“Izzy and Hudson work with me. So do my brothers from time to time. A couple of other special operators, too. That work is actually why I was at the rave. We were following a lead of sorts.” I’d already told Colin some of this, and I feared I would lose track of who knew what and how much.

“This is, well, a relief.”

Shock sent me back around to face her. “What do you mean?”

She pushed up off the couch and stood. “Because it explains a lot. Answers questions I had.” When she smiled, reached for my arm, and squeezed, I lowered my gaze to where she held me, confused as hell. “To be clear, I like this answer. I like that you still help people even though you’re out of the Navy.”

How was she taking this so well? How was she smiling? Rubbing my arm? No, I couldn’t get my hopes up. I didn’t even know how to do hope.

“You know, the man who Easton works with does similar work to you and is also wealthy. Maybe that’s why I’m not so shocked a billionaire would be in this line of work, risking his neck for the greater good.” I forced my gaze back to her face, finding her still smiling. “And as a side note, I used the B word because our son did. I didn’t take your advice to google you.”

I couldn’t wrap my head around this. I wasn’t ready to accept being hopeful. “Who does your brother work with?”

“Carter Dominick. Have you heard of him?”

And just like that, my world flipped upside-fucking-down all over again. As quickly as hope had come, all it took was one name to send it away again.

22. Constantine

Chapter 22

Constantine

I swiped my palm down my face before it fell dead at my side, forcing her to let go of my arm. This can’t be happening.

“Are you okay? What’s wrong?”

“Yeah, you could say I know him.” As if things can’t get any worse. “You’re telling me your brother works with Carter? And you know Carter as well?”

“Yes.” She stepped back, clearly sensing I wasn’t happy about this news. Yeah, unhappy was putting it mildly. “Colin knows him, too.”

Kill me now. “Carter’s spent time with my son?” I grated out.

“Yes.” I hated the tremor of trepidation I’d inspired in her response. “Are you okay?”

Not even a little bit.

“Um, well, how do you know him? Your paths cross in the military or here in New York?”

“His wife.” The full weight of my sins from years ago hit me hard. More payback for my past. “I know him because of her.”

“Rebecca or Diana?”

Right, he was married again. “You knew Rebecca?”