Jack watches but ducks his chin once as if he’s satisfied with this outcome. I guess in some ways, I’m the perfect one to do this. Ace will be all over her, fretting and freaking out, and that won’t help. Rook can barelylook at her, and Jack… well, Jack looks like he’s hanging on by the finest of threads.
“I’ll bring her, Jack, if you can drive us back?”
“Yep. Ace, ride with Big Mike and Ledger.” Jack pauses. “Do not hit Ledger any more, understood? I’ll let you have your fun once we’ve got him at the compound.”
Ace stares at Camile. He shocks the shit out of me when I see a sheen of tears form over his eyes.
“Rook, you come with us,” Camile says.
“No.” Ace shakes his head. “Why is he fucking naked? What did he do?” He strides over to a pile of clothes and picks up what must be Rook’s discarded jeans. “Put these the fuck on, man, before I do something I regret.”
Rook takes the jeans and pulls them up, fastening them hastily.
“Ace.” Jack walks up to the younger man, takes his face in both his hands, and looks deep into his eyes. “I need you to get yourself together. Rook is not going to hurt her. She wants him with her. Right now, your energy is kind of chaotic. Go with Mike, keep an eye on Ledger for me. And you can see Camile back at the compound. Okay?”
Ace blows out a long breath. “Okay.”
Myself, Rook, and Jack climb into the truck, Camile tucked up on my lap. Her arms wind around my neck, and I tense at the trust that shows. Something deep inside me cracks a little. A ravine opening in the ice that is my heart.
Rook stares out of the window as we drive, his body language that of a man about to shatter.
When we arrive back at our compound, Jack parks by the clubhouse. We all climb out of the vehicle, each of us a little unsteady, either emotionally or physically.
“Who do you want to take first watch?” he asks Camile.
He’s gruff, no nonsense, but I know the man, and that tone is hiding the fact that he’s feeling far too much in this moment, not too little. I wonder how Camile is taking it, though. Had she expected him to be the one to pull her into his arms, and instead he’s still keeping her at a deliberate distance, even after she’s been through so much? I understand why he’s this way. He blamed himself for what happened to his wife, and I bet he feels like he’s failed Camile, but he hasn’t. He will if he keeps being like this, though. For the first time, I experience a surge of anger toward our President. This isn’t what she needs right now. She needs compassion and comfort, not military-style precision.
I expect her to ask for Jack or Ace, maybe even Rook, so I’m shocked when she says in almost a whisper, “Ghost.”
Jack jerks his chin. “If that’s what you want.”
“Camile—” Rook begins, his voice breaking.
She runs up to him, pulls him into a big hug and fiercely says, “Don’t you dare blame yourself, Rook. You saved my life, and you saved me from getting raped by those men.”
I stare at Rook as the words sink in. Jack’s jaw is hard as granite.
“Rook, get cleaned up and get your head together, then come for a debrief. My office,” he orders.
Camile looks like she’s going to argue, but Rook manages a smile. “It’s fine, Camile. Take care of yourself. I’ll see you soon.”
The other truck pulls up, and Mike clambers out, dragging Ledger behind him. The man stumbles andfalls, landing on his knees. Phoenix is behind them, and he kicks him, hard.
“Get the fuck up.”
Ledger groans and manages to push himself up to his feet.
Camile speaks up, her voice steadier. “His real name is Sanchez. It’s the name of the cartel who murdered my father.”
I exchange a glance with Jack. How big is this going to get?
They’ve tied Ledger’s legs, so he can only take tiny steps, but Big Mike gives him no chance to keep up, so he falls again, and once more, Phoenix kicks him.
I expect Ace to go with them and join in torturing Ledger, but he disembarks from the truck and runs at Rook with a roar.
“What the fuck did you do to her, you sick fuck?”
It seems his promise to get his shit together only went so far. He lands against Rook, taking them both down to the ground and starts to punch his ribs and face. Rook doesn’t do anything to defend himself, just lets Ace beat on him.
