Chapter 2 #2
The guy who brings everyone home. That's what they call me, the reputation I've built over years of making sure my teams complete their missions and return intact.
The reputation that weighs heavier every day because Ryan didn't come home.
Because Ajax missed the alert, because I wasn't fast enough to see the threat first, because I let Ryan advance before I had full situational control.
"I'll keep her safe," I say, and mean it with every part of me that's been trained to protect and defend. "What do we know about potential suspects?"
Nelson pulls up another screen. "Working theory is someone with base access who objects to women in military roles, specifically civilian contractors in traditionally male positions.
Miss O'Rourke has been outspoken about safety protocols, has corrected senior personnel on proper procedures, and her work directly impacts flight operations.
That doesn't make her popular with certain old guard elements. "
"How many people fit that profile?" I already know the answer will be too many.
"Several dozen, unfortunately. We're narrowing it down based on who had access to the areas where incidents occurred, but so far no smoking gun. The magazine was placed overnight, after her cottage area was clear. Whoever did it knows how to move without being seen."
Which means either someone with training or someone intimately familiar with security patterns. Neither option makes me feel better about Andi's safety.
"When do I start?"
"Immediately." Cain slides a folder across her desk.
"Her schedule, office location, usual routines.
She's been notified of the assignment and is meeting with base security right now to provide an additional statement about this morning's incident.
You'll intercept her when she's done, introduce yourself properly, and stick close from there on out. "
I take the folder, already mentally organizing how to handle this.
Duke will help, his presence an obvious deterrent to anyone thinking about approaching.
But the real challenge will be balancing protection with Andi's independence.
She's competent, proud of what she's built here, and is probably not going to be thrilled about having a bodyguard shadowing her every move.
"One more thing," Cain says as I stand to leave. "Andi is important to this base. Her work saves lives, and she deserves to feel safe doing it. I'm counting on you to make sure she can."
"Understood."
Nelson walks out with me, continuing to brief me on security protocols and communication channels as we head back toward the main corridor.
Duke stays at my heel, ears forward, picking up on the tension I'm trying to keep controlled.
By the time Nelson finishes and heads back to his office, I'm standing outside the security wing where Andi is apparently giving her statement.
I flip open the folder Cain gave me, scanning details I mostly already know. Her office is in the operations building. She starts her days early with field surveys. She works at her mother's diner most evenings. She lives alone in a rental cottage on the edge of Pine Valley.
There's a photo clipped to the inside cover, probably from her contract badge.
Auburn hair pulled back, green eyes bright even in the sterile ID picture, expression professional but with a hint of warmth around the edges.
She's beautiful in that picture, but it doesn't capture the way she moves through the wetlands like she belongs there, or how she must sound when she's explaining bird behavior to airfield crews who probably couldn't care less.
Duke whines softly, a questioning sound that pulls my attention down to where he's watching me with those too-intelligent eyes.
"I know," I mutter, closing the folder. "This is a job. Professional distance. We protect her, we find whoever is doing this, we stay detached."
Duke's tail wags once, slow and deliberate, like he's humoring me.
"I'm serious. This isn't about attraction or wanting to know if her laugh sounds the same up close as it does from across the airfield. This is about keeping her safe."
Another tail wag, this one slightly more enthusiastic.
"Stop looking at me like that."
The door to the security wing opens, and Andi walks out with Captain Nelson.
She looks tired, frustration evident in the tight set of her shoulders and the way her hands grip the strap of her field bag.
When she sees me standing there, recognition flickers across her features.
Not because we've met, but because she's noticed me too.
Morning runs, training yards, those brief moments when our paths crossed and we both pretended not to be looking.
"Miss O'Rourke," Nelson says, "this is Master Sergeant Devlin Porter. He'll be your protection detail until we resolve this situation."
She meets my gaze directly, and I'm struck again by how green her eyes are, how much determination shows through the exhaustion. "Master Sergeant."
"Ma'am." I keep my voice professional, controlled, giving nothing away. "This is Duke. He'll be assisting with your security."
At his name, Duke's attention locks onto Andi with sudden intense focus. His ears perk forward, his posture shifts from relaxed to alert, and he makes a soft sound that's almost curious. Like he recognizes something important, something that matters.
Andi's expression softens as she looks at Duke, and when she extends her hand for him to sniff, my dog does something he never does with strangers. He leans into her touch, tail wagging, body language completely open and trusting.
My heart sinks.
Because Duke is never wrong about people. If he's claiming her as pack this fast, that means something. Means she's important in ways I can't afford for her to be.
Easy, boy. This is just a job.
Duke leans harder into Andi's touch, and she laughs—soft, genuine, the sound I've only heard from a distance until now.
Professional distance. Right. I am so fucked.