Griffin couldn’t sit one more second. He pushed to his feet and paced back and forth in the tight confines of the conference room, down the length of the table and back.

“Sitrep?” he bit out.

“Not good,” Cal answered reluctantly. “Marines got ambushed in the pass. Multiple casualties. Tangos seem to be trying to take prisoners.” A pause, then, “No word from DEVGRU. They’re still unaccounted for in the tunnels. One confirmed dead on Team Sulu. One confirmed dead on Team Bones. One overwatch sniper confirmed dead, two more sniper casualties possible. Their positions were overrun and now have negative radio contact.”

“Kenny?”

“Missing. Presumed dead.”

“Now what?” Sherri asked in a hush.

Good fucking question. Griffin squeezed his eyes shut against the burning grief.

Cal answered grimly, “Army’s sending in a battalion at first light to clean up.”

Which was military speak for recovering the bodies.

Griffin spun and slammed his fist against the wood-paneled wall, which turned out to have concrete behind it. Otherwise, he’d have put his fist right through the wood. He swore violently.

Trevor leaned over Sherri, muttering into her ear. She nodded and her gaze swiveled to Griffin. The sympathy in her eyes was more than he could stand.

Griffin barged outside into the cold, crisp twilight. Stars were starting to shine overhead as if not a bloody thing had just happened, as if nothing was wrong. As if one of his brothers hadn’t just died.

Griffin felt a quiet presence fall in beside him as he strode down the road, heading for the woods. Sherri. She didn’t say anything, just kept pace beside him as his stride lengthened into a run.

He ran—hard—for perhaps twenty minutes. Finally, when he was winded and the worst of his agony had condensed into a diamond kernel of vengeance tucked away deep in his heart, he stopped.

“Thank goodness,” Sherri gasped. “I didn’t know how much longer I could keep up with you.”

He looked around. They were at the far turn of the long course, miles from the camp. And then he looked at Sherri.

Mistake.

Her eyes were infinitely sad. Understanding. She’d known loss this deep before.

And that was what broke him. A single, hoarse sob escaped his throat.

Sherri rushed forward, gathering him in her arms. As his legs gave out and he sank to his knees, she went with him, pulling his head against her chest, cradling him tightly.

He wrapped his arms around her, holding on for dear life. Images of Sam flashed through his head. The kid sneaking off to fish, even if all he had was a stick, some fishing line, and a makeshift hook. Sam, listening to music so loud through his earbuds it kept the other guys awake and made them complain. His boyish smile that made him look even younger than he was. His laughter. Oh, man. His laughter. Sam had loved life.