Hero (Alpha Mountain 1)

He smirked and grabbed his water bottle off the floor by his feet. “Yeah. Getting the call from Ford to come join his security company pretty much made my year.”

“I’ll bet.” I set the kettlebell down to rest for a moment.

He squeezed the plastic bottle and water shot into his mouth like a fountain. “But being on the team without Ford sucked, too,” he said after he swallowed. “When he was dishonorably discharged over Buck, we all wanted to quit on the spot.”

Ice cold washed over me, and I was glad I wasn’t holding the weight or I’d have dropped it on my foot. “Dishonorably discharged?” My stomach seized up in a tight knot. Why hadn’t I heard anything about this? What the hell? I flicked my gaze at Ford. “Over Buck?”

Taft’s eyes flew wide, and he had a panicked look. One that hadn’t appeared when he’d told me about being shot, but when he’d obviously stuck his booted foot in his mouth. “Oh shit…I mean…uh…you didn’t know that part?”

My body started shaking like a leaf. “What part? What happened? Tell me now.”

From the corner of my eye, I saw Ford take note of my tone and drop. He prowled my way.

“No, no. It’s not what you think,” Taft backpedaled. All the guys stopped what they were doing. The tension in the room ratcheted up. “I mean, I don’t know what you think, but he wasn’t involved. Ford didn’t cause Buck’s death. He was looking into it. Because we all know what they said he did was bogus, right?”

Taft looked around for help from his teammates.

I caught Kennedy making the throat cut gesture to shut him up.

What the actual fuck?

I whirled to face Ford. “You were dishonorably discharged.” I was reeling. He’d been keeping things from me. Things that pertained to him. To Buck’s death.

He held his hands out. “Hang on, Blue. Why are you upset?”

“I’m upset because you’ve been keeping this from me.” I threw my arms wide. “All of this.” I paced away to get my temper under control and saw Kennedy tipping his head at the other two, and they bolted for the door.

I waited until the three left the greenhouse—Kennedy whispering a Nice job, dumbass to Taft on the way out—before I lit into Ford again.

“Why were you dishonorably discharged?” I crossed my arms over my chest.

Ford’s jaw clenched. “Officially? Failing a urine test. Which was bullshit. But I believe it’s because I wouldn’t stop asking questions about Buck’s death. We’re going to figure it out, Indi. The team is on it.”

I blinked and tried to figure out who this man was. If he was the same one who’d been with me the night before. Said he loved me. But this? This wasn’t love.

“You’re… looking into Buck’s death? What happened to Buck’s gone. Nothing we do will bring him back?”

Ford opened his mouth then shut it again. Yeah, he couldn’t answer that. “Okay.” He cocked his head to the side and spread his hands in placation. “Listen. I didn’t want you poking into it, Blue. It could be dangerous. Buck would kill me if I put you into danger.”

I dropped my head back with frustration and stared up at the glass ceiling. We were full circle. Meeting in the greenhouse after all these years, arguing. Starting things up.

It seemed we’d be arguing and ending it all right here too.

“Oh, great. Here’s Buck in the middle of our relationship again. And I’m just the kid sister who needs protection. Thanks a whole fucking lot, Ford!”

I wasn’t usually into drama, but I needed time to cool off and think about this, so I whirled on my heel to march out.

“Hang on.” Ford caught my elbow and tugged me back, which only further angered me.

“Let go!” I snapped, and his hand instantly sprang free.

“Whoa.” He held his palms up once more. “Sorry. Fuck, please don’t go. Let’s talk this out.”

“Talk this out? Talk this out? No, Ford. You had your chance for talking when you saw my bulletin board. You chose to keep me out of it when you knew how much it meant to me. You could’ve told me the truth, to give me hope that Buck wasn’t—” I couldn’t finish that sentence. I took a deep breath. “So no, we’re not going to talk this out right now. I’m leaving. I’m not sure when or if I’ll get over this.”

“Indi!” Ford called to my retreating back.

Roscoe whined.

I flipped him the bird as I made my way to the open door.

Damn him.

Damn Ford and his high-handed, big brotherly bullshit.

I stopped to turn just outside. “I’m leaving for my guide trip. While I’m away, you need to choose—are you my man or are you my big brother? Because you sure as hell can’t be both.” With that, I marched out, my fingers balled into fists.