Page 47 of Some Like It Hot

Riley’s throat tightened.

“Problem was, it wasn’t authorized. The master chief did it under the radar, on his own, just him and a few of the guys from another team.”

“Did it work?”

“Mmmhmm. But…your dad was killed, Riley. Saving my life. Trying to bring me home.”

Riley looked away, his eyes hot.

“He was a good man. Followed his instincts instead of the rules and saved my life.”

Riley frowned. “No, that wasn’t my dad—he…he followed rules. Trust me—”

“No. Trustus, Riley,” Orion said. “Your dad did follow the rules—but he also followed his gut. He wasn’t reckless, but he wasn’t afraid to take risks. He was a hero. The master chief was the kind of man who showed up, even if it cost him. And, he had faith. Said he never went to war without God. That his skills, his talents, belonged to God.”

Yeah, his father had said that, hadn’t he? Riley had pushed that part out of his brain, maybe.

“That’s a man I want watching my back, every time,” Thorne said quietly.

Riley pressed a hand to his mouth as Larke assembled her instruments on a towel.

“I recognized you at the fire, McCord. And not just because you look like your dad, but because he talked about you. He was really proud of you. Said you were just like him, and that you were going to be a marine. Although I think he wanted you to be a SEAL.”

Riley didn’t answer. Of course he did.

“So, what happened?”

“I’m…”Not a hero.He shook his head. “Not the guy my dad thought I was.”

“He’s wrong,” Larke said as she bent over Thorne’s wound again. “But he can’t see it.”

Riley frowned, glanced at Larke, but she wasn’t looking at him.

“Yeah, well, we all get stuck, don’t we? Between the people we want to be and the version we see in the mirror.” Thorne bit back a word. “But I think your dad would still be proud of you.” He turned to Larke. “Got any of those morphine field hits?”

“Not yet. I need to take your blood pressure.” She dragged out her kit. “So, what happened after you were liberated? Why are you hiding in Alaska?”

His voice was tight when it emerged. “Unfortunately, we’d already been listed as dead, so Roy and I were offered a different kind of job. I politely declined. That wasn’t an option.”

Silence, and Riley didn’t chase his words as he stood at the window, watching the smoke billowing black on the horizon.

“I just want to get home,” Thorne said. “I’ve been on the run for three years, and if the military finds me, they’re going to shove me into a hole where no one will find me.” His voice clamped down over a moan.

“Sorry,” Larke said. “Okay, I’ll give you a shot, but I don’t want to give you too much—it can cause breathing issues—”

“Shoot me up, Doc.”

Riley turned to watch as she found her syrette and shot Thorne in the thigh.

“Okay, soldier, just take a breath. We’ll get this bullet out of you.”

Thorne closed his eyes. But he reached up and wrapped his hand around Larke’s wrist. “Thanks, Doc.”

“Not a doctor, but…you’re going to be okay.”

Thorne made a humming sound, and Larke picked up a pair of tweezers.

Her cell phone buzzed in her back pocket.