“I’m afraid so.”
Though she tried holding it in, the tears fell, and her face crumbled. Heart breaking, Jason pulled her into his arms and tucked her head beneath his chin.
“I’m sorry, sweetheart.” He kissed the top of her head before resting his cheek there. Rubbing her back, he comforted her the only way he knew how.
“Did they really cut him up and...burnhim?” Her breathing hitched as she drew in a stuttering breath.
“Look at me.” He pulled back enough to frame her face with his hands and look into her eyes. “The details aren’t important.”
“Don’t treat me with kid gloves, Jason. I know I only knew the man for three weeks, but I considered him my friend. This is awful, and my heart breaks for Colton and his family, but I can take it.”
Damn, she really was something.
“Yes, they cut him up and burned him,” he told her the truth. “Presumably to cover his identity.”
“Wait, so if he was burned, then how do you know for sure it’s really him?”
“DNA, baby. Trust me, it’s him.”
“Oh, god.” More tears fell, their warmth hitting his hands. “Poor Colton.”
“Come on.” He put an arm around her shoulder and pulled her close. “Let’s go inside for a bit. I need to talk to Jake for a few minutes, and then we can go home.”
Leaving Sophie in the living room with Olivia, Jason followed Jake into his home office. Shutting the door behind him, he filled the other man in on what he knew, and what the government’s theory was.
Because Jake’s company sometimes worked jobs for Homeland and other government agencies, his clearance was almost as high as Jason’s. And because he and his team were involved on this particular op, he felt it only fair to read him in on the situation.
“Son of a bitch.” Jake leaned against the front of his desk.
“Tell me about it.”
“You really think Alhukkam is a cover for the Syrian government?”
“It’s a working theory.”
The other man ran a hand over his scruffy jaw. “That’s a hell of a theory.”
“Unfortunately, it’s the only one we’ve got.”
A beat of silence passed between them before Jake spoke up again. “I’m assuming you’re going to keep Sophie with you while this whole thing plays out?”
Jason stared back at the other man and tipped his chin. “Damn straight.”
If there was even the slightest chance someone involved with Alhukkam—or someone with ties to Syria—could come after, there was no way in hell he’d let anyone else watch over her.
Several more seconds went by and then, “You finally going to admit you have a thing for our mutual doctor friend?”
“I don’t have a thing for Sophie.” He kept his voice steady.
“Jesus, man. I saw you two on the porch. Just admit it already—”
“I don’t have a thing for her,” Jason cut the other man off. “I think...I think I might be falling for her.”
A slow smile spread across Jake’s face. His crystal blue eyes lit with anI told you solook, and the asshole beamed because of it.
“Nah.” Jake shook his head slowly. “You’re already there.”
Shit. Fuck. Shit.