Page 333 of 5+Us Makes Seven

“Hey, I chose the Army on purpose.”

“You’re even more of an idiot than I thought.”

I lunged toward him then pulled myself back, causing him to flinch.

“You better fucking watch it,” he yelled.

“I’m not saying anything else until I get an attorney.”

He shook his head.

“If that’s the way you want to play it.”

After standing, he left the room. I stared over at the mirror, making sure they knew I was mad as hell.

* * *

When someone came back into the room, I looked at the nameless man with rage in my eyes. He undid the handcuffs. I slid the chair back and stood abruptly, causing him to take a step back and put his hand on the gun in a holster on his side.

“I’m not doing anything,” I said, raising my hands. “Where are you taking me now?”

“We’re setting you free?”

“You’re kidding, right?”

The man shook his head nervously.

“I’ll be talking to my attorney about this.”

“You can do whatever you want,” Mr. Sorenson’s voice said through a speaker.

I glanced up at it then over to the mirror.

“You’re fucking with the wrong man.”

“Yeah? Get used to it. We’ll have our eyes on you.”

I bet you will, I thought, glaring at my reflection.

“Let’s go,” the man in the room said. “I’ll escort you out.”

I stepped toward the door.

“Oh, Cooper, one more thing.”

“What?”

“Stay away from Jade. If you go near her, we’ll bring you in and throw the book at both of you. Do you understand?”

“Yes,” I muttered.

“Good. It’s just until we get all of this resolved. Thanks for understanding. Have a nice day.”

I walked out of the room and down a nondescript hallway devoid of life. They treat me like this? After I served my country in Afghanistan?

Memories of everything that had gone on in connection with the smuggling filtered through my mind, images and sounds rushing past my consciousness at a high speed as I walked.

One step in front of another took me to the elevator. After a ride down to the lobby, I went outside, stopping to look up and soak in the fresh air. Determination took hold of me. No matter what happened, I had to contact Jade. She was all that really mattered in my life.