Archer’s gut tightened, a familiar pain settling deep inside his chest. With the exception of his team, Logan’s wife, and their former Commander, he didn’t discuss what had happened with anyone.
Not ever.
But as he looked back at Cassie, Archer realized he’d give this woman the moon if she asked.
“Give me a minute to clean up.” He gave her another quick peck on the lip. “Be right back.”
After a quick trip into the master bathroom to dispose of the condom and washing himself off, Archer returned to the bedroom to find Cassie snuggled cozily under the blankets while she waited.
With a smile, he climbed in with her. She turned, wrapping an arm around his middle and resting her head against his chest.
Running his hand up and down her arm, he slowly traced an invisible line along the length of her arm as he spoke. “It was our final mission.” Archer began a story he never shared. “We were only supposed to run surveillance. A quick in-and-out op. We make a positive I.D., relay that to an awaiting strike team, and then make our way to the chopper that would fly us back out.”
Quick in-and-out, my ass.
“What happened?” Cassie asked against his beating heart.
“We were ambushed by the very group we were hunting.” The memory stilted his movements, feeling as fresh as if it were yesterday. “The five of us made it out, but Hunter…he, uh…” His throat worked to swallow the haunting grief that still lived within him. “He didn’t make it.”
“Oh, Archer.” She looked up and caught his gaze. “I’m so sorry.”
“Thanks.” He kissed the top of her head before laying his own back down onto the pillow. “Anyway, between failing to achieve our mission goal and losing Hunt, the powers that be decided it was our fault and they kicked our asses out.”
“Are you serious?” Her eyes grew wide. A second later, a deep scowl creased her perfect skin. “Please tell me you fought it.”
“Oh, we fought it.” Archer scoffed.Tooth and fucking nail.“Our old commander even went to bat for us, but it didn’t matter. The higher-ups had already decided to make us the fall guys before our planes ever touched back down in the States.”
Scooting up to rest her weight on one elbow, Cassie brushed some hair from her face and said, “But someonehadto have tipped off the bad guys. That’s the only way they would’ve known you’d be there. Right?”
“You’re preachin’ to the choir, sweetheart.” Archer pushed himself into a sitting position. Moving the pillow between his back and Cassie’s headboard, he pulled the covers up to his waist and blew out a breath. “Someone ratted us out, for sure. Problem is we never could I.D. the traitor. So the Navy gave us a choice…take an honorable discharge and leave the military in good standing, or risk being court martialed for the death of our friend and fellow SEAL.”
“That’s not a choice,” she spat out. “That’s…wrong.”
That she was angry on his behalf warmed his heart.
“Is the Navy still looking into it?” Cassie asked with genuine interest. “Because if they’re not, you and the guys should?—”
“We are.”
The deep rumble seemed to echo throughout the silent space. Archer didn’t elaborate, and from the tiny nod Cassie gave, there was no need for further explanations.
“Good.” She leaned her head on his shoulder and covered his hand with hers. Several seconds passed before she told him, “Whoever it is, I hope you guys find the bastard and make him pay.”
“We’re trying, sweetheart.” Archer lifted their joined hands and pressed his lips to the back of hers. “But first, we have to find the bastard who tried to hurtyou.”
And when we do, I will make damn sure the son of a bitch pays.
Cassie stiffened slightly beneath his touch, making him want to kick his own ass for reminding her of her own shitty situation. Knowing reality would return with the rising sun, Archer quickly changed the subject back to him.
Not because he loved hearing himself talk, but by shifting the topic of conversation back to him, Cassie would be granted a temporary respite from her own troubled life. With their focus having been solely on her case for the entirety of their time knowing each other, Archer hadn’t had much time to share…well…anythingabout himself.
So for the next few hours, the two of them did nothing but talk. While curled up in each other’s arms, Archer spilled it all. That he’d grown up in California, and that his parents were also lawyers.
Cassie had been so surprised by that, but when he told her they were entertainment lawyers to the stars, she grew quiet. Understanding why, Archer quickly assured her his parents werenothinglike Alastair and Barbara Montgomery. In fact, other than their nice clothes, giant beach house, and luxurysedans, you’d never know their net worth reached well into the millions.
He’d been lucky in that way. Yes, he’d grown up in a big house with a cook and a maid and a driver who took him anywhere his parents told him to. But Archer had also been raised by a set of parents most kids would dream to have.
Parents who always cared enough to carve time out of their busy days for him. A dad who played catch and helped coach his little league baseball team. And his mom…