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Prologue

Operation Desert Eagle

Baghdad, Iraq

Now…

Enjoying a rare, tranquildesert, Vincent Moreno stared out into the hazy sunset Across his chest he was holding the gun that was now just asheart under his U S Arun to wander to the usual hts were interrupted by his partner Will’s whispers directed to all of the back ho at the sunset He let the other guys respond Most said the very thing he was thinking, "Always"

Will straightened out fro I’et back home is ask Missy Anne to marryto ask her in a letter or even on the phone, but that’s not hoanna do it"

Will and Vince had gone through boot cah Vince had been a tough one to get through to, soh Vince’s hard shell and befriend hiether Will was now, not only the only person Vince had opened up to here, but after everything they’d gone through just this past year alone, Will was now quite possibly the closestabout this cheery southern boy had grown on hi, and that alone could jolt Vince’s out of hisWill couldn’t stop talking about and went on and on the h it was painful to hear about his happy relationship and how his girl was happily waiting for him back home, Vince couldn’t help but shter than when he spoke of his girl It brought back oofy smile on Vince’s own face

Curiously Vince finally broke his stare with the nearly gone sunset "How you gonna ask her?"

Will stood up, and Vince glanced around cautiously then laughed when he saw Will’s stupid overly serious expression Will held one hand over his weapon, which also lay across his chest, then held out his other "You only ask the love of your life once, so it’s gotta be extra special I’onna ask her in front of the whole town Get down on ot down on his knees directly in front of Vince to deered "I’onna say," he lifted his hand up at Vince, "Missy Anne, will you--"

The gunfire came out of nowhere, and in the next second they were all sprawled out on the floor firing back in the direction the shots had co with painful cries froht gone, it was hard to tell ho in the darkness But one thing was for sure: Will wasn’t running with hi these attacks They usually stayed close--had each other’s backs But Vince didn’t see him anywhere; he hadn’t since that first shot

"Will!" Vince called out as the gunfire began to cease

There were a few more shots in the distance, and Vince knew they had to ht, not since their cover had been blown "Will!" he called out again

"Over here!" So over to the sound of the voice, Vince’s lungs were already having a hard ti for air The two soldiers crouched next to a body as Vince approached This wasn’t good Vince could see that Will was fighting in vain for his life

Vince dropped to his knees staring at his friend He grabbed Will’s nearly lifeless hand and squeezed He was in the very spot where he’d gone down on his knees to de on his side, and Vince could already hear the gurgling in Will’s chest as he struggled for his last breaths He’d heard that sale more than a few times since he’d been deployed here "Stay with me, Will," Vince demanded as his heavy heart pounded

But it was useless He’d been shot in the back--dead center The shot had likely pierced his lungs He had minutes, if not seconds, left to live Then the shots started again, and they all dropped to the ground, but Vince continued to hold Will’s hand

"We gotta get out of here!" Their teao!"

They all startedexcept Vince There was still some life left in Will’s hand He couldn’t just leave hio! We’ll have to come back for him, but you have to take cover now!"

Vince almost did until he felt Will’s hand squeeze his "I won’t leave you," he said crouching doith his face next to Will’s, feeling an enoruilt that he’d even considered it for a th than Vince would have iled to speak

"Don’t try to talk," Vince insisted Whatever ti his last breaths

Will shook his head again "Don’t…give up"