Chapter 20
Jason
I raised my hand and after a moment’s hesitation, knocked three times. I licked at my lips and felt my throat become dry and parched. How would they react once I gave them the letter? Would they be mad at me? Probably. They should’ve gotten notice from the base about Martin’s death. But it’s my fault for taking this long, so I’ll just have to take the punishment.
I waited for a few more seconds and raised my hand to knock again when the door opened wide, revealing a little girl in pigtails looking up at me curiously.
Jesus, she looked just like him.
She stared at my uniform and her eyes widened.
“Do you know my Daddy?” she asked.
I didn’t know how I was going to answer that. ‘Hey, kiddo, I’m your dad’s friend. He died because of me. By the way, do you know you look just like him?’
Yeah. No.
Thankfully, I saw someone coming and pulled the door open wider, revealing a slim woman with short blonde hair and brown eyes.
“Lily! I told you not to open the front door!” she scolded her daughter before looking up at me. I took my hat off my head and pinned it between my arms, nodding at her respectfully. “Oh, hello. May I help you, officer?” she asked.
I took a deep breath and started.
“Hello, Ma’am. May I ask if this is Martin Vaughn’s residence?” I asked. She looked at me in confusion.
“Yes, it was. I’m his wife. What is this about?” she asked.
“I’m Captain Jason Keyes and I served with your husband before he died. I have something from him, and I promised I would give it to you in the event that he passes away,” I said, whispering the last part.
She lowered her head and patted Lily on the shoulder, telling the little girl to go back to her room. Lily left, and Mrs. Vaughn looked back at me.
“Would you like to come inside?” she asked, her voice raspy like she was trying to stop herself from crying, and I nodded.
She let me into the living room and I wasted no time telling her what happened. I told her about someone ratting us out to the terrorist and how the mission went to shit, how I didn’t see the enemy behind me and Martin dove to cover me, saving my life but ultimately losing his in the attempt.
Then, I handed her the envelope and swore I never read it, only that Martin had made me promise to hand deliver it to his family when the time came. Her eyes filled with tears as she read the letter, and when she put it down and composed herself, I apologized for taking so long and not coming as soon as I got back in the country.
I told her that my guilt and feeling of responsibility for Martin’s death made me afraid of approaching them. I also apologized for not being good enough or strong enough to keep Martin alive, and that was where she took my hand and squeezed it gently, her lips forming a sad smile.
“Captain Keyes, it’s not your fault. My Martin would’ve never wanted to see his friend in danger, and that’s why he jumped in to save you,” she said, and I stared into her eyes that were filled with so much comfort and assurance. “I’m sure he knew you would’ve done the same thing if it was the other way around, and that’s why he didn’t hesitate.”
She took a deep breath and let my hand go, her eyes falling on a picture of the three of them as a family.
“I knew even before we got married that I loved a man who could disappear in a flash of a moment. I understood from the start, the dangers my husband faced head on daily, was a choice he made to ensure our family’s future and because he thought it was the right thing to do. So, really, you have nothing to be sorry for. I am truly grateful you brought his last wishes to me, Captain. With this, at least my daughter and I can put his memory to rest,” she finished.
After a few minutes of reminiscing about my good friend, I declined her offer for tea and told her I had to get back to work. She asked me to visit again and I told her I would for as long as she stopped calling me captain. I left the Vaughn’s residence with a smile on my face and my heart feeling lighter than it had in ages. Veronica was right. It did feel great to finally get that off of my chest.
I climbed inside my car and was about to text Veronica the good news when my phone started vibrating. I read the screen and frowned when it registered a number I didn’t know. I took the call and recognized Spencer’s voice immediately.
“Dude, it’s me, Spencer. You have to come quick! Henry took Veronica!”
“What?!” I shouted. I quickly placed the call on speaker and clipped it on my AC before starting the car and pulling out of the parking space.
“How the fuck did he know where she is? Have you contacted Chase?” I asked him rapidly, turning left so I could get onto the main road.
“I’m chatting with him as we speak. He said he’s tapping onto Henry’s car. He’ll update us with the coordinates,” Spencer said.
“How did that son of a bitch get a hold of her location?” I asked.
“Chase said Sasha badgered him into telling her where you took Veronica and she told Henry when he asked. She didn’t know we were suspecting him,” he said. I flamed my fist on the dashboard in frustration.
“How could she be so stupid?” I hissed, slamming my foot against the gas. “Even we were able to figure out Henry’s schedule and frequent visits to Veronica were suspicious, why the fuck would--,”
“As much as I am honored that you chose me to hear your diatribe, this is neither the time nor the place, Delta Force,” Spencer said. “Sending you the coordinates now.”
I gritted my teeth as I swerved my car to the right, narrowly avoiding the car in front of me. I switched to a clear lane and stepped on the gas, hard. I looked at the digital clock on the dashboard and clenched my teeth.
I was at a race against the clock, and time was running out.
I switch to another lane and then another, swerving left and right just to get past the traffic, but the little part in my brain kept whispering I wasn’t going to make it.
I shook my head adamantly. No! I had to make it! I had to!
She needs me!
I wasn’t doing this because I was hired by her manager.
I wasn’t even doing this as a sense of responsibility as her bodyguard.
I was doing this because despite the short time we spent together, I had gotten to know the real person behind the façade she wore for the millions of people watching her. She wasn’t just another big shot actress I thought her to be.
“Hold on, baby. I’m coming!”