Arthur's Honor (The Aegis Network: Jacksonville Division Book 3)

Chapter 1

“Here’s to getting back alive.” Arthur Knight raised his drink and made sure to clank every single one of his team’s shot glasses before tapping it on the table and bringing it to his lips. He jerked his head back and swallowed the tequila in a single gulp. “How were things at the station while Rex and I were gone?” When Arthur left the Air Force four months ago, six other men from his fire protection specialist team joined him without even asking.

“Quiet,” Hawke said.

“One actual fire call and the rest were your standard non-fire emergencies but exactly what we called upon for every single day.” Buddy reached across the table and snagged one of Kent’s onion rings before Kent moved his plate from Buddy’s grasp. “Working for a local fire station sure differs from being employed by the Air Force.”

“After that last mission blew up in our faces.” Duncan rubbed his shoulder. “I’m sure as shit glad to have walked away when we did.” I’m still not a hundred percent and not sure I ever will be.”

“None of us got our twenty years in, which I personally get shit for,” Garth, the youngest of the group, said. “But to be fair, some of the shit that Asher and Griggs have us doing isn’t any easier than what we did in the military.”

“Can’t say being a regular firefighter is either.” Kent arched a brow. “But I ain’t complaining. Especially since I get to do it with you assholes.”

“Cheers to that.” Arthur sipped his beer. Leaving the Air Force at thirty-six hadn’t been part of Arthur’s life plan. Far from it. He loved serving his country. It had given him purpose after his life had turned upside down.

First by tragedy.

Then by divorce.

However, when an old buddy approached him and his team with a job opportunity that would not only give him a similar career path but also the freedom to settle his soul, he took it. All he had to do was talk his team into taking the leap with him and moving from Cape Canaveral to Jacksonville.

“Speaking of which, both Rex and I have three days off from the station.” He waggled his finger. “Some of you idiots are on the schedule tomorrow at the station.”

“Sometimes this schedule is more grueling than when we were in the Air Force.” Buddy pounded back his beer. “Except I like Jacksonville better, and to be fair, the rotation schedule is so much better.”

“Not to mention we’re not deployed for weeks or months, with no clue as to where we’re going or when we’re coming home.” Garth laughed. “One of us might actually get married.”

“I already did that once.” Arthur would often like to forget his short-lived marriage. It wasn’t that he didn’t love her, because he did. But his past always got in the way. “I don’t ever plan on doing it again.”

“Never say never,” Kent, the only father in the group, said. Leaving the military had been an easy choice for Kent. Being a single dad, he had one foot out the door when Arthur approached him with the idea. The move had proved to be a blessing for him and his daughter. He glanced at his watch. “I’ve got to go relieve my sitter. I’ll see you all later.”

“Take it easy, man.” Arthur nodded.

Rex jerked his head. “Hey, isn’t that Mrs. Cordelia?”

Arthur glanced over his shoulder. “It is. But who is that man she’s with?” Arthur kept his boat in the Cordelia Marina. He spent a fair amount of time with Mrs. Cordelia, a sweet older widow who brought him homemade cookies and let him borrow her dog.

“I’m pretty sure I’ve seen him in this bar before, but I don’t know who he is,” Buddy said.

“I’m a little surprised to see her in this place.” Arthur smiled in her direction. “Although, they look cozy. Like they”re on a date.” That warmed his heart. She deserved a little happiness in her life.

“They do appear smitten, and this is the perfect place to take a lady if you want to impress her with the local fish and a good band,” Garth said.

Hawke burst out laughing. “Please tell me this is not the joint you’re taking the chicks you date, because if it is, we need to up your game.”

Garth wadded up a napkin and tossed it at Hawke. “I meant to say for a people their age. If I’m going out, it will be downtown to a club or that new place, Roadies.”

“I was there the other night. They had a rockin’ band,” Hawke said. “Amazing.”

Arthur was getting too old for any of that shit. Sometimes he felt as though parts of his life had passed him by. He’d been in love before. Twice.

Married once.

That had been a total bust.

They had started out strong, but she soon wanted him to give up the Air Force, among other things. The time hadn’t been right, but he wasn’t opposed to the conversation, especially when discussions of a family were involved.

But that dream died before it began.

And he didn’t see it being rejuvenated.

Mrs. Cordelia strolled across the room. “Arthur. It’s so good to see you. I thought you were out of town on an assignment with the Aegis Network.”

“I just returned a few hours ago.” He rose, taking her hand and kissing the back of it. She reminded him of his mom, a woman he missed more than life.

“Did I tell you that my Maren is coming into town? You two are finally going to meet.”

He resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Mrs. Cordelia had been chatting up her lovely daughter for months. It was all she could talk about.

That and Maren’s shitty boyfriend.

Two things Arthur didn’t get involved in were chicks who were already spoken for.

And nice older ladies who tried to set them up with their daughters.

“You mentioned it.”

“She’ll be here sometime tomorrow. I hope you’ll stop by so I can introduce you.”

His first thought was to give her a million excuses as to why he wouldn’t be able to; only he had every intention of being at that marina. “I’m sure our paths will cross while she’s here.”

“Well, I”d better get back to my friend.” She patted his hand. “I made freshly baked cookies, so be sure to stop by before they’re all gone.”

“Will do.” He kissed her cheek. “You take care, now.” He eased back into his seat. “If I had a dollar for every time that woman has mentioned her daughter to me, I’d be a rich man.”

“Aren’t you the least bit curious?” Rex asked. “I don’t think you’ve taken out a single woman since we moved here.”

“Not even a little bit.” Arthur reached in his back pocket and pulled out his wallet. “I think it’s time I call it a night. I’ve got a date with some fish in the morning.” He tossed a couple of twenties on the table. Now that he’d left the military, he found his idle mind wandering to his past a little more than he’d like. In the last six months, he’d spent more time searching for answers to a mystery that had left an entire family dead.

And his heart shattered.