Strategic Engagement (Wingmen Warriors 5)

"Kind of like how you kept me and Austin away from Uncle Ammar back in Rubistan."

And to think he'd worried about the boy understanding. Life had given Trey a crash course in life's injustices. "Exactly like that."

One day, when he'd ensured the boys' safety, he looked forward to making sure they saw the beauty of their mother's heritage, as well. Man this parenting gig was a complex bag. But he didn't want his brothers' view of a part of themselves to be tainted by experiences with their uncle.

Trey nibbled the end off a strand of licorice. "Well then, I think it's probably a good idea for me and Austin to go to North Carolina."

Daniel let the pride build inside him. Yeah, the kid had to make it seem like his own decision, but no problem. He could live with that. He clapped Trey on the shoulder. "Thank you. I'm trusting you to take care of Austin. It'll hurt Mary Elise to think he's popping out those tears."

Trey rolled his eyes. "Yeah, two of those big fat leaky ones and Mary Elise was crawling inside the crate with us."

The enormity of her sacrifice nailed him dead center like an on-target missile, no warning. He'd respected her bravery before, but he'd been clueless on how difficult it must have been for her to risk a return to the States, to expose her sanctuary with the call for help in the first place. Anonymous or no, the trail was there.

Her call. His father's call. His father's death.

Pieces of information jostled in Daniel's head, searching for edges to make a clean fit. Except connector pieces were missing.

"Danny?"

He startled back out of his pensive trance. "Yeah, kid?"

"Who were you named for?" A simple question with a weight of importance reflected in the boy's eyes.

"For Great-grandpa Baker."

"Our father's grandfather?"

Our. "Yes."

"Cool."

Silence descended. Trey peeled the last strands of licorice apart, sorting them into two piles on the leather sofa. He clutched one stack, leaving the other beside Daniel.

And then his little brother was hugging him. So quick Daniel almost missed the chance to hug those bony shoulders back.

Trey stepped away, stubborn chin jutting just like their father. Like his older brother. "I still hate peanut butter."

"Oo-rah."

"Hoo-ya."

Daniel scooped up the pile of licorice Trey had left behind. Love you, too, bro.

Who knew red licorice had such a distinctive scent?

Of course, after an hour alone in the car with Danny, Mary Elise feared she would soon keel over from sensory overload from the different facets of him bombarding her.Daniel's aftershave drifting with each gust of the vent.

Danny's licorice disappearing strand by strand.

The captain's military paraphernalia wafting an odd hydraulic fluid scent she'd come to realize permeated Air Force gear. Even a well-washed flight suit carried the air.

She lowered the window on the SUV, Daniel's truck having been traded for Bronco's vehicle on base after her doctor visit. After a quick trip to the BX, where Daniel bought the most bizarre assortment of supplies, they'd hit the road. Two dozen plastic buckets rattled around in the back with a bag of twenty-penny nails and heaven only knew what else.

Moss-draped oaks arched over the narrow road, the marshy coastline peeking through on her right out the open window. Reeds bowed a welcome in the breeze.

Mary Elise wriggled in the seat to get comfortable. At least her medicines would be kicking in soon, throwing her body chemistry back in sync, hopefully lightening her mood. This was worse than that day by the pool years ago. At least then Danny had been her friend. She vowed if he offered her boatloads of chocolate, she'd deck him.

Or hug him.