Garrett hated that he’d talked to Haley so harshly. He knew his job was hard on her. Yes, it could be dangerous, but he didn’t want her obsessing about him getting hurt. He knew how to take care of himself.

From the doorjamb, he gazed over at her. She lay on the bed and tears glistened in her eyes. “Look...” He sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. “I didn’t mean to sound so hard. I don’t think any Falcon agent’s wife is different than you. They just deal with the stress in their own ways.”

“They ignore the danger?”

“No, they go on with their lives and trust their husbands are the best damned trained agents in the world and can take care of themselves.”

“Need I remind you that many Falcon agents have been seriously hurt? And last year one died.” She folded her arms. “You can’t deny that.”

“You’re right, I can’t.” Garrett ran his fingers through his hair. “Things happen. Things we can’t control, but you have to let it all go and go on with your life.”

“Like nothing is happening?”

“Maybe.”

“Did you ever worry about me when you’re on an assignment?”

“Of course I did. Remember when you had strep throat? I hated leaving when you were sick.”

“So, you worried, too?”

“Yes, and I didn’t allow that to interfere with my job. I gave it some thought on the way to my destination, then I let it go until I headed home. That’s the way it has to be.”

“I think it’s heartless.”

He threw up his hands. “Why do I bother? You and I are done. We’re not ever getting back together, so why are we even discussing what was wrong with our relationship. It’s done and over with. Time for both of us to move on.”

She paled, and Garrett’s heart ached. He reminded himself that she was the one who called it quits. They were history, correct? They had no future. Period.

“Have you moved on?”

He didn’t want to answer that. Didn’t want to tell her that he’d been miserable and spent too many lonely nights staring out the window, wishing she were in his bed.

No, he refused to do that. He’d never show any sign of weakness. Besides, she’s the one who asked him to leave. He’d walked in the door after an assignment and she’d already packed his few belongings, had them sitting next to the door.

At least she hadn’t just left him a note; or worse, a text. He had to give her credit. She stayed to face the music. Stayed to stand up to his anger, his hurt, and his disappointment.

She hadn’t hidden, and that took a certain amount of courage. He didn’t want to admit it, but he almost admired her for dealing with him face to face. However, she gave him no chance to defend himself.

Not like he really could. She’d only be happy if she quit his job and found something she considered safe. That might have worked for a while, but she never once considered he’d grow to resent her for depriving him of doing what he loved. He loved being an agent almost much as he loved her.

“I wouldn’t say I’ve moved on exactly, but I’ve survived.”

She lowered her gaze. “Haven’t met anyone else yet?”

He hadn’t even been looking. “No. I’m in no hurry for that.” He cleared his throat. “You?”

She pressed her hand to her chest, her eyebrows were almost at her hairline. “Me?”

“Yeah, is there someone else? Perhaps one of the other doctors?”

“I decided to give up when it comes to romance...well, for now at least. Maybe I’m not ready to have a serious relationship.”

“Maybe you won’t ever be.

“Really?” She dipped her head. “That’s a mean thing to say.”

“No, saying ‘get out’ the minute your man walks through the door is mean.”

She shoved her hair back. “I didn’t say it like that. I thought I was very nice about the whole situation.”

“How can you be nice while kicking a guy out?”

“I explained why it wasn’t working. I didn’t want to break up. I loved you, but it wasn’t working between us. So, I made an intelligent decision.” She held up her finger. “And I tried to be nice. I didn’t want to hurt you.”

“Well, you did. And you caught me off guard; you surprised the hell out of me. I never expected that from you. The last I knew we were planning a trip to the Caribbean.”

“I wanted us to go on that vacation very much, I just couldn’t stomach the idea of you leaving on another assignment.”

He took a bottle of water out of the fridge. “Grow up, Haley. My going on a mission isn’t the end of the world. I think you just grew tired of the whole relationship, that you felt it was time for you to move on.”

She stepped closer, sucking in a long breath. “That’s a damned lie. It was all about your life being in danger. That was the only reason.”

He held out his arms. “Am I safer now? Did us splitting up change anything besides causing us both a lot of unnecessary pain?”

“I had hoped...”

“What? That I’d drop to my knees and beg you to let me stay if I quit my job?”

She shook her head. “Don’t be ridiculous.”

“Who do you think you’re fooling?”

She gritted her teeth. “Go away, Garrett. I’m going to take a shower and go to bed. You can stay up and argue with yourself.”

She shoved him in the chest, backing him up a step. She marched past him and into the other room, slamming the door behind her. In a matter of seconds, he heard the shower running. He looked at the items he’d purchased at the store and deposited on his bed. He grinned. She’d have to come back for those.

Garrett knew he wasn’t being fair. He sometimes wished his job didn’t always put him in harm’s way, but he told her what he did in the beginning and explained she shouldn’t worry about him or what he did for a living.

He should’ve saved his breath.

Women. What was that old saying? Can’t live with em and can’t live without ‘em.

He conceded he’d found it hard being without her. He missed her every single day, and it’d been two years. Time hadn’t healed any of his wounds. He wanted to spend his life with her.

He knew that was wishful thinking. He refused to quit Falcon. He loved his job, and he excelled at it. Besides, Frank needed him. He also took a certain amount of satisfaction knowing he made a difference. Often a big difference. He saved lives.

They just weren’t meant to be, he surmised. They could never make a go of it, and he refused to be nagged to death. Other women put up with their lovers’ jobs. So, if she really loved him, why couldn’t she? She wanted everything her way.

He knew that to be a lie. Haley had always been a kind loving person who cared about his safety, but she used her concern to build a wall between them and refused to do anything to help him knock it down.

He took out his phone and called Frank to bring him up to speed, so he could pass it on to Greg.

Frank answered on the second ring. “You two are in another hotel? Do I need to remind you that it’s important you keep your head in the game?”

“Shut up, Frank. Besides, you have nothing to worry about. Not after your little chat with Haley.”

Frank chuckled. “She told you, huh?”

“Yeah, and I have to say, I was a little surprised you’d rat me out like that.”

I didn’t rat you out I just didn’t lie. When a woman asks how serious this job is, I’ll give her the truth. Like it or not, the work you do is dangerous. Some women can’t handle the long periods of separation and it’s better they know what to expect from the very beginning. Lie about it, and men find themselves in the middle of a messy divorce a year later. If a woman can’t handle our jobs, it’s best to know that from the beginning.” He snorted. “Besides, you’re not good at lying. She’d never believe you were a salesman.”

“I cared for her.”

Frank sobered. “I know you did and I am sorry it didn’t work out, but if she can’t take your job, she can’t take you.”

“Yeah, I guess you’re right.”

“My being right doesn’t ease the pain. If I can make this right, Garrett, let me know.”

He hung up and thought about Frank’s words. He had been right on, and the time had come for Garrett to move on.

For good, this time.

Jim sat at the bar sipping his double whiskey when a man came up behind him and tapped him on the shoulder. He turned and looked directly into the dangerous eyes of none other than Ditmir Gashi, known on the street as ‘The Albanian’. His heart skipped a beat or two. He was mean as hell and Jim owed him money.

He hadn’t heard back from El Hashem yet, so he hadn’t been paid yet. Jim knew he was in deep shit with The Albanian and his goons. The damn bastard would rather kill a man than eat.

Jim held up his hand. “I know, I know, you want to get paid. Well, so do I. It ain’t happening until I find out more about my client. He’s unconscious and might die.”

“I gave you over a million dollars in weapons. I want my money,” Gashi gritted out, his gold tooth flashing in the dim light. “We had a deal.”

Gashi’s two muscle men, Edvin and Gjon moved closer. Jim swallowed hard, the sharp taste of whiskey still on his tongue.

Jim smiled nervously. He knew better than to fuck with these assholes. “Have I ever stiffed you before, my friend? When I get the money, you get the money.”

Gashi grabbed Jim by the shoulder and dragged him off the stool, he hit the cement floor hard, spilling his drink.

The Albanian yanked him up by the collar and pulled him close to his face. “Listen to me, you hick son of a bitch. Tomorrow you pay me or you’re dead.”

Jim ran his hand over his mouth. “I won’t have the money by then, so you may as will kill me now.”

The Albanian took out a gun and pressed it against Jim’s forehead. “I have no problem with that. Now get me my money.”

“I’ll try, but I need more time.”

Gashi shook him until Jim thought his teeth would fall out. “I didn’t make you wait. You asked, I delivered. Now, I want the same from you.” He shoved Jim down and stood over him with his fists balled. “I’m not one of your flunkies you can jack around. I’ll kill you, fat man.”

After they left, Jim crawled off the floor, using the stool for leverage, and finally managed to sit down. He was embarrassed Mindy had seen him being strong-armed by the damned Albanian and his two goons. Ditmir Gashi was a scary bastard, and Jim wasn’t foolish enough to think he didn’t mean what he said.

Mindy wiped the bar and removed his glass, trying to keep her face calm by ignoring what had just happened. “Let me buy you a drink, Jim.” She grabbed a fresh glass, poured a good two fingers of scotch, and dropped in an ice cube. “My treat.”

“No, no.” He didn’t want any damn charity from her. He’d been embarrassed enough. He’d pick up a bottle on the way home. He stumbled out of the place, surprised at how dark it had become.

Once in his pickup, he peeled out of the gravel parking lot and took out his phone. He dialed the man he’d spoke to earlier.

“Hello?”

“This is Jim. I need that fucking money for those guns or I have to dump the whole shipment...tonight.”

“We’re still trying to figure out what to do about El Hashem. He’s still critical.”

“You better wake his ass up and get me the money by tomorrow or I know a Russian who will gladly take them off my hands.”

“No, don’t do that.” He paused and lowered his voice. “I don’t have the money and El Hashem hasn’t revealed to me where it is.”

“What if he dies? You have no way to pay.”

“I’ll find a way. I promise.”

“I can’t pay the damned Albanian with your promises. I made a deal with El Hashem that I’d have everything he needed for whatever he had planned. Now, he’s on his deathbed and I’m stuck with a cache of weapons I can’t pay for.”

“I’ll try to wake him and find out where to get the money.”

“You better or I’m finding another buyer.”

Haley rested her head against the cool tile of the shower and let her tears flow. Garrett’s scathing comments hurt so much she could barely keep her knees from buckling. He didn’t understand. He wasn’t the one waiting patiently for her to come home while wondering if she were dead or alive for days on end.

She let warm water beat against her back and tried to ignore that little voice in her mind that told her she’d acted rashly. And yes, yes, yes, she had wanted him to quit working as a Falcon agent.

She thought he’d realize how serious she was when he saw she’d packed up his belongings and promise to change to keep her. Boy, had she been wrong. She’d over played her hand. The man never said a word, just picked up his things and walked out, closing the door behind him.

He never even argued with her. No harsh words, no threats, no recriminations...nothing. She told him to get a job locally or they couldn’t stay together. She could tell he was pissed, but he just nodded, grabbed his things, and left. Drove away without a backward glance; and she was baffled at his obvious anger.

She’d tried to call him a few days later to talk, but he never once picked up or called back. She texted and left voice mails, but everything when unanswered. She’d even called Zoe to see if she knew anything. The woman was surprised to learn they’d broken up because Garrett was...Garrett. He showed no signs of being bothered by anything and had been offered, and accepted, a new assignment.

Haley went so far as to go where he’d said he lived before moving in with her, only to discover no such person had ever lived there. He’d lied to her. Haley could only assume he’d done this all before and it made her angrier.

A loud knock on the door brought her upright.

“You okay in there?”

“I’m fine. I’ll be out in a minute.”

She turned off the water and reached for a towel. She wondered why the concern, he had his own bathroom. She wrapped a towel around her hair and stepped out to find him standing in the middle of her room, holding the shopping bag in his outstretched hand.

“I thought you could use these.”

She turned away, well aware that she only had a towel wrapped around her. “Thank you.”

“You okay,” he asked, brows wrinkled. “You look like you’ve been crying.”

“No, got shampoo in my eyes.”

“I see.”

Silence filled the room, especially the space between them.

“Go to your room,” she looked away. “You must be tired.”

“I’m not the one who pulled an overnight shift at the hospital.”

“Then if you’ll leave, I’ll get ready for bed.”

“Okay, tomorrow we’re out of here at dawn.”

“Just knock on the door.”

He turned to leave. “Okay, see you in the morning.”

“Garrett?”

He stopped and turned to face her. “Yeah?”

“Why did you lie to me about where you lived.”

He stared at her, and even with her bold glare, he didn’t flinch. “There’s a lot about me you don’t know.”

“But why lie?”

“I have my reasons.”

“I guess I never really knew you, did I?”

“Not as well as you thought you did.”

He turned away again.

“Does anyone know you?”

Without looking at her, he shook his head slowly and left the room, closing the door behind him.

More confused than ever, she pulled a tee shirt out of the bag and a pair of bikini underwear and slipped them on. Flipping back the sheets, she crawled into bed and tried to ignore the tears that spilled from her eyes and dropped onto the pillow.

She prayed sleep would claim her quickly because she didn’t want to toss and turn while he slept like a baby in the next room.

After talking to Jim Douglas, Nagi went into the room where El Hashem lay dying. He had to try harder or their trip to America and his friend’s death would be in vain. “All of you must leave. I have to speak with El Hashem.”

A man stood. “He is too sick. He must rest.”

“Allah sent us on a mission, all of us. El Hashem’s destiny is no longer ours. The time soon approaches when we must act and know what to do next.”

“It is not for you to say.”

Annoyed at the man’s insolence, Nagi said, “Then you speak with him and find out what we are to do. Every minute we stay here we risk being captured. We must complete our mission or, like El Hashem, die trying.”

“He trusted all of us.”

“Then stay and listen. But remember, El Hashem kept things to himself because he didn’t want to chance one of us would talk if captured.” Nagi paced the room, his hands clasped behind his back. “El Hashem is wise and courageous. He is the man Allah chose to lead us. Now things have changed. Let’s both ask him what he wishes us to do.”

The man agreed, albeit begrudgingly.

He strolled to the couch and knelt by his friend’s head. He gently shook him. “Zareeb, can you tell me what you want us to do?”

His friend blinked as if confused and unsure of his whereabouts. “What’s happening?”

“You’ve been injured, my friend, and I’m not sure you will survive.”

His hand instantly went to his midsection. “I feel great pain.”

“Yes, I fear the worst, but we must know why we are here. What is it you wish us to do. What were Allah’s instructions.”

El Hashem closed his eyes and exhaled slowly, with a groan at the end. “I...we must...”

“We must what? What are we to do?”

El Hashem pressed his hand to Nagi’s cheek. “You must be brave my friend. For Allah demands much from you.”

“What? What does He want me to do?”

El Hashem arched his back and groaned as his eyes rolled back in his head. Nagi feared he had died. Then his eyes slowly opened.

“Preston McCoy. He is the man you should contact. He has the plan. His number is on the bottom of my shoe.”

The tall man ran into the other room and over to the front door where they’d all taken off their shoes.

“He’s right. Look, a phone number.”

Nagi grabbed the shoe and read the ten numbers. So, this was the contact. Preston McCoy was the American who would be helping them, not Jim. McCoy was the man with the answers.

Nagi leaned over his friend. “I will do as Allah instructs. I will take your place as leader to see His will is done, or give my life.”

“You must act quickly. Time is of the essence.” He looked around. “Where is the woman doctor?”

“She managed to escape.”

El Hashem frowned. “That’s not good. You must find her for she is very valuable. She is a big part of our mission.”

Nagi grew confused. “I will kill her. You have my word.”

“No, you need her alive.”

Those were the last words Zareeb El Hashem said. His chest stilled, and his mouth grew slack, his arm slipped off the side of the couch and his head turned.

“Goodbye my friend.”