BethFrom: Nick.Hoffman@us.gov.orgTo: Beth.Hoffman@mymail.comDear Darling Sister,You heard me right and yes, I’ve been drinking. Rack and I drank too much tonight. His brother, back in the States, died yesterday and Rack’s in a bad place. I’m worried for him. Worried he’ll be reckless and get his ass shot. We move out early tomorrow morning and he shouldn’t be going. He needs to return home but, like you, he’s stubborn. Don’t worry about me. I’m a badass. On a lighter note, I’ve convinced Rack he needs to marry you. Believe it or not it wasn’t easy. Sooo, you need to kick this Kevin guy in the balls and move on. We’ll be home in a few months and I’m hiring Rack to kidnap you and take you to a deserted island until you fall in love with each other. It’s the only thing that will help him deal with his loss. I’m counting on you.Your badass brother,Nick***I couldn’t help noticing the growing bulge in Rack’s pants before he walked out. Or the slightly larger one when he handed me th

RackI’ve never deviated from a mission or allowed anyone to sway me from my goals. This woman is different. She’s trouble. It must be all the stories her brother spilled. I remember Nick telling me each escapade in hilarious detail. When she was nine she grabbed a woman’s leg in a convenience store who was shoplifting and refused to let go. She yelled, “Thief, thief,” until the entire shopping public came to see what was happening. When a few years older she stepped in front of a man who was threatening to hit his wife. Nick said she saw no gray in the world and lived for justice. She has the same ethics as my family—good people with a defined line between right and wrong. I can’t have her. She’d never survive my life. Even though she says she’ll kill Angelo, she wouldn’t. Her moral compass is set in stone.I break the kiss that I should never have started. She’s breathless, her mouth wet from my lips. She’s so damn sexy…and soft…and desirable. Her flushed cheeks, filled out by the p

BethTo: Beth Hoffman,Enclosed you will find your brother’s final communication. He has paid the ultimate sacrifice to his country and so has his family. I grieve with you.Commander E. MontgomeryDearest Beth,By now you know I didn’t keep my promise and that I’m not coming home. Forgive me. I would give anything to see you grow into a more incredible woman, find that special man who completes you, and make baby Beths who will be as cute as you. From the moment you were born, I loved you. I hear that’s rather strange for older brothers but to me you were the perfect bundle of joy and you gave my life purpose. This is actually the second “just in case” letter I’ve written. This new one is because of my friendship with Rack. I’ve beat you upside the head about him. I won’t do it in this letter. But I need you to know that he will always be there for you. You can depend on him no matter the circumstances. Grieve for me and then move on with your life. I want your happiness above all el

Rack“We’re heading to the first vehicle I found for sale.” I notice her looking down at the receipt.“What do you actually do for a living?” she asks.I knew the question would come up eventually. “I work security for Xavier Moon.” If she recognizes his name, my answer will lead to more questions. I told her I wouldn’t lie. There are things I can’t talk about and I’ll relay exactly that if her questions touch sensitive areas.She looks back down at the receipt. “He must pay quite well.”I think about my foreign account with more than ten times what this one has. “Moon takes care of his employees,” is all I say.“I’ve never seen half a million dollars even on paper.”“What?”“You withdrew thirty thousand dollars and have half a million left. I can’t even imagine.”I place my hand out and she hands me the receipt. I’m driving, so I take only a quick look at the small paper. Sure enough, I have five hundred and one thousand dollars remaining.“Gomez,” I mutter.“Is that code for somethi

Rack“Now you know my big dark secret.” I laugh as a way to take her mind off the pain. She’s holding tight but I don’t know how long it will last. I’m terrified over delivering the baby. Give me a rifle and something to shoot—I’m your guy. Bringing a child into this world—mind numbing terror.I thought about forgoing the call to Lincoln so he had no chance to say no. What if he wasn’t there? Beth is a trouper, but I know we’re almost out of time. If we’re pulled over, it means we’re going straight to a hospital with a police escort. I’ll let fate decide. Even though my brother has training, it doesn’t mean he can handle an emergency if something goes wrong.Beth gains control and replies, “I won’t tell a soul, but now I have a lot of questions. Not now, though. Can you sing?”Her question comes out of left field. “No, not at all. You want me to turn on the radio?”“Yeah, something mellow. I need to keep calm.”I turn on the radio. It works until we’re about an hour from my brother’s