Ward
Beth was due to arrive in town any minute, and I was freaking out. It had been entirely too long since I’d seen her, especially given the way I left home. She would never judge me for my choices, which was why Bella reminded me of her in so many ways. But, I would still worry about how she saw me, my new town, and my relationship. Would she think I could do better than menial work? Would she think Port Townsend was too dated, too quaint?
Ward
I had to be strong for Bella. For myself. She was right about that. Running was easier, and it had become the simple choice. It used to be, I never backed down from a fight. Prison had changed that about me, when I learned that fighting made things worse. Over time, they had beaten the urge to defend myself right out of me. Bella was worth more than that to me. I needed her like I needed air to breathe, and I would do whatever it took to keep her in my life.
Bella
I should have been shocked, but I wasn’t. Not after everything Ward had gone through already. He had to be the unluckiest man I knew.
Ward
The ringing phone woke me from a deep sleep. After work, I’d gone home to nap before meeting Bella for dinner. Instead, I fumbled to grab the burner phone from my nightstand, my heart beating in my throat.
“Bethy?” I croaked.
Bella
Whatever it was that Ward couldn't tell me must be awful. More than awful; it had to be traumatizing. Wanting to know every tiny thing about him wasn't necessarily my right, not if he couldn't talk about it without breaking down. I’d have to give him time, and just love him as he loved me.
Ward
Whatever I’d thought the day would bring, this wasn’t it. Pacing my tiny apartment after walking Heidi, I tried to figure out what to do next. Bella deserved to know everything about me, and I had intended to tell her, eventually.
Just not right now. Not when the memory was still too fresh in my soul, too terrible to speak of out loud.
Bella
Ward was fast asleep, but I was wide awake. Knowing how early he had to get up for work, I eased out of bed with a wince. For the first time in a long time, I was sore.
It was so worth it.
He should have fucking known better than to leave her behind. God fucking dammit; if anything happened to her before he got back, he’d hand over his gun and let her put a bullet in his head. It still wouldn't be enough to atone for his stupidity.
Edward had just found an exit when he heard her screaming. By the time he made it back to where he’d left her, she was gone. When her earpiece came back online, he nearly shit himself at the things he heard. Bile rose in his throat, and he hurried down the corridor, realizing the compound wasn’t at all what they’d thought it was.
Ward
Every time I thought about Beth, I wanted to kick myself in the ass. Despite telling her I was going on the lam, she must be worried about me and my whereabouts. Knowing how much she loved me, there was no alternative. Bella had made a few good points, and I would figure out how to contact my sister before the week was up. I had to go back to work in the early morning hours, and then my life was back up in the air, but right now was for me and Bella.
Bella
I knew Ward would be hesitant about meeting Jay and spending time with him and Riley, but it was time. Besides, Heidi was there, and he couldn't stand being away from her for long. The blue house loomed in front of us, and I shut off the car’s engine and climbed out. Holding out a hand, I waited patiently for Ward to take it before heading up the front walk to the latched gate.
The front door opened, and Heidi barreled toward us. I saw Mama framed in the doorway and winked at her. She knew this was what Ward needed.
It was too easy, that was all she could think. Why didn't they have guards on the roof? And there was no one to stop them from coming into the tunnel. Mullah had used it just the day before, and he reported having seen two guards rotating their positions at the entrance to the cells at the end of the sewer. But now, there was nobody.
Ward
It would have been really easy to freak out, but I didn’t. Instead, I got up and pulled on my clothes, leaving as quietly as possible so I didn’t disturb Bella’s sleep. Though she had drifted right off, I was accustomed to being awake extremely early. Downstairs, I found Jasper in the bakery’s kitchen, creating whatever magic made the entire place smell like fresh-baked heaven.
Bella
Somehow, we’d fallen asleep, and I woke to the gray haze of either dusk or dawn. Knowing Ward would be startled to realize how much time had passed, I debated waking him or letting him sleep. Something told me he’d rather know so he could worry and plan for what came next.
Ward
This was exactly the moment I'd dreaded for months now. Bella's face, pale white, as she explained there were cops at her store asking for me. If they knew to look for me there, she and I were far past intricately linked. Not that I had a choice, but nothing in the world could convince me it was a good idea to speak to law enforcement for any reason, tangling the two of us up into some sort of fucked up web of lies by omission.
Maybe all they’d needed was a good rough fuck. It had been longer than usual for them, and despite the hell of the mission, they needed an outlet for their emotions. Over the years, Edward had mellowed with maturity, and though she had done the same, it was nice to feel reckless again.
Bella
Though Ward's shoulders were a bit tense, he appeared more relaxed for a change. I wanted him to feel at home in our town, instead of like a man dying inside with every wave hello. Everyone wanted to welcome him, and some of them were more exuberant in their efforts than others. Soon, he'd acclimate to all of it and feel more settled in. Hopefully.
Ward
I’d barely gotten the word out of my mouth when an older woman came bursting into the store. Backing into the shop, she hung up her umbrella and peeled off a striped wool cape while speaking the entire time.
Edward personally saw to the removal of Tito Gonzalez, ensuring he got on the agency helo sent to retrieve him. Despite wanting to believe James Holden would do the right thing, Edward didn't trust anyone from the CIA anymore. First Kiernan, who had of course died in the line of duty, and then James had given them every reason to question their motives. Their motto was cover your ass at all times, regardless of who they hurt in the process. The agency would supposedly keep Gonzalez at their cold site until further notice; according to Nigel, he was their guest even after they completed the mission.
Bella
I suppose Ward freaking out was exactly what I expected. He’d told me before that he was afraid to live his life out in the open, so it shouldn't come as a shock that he would leave the second he got too close to me.
Ward
After I'd laid my sins at her feet, every last secret exposed, Bella still didn't see me as a monster? "Did you hear everything I just said?"
Shifting until she no longer touched me, Bella sat up and looked me in the eye. "Yes, I heard you."
"Every sordid detail?" Why was it so hard for me to grasp? I already knew she was an incredible woman.
Bella
I didn't want to read too much into it, but Ward was standing in my apartment. The most skittish man I knew was within reach. In my home. With my cat and his dog.
The houses along the mountainside in Kabul all ran together, a cluster of adobe structures blending into the background. It made for the perfect hideout, in Bella’s opinion. One house was nearly indistinguishable from the next, the better for them to pretend they weren't even there. Unfortunately, the quarters were far more cramped, which was a massive downside.
Ward
Though Emmett had recommended I try the Oceana Grill, I wasn't in the mood to spend most of my paycheck on one meal. Splurging was not in the near forecast, but maybe I could treat myself to something other than canned food boosted with fresh veggies. With that in mind, I headed over to the pizzeria I’d passed more times than I could count. It sat a handful of buildings down from the bakery and Bookish, hopefully giving me a buffer from temptation. There were many people I wanted to know better, but I was scared to get involved in so much as a friendship with anyone.
Bella
Oh, my God.
Oh, my fucking God.
Despite his request for a book, I didn't release Ward’s shirt. My fingers flexed, attempting to drag him closer. “No.”
If the beauty of the surrounding seaside matched their moods, then everything would be fine. Instead, Bella worked through her emotional distress by kicking the shit out of the heavy bag in the training room for hours on end. The fact that the room overlooked the ocean with wall-to-wall windows didn't faze her in the slightest. Unable to fix what ailed her, it was up to Edward to comfort her when she finally crashed at the end of each day.
Ward
After that exchange, I was good and pissed for the rest of the day. Walking home in the rain didn't help my temperament, and I had to take Heidi out in that shit, too. Sitting on the floor of my tiny mint green bathroom, I scrubbed her fur with a towel and bit back tears. Sensing my emotions, Heidi bumped against me, pushing her head up under my chin. I wrapped my arms around her and held on.
Bella
One thing I enjoyed was a good mystery, and it was clear that was what I'd stumbled upon with Ward. Alice had mentioned how sweet he was, how open he acted. In such a small town, we all talked at some point throughout the week, and newcomers were hot topics. But he was not any of those things around me, and I didn't know why. When I saw him eating breakfast, I wanted to sit and chat, but instinct told me he wouldn't want that. In the park, he’d ignored me steadily until I gave up and walked off, wondering why he kept himself so insulated from other people.
Ward
A day off was long overdue, and I finally had enough money to buy something other than dog food. Once I realized Heidi enjoyed the water, I vowed to bring her there frequently. Paying more attention to her leash in my grip, I took her back to the park early in the misty morning. Though I wanted to sleep in, sunrise was as far as I got before the nightmares wrested me from my bed. I thought I’d beaten them, but something about this fucking town brought them screaming back.
QPOV
It’s been a while since I’ve worn a suit, but I make the effort to relax, to appear as though it’s my everyday attire. The Hotel Intercontinental in Kabul is five-star and perfectly suited to my undercover persona. Every day, I get dressed in a three-piece suit, straighten my hair—now dyed blond—and exit the hotel. My day consists of breakfast in an expensive cafe, pretending to work on my laptop, and meetings with other agents planted as businessmen. The effort is to look busy, important, and wealthy. As though my company is doing so well, they’d be fools to pass up the opportunity to work with me. Wilhelm is my translator, and he accompanies me everywhere I go. Our information gathering is the true reason for our stay in Afghanistan, and though I learned Farsi, Pashto is more difficult to master. Wilhelm's primary job is to eavesdrop on our surroundings so I can focus on what’s in front of me.
Bella
Obviously, I didn't know when I woke up that this was the direction my path would take me today. Customers of all kinds floated in and out of our town on a regular basis. Townies, tourists, those who left and found themselves drifting back. I’d seen it all. Nothing much phased me, but this guy . . . This guy was hella awkward. Nervous, shy, and apparently unwilling to be touched.
Edward
A heavy fog rolled through the sleeping town as I said goodbye to my dog and set off down the street on foot. The salty tang of ocean water hanging in the air reminded me of home, but it wasn't quite the same. As a matter of fact, it was on the opposite coast; I'd moved all the way to the other side of the country. It wasn't in my plans, but nothing had been for a majority of the last decade. Nothing had ever come easy for me, no matter how old I got or what I accomplished. Hard work didn't always pay off, honesty wasn't always the best policy, and the truth hadn't set me free; it had fucked me over.
Once again, Bella’s gun was an extension of her hand. Her ribs ached with the repetitive training exercises, and yet she worried none of it would be enough. But, for now, the weapon in her hand gave her a sense of control. The center of the target now bore innumerable holes from where she’d shot it. Though sweat threatened to drip into her eyes, she forced herself not to focus on the inevitable, instead emptying her last clip at the body-shaped form printed on paper several hundred yards away from where she stood.
Nerves quickly made themselves known with stinging nettles in Edward’s gut. It was now or never, and he wasn’t known for being a pussy. All their friends were there, the old and the new. Jake and Seth brought floral displays, which they played off as no big deal for a lovely celebration such as theirs. For a minute, it scared Edward to think Bella would catch on. But she’d made desserts galore, and Austin brought champagne. Throw in Alice’s decorating skills, and the venue they’d chosen was fully decked out.
The fucking little minx. He had to give her credit for that one. “Oh, I don't think so.”
“I do.” Backing up, Bella tried to duck around the chair as he advanced on her.
Though he wasn't 100% back to himself, he knew he could catch her easily. There was furniture to dodge, and the place wasn't that damn big.
Colorado was fucking hard. They’d all gone lax in the last few years, and it showed. Although Edward used the gym three to four times a week, the commander was kicking his ass. Bella seemed to struggle the most, having intentionally given up the regimen she’d practiced for years. At the end of each day, they barely had the energy to eat and drop into a deep sleep.
Emmett was funny, and not exactly what Bella had expected. The little she’d gathered about him from what Edward said and the brief time they’d interacted in the hospital belied the gentle nature of the beast. He was large and hairy, beefy arms and muscles banding around his arms as though he was set to lift a truck off a stranded kitten, but he was also tender. All anyone had to do was watch him interact with his wife to witness the difference. Bella liked to think the word dichotomy suited Emmett McCarty.
The hours while James was gone were some of the hardest Edward had ever lived through. A headache brewing, he skipped lunch before he and Bella went upstairs to wait in the living room. There was so much he wanted to say, but the words remained jumbled in his head and wouldn't fall out of his mouth. His wife was devastated, and he couldn't help feeling completely responsible. Quinn was an adult, he'd made an adult decision, and yet Edward would take full blame for what they now faced.
Waking from a rough sleep, Bella lifted her head from the pillow and tried to make herself get out of bed. Dreams—nightmares—had plagued her throughout the night. Edward still slept on, his graying copper hair buried in his pillowcase, but she heard the telltale sound of small feet pounding down the hallway. Hurrying to dress, Bella made her way downstairs in time to nab Aerinn before she could plow into Tyler coming out of the kitchen.
Mentally running over the list of things she had to do that day, Bella rinsed toothpaste out of her mouth and put the brush back where it belonged. Movement in the mirror caught her eye, and she watched her naked husband come up behind her as she dried her hands.
"Why do you wear my shirt like this when we both have places to be?"
Pacing behind the man bound to the exposed pipe, Bella focused on her surroundings. Water dripped in the distance, the plop plop plop echoing throughout the vacant warehouse. Air whistled in and out of his lungs, laboring under the stress of his wounds. Her own heart roared in her ears, nearly drowning out all of the above. Darkness surrounded her, and if not for her infrared goggles, she'd be blind.
Garrett was gathering his things together when Bella came home from Luscious Bites. Behind him, she spotted Edward sitting on the foot of the bed.
“Everything okay?” she murmured to Garrett.
He nodded, shooting a glance over his shoulder. “Tough PT session today.”
The first few days after the accident were undoubtedly the toughest. Edward hated being stuck in a hospital bed, and there was only so much Bella could do to entertain him. She spent as much time with him as possible while also ensuring Tanya's sabotage wasn't successful. Both Tanya and Victoria remained guests of the state, held without bond because they posed considerable flight risks. As much as Bella tried to put them out of her thoughts, she couldn't comprehend what she'd done to deserve the petty behavior they aimed at her.
Standing alone in the stark white hallway, Bella hugged herself tighter in an attempt to warm up. The others had made a coffee run, and now she regretted insisting she'd be fine by herself. At least she wasn't stuck in her cocktail dress, since Austin and Eric had gone to her apartment to get some clothes for her. The sweatshirt she wore nearly swallowed her whole, a pair of leggings clinging to her thighs as she heaved out a heavy sigh. Raising her shoulder, she inhaled the fresh laundry scent, which should have brought her a sense of familiarity in the midst of the generic hospital decor.
Thankfully, Bella had been entirely too busy to worry about Tanya's antics. Edward was proud of her for not letting that horrible skank ruin her day. They’d enjoyed a fun dinner with their friends; Eric was perfect for Austin, as they were all learning the more time they spent together. He could perfectly temper the too-serious nature Austin tended to fall into without even realizing it. They were obviously in love, making it so much easier for Edward to let go of any feelings of jealousy or resentment he’d once felt toward him. He might have been Bella’s sugar daddy at one time, but that was so far in the rear-view mirror, it nearly didn't exist.
Cleaning was not Bella’s favorite thing to do. She’d spent her share of time doing it at the restaurant, between clearing tables to give the bussers a hand and keeping her workstation in the kitchen clean. However, this was a whole new level of hell. The building wasn’t filthy, per se, but the health department held higher standards for a bakery than they did a florist. What display cases she could keep had to be sanitized, and the new ones had to be unwrapped after delivery and then cleaned before she could put them in their place. Bella had taken to wearing gloves, so she didn’t leave fingerprints on the glass each time she adjusted the position of something. Too many shelves had been Windexed to death because she wasn’t satisfied with the spacing and kept changing them.
Therapy was, frankly, exhausting. Edward didn't know how Bella managed to go more than once a month without having to hide under the covers for the rest of the day like a child in need of a nap.
