Book #18 in the Shepherd Security Series! Yvette's story.
ANOTHER LOOK INSIDE:
Michaela opened the front door after she rang the bell. “I’m sorry I didn’t call first,” Yvette said.
“Yvette, what’s wrong?” Michaela asked, instantly seeing her friend was upset. She took Yvette by the hand and prompted her to step into the entry.
Yvette allowed the tears she’d kept in to burst forth. Michaela swallowed her in a hug. “I’m so mad at myself for feeling this way.”
“He left today, didn’t he?”
“Yes. Nothing was different this time, so why do I feel like this? I know what our relationship is. It’s not like I expect more. I’ve never asked for more, never believed it was possible. I accepted how it had to be decades ago.”
Even as she spoke the words, her inner voice called her a liar. Something had been different this time. She had secretly hoped that this time he’d stay. She’d hoped that this time, he’d declare he felt as she did. Things were different for her since she’d joined Shepherd Security. She had a home. She was settled. The work was the same, but she no longer traveled to far-flung countries, bases and outposts. She had a home she loved, friends, a family in Shepherd Security.
“Maybe you’ve changed since you saw him last,” Michaela suggested.
Yvette shrugged in her arms. Michaela saw it too. Yes, Yvette knew she’d changed. Having real friends, a family that cared about her had to change a person, didn’t it? And when Shepherd was shot, how she felt, she knew then she’d changed. It had hit her harder than any other injury or fatality suffered by an asset she oversaw ever had. That had been a real turning point for her.
“Hey, is everything okay?” the distinct male voice asked.
Yvette opened her eyes to find Lambchop standing beside them.
He laid his hand onto Yvette’s shoulder. “Can I do anything to help?”
Yvette internally cringed. He wasn’t supposed to be home yet. An Operator should never see her in this state. They had to always see her as strong, calm, their lifeline when they were in a shitstorm. “No, I’m sorry. I didn’t know you were back yet. I shouldn’t have come.” She tried to pull away, but Michaela held her more tightly.
“You absolutely should have,” Michaela said. Her gaze shifted to Lambchop. “He left today.”
