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“Jacques said you were triggered again last night,” Swede continued. “I ran a check on Colonel Jeffries, Major Beaumont and Curtis Hale. All three men had connections to Fort Benning during that timeframe. It’s just a shortlist to start with, but I’ll dig in and expand as I discover more links to you and the incident.”

“I understand Jeffries and his aide were new to the command,” Danny said. “How is Hale connected?”

“He was the military contracting agent working with Jeffries,” Swede said. “Nothing I’ve found so far is proof that any of them are guilty.”

Danny nodded. “I understand.”

“That being said,” Remy added, “I’d feel better if you had some protection.”

“Protection?” Danny frowned.

Remy smiled. “Brotherhood Protectors was formed to help people who might need protection.”

“I don’t need protection,” she insisted. “Since the...incident, I’ve become proficient in self-defense.”

Remy nodded. “We’ve seen your skills demonstrated on more than one occasion.”

“And I have a concealed carry license.” Danny lifted her chin. “I carry a gun in my purse, and I know how to use it.”

Again, Remy nodded. “Something we learned in BUD/S training, and I’m sure you learned in Ranger School, is the value of someone having your six.”

Danny’s chest tightened. “I lost confidence in that rule when the people I was celebrating with that night didn’t have my six. I’ve learned to rely on myself.”

Remy gave a brief nod. “Understood. But let me at least offer it to you. If you don’t want it now, the offer remains open anytime you want to take us up on it. I’ll even let you choose who you want to provide that protection, including myself.”

Danny felt Jacques’s gaze on her as she insisted, “I can take care of myself. I just need help digging up clues.”

“No pressure,” Remy pushed back from the table. “It’s at no cost to you, if that’s what you’re worried about. Hank and Sadie help where they can.” He glanced toward the big screen. “Keep us up to date, Swede, and say hello to Allie for us.”

“Will do,” Swede said. “Out here.”

The screen went black.

Danny gathered her documents and stood. “Thank you both for helping. I’ll consider your offer, but for now, I’m okay.” She turned to Jacques. “I can show myself out. Thanks again.”

Without waiting for any response, Danny turned and practically ran out of the building. Once in her truck, she tossed the papers on the seat and jammed the key into the ignition. The first turn didn’t start the truck. She looked toward the boat factory door. Jacques was just coming through it.

On the second attempt, the engine chugged and died.

Jacques was halfway across the parking area when three was a charm, and the engine roared to life.

She shoved the shift into reverse and eased around Jacques, where he stood in the middle of the parking lot. With a brief wave, she shifted into first and sped away.

Opening up like she had left her feeling raw and emotional. The last thing she wanted to do was break down and cry in front of all those former special forces men. It was bad enough Jacques had seen her at her weakest.

Damn it! She was a Ranger!

Well, she wasn’t anymore.

Still, she wouldn’t stop until she found the man who’d reduced her to a shadow of her former self.

CHAPTER 5

Jacques wanted to follow Danny. It took every ounce of restraint not to. Instead, he returned to the war room where he found Remy briefing Beau and Anton on their upcoming assignment to provide protection for Jeffries in DC.

“I’ll come back later,” Jacques said.

“No, stay,” Remy said. “We were just wrapping up. Since we don’t have a lot of the details yet, this meeting was short.”