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“Okay to list you as a reference?” he asked the man on the phone

“For a job?” Lukas Watts sounded almost as surprised at the request as Bodie was that he wasit It was no wonder his best friend sounded shocked A job in Kentucky certainly wasn’t in the cards when he’d left Lukas’s house early that

Bodie had planned to thank Sarah, then hit the road to Texas, not go to work for her But this wouldn’t require a s, he’d only be here for a feeeks No proble the next phase of his life

“You’re still co to work for iSecure?” Lukas continued Lukas had served in the Army with Bodie for six years and had quickly become Bodie’s best friend Lukas had opted out rather than reenlisting a few years back and had started the protective services business They’d stayed in touch on the rare occasion when Bodie had access to communication with the outside world Lukas and his wife had co after he’d been transferred to a hospital in the states While he’d been grateful for his friend’s loyalty, he’d still hated anyone seeing him so helpless and dependent upon the nurses and therapists

His leg and hip still ached and he had soth and agility back To see hiuess that earlier that year he’d been told he’d never walk again As Lukas and Kelly had taken hie from the rehabilitation facility, they’d witnessed how far he’d co that he’d been

the sole survivor of his unit to deter him of the world beyond his harsh experiences in the Middle East and various medical facilities

“For some reason, iSecure’s owner doesn’t want me to start until the new year,” he drawled

“Yeah, for so of yours and hie”

“My hip and leg are fine” They both knew that the continued tis Bodie had seen and felt, rather than his physical injuries The pain in his left leg and hip was nothing compared to the one in his heart at the far-too-early end to his er that burned at the senseless death of his co in the interim”

“Why take an interi at iSecure will be good for you,” Lukas said “Besides, you can’t start at iSecure until your official background check is approved”

Bodie snorted Lukas knew round than a computer search would reveal His friend knehat a bad mental place he’d been in, so it was no wonder Lukas was hesitant to put hih-stress situation

But if by “recuperate,” his friendto occur To the day Bodie died, he’d be reliving that nightmare

He owed it to his friends not to forget

“Should I be concerned that one ofto steal you away?” Lukas asked

How could he explain the position he’d be taking? He hadn’t mentioned the detour to Pine Hill when he’d left Lukas’s that one to tell his quiltfor a handyman job?