Mark puts his hand on my shoulder, “It’s about Aaron.”

“What about Aaron?” I ask hesitantly. What could they possibly have in a file that I don’t know about? It was an IED . . . there’s not much else to have in a secret file.

Jackson sits on the edge of his desk and the serious look in his eyes scares me. “We’ve been investigating the attack on his vehicle. I think it was targeted.”

“Targeted how? I mean, who would target him?”

He grips the bridge of his nose and exhales. “Not him. I think they wanted to attack me. I don’t know. At this point, we don’t have much info, but there’s a file and I didn’t want you to find out about it from someone or some other way.”

“I don’t understand,” I say conflicted. I was told his death was just that—a death. It doesn’t make any sense as to why they’d be looking into it.

“Natalie,” Mark calls my attention to him. “No one kills a member of this team without us following up. There were issues with our supply drop. Aaron went out there to investigate and then he died. Then, we go out and Muff gets himself shot. It doesn’t add up.” The tone of his voice is commanding and yet still the Mark I know.

I should’ve known they weren’t going to let this go, and honestly, I’m glad. These are good men, honorable men who won’t let someone’s life go without having answers. However, this isn’t going to be easy for me. I’ve started to feel again, to live, and then this thing with Liam. Hell, I don’t even know if it is a thing.

“I’m not sure what to say.”

Jackson tilts forward, “I’m telling you that no member of this team gets killed and we just let it go lightly. Someone will pay for his death. Someone will pay for almost killing me. I didn’t want you to be blindsided.”

Every part of me wants to tell them to stop. To let it go because no matter what, it won’t change a thing. The cruel hands of fate have already slapped me once. I really don’t know if I can survive another round.

“Okay, I guess thanks for the heads up.” I battle with myself if I should ask for more information. If there is a file, then there is something inside of it. I’m not sure I have the restraint not to look. “Jackson?” I ask hesitantly.

“You want to know?”

“Yes and no. I just need to know if there’s anything in there I should know because I don’t know how much I can handle,” I respond honestly. My heart is pounding and my mouth goes dry as I wait.

Jackson and Mark look at each other and they both shift uncomfortably. Mark clears his throat, “All we know at this point is we think our company is being targeted. Also, we think they believed Jackson would be in that car.”

My hand flies to my chest and I gasp. “Why?” I stutter. “Why would anyone want to target you?” The words fly out of my mouth and I stand. These are my friends. This was my husband and my family that were caught in the crossfire.

“We don’t know, but we’ll find out. This isn’t something we’re going to drop.” Mark stands and pulls me into his arms. “He was one of us.”

I nod and step back. This is a lot to process and I’m not sure there is anything that will make this okay. Regardless, my husband was murdered, so finding out why, for me, is irrelevant. It won’t bring him back.

“Okay, let’s get to the meeting. I have a lot to think about and I want to be able to focus on work. I have to take tomorrow off to bring Aarabelle to the doctor for a follow-up.” Her appointment is later in the day tomorrow, but I want to spend some time with her since I feel like I’m missing out being back at work. Plus, I don’t want to talk about Aaron . . . not today.

We wrap up the rest of our meeting and go through some things that need to be done. I flop in my chair and spin so I’m looking out the window. What a clusterfuck this all is. My heart was starting to heal. I was finding a way to put one foot in front of the other without stumbling, but now I’m on shaky ground again.

My office phone rings, halting my inner turmoil.

“Hello, this is Natalie.”

“Hello, Natalie,” his gruff baritone voice causes my heart to falter.

“Hello, Liam,” I say as my lips turn up on their own accord. I sink into my chair and twirl the chord. Jesus, just him saying hello has reduced me to a teenage girl.

“What are you doing?”

“Working,” I reply sarcastically.

“Smart ass. I’m calling to ask you on a date.”

Liam’s been gone the last week. They had a training mission that required them to go to Florida. We haven’t spoken much while he was gone other than a few quick text messages, but I feel better about what happened between us. Reanell and I spoke at great length and she helped me see everything clearly.

Liam cares or he wouldn’t give me the space I need. He knows me after years of friendship, and also Aaron was his best friend. I don’t think he’s capable of tarnishing his memory. There’s not a part of Liam that wants to take my love that I shared with Aaron away.

“You are? A date?” I grin and bite my lip as I toy with him a little.

He laughs, “I am. Are you available?”

“I don’t have a babysitter. I kind of need a little more than a few hours’ notice, but maybe tomorrow.”

“Check your text messages,” Liam instructs.

“Ummm, okay.”

I grab my phone to check and sure enough, I have a text from Rea.

Hey, I’ve got Aarabelle tonight. Have fun. Have sex . . . or don’t, but you know, you could.

“Well?” Liam asks already knowing the answer.

“Huh, well, what do you know? A friend is abducting my daughter.”

“I’ll pick you up at seven.” Liam’s confidence is thick through his voice. Part of me wants to slap him, the other part wants to plant my lips against his again. “Oh, Natalie?” he asks and his voice is low and gravelly.

“Hmmm?”

“Wear a dress,” Liam says and then disconnects the call.

I shoot a quick text to Reanell.

It seems you’ve made a new friend.

It seems you’ve got yourself a boyfriend.

What are we, twelve? I don’t even know if people call them boyfriends. I mean, we’re not exclusive. Or maybe we are and I’m just stupid—which is possible. My palms start to sweat as I think about this. I’m not sure I’m ready to have a boyfriend.

No, we’re friends. He’s just taking me out.

Okay. Whatever you say. I’ll grab Aarabelle from the sitter’s on my way home. Have fun. Love you.

I love her so much. She’s the closest thing I have to a sister. She was there holding my hand when I delivered Aarabelle, she slept in my bed for three days when I found out Aaron died. I don’t know how I’d survive without her.

Love you more! I’ll call you tonight.

Or don’t. That could get awkward.

She’s crazy if she thinks that’s happening. Oh my God, what if that’s what I’m supposed to do?

I need a drink.

“Have you lost your fucking mind?” Quinn stands at my truck giving me shit about going out with Natalie tonight. “Natalie Gilcher? As in your best friend’s wife?”