Hannah looked down at her hands as they rested on the table. “I shouldn’t have come.”
“We’ve already dealt with that issue,” O’Malley told her firmly.
“Karl talked about you so much. He admired you. He said that if ever anyone got into trouble, you were the person he could count on to get him out of it.” She looked up at O’Malley through her eyelashes. “He said you were friends, but you said you weren’t.”
“And you don’t feel you have the right to ask me because of that.” O’Malley got it. He truly did.
“Yes. I can’t ask you to risk your life for Karl.”
“Being in the same unit…” He paused, leaning back in his chair as he figured out what he wanted to say. “It builds a bond. I don’t think Karl and I had to be friends for that bond to exist. And I don’t think that bond is ever truly broken.”
“Thank you.” She pressed her lips together as she studied him. “I’m sorry that you didn’t like my brother.”
“I didn’t say I didn’t like him.” O’Malley swallowed hard, he couldn’t lie to his mate. “I don’t think we gave each other a chance to get to know each other. We were opposites and in this case, opposites did not attract.”
“Karl is not exactly a fun person to be around sometimes. After our mother died, he became far too serious.” She drank her coffee even though it must be cold by now.
“Did he always want to join the Army?” O’Malley asked.
“No. I think Karl believed it was what Mom wanted. He knew how much she loved and supported Dad. I also believe Karl thought it was what Dad wanted. That if he could follow in Dad’s footsteps then they might find a connection. It never happened.” Hannah sighed. “How about you?”
“Oh, I decided to enlist because my mom was worried that if I didn’t find some structure in my life, I would either become a criminal or join a band. Either choice would lead me to a life of drugs and ruin.” He grinned. “The fact that when I left the Army, I opened a bar seems to have confirmed her worst fears. But she’s proud of me. I know that.”
“And your dad?” Hannah asked. “Was he in the Army?”
“No, he worked in a factory. He would have been happy whatever I did as long as I didn’t choose his dead-end career path. When I left the Army and opened the bar, I paid off their mortgage so that he could have a choice in what he did rather than never having the chance to live his dream.” O’Malley chuckled. “To my mom’s horror, he picked up a guitar and started playing.”
“And joined a band?” Hannah asked.
“He’s in a tribute band and that is all I have to say on the subject.”
Hannah laughed, a good sound to hear. “I would love to see them play.” She covered her mouth with her hand. “Sorry, I’ve imposed on you and now I’m inviting myself to come and meet the rest of your family.”
“My mom would love you. She’s been waiting for me to bring my mate home for years.” He winced. “Sorry.”
“That’s okay.” She looked at him kind of strange and he wasn’t sure if it was because he’d been so untactful about his mom or because he’d called her his mate. Not many of the people in his squad had known he was a shifter and he didn’t know if Norton was one of them. Certainly, he’d never outright told Norton and the guy had never outright asked. But then they’d hardly spoken outside of the job.
Maybe he’d asked someone else. And maybe he’d relayed that information to his sister.
That might be why he told her that if ever she nodded help, she should come and find us, his cougar said. Because we have special abilities.
“So, what is the plan?” O’Malley asked, glossing over his last words.
“I was hoping you could help me there.” Hannah stared at O’Malley. “I don’t think putting pressure on the authorities and pushing for a renewed search is going to get anywhere. No one is responding to my requests. No one is even listening to me anymore.”
“Then I’ll go in and try to pick up his trail. If I ask around, then I might find out more information than the search team did.” O’Malley hated the idea of leaving his mate as soon as he’d found her but this was important to Hannah and so it was important to him.
Hannah’s family is our family now, his cougar said. Normally his other side would have found that highly amusing. Norton, a man they never gelled with, was a part of their family. However, under the circumstances, it was really not amusing. They might be gone for months looking for a man that they hardly knew and who they hardly liked.
“I can arrange the flights,” she told him.
“No, it’s fine, I can get there by myself,” he told her.
“By ourselves,” she replied. “I am coming, too.”
“No.” He shook his head to reinforce his refusal.
“I am not going to let you go alone.” Her tone reminded him of Karl. When he was set on something, he did not like to take no for an answer. But this wasn’t a discussion that was open to argument. His mate was not coming with him.
“I’m not going to take you along,” O’Malley told her firmly. “It’s dangerous, we have no idea what had happened to Norton and I am not going to let you risk your life.”
“Then I am not going to let you risk your life.” She stood up, her eyes were still red-rimmed from crying, but her voice was firm, unwavering.
I told you she is strong, his cougar said.
“Hannah, please, let me
