Damnation Code (William Massa) - William Massa Page 0,8
once earned a reputation as a master interrogator.
“I think it’s time for a change.” Talon’s voice grew dead serious. Erik understood.
“You thinking of leaving the unit?”
“The thought has crossed my mind. I don’t want to turn Michelle into just another military wife.”
Talon knew this would be the most challenging part of settling down. He loved what he did and took pride in the function his unit served. But he was getting older. Turning his back on the military life would be hard, but he would find a way to serve his country in another capacity. Perhaps he would apply for a job at the CIA or do some teaching.
Despite all his training and lethal skill, Talon harbored no illusions bout his mortality. As a soldier at the tip of the spear, the specter of death was his constant companion. Talon had found a way to live with it but he doubted if Michelle could, especially if they decided to start a family.
Erik polished off his beer. “I won’t sleep as soundly knowing you’re not out there keeping the country safe. But it’ll be nice having you around.”
Talon hoped that once he settled down in San Francisco, he might become a positive influence on Erik. Would their friendship be enough to conquer the damaged vet’s demons? Only time would tell.
Talon finished his beer and checked his watch. It was now past ten. “Alright, I should get going.”
Talon walked to the door and paused. “You’ll be good, right? You’re not going to do anything stupid?”
“If your idea of stupid is ordering a pizza from Joey’s and knocking it back with a couple shots of bourbon, then the answer is yes.”
The bravado in Erik’s voice made Talon want to believe him. ”I expect you to be the best man at my wedding.”
“Sounds like I don’t have long to get my shit together. I think that calls for one more round.”
He grinned at Talon and cracked open another beer.
***
Michelle Rossi basked in the happy afterglow of her passionate reunion with Talon and the promise of their shared future. Letting him leave her apartment had not been easy, but she knew his friend needed him. She’d seen Erik a few times since being embedded with the unit and it was clear that the man’s psychological scars were far worse than his physical ones. The battlefield could take a heavy toll on the minds and bodies of the brave men and women serving their country.
No one remained unscathed by the experience, not even Talon, but he had found a way to channel every negative thought in a constructive direction and make it work to his advantage. When they first started dating, she wondered what differentiated Talon from other soldiers who succumbed to the stress of their dangerous profession. She’d interviewed many veterans who suffered from post-traumatic stress syndrome and feared Talon could be next in line.
One key element separated Talon from those other warriors. Instead of dwelling on the horrors of combat, he allowed them to fuel the urgency of his mission. Talon never forgot the greater purpose behind the mayhem. Freedom and civilization weren’t given to us; they were hard earned over the course of centuries dominated by cruelty and injustice. The battles might be terrible, but the war was worth winning.
Michelle yawned and her eyes grew heavy. It had been a long day. She decided to brew a pot of coffee so she would be awake when Talon returned.
As the stimulating scent of Java beans filled her apartment, her mind turned to the enigmatic man who had so unexpectedly popped back into her life. She was still reeling from the surprising turn her day had taken. When they first met she’d welcomed the idea of a long-distance relationship. She was fiercely independent and didn’t want to be beholden to the demands of a full-blown relationship. But each time she saw Talon, it became harder to say goodbye. She was surprised to discover that she wanted him to be part of her life. Not in a let’s-see-each-other-when–we-can way, but full-time.
She eyed her engagement ring and stifled a delighted giggle. Her wish was on its way to becoming reality. Did Talon plan to resign from his military duties? The proposal suggested the possibility and the idea of having him around all the time made her grin with happiness.
Her thoughts shifted from Talon to the story she was tackling at the moment. She hadn’t offered up any details when Talon asked her about it, but if her