NINETEEN

Zarek

I didn't catch a wink of sleep. Leora was curled up against me, her breath warm on my neck. It should have been comforting, but a restless fear was creeping into my heart. In my gut, I knew we needed to be together to face what was coming.

But there it was—that gnawing fear every time I pictured her with the squad, suited up and in the line of fire. She had chosen this path for herself, boldly stepping into danger, and it wasn't my place to pull her back. I had no right to make this call for her.

So, there I was, wide awake, thinking about how I could possibly make her journey smoother, how I could support her without stepping over the line. I needed to shake off this urge to control, to protect her from everything. If I didn't loosen up, she'd be right to walk away. And I surely wasn't ready for that.

???

The morning came in with a startling commotion. Loading up the cars, I made multiple trips from the rooms to the cars that were now parked inside the warehouse using our sneaky garage door on the side wall. Kabir kept a watch on the camera feed for any new snipers or ambush near us.

I walked past Leora on one of the trips and she gave me a wink. I never thought I'd be blushing over a woman, not at this age. But here I was, heat flooding my cheeks.

"I guess I won't need to bunk in the command center," Kabir grinned.

"Because…?" I gave him a confused look.

"Won't you and Leora be shacking up?" he gave a knowing smirk wiggling his brows.

I shoved a case of magazines to his chest, "Get this in the Escalade."

Once we were all packed and ready, we took off to our new safehouse which was across Toronto, on the other side of Ontario. Passing through the Gardiner Expressway and sliding past the CN tower, I saw Leora looking out the window with a slight sheen in her eyes. It was clear she missed her old life.

"Can we–" she started, "Never mind."

"What is it?" I asked her, peaking through the mirror and glancing at Logan asleep cradling his glock in his hand close to his chest.

"A detour would be dangerous, right?" she asked hesitantly.

I nodded, "It would. Where did you want to go, Mi Corazón?"

I heard a faint snort from the back seat. Fucker .

"My parents' house. Logan told me they were informed of my absence. But I just wanted to see them myself, you know?"

I sighed. This was how I was going to show that I trusted her to make her own choices. "I guess we could drop you off there. You can meet them for a day, explain your absence, and we'll pick you up tomorrow?"

"What if–"

"Logan can play guard dog."

"Logan can't. But Leo's man can," he mumbled from the backseat.

I rolled my eyes and smiled.

"Are you sure?" Leora asked me, her voice shaky.

I nodded and pressed a button on the dash that connected me with the other car.

"Rivera 32577, confirming detour to Milton," I said.

"Desmond 39901, copy," Amelia's voice came through, "Ghost, why?"

"Leora wants to stay overnight with her parents. I'll watch guard, Logan can drive the rest with you guys."

A faint "whipped" sounded on the comms. Kabir. Amelia cleared her throat and continued, "Got it, Boss."

I disconnected and looked at Logan through the mirror, "You good to drive?"

He groaned and sat up, "Yep. When should I pick you both up tomorrow?"

"1300 hours," Leora answered before I could respond.

"Oooh, already practicing being Alpha Squad Six, huh?" Logan singsonged .

I saw Leora smile in my peripheral vision.

Thirty minutes later we pulled up near a small suburban house in Milton. The house was well maintained, its brown bricks and white accents gave it a homely yet beautiful look.

As I removed my gear and vest to appear less daunting, Logan slid into the driver's seat and drove away. I noticed Leora exhale shakily before she made her way to the front door. Matching her pace, I caught up and intertwined our fingers.

She pressed the doorbell, and shortly after, a white-haired woman swung the door open. The shock and joy on her face were palpable as she pulled Leora into a tight embrace, tears brimming in her eyes immediately. "Ora, my baby," she exclaimed, holding her close.

Behind her, an older man—Leora's father—appeared, his face breaking into a relieved smile. Oliver and Alessandra Mateez, both doctors at UHN, radiated warmth and concern. The depth of their greeting struck me, contrasting sharply with the distant relationship I had with my own parents, who hadn't bothered to look for me during my years of no-contact. I knew if Zavier was still alive, I'd be granted my warm familial greeting. But that was no longer an option.

"Are you hurt?" Oliver's voice was laced with concern as he gently cupped Leora's cheeks.

Shaking her head, Leora reassured, "I'm completely fine."

Their attention then shifted to me. With a slightly nervous smile, Leora introduced me, "This is Detective Zarek Rivera. He's a cop I'm working with. "

My surprise must have flickered across my face, but I quickly masked it. What was she playing at?

Before I could utter a word of greeting, Leora quickly suggested, "Let's go inside. I'll explain everything there."

We settled into their cozy living room, taking a seat on the gray couch. Her parents sat across from us, their eyes curious and a bit cautious.

"Are you two dating?" Oliver didn't waste a moment.

"Dad!" Leora's protest echoed around the room.

I extended my hand. "Hello, Dr. and Mrs. Mateez. It's lovely to meet you both. I apologize for not introducing myself properly earlier," I said, raising an eyebrow playfully at Leora.

Oliver's handshake was firm, betraying his need for reassurance about the man with his daughter.

Alessandra, ever the hopeful, chimed in with a gentle smile, "So, you two are dating?"

"We're new, ma'am," I admitted, a soft smile playing on my lips.

"Oh, please. Call me Sandra," she smiled back and turned to Leora, "He's very handsome, Ora."

"Mom," Leora glared at her.

I gave Leora a soft kiss on her temple and whispered, "I'll step out so you can talk, okay?" She gave a small nod, and I walked towards the sliding glass door that led to the backyard.

About fifteen minutes later, Oliver joined me, carrying two glasses. He handed me one filled with whiskey and ice. "Thank you, Dr. Mateez."

"Please, call me Oliver," he insisted with a dismissive wave of his hand. He then took a moment to study my face intently before speaking. "She told us about the risks she's facing. Thank you for being there for her, Zarek."

"It's part of the job," I replied respectfully.

"Were you in the military?" he asked, catching me slightly off guard.

I nodded, managing a small smile. "Yes, sir, I was."

"And now a detective?"

I paused, wary of the discrepancy between what Leora might have told him and my actual story. "I—"

"You're not really a detective, are you?" His expression turned steely.

"Dr. Mateez—"

He set both our glasses down on the patio table with a firm clink and fixed me with a scrutinizing gaze. My heart raced, wondering if I'd been found out.

"Zarek Rivera," he mused under his breath, then looked up sharply. "I know a special unit man when I see one."

I froze.

He extended his hand again, and as I reached out, he yanked me closer. "Major Oliver Mateez, ex-CSIS, military doctor," he disclosed in a low tone, his eyes piercing. "Does Leora know the truth about you?"

I nodded, the revelation of his past and identity sending a chill through me. "She knows, sir. She wasn't fooled. But what about you? Does she know about your past?"

He chuckled softly, "I'm no longer that person, Zarek. I met Alessandra after a mission went bad. In a few weeks I quit the force. Retired to be a normal, boring old doctor," he smiled.

I smiled back at him, but quickly a shadow took over my expression. I wasn't planning on quitting Alpha Squad. Did her father expect a normal life for her, a life she would never get with me? White picket fence, brick house in the suburbs.

I can't give her that .

I was about to speak when Leora stepped out into the sunlight, her skin shining golden in the sunlight. Her appearance momentarily distracted me, and I lost my train of thought.

"Mom is calling us for lunch."

Oliver gave a nod and picked up his whiskey, heading back inside. I pulled her closer, stealing a quick, tender kiss that seemed to lighten her spirits as a small smile graced her lips.

"What was that for?" she murmured, her eyes searching mine for clues.

"Just needed to catch my breath for a moment," I confessed, allowing a broad grin to spread across my face.

"Aren't we already outside?" she teased, her chuckle mingling with the evening breeze.

I responded by kissing the tip of her nose, a playful shrug accompanying my gesture. "Just making sure you're really here," I joked.

She leaned into me, her voice lowering as she shared, "My parents told Ally and the others I'm okay. They were freaking out when I disappeared on my birthday."

"Should we meet up with them, maybe reassure them in person?" I suggested, half-hoping to integrate more normalcy into the chaos that had become her life.

She shook her head firmly. "It's better if they stay out of this. I don't want anyone else getting dragged into this mess. "

My lips twitched into a half-smile at her protective instinct. "So you're saying you'd want to keep them safe from this life, huh?" I teased, echoing her earlier concerns about involvement.

She caught the irony immediately and gave me a playful shove. "Zarek Rivera, you do not get to turn my words around on me. They're not in this, not like I am."

I chuckled, accepting my defeat, but my gaze couldn't help wandering over the serene backyard setting. Turning back to her, a more serious tone took over. "Do you wish for this?"

"Wish for what?"

"Brick houses, backyards with patio furniture… this?"

She paused, considering the question seriously before letting out a soft sigh. "Are you worried that you might not be able to give me the life you think I want?"

I gazed deeply into her eyes, looking for any trace of doubt or hesitation. Finding none, I listened intently.

"I don't want any of this, Zarek. I want you and I hope I have you."

I kissed her temple and sighed a breath of relief. For now, I would believe her. I spent too much time assuming and deciding for her. No more.

"You have me, Mi Corazón."

But for how long?