Page 24 of Mitch

Chapter Ten

The name had beenlike a punch to the guts, it had never crossed his mind that Linton Allen could be the man who was hunting Autumn and Maggie. The thought made him physically sick to the point he’d had to get out of there before he threw up or passed out like a fucking pussy.

As he’d sat out the back wishing like fuck he still smoked, his mind had fallen back over twenty-five years to the last time he’d seen Linton Allen standing over the grave of Mitch’s best friend and Linton’s older brother Devon. They’d both been wearing black.

His friend’s death had wrecked Mitch, but in part out of guilt. Devon had been pulled deeper and deeper into the Cobras, and Mitch kept pulling away until a gulf separated them. He’d felt so powerless, so angry at everyone for his inner conflict but Linton had been so much younger then. Barely ten years old, a good kid who stayed out of trouble—Devon had known enough about what he was getting involved with to try and keep his younger brother away.

That was the pain that plagued Mitch to this day. He now knew he’d wanted out but had found himself in too deep, and instead of helping him, Mitch had saved his own ass and turned his back. He hadn’t realised it then of course, but now it was as clear as crystal Devon had needed his help, he’d needed his best friend but hadn’t known how to ask—shouldn’t have had to ask for it.

He blew out a breath and twisted his head as Waggs walked towards him, hands in his pockets, his head tipped to the sun before his eyes met his.

Mitch held up a hand to stop whatever was coming. “Don’t say it.”

Waggs sat beside him on the long bench that faced the training field and the assault course. To the left was the beginning of the new dog squad quarters. When Jack made a decision, he didn’t fuck around.

Waggs stayed silent, as was his way, always letting people talk if they needed it. He wasn’t much on words himself, which was probably why they got along so well.

“Is she okay?” Mitch couldn’t help but ask.

He had to explain but how could he tell her that he could’ve stopped this from happening if only he’d been a better friend?

“She’s stronger than she looks.”

Mitch nodded before rubbing his hand over his short hair. “Yeah, I know, but I just finished telling her how she could trust me, and then I behave like that.”

Waggs winced a little. “Not great timing but I’m sure she’ll get over it.”

“Yeah well, she shouldn’t have to.” Mitch was angry with himself for letting her down so quickly after promising not to.

“You’re too hard on yourself, Mitch. You’re human. We fuck shit up. If she’s worth it, she’ll understand that this won’t be the last time and she’ll make mistakes too. It’s life.”

Mitch looked out at the helipad on the opposite side of the complex, his mind mulling over Waggs’ words. “What about you, Waggs? You always hold yourself to such a high standard. You don’t allow yourself to make mistakes.” The pain that flashed across Waggs face almost took his breath away, and Mitch was sorry for his words, regret hitting him fast. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said that.”

Waggs waved his hand as he looked at the ground. “Forget it, but the truth is, I can’t afford mistakes. If I fuck up someone dies, and I can’t have that on my conscience. The weight of any more deaths at my door is just too heavy.”

“Do you ever think about settling down?” Mitch asked, surprised by Waggs opening up that much.

Waggs stood and blocked the sun with his back, making him look aloof and dangerous. “Nah, not for me. Too much risk involved. Easier to jump out of a plane or chase down a terrorist than find a woman who’s willing to take on my shit.” Waggs scratched his stubble. “You, though, I can see you and woman like Autumn making it work. She has spirit, and you need that.”

Mitch smiled. “Yeah, I do.”

Mitch stood as Waggs walked towards the new K9 unit. He needed to explain his behaviour to Autumn and then figure out a way to keep her and Maggie safe, even if it meant killing his oldest friend’s brother.

He found her in Alex’s office laughing with Aubrey, and his muscles relaxed a fraction at the uninhibited sound of her laughter. Her eyes met his as he walked in, the connection they shared as strong as ever.

“Can we talk?” he asked, aiming his eyes at Autumn—she’d always be Autumn to him. Keisha didn’t fit the woman he knew at all, nor did the career she’d chosen, but that was irrelevant.

“Yes, sure.”

“Want me to take Maggie for a few minutes? We can go annoy Lopez and Jack.”

Autumn grinned, her entire face lighting up like a rainbow after a storm. “That would be great.”

“No problem.”

Aubrey smiled, taking Maggie and hitching her to her hip like a natural. He wondered how long it would before she and Will made it official and began a family.

With his hands in his pockets, he moved closer to Autumn as the silence in the room took over, feeling awkward for the first time since they’d met, that it was his own doing made it an even harder pill to swallow. “I’m sorry.”