Chapter 1
Nine: Terrible News
“Scarlett? Scarlett Hanson?”
I knocked on the door, wondering where the devil this woman was. I needed to find her. This was the last address that I could find for her, but would she be here? I needed to find her, tell her everything, and, of course, help her with everything going on.
I tried knocking one more time, but no dice. My buddy and I shared a look of frustration. Was she scared to greet me at the door? I wasn’t going to leave until she opened it.
I stood there in a tank top and jeans, the muscles in my arms becoming more prominent as I tensed with irritation.
I just wished she would finally respond to my damn knocks.
Finally, the door opened, and a woman with big, blue eyes, red hair, and a bit of a shocked expression stared directly at me.
“Who … who are you?” she asked.
She looked at us, noticing our black, leather MC vests. I nodded to Maverick, who stepped forward.
“Please, tell me, who are you people!? I don’t know what’s going on—”
I scoffed.
“I knew something was off about her. I just didn’t expect this,” I said to Maverick.
I looked her over, and I could see her hesitancy. I figured making a good introduction was the first place to begin.
“Ma’am, I’m former Army First Lieutenant Bryce Perry, and this is former Major Maverick Jenson. You can call me Nine, though,” I said.
She continued to stare at me, about to close the door, but I pushed my foot forward, not letting her shut us out.
“I know this isn’t something normal for you, but is there a chance we could come in for a moment?” I asked.
She shook her head.
“No, you look nothing like Army men, and anyway I don’t like Army men.” she said.
I sighed; this wasn’t going to be easy.
“We’re retired, ma’am, and these are our motorcycle colors. New uniforms. We’re here because we knew your brother, Quinn. Served with him back in Afghanistan,” I said, my voice dry.
She seemed a bit tense still, but I tried to smile at her.
“A-alright,” she said.
We went over there to the couch, seeing that she had a fine little home. I was fixing to get one of these when I was done in the Army.
It was cute. But I had to tell her the news.
She looked at me, and then she got near the couch.
“Could I get you two anything? Have a seat,” she said.
“Actually, if you want, you can have a seat. I think it’d be good if you took it,” I told her.
My voice went a little bit cold, and she immediately caught on. Her eyes widened, and she collapsed on the couch.
“No … you’re not serious … right?” she said.
I looked at her. As much as I would love to lie to her face, to tell her that this wasn’t the truth and I was just here to horse around, I had to say it.
“I’m sorry, ma’am. It happened so suddenly, and—”
“No way!” she said, her eyes filled with tears as she looked at me.
“Yes. I’m sorry,” I said.
She sat, frozen, her eyes as round as saucers, and I took a moment to catch my thoughts.
“How did it happen? To Quinn?” she asked.
“We were driving back to the base after our last mission. We don’t know how it happened, but it was less than 24 hours before we flew home. I heard he was shot by a Sniper. Instant kill—”
Suddenly, her body went limp, and I watched as she fell to the ground. I reacted, grabbing her and holding her as I looked at her.
“I’m so sorry you had to find out this way, ma’am,” I said to her.
She laid there, and I kept her near my chest, keeping close. Looking into her eyes, I felt a connection with her.
I normally never felt this way, but seeing her in my arms, her eyes wide with shock, hit me hard.
“Are you okay, ma’am?” I said.
I didn’t realize how long I had been touching her. Was it a minute? An hour? It made me feel a whole series of emotions.
I knew Quinn. He was a damn good member of the team. I wanted to keep her safe since I knew I couldn’t keep him safe.
“Y-yeah, sorry about that,” she said.
“Here, let me bring you to the couch,” I said.
I sat her down, feeling somewhat disappointed that I had to let her go. She was beautiful. I knew that Quinn had a sister who he admired, but I didn’t know she was … this damn radiant.
For some reason, it made me feel many different things, all of which I wanted to suppress.
Keep it professional, Nine.
However, I noticed her hand in mine; her soft, pale fingers intertwined with my larger ones. It was then she started to cry, holding her head in her free hand as she wailed.
I kept my hold on her hand, remaining nearby. I looked up at Maverick, who nodded and went to the kitchen.
“I’m here,” I said with a comforting murmur.
She continued to cry, and then, as I heard the faucet turn off, Maverick came over with a cup of water.
She continued to sob, her eyes filled with tears. I didn’t blame her after losing her brother like that.
“I-I’m sorry about this,” she said.
“It’s alright. You have full right to cry there, Scarlett,” I told her.
“Y-yeah, we’ll … I don’t … I don’t …”
She sobbed once again, and she could hardly speak as tears ran down her face.
All I could feel was that I wanted to be someone she could rely on, someone she could talk to, but it was hard for me, too.
It was painful for me since Quinn was a part of the team. I couldn’t save him.
His death still haunted me, and honestly, I just wished it was easier sometimes.
I didn’t want to feel this sort of weakness, but seeing her in pain brought my own grief and guilt back.
We sat in complete silence for a bit, hearing her soft, subtle cries, seeing the pain in her eyes.
“This is … a lot,” she told me.
I pursed my lips, wondering how to respond.
“I can stay here. Until you’re good on your own if you’d like,” I told her.
I looked at her, and then she stared at me, seeing me once.
“You’re … Nine, right?” she told me.
“Yeah, do you know about me?” I asked her.
“My brother told me a little bit about you. I mean, I don’t know if you want to stay, but I wouldn’t be against it. If you wanted to,” she said.
I turned to Maverick, and he nodded.
“You stay with her. I’ll tell the other guys what’s going on,” he said.
“I swear I’ll be okay. Just—” she started to say.
“You’re not okay,” I interrupted her. I know you’re hurting. The death you experienced … It wasn’t easy for you, was it?”
She looked at me, her eyes filled with tears as she nodded.
“Yes,” she said.
I wanted to reach out and hug her, to stay with her. I knew she was in a whole lot of shit for a variety of reasons, and I would do my damndest to make sure she was safe and sound.
I could feel her pain. I knew what she felt. Quinn was … a big part of my life, too.
I could feel the sting remembering him, the pain and guilt that I felt when I was first alone like this. I wanted to protect Scarlett with my goddamn life, even if it killed me.
And from the way her body seemed to move closer to me, her beautiful eyes, the little bit of nervousness that was there.
I knew I had to protect her at all costs.
