grinned. They’d all done that already, just after they landed their jet in Colombia and boarded the helicopter. As a team of men who’d known each other since their teen years on the streets, they had warfare down to a science. Still, each one did a re-check and responded, “Okay,” indicating they were good to go.
“Go!” Hawk shouted, and in sequential order, they jumped.
It was the part Jack loved. Even though they were descending into enemy territory where anything could happen, the inky darkness and deafening silence while they freefell for the next five seconds was addictive. He counted off the seconds until deploying his parachute.