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Jacques followed them in and held Danny’s chair as she sat.

Caleb rounded to the other side and sank into his seat. “What’s going on? Are you all right? Please tell me you’re not sick or have cancer.” He reached across the table for her hand. “I might not visit often, but I love you. We’re all the family we have left.”

She nodded, her lips twisting. “I don’t have cancer, and I’m not sick, per se.”

“What do you mean per se?” Caleb shook his head. “Tell me what’s wrong so I can fix it.”

“I’m getting to it. This isn’t easy for me.” She stared at their clasped hands.

Jacques reached beneath the table for her other hand and held it securely.

“What I’m about to tell you happened four years ago when I was stationed at Fort Benning.”

He nodded. “Ranger School. I never understood why, after making it through, you quit the Army. I had just been assigned to work at the Pentagon. I didn’t even know you’d quit until you already had.” He shook his head. “What happened?”

“The night after we all received our Ranger tabs, me and some of my classmates went out to celebrate. Long story short, someone drugged me with ketamine and sexually assaulted me.”

Her brother cursed, and his face blanched white. Then as quickly, red stained his cheeks and his eyes flared. He pounded his fist on the table. “Who did it? I’ll kill him.”

Danny’s lips pressed into a tight line. “That’s just it. I woke up in my hotel room, my only memory of the incident, with no recollection of his face. I remember his voice because, before he left me, he said, As far as you’re concerned, this never happened. If you even think otherwise, your brother’s career ends the day you open your mouth.”

“What the ever-loving fuck!” Caleb stared at her, his head moving side to side. “He hurt you and then threatened my career? You never told me.” He stared at her, his brow creased, his face appearing older. “Why?”

“You had just gotten promoted. The last thing I remember was going to the bathroom, but nothing after that. I had no idea who it was, no memory of his face, nothing. What could I do? What could you do?” She stared across the table at her brother. “Nothing.”

“Jesus, Danny,” Caleb shoved a hand through his hair. “Is that why you left the Army?”

She nodded. “I didn’t know who’d done it. It could’ve been anyone. I didn’t know if he was one of my classmates, a member of the cadre or a stranger on the street. I didn’t feel safe. I couldn’t trust anyone and jumped if anyone touched me or bumped into me.”

“You had PTSD.” Caleb sat across from her, his face haggard. “You should’ve told me. That’s not something you go through alone.”

She drew a deep breath and smiled sadly. “I wasn’t in my right mind. I didn’t want anyone to ruin your career. As far as mine was concerned, it was over. I didn’t trust anyone on or near Fort Benning. I had to leave and put as much distance between me and that place and, hopefully, that bastard.”

Caleb scrubbed his hand down his face. “My career was never worth what you suffered alone. I should’ve been there for you. And you waited all this time to tell someone. Why now?” Before she could answer, he nodded. “My retirement. The threat to my career will no longer hold weight.” His jaw tightened. “He has nothing to hold over you anymore.”

“Actually, he could. If he had the power to hurt your military career, he might have influence over your civilian connections in DC.”

“Fuck that,” Caleb said. “You can’t let that bastard rule your life a second longer.”

Danny met Jacques’s gaze. “That’s why I’m here early. I’m not letting that threat govern my choices any longer.” She reached out a hand to Jacques. “Jacques and his friends with the Brotherhood Protectors are working with me to find the man who assaulted me four years ago. We think we’re getting close.”

“Tell me everything,” Caleb said. “I’ll help in any way I can. His hold over you ends now.”

Danny’s lips curved upward. “It’s really good to see you, Caleb.”

He reached for her hand again. “Please, promise me. Never hold back again. You’re my little sister. I’m supposed to be there for you, to keep you safe.”

“You have your life. I have mine. I had to learn to take care of myself.” She squeezed his hand. “But I promise that I won’t keep things from you that matter.”

“Okay,” he said. “Now tell me what you know so far.”

For the next twenty minutes, Danny and Jacques filled him in on the leads they’d been chasing, from the classmates to the break-in at her apartment, the shooting, Curtis Hale’s involvement and Beaumont and Colonel Jeffries.

“We’ve pretty much cleared the classmates by reviewing the barracks duty log,” Danny said. “Hale had a hand in paying for the hotel rooms for Beaumont, but his alibi checked out. Colonel Jeffries was at a training event in Germany.”

“Which leaves Beaumont.” Caleb frowned. “He’s pretty thick as the aide to Colonel Jeffries. And Jeffries is conducting my retirement ceremony. Should we call it off?”

“No,” Danny said. “It’s not until tomorrow.”