Page 33 of Coordinates of Death

“So he never remarried?”

“No. Oh, he’s had multiple women try to stick their claws into him, but he’s a very smart man and can read people.”

“So you went to live with him after that?”

Kordell stood and stoked the fire. “Not at first. I have to admit that I was skeptical. Cain Roche did a number on me, and I wasn’t sure I wanted to be back in a home with other foster children.” He turned from his position. “I was honest and told him that point-blank. I’ll never forget what he said.”

“What was that?”

“That he wasn’t perfect and would make mistakes, but he promised me he would always put my needs above his own. And he has.”

“So you went with him that day?”

He chuckled and sat back down. “I was a stubborn teenager, so I told him I had to think about it.”

“And how long did it take you?”

“Well, it was winter by that time and cold, so after two weeks of snowstorms, when he came in, I told him yes. Maxwell laughed and joked that if it was only going to take bad weather to convince me, he would have prayed harder weeks ago.” He leaned forward, elbows to knees. “I moved onto his estate that day. And that was when I found out he was rich—stinking rich.”

“I love that story. He was smart because he let you warm up to him without using his money. In my books, that makes him not only a smart man but someone who truly wants to help people. How long after that before he officially adopted you?”

“Couple years. Don’t get me wrong, we had our difficulties. Plus, living with other teens who also came from rough backgrounds wasn’t easy.” He harrumphed. “I still remember when us boys were in the games room on a Saturday after we finished chores—because even though he could have afforded a housekeeper, he entrusted the cleaning to us kids. Anyway, I think it was Ryker who caught Caleb cheating and called him out on it. Soon after, there was a huge fistfight. Dad made us stand in different corners, and we weren’t allowed to leave until we all apologized.”

“Sounds like a typical family squabble.”

“Like I said, we had our difficulties. And we still have those from time to time. We don’t always agree on our missions or our personal lives.” He rubbed his legs.

“Kord, what happened between you and Cain while you lived with them?” Not that she really wanted to go there, but she sensed he had kept secrets from her, even though they had promised to tell each other everything one afternoon in Aurora’s backyard. They had bonded quickly and pinky-swore to bear their burdens. Although, you didn’t.

Their gazes locked, and a tumble of somersaults flipped in her stomach as she sank into the depths of his baby blues. Her eyes dropped to his lips, remembering their first kiss.

Would his lips feel as soft now as they did back then? Or had they weathered from the storms?

What are you thinking? Remember Dirk’s betrayal.

Kordell opened his mouth but quickly shut it and averted his gaze. “Enough about me. Tell me what happened in your life after I left.”

He was still keeping secrets, just like he had when they were teenagers.

But she couldn’t blame him.

She was too.

What would it take for them to work together and trust each other?

Life and death hinged on their unified front.

Kordell had a hard time breaking free of those eyes. Unique eyes he remembered from their childhood—green like new grass, speckled with sunlight’s gold. However, he had to tear his gaze away and divert the conversation back to her after visions of the Roche boys raping her blasted through his mind. Plus, he had to curb the emotions flooding him like crashing waves. I will not fall for this beautiful woman. I will not. You learned your lesson with Erin.

Aurora stood and circled the tiny shack. “Not a lot to tell. A year after you left, Dad’s job transferred him to the Yukon. I hated the idea, as you know how much I dislike winter.”

“I remember. You used to look to the skies when it was snowing and ask God why He created such cold weather.”

She smiled. “Well, I don’t hate it as much as I used to, but it’s still not my favorite season. I graduated from high school and took a year off to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. Dad urged me to become a teacher like Mom, and although I love children, I just couldn’t commit to that.”

“What made you go into law enforcement?” Even though Kordell had seen her on the news conference two years ago, he didn’t know her full story.

“Policing has always fascinated me, so I looked into it and applied.” Her expression morphed into sadness for a split second before she composed herself.