Page 67 of Battle Scars

They tossed around the idea of Bobby being a suspect.

Manny was pissed but apologized.

He said he wanted me for Gabe.

Manny and I were walking to the down room so I could run tapes of competitors.

And then there was an explosion.

I try to turn my head, but it hurts.

“Don’t move,” Manny barks.

“I’m okay. My head just aches.” My voice is hoarse and scratchy.

“That’s normal after an explosion.”

“Are you okay?” I ask.

“Banged up but fine,” he answers. “Can you sit up? If not, that’s okay too.”

“I think so.”

“Go slowly and see first,” he says gently. “We’ll go from there.”

“Okay,” I say and slowly sit up. My head is pounding, but I think I’m all right. I’m actually wondering what the hell happened, because I feel like I was just hit by a bus, and Manny looks no worse for the wear, and then it dawns on me. Someone is missing. “Eli!”

“It’s okay,” Manny says. “Let’s just worry about you right now.”

“No!” I scream. My voice is rusty and feels unused. “We have to find him.”

“No,” Manny says gently. “This is the job. He knows the risks. I need to call Gabe.”

Hot tears burn the back of my eyes. No matter what he says, this is my fault. Maybe something would have happened to him on another job, but this job was protecting me. This is my fault.

Manny pulls his cell phone from the pocket of his jeans and slides his finger across the screen to unlock it. His fingers move quickly and then he puts it to his ear.

“We’ve got a problem, boss,” he says. “MacGuire is out of contact. The asset is injured.”

He says more, but I don’t stick around to listen. Eli is out there somewhere. Manny said he had a girlfriend. She deserves more, and frankly, so does he. I quietly push up to stand and then, while Manny’s back is turned and he’s still on the phone with Gabe, I slip away.

I retrace our steps, back to where we were, and then head off in the direction I last saw Eli go. I stick to the shadows as best as I can. Someone out here is dangerous and clearly wants to do harm. I need to be careful, but I have to find Eli.

I round the building and see Bobby’s garage is nothing but ash and flames. I feel a modicum of relief. If his garage was targeted, he can’t be the one threatening to do me harm, right? I hate the idea that my childhood friend would want to see me hurt like that. I know he wants control of DHR, but murder? That’s a bit much.

I don’t have time to think about it now, I need to find Eli. I can’t accept that he might be gone, so I keep moving, making my way around the building, when an arm wraps around my belly from behind and lifts me off my feet.

“Are you fucking crazy?” Manny hisses in my ear. “If something happened to you, Gabe would have my ass in a body bag.”

“Doubtful,” I mutter before turning to him. “We have to find Eli.”

“I have to keep you safe,” he returns.

“No. I can’t let it be because of me.”

“It was his duty—” he starts, but something snags my attention and I interrupt him. It looks like Eli’s shirt.

“Look!” I point.