I offered him my fist and he laughed again. “Just get me another beer.”

  “You are cranky tonight.”

  Yes, I was. So the fuck what?

  He stared at me with his gray eyes, shaking his head in a chastising gesture.

  “She’s going through a lot right now, okay, old man?”

  Another snort was a reminder I couldn’t insult him if I tried. “That’s why she needs people in her corner. She didn’t anticipate she’d be forced to deal with discovering her father was a fucking criminal.”

  “I know. She doesn’t need any complications.”

  “She needs friends. Maybe that head of yours is too thick to see the truth, but you could be her friend.”

  The ache in my heart deepened. “She doesn’t need me as a friend.”

  Jarvis grabbed another dog biscuit, tossing it over the counter. “Stop feeling sorry for yourself. It’s not a good look on a man.”

  Sorry for myself. What the hell did he know? Alright, fine. I hated my life. The man I’d become. The shit I’d been forced to deal with.

  “Another thought for you although not sure you’re ready to listen to a decent recommendation. This is about business. You should set up some social media for the sanctuary. What you’re doing is great work. Why not tell the world? You might be able to get some funding to continue helping horses in need. There are grants out there, people willing to pay top dollar for a place their horses can recuperate.” He winked and I couldn’t retort to what he’d said.

  Maybe the old guy had a good idea.

  Yeah, right. As if I knew what the hell I was doing.

  It was late and I had a buzz for the first time since I’d gone on a two-day drunken binge after she’d left. Since then, I’d been working my ass off and I had to admit doing so had kept me from thinking about Juliette.

  Except at night.

  The darkness was my enemy, sleep rare. I sat back in the seat, stroking Tank’s head. “I don’t know, buddy. What do you think I should do?”

  His whine was different than I was used to and when he lifted his head, I could tell he was sad.

  Just like his dad.

  I took another swallow of the last drink of the evening as I tapped my fingers on the desk. What the hell. At least I could see how she was doing. I opened the desk drawer, finding the original envelope Gray had given me. There’d been no reason for me to keep her social media addresses, but I hadn’t managed to toss them.

  When I pulled up Instagram, I reminded myself the fake accounts I’d established had been left in place. Why? I knew the answer. I was hardheaded as fuck. Just like someone else I knew. Images of her face and smile flashed into my mind.

  Maybe this was a bad idea.

  I forced myself to look, scrolling through the ones on Instagram. She posted regularly, but the photographs and captions didn’t have the same life in them as they’d once had. Still, I couldn’t stop myself, going through photo after photo until I realized I’d hit the heart button on several of them. Well, shit. Maybe I was getting the hang of this social media crap.

  By the time I’d checked my watch, almost two hours had passed. What the hell? And what did I do next against my better judgment? I hit the follow button. Maybe I was a glutton for punishment. I thought about Jarvis’ recommendation to create social media for the sanctuary. I’d yet to give the location a name. My uncle had left that up to me as well. I thought about the name as I leaned against the chair, swiveling it back and forth.

  What did I know about creating a social media account? Nothing. It wasn’t that I didn’t understand technology. However, being creative? Not my thing. Then there was maintaining the various sites. I had no patience. It all came down to what I wanted to do with the sanctuary. I still wasn’t certain.

  There’d been no real inspiration other than caring for the animals already in the program. At least Henry had spent quality time creating a company, hiring an accountant and establishing various business accounts, making everything easier.

  He’d hired a crop of decent people who had everything under control, my facilities manager constantly bringing to my attention requests to accept new horses. Up until now, I’d told Ben no. Maybe it was time to reconsider.

  If I had to admit, I loved the hard work, the long hours inciting exhaustion almost every night. Closing my eyes, I attempted to envision the icon I’d use on IG, the photographs that would need to be taken and the captions. I was definitely no writer either. If Juliette were here, she’d know exactly what to do.

  Woof!

  Tank’s hard nudge brought me back to reality. “Okay, I get it. Stop living in the past. Right?”

  He just looked at me with his big brown eyes.

  “Fine. I’ll create an account. But I’m not promising anything. I don’t know what the fuck I’m doing.”

  After a few minutes, I’d set everything up. Only on Instagram. One thing at a time. That’s all I could handle.

  I sat back, taking a deep breath before shutting the lid on the laptop. “Time for bed, buddy. Maybe I’m too old for this shit.”

  Tank lifted his head, offering a solid woof and I could swear the boy was judging me. He should take a number.

  Juliette

  What was it about being tipsy that always drew me to my social media accounts? Sighing, I couldn’t help but think I was pathetic, although if I had any hopes of making a living, I’d need to put more effort into handling the business as a business instead of a hobby. I logged on, checking Facebook first. There was nothing of real interest. I switched to TikTok next, uploading the short video I’d taken of the night out with the girls. At least I’d highlighted the cool bar we’d gone to.

  Next was Instagram. I shifted screens to the notifications, happy to see I had a few additional followers.

  Seeing that always put me in a better mood since I’d lost a significant number because of the scandal. Thoughts of my father drifted into my mind. Could I believe him when he’d said he hadn’t been trying to sell me off, but protecting me instead? I wasn’t so sure.

  We’d talked. I’d listened. I’d told him exactly what I’d gone through.

  And he’d cried.

  I’d even told him I’d forgiven him, although allowing him back into my life would take some time. It was time to let the past rest or I’d never be able to plan a future.

  I checked the recent pictures I’d uploaded, also thrilled to see I’d had hundreds of likes on a few, and more comments than before. Hmmm… One of the new followers had liked just about every photo I’d uploaded over the past few weeks. Who was this person? Mr. Nobody. An interesting name to choose.

  I moved to his profile. There was nothing there. He’d followed a single person. Me. Oh, great. Did that mean I had a stalker? I laughed. Maybe that meant I was on my way back up instead of down. Maybe I wouldn’t block the guy just yet. Why not keep the new follower?

  After uploading a couple of photos, including one of a dog that looked almost exactly like Tank, I sat back, hating the sadness that always crept into my mind when I thought about either the pup or Kage. He’d taken my heart and crushed it into a million pieces.

  But had what happened been his fault? Maybe technically, but I’d seen the look of surprise on his face. He hadn’t been told anything in detail about my father, even though I’d sensed he’d had his suspicions. Why was I so angry with him?

  Just because I was hurt?

  Ugh. I sat back, grabbing my phone and navigating to his photographs. As soon as I did, the old ache settled in. I’d tried very hard to forget about Kage, but he wasn’t the kind of man you could easily shove into a neat box with a padlock. After rolling my finger across his face on the screen, I thought about uploading his picture. What would it hurt? I had enjoyed the time I’d spent with him.

  When we weren’t being chased or shot at.

  A laugh bubbled to the surface. Oh, why not? At least I could prove the man existed. As if I needed a reminder.

  Maybe the alcohol had given me some courage, but as soon as I added the caption and hit create post, I grimaced. Was I toying with the devil or hoping the fantasy could come true?

  Whatever the case, what was done was done.

  Maybe it was time to get some sleep. Tomorrow, I’d develop a new business plan.

  What a shame Kage couldn’t be here to watch me fly.

  CHAPTER 36

  Kage

  “Brothers forever,” Maddox stated as he shifted his gaze from my eyes to Stone’s. The three of us had developed a tight bond, often referring to ourselves as the three musketeers.

  With his arm out, his hand fisted, he was waiting for a response.

  Stone was the first to thump his fist on Maddox’s, giving a harrumphing sound as he did.

  There was no reason for me to hesitate. In SEAL Team Six, I’d found my people, a reason to live and friendships that would last a lifetime.

  Both men glared at me, waiting for my response.

  I finally grinned. “Hoorah!” As soon as I pounded my fist on top, both men burst into laughter.

  “He’s always gotta be the dramatic one,” Maddox said.

  Stone rolled his eyes and grabbed his bottle of beer. “A toast.”

  “What the fuck are we celebrating?” I snagged the bottle, giving Stone a harsh look.

  He shrugged. “How about to women, fast cars, and an endless supply of tacos?”

  Both Maddox and I groaned. Stone would die with a taco in his stomach. “That’ll do,” I said and Maddox instantly offered a mischievous smile. The man was deadly as fuck, yet the kind of guy who could create a joke out of the worst circumstances.

  He didn’t have a bad bone in his body.

  Good for him. I had several.

  As we all took a swig of our drinks, I reminisced about everything we’d gone through together, the brutal missions and months away from home. We’d had each other’s backs. We’d commiserated over Navy rations and the oppressive heat. We’d laughed at stupid jokes and told stories over and over again to reduce the monotony and loneliness.

  We’ve never forgotten the importance of trust and loyalty. To each other. To our commander and to our entire unit.

  Soldiers through and through.

  Men of honor.

  And above all, friends.

  The memory hit me harder than any had before. There should be no reason other than that I couldn’t stop lamenting over the past, including the recent one.

  I glanced at the mountains, realizing I hadn’t paid any attention to them since the snow had begun. They were majestic, the view taking my breath away.

  Which is exactly what had happened when Juliette had looked at them, when I’d taken her to the lake all those months before.

  Another storm had brought a few inches of snow on top of the six we’d had a few days before. Winter had taken hold, another storm predicted to bring rougher weather at the end of the week. The setting was beautiful, but fuck if I wasn’t lonely.

  I absently rubbed my ring finger, the first time I’d done so in years.

  Tank snorted from beside me, shaking violently from his romp in the snow. He loved the fluffy white stuff, but me? Not so much.

  “Hey, buddy. Watch yourself.” I laughed and took a gulp of coffee. I’d started the morning early. And with a hangover, but the horses were used to the morning routine. With the manager of the facility taking a couple of well-deserved days off, I’d stepped up to master the art of feeding and exercising.

  Another reminder I needed to get back to my daily exercise routine.

  The chill was bitter, but the horses had enjoyed the crisp air. The early morning light with shades of pink and peach crisscrossing the sky had created a perfect backdrop for the few pictures I’d taken. Who knew iPhones packed a powerful punch when it came to capturing moments forever frozen in time.

  Listen to me waxing philosophical.

  “Let’s get inside, buddy. I got a few more chores left before the end of the day.” They included cleaning and organizing my house. I’d let it go to shit in the months since Juliette had left.

  After closing the door, I turned up my nose at the mess. Somehow, I didn’t have the energy I needed. Just like usual.

  I headed into the kitchen, the coffee no longer wanted. After grabbing a beer, I snatched my phone and headed to the library. At least I could make myself useful by posting a couple of pictures to my less than stellar Instagram file.

  As I sat down, I suddenly remembered in my buzzed state, I’d commented on a picture I’d noticed on Juliette’s profile.

  Of yours truly.

  I’d been floored. I’d cringed. I’d almost demanded she take it down. Instead, I’d made a comment like the idiot I was.

  That wouldn’t happen again. The last thing I wanted was for her to figure out the idiot commenting. She’d think she had a stalker. I was many things, including the asshole she’d insisted I’d become, but a stalker was off my list of proclivities.

  Ignoring the pinging electricity from doing nothing more than thinking about her, I posted a few of the photographs from the morning, selecting my favorite for the profile pic. Sadie. At least it wasn’t a picture of my aging mug. I added a few words about what we did at the sanctuary and groaned. Nope. I would never win a Pulitzer for my creative writing skills, but the photos weren’t half bad. One managed to capture the mountains in the background.

  Satisfied, I clicked out of the program. Before the end of the business day, I also needed to arrange for some deliveries. Maybe afterward I’d check on Jarvis’ grant idea.

  As I picked up my phone, a series of visions flashed in front of my mind.

  The rolling images of one dark night were as soul stealing as they always were, but as I closed my eyes, I relived the truth.

  Not the nightmare I’d tried to force myself to believe.

  As I took the phone into my hand, I shifted my gaze toward Tank, which I’d found myself doing every time I had a tough decision to make. Who could have known that the chocolate-eyed tennis ball demon would become such an important creature in my life.

  Right now, he offered a doleful look, but also one similar to the look Jarvis had given me. “Don’t look at me that way. I’m warning you. I’m your dad.”

  He didn’t make a single sound, but his tail thumped rapidly.

  Maybe he was right. I was a chicken shit.

  Before I lost my nerve, I dialed the number. I was ready to hang up when a voice sounded on the other end of the phone.

  The slight hesitation was as difficult as knowing what to say.

  So I just started and hoped for the best.

  “Maddox. It’s Kage.”

  Juliette

  “Do you mind if I take a picture of your dog?” I asked.

  The woman looked at me, immediately fearful. I would be too if I was approached by a strange woman holding a camera, interrupting my peaceful dog walk. Her dog, a gorgeous black lab, pulled on his leash, trying to get to me. His tail was wagging, his big brown eyes as soulful as I remembered with Tank. Why did I keep doing this to myself?

  “Well, I guess.” She was skeptical as hell.

  “I promise. Just a couple.” I hunkered down and the dog broke free, lunging toward me.

  Just like Tank used to do.

  The woman immediately reacted, calling his name while I started giggling. He was huge, knocking me straight on my butt. “Oh, you are so adorable!”

  “Bonzo. Heel. Come here, boy. Don’t do that to the nice lady.”

  Bonzo licked my face, his big tongue slickening my skin. My neck. My arms. My camera. But I didn’t care, enjoying the moment where I could laugh without hesitation. “It’s okay. He’s so sweet.”

  “I’m so sorry. He doesn’t take to strangers. I can tell he likes you. That means you’re a dog person.” She finally got control of him. “Sit, Bonzo. Good boy.”

  “I didn’t use to be.” I sat back, wiping my camera lens on my jeans.

  “How come?”

  “My dad never let me have one as a child, so I was just afraid of them.”

  “This little man is a lover. He’s the reason I get up every morning.”

  “I can tell he’s very special.” I moved onto my knees, pointing the camera and adjusting the focus. After snapping a few photographs, I couldn’t stop thinking about Tank.

  “What’s this for?”

  “Oh, I have an Instagram account and I photograph animals, food, travel locations. Anything that makes people smile.” Maybe that was the way to look at my eclectic account. Perhaps the problem was that I hadn’t branded my work well enough.

  “Would you mind giving me the name?”

  Bonzo posed, the backdrop of the sun highlighting his dark fur perfectly. I snapped a few more photos before standing. The tug of sadness was worse on the gorgeous afternoon than I’d felt up to this point.

  Maybe because I’d tried to shove the rugged man and his incredible dog from my mind.

  Not possible.

  “Oh, I’d be happy to. Don’t forget to follow me if you like what you see. I’ll upload your baby later today and give him special attention.”

  “Did you hear that, Bonzo? You’re going to be famous.”

  His single bark was another reminder of Tank’s actions. I stood and stroked the cutie pie behind his ears. “Thank you for indulging me.”

  “Thank you for making my boy a star. He’s my child, my pride and joy.”

  Grinning, I pulled a dog biscuit from my pocket. I’d taken to carrying a few when I took a walk. “Is this okay?”

  The woman grinned enthusiastically. “Absolutely. He might follow you home now.”

  “I think he is happy where he is.” As I offered the treat, I gave her the name of my account and for some reason, I felt better about my work than I had in a long time. Maybe this incredible, silly moment would offer the incentive I needed to make a hard push. Why not? I had little else in my life.