“Hellooo.” Calliope looked at Boone. “Ya wanna fill us in on what the hell happened?”
“Udall and I were in the same forward recon unit in Afghanistan. He was a real piece of work. He was always looking for the next big score, and he didn’t care who he hurt in the process. Asshole used to brag about how easy it was to make money off the local girls.”
Luna was watching him so closely, she knew the second his thoughts turned inward.
“When I found out he … When he involved an eleven-year-old girl … I just couldn’t let him get away with it. She was such a cute little thing, scrawny with long dark hair and these big brown eyes. One day, a couple of us were doing our standard security walk-through of the village, and I gave her a wrapped piece of candy. That’s it, one little piece of candy, and the smile she gave me … man, you would’ve thought I handed her the world.” He blinked away the memory and looked around the table. “That was before Udall got to her. I only found out what happened because her mother told me. Unfortunately, by then, the damage was done. After that, that poor little girl wouldn’t come near me. She would actually hide behind her mom. She barely looked at me, but when she did, there was nothing but hurt and betrayal behind those big eyes of hers. It was almost like … like she couldn’t understand how I could let such a horrible thing happen to her.”
Luna couldn’t help herself. Professional or not, she reached over and curled her hand over his forearm.
He looked at her, and the pain in his eyes hurt her heart.
“You beat the holy livin’ shit out of him, I hope.” Calliope broke through the heaviness in the air.
“I went looking for him and found him in his tent, playing poker with a couple of guys, joking around like he hadn’t destroyed that little girl’s life. I saw red. I snapped and laid into him. It took three guys to drag me off of him.” Boone blew out a breath. “I walked straight from his tent to our commanding officer and told him everything I knew.”
“You did the right thing, Boone,” Viking said.
Everyone nodded their agreement.
“Why the hell was he released?” Boone asked.
“He wasn’t released—he escaped.” As one, everyone around the table leaned forward, their focus on Luna. “Eight months ago, the facility was forced to relocate the detainees from one of the buildings due to mold remediation. During the transfer, Udall managed to escape. A female guard who aided in his escape was arrested.” Luna wasn’t the violent type, far from it, but she wanted to stomp the crap out of that Udall jerk. “The Air Force Military Police are leading the investigation with the help of the Air Force Office of Special Investigations and the US Marshals.”
“How the hell could this happen?” Hawk shook his head in disgust.
“He’s slick and can sweet-talk a woman like no one I’ve ever known.” Boone speared his fingers through his hair. “If he set his sights on some young airmen, she never stood a chance.”
Calliope snorted. “No guy is that charming.”
“Trust me, being manipulated by a charming guy is not that uncommon.” Luna gave away no hint of her intimate knowledge of that particular topic.
“Why would he risk going to your parents’ house and then send you these pictures?” Hawk asked.
“He wants me to know he can get to them any time he wants.” Boone’s fist clenched where it rested on his leg. “We need to find this asshole.”
“We will, Boone,”Luna promised.
Boone took his anger and frustration out on the heavy bag in the corner of the gym. Sweat dripped from his chin, down his bare chest, and soaked the waistband of his shorts.
Lucas strolled over to him.
“Let me guess—you’re imagining Udall’s face on that bag.” He had a towel draped over his neck.
“That son of a bitch was at my parents’ house, Lucas. Myparents’house!” Boone’s anger exploded in one powerful punch to the bag that sent it swinging.
The thought of Udall being so close to his mom and dad raged through his system like fire across a dry pasture.
“I can’t believe he escaped and no one bothered to fucking tell me.” Boone snatched his towel from where he’d hung it over the bench press.
“If anyone can find out where he is, it’s Luna.” Lucas swiped his towel over his face. “In the meantime, make sure your parents are aware of what’s going on and continue to focus on mission readiness.”
“I talked to them as soon as I saw those photos.” Boone made sure they knew just how conniving and dangerous Udall was. “They’re both extremely capable with a rifle. And they’ve warned all the ranch hands about him, too. If he is stupid enough to show his face again, they’ll take care of him.”
“Your folks are safe, and that’s what matters most.” Lucas clapped him on the back. “You’re still coming to the party tonight, right? It’ll be good for you.”
Boone nodded and blew out a deep breath.
“Excellent. See you then.” Lucas turned and headed to the locker room.
