“I saw the Sisters at the Mission. They weren’t silent.”
“Yes, and, after more than six months at the cloister, it was a change. Life seemed much busier and more hectic at the Mission. The Sisters there work hard every day to feed those in need. They fast on Fridays and save that food for the hungry, too. I know it will probably sound strange to you, but I felt like I was a part of something there, that I was doing something that mattered.”
“You were. You were trying to help the US take down narco-terrorists.”
He didn’t understand.
“No, I was feeding people who had nothing to eat, giving shoes to children with bare feet, taking care of sick people who, like my Abuela Isabel, had no medicine. At times, that work made my real job seem unimportant. But then I would remember that Sánchez, the president, and their corrupt regime were the reason so many are hungry.”
All at once, it hit Gabriela in a way it hadn’t before.
Her time at the Mission was over.
“Hey, what’s wrong?”
“I’m glad I was able to help Dianne and Tim, but now I can never go back.” Her throat went tight. “I will never get to work as Sister María Catalina again.”
He studied her, confusion on his face. “I would think you’d be glad it’s over.”
“Then you haven’t understood a word I’ve said.” She sat up, got out of bed. “I’m going to take a shower. It’s past my bedtime.”
She walked into the bathroom, shut the door, and leaned her forehead against it, fighting not to cry.
* * *
A senseof guilt gnawed at Dylan. What the hell had upset Gabriela? Most people would be glad to be done with such a restrictive assignment. Shitty food. Long, hard hours. No sex. No personal freedom.
You haven’t understood a word I’ve said.
He didn’t understand—not all of it. He got that she wanted to help the people of her parents’ homeland. He understood how hard her grandmother’s death must have been for her. But he could not fathom how anyone would find the life she’d described as rewarding. Then again…
He had old high school buddies who’d thought he was crazy to join the Navy and become a SEAL. They couldn’t understand why he’d been willing to sacrifice so much of his freedom, endure hardship, and put his life at risk. He’d tried to explain, but for them, life was about chasing tail, drinking, and hanging on the beach. They’d gotten on his nerves, and he’d eventually quit hanging with them.
Now he’d just done the same thing to Gabriela.
You fucked up,cabrón.
It didn’t matter what he thought. She’d found value in her work at the Mission, and it had been taken from her by Sánchez and hissicarios.
You know what it’s like to be forced out of a job you love.
Fuck.
Yeah, he did. He sure as hell did.
He had left DEVGRU because he’d been betrayed, not because he’d wanted to leave the Navy. Turning in his resignation and his gear and walking out of his commanding officer’s door was one of the hardest things he’d ever done, harder even than losing Valeria. But he’d at least had some agency.
Gabriela had been abducted trying to save others.
The weight of what he said came down on him.
God, he was adick.
He got to his feet, started toward the bathroom still naked, searching for the words to apologize, but then stopped himself. He shouldn’t be getting caught up in her.
Yes, she was smart, drop-dead gorgeous, and amazing in bed. What she’d done while he’d been on the phone this afternoon, going down on him like that—she was a wet dream. He couldn’t think of the last time he’d had sex with a woman three times in a single day. Usually, it was one and done.
But he wasn’t looking for romance or a partner. He was no good at long-term relationships. Their paths had crossed only because of their assignments, and in a few days, their careers would pull them in different directions. She’d go back to Langley, and he’d head home to Colorado for some serious time off.