In Name Only (Pine Falls #2) - Jennifer Peel Page 0,12

of as a hero. He thought of himself as lucky. He’d watched two of his friends die while he’d lived. “The honor is ours,” he graciously replied.

I saw John in the background, his eyes alight with how Allison and Brock’s interaction went. Brock had nailed his response. It was sad how loyal his sons were to him. I’d once asked Brock why. He’d said there had never been a more dedicated parent than their father. No matter his busy schedule, he had attended every sport and school event for his sons. He was their greatest champion. To me, John was his own biggest advocate. Brock had also mentioned that when his father spoke or entered a room, people paid attention and wanted to act. It’s the kind of men Brock and Brant wanted to be. I prayed they would use their powers for good and not evil, the way John had. Though, in John’s story, he saw himself as the hero. I think the idea that he was the villain was laughable to him.

After the introductions, Brock led us to the sacrificial couch where Brant and Jill sat all cozy at one end, as they were part of the interview as well. Brant’s campaign manager loved the photo ops and free publicity. Brock’s hero status was pure gold. Brant was way ahead in the polls against the incumbent. It was still early, and a challenger had plenty of time to join the race since the primaries weren’t until next June, but John thought it was the perfect time to strike. He hadn’t been wrong. Honestly, with the way Brant was performing, I was sure it was discouraging to any other potential candidates.

When we sat down, Brock made sure he sat next to Brant, who was seated toward the middle of the couch. Not sure what he thought Brant and I would do. Hold hands? Honestly, I wouldn’t mind holding Brant’s hand. Not in a romantic way, but because he would at least try and offer me the comfort I so desperately needed. And I could perhaps offer him some of the same. However, Brant and I both knew we were off-limits to each other, even as friends.

As soon as we were settled on the blue velvet couch under the glare of the filming lights, Brock did his duty and took my hand in his. This time, though, he gave it a squeeze and rested them together on his leg. In return I gave him a small smile. He didn’t smile back, but he gave me a nod. I used to be able to read him so well, yet I wasn’t sure what the nod meant. I took some consolation that at least his eyes weren’t as cold as they had been.

Allison sat in front of us on a high-back stool. She gave us all a toothy grin. “Are you ready?”

No, Allison. No, I’m not.

Chapter Four

“Tell me, Dani, what were those days like after you received the initial report that your husband had been killed?”

I’d answered that question what seemed like a hundred times. You would think I could just spout it off with ease. Instead, every time it took my breath away. From the moment Sheridan had called me to deliver the awful news—the racking sobs, the comfort Brant and I had sought in each other’s arms, the devastating pain that followed—to the spark of hope given to us from John’s connections in Washington that perhaps a mistake had been made in identifying Brock’s body. To this day, I felt the sting of every low and the joy of every high.

I also had to be careful about answering that question so as to not reveal the inside information we had received during that time from the top levels of government. Namely John’s connection in Washington—the Secretary of Defense. John was at least good for something. Not to mention I could always feel Brock tense when that question came up. I could practically hear him accusing me of callously not giving him a second thought while every moment he had been held captive and tortured it was me who had consumed his thoughts. It was me who had given him the will to survive. Those words cut my soul in ways that would never heal. I wasn’t sure he would ever believe my answer.

I placed my hand on top of our already-clasped hands and took a deep breath in and out, trying to compose myself. “I’m not sure words can properly