Brinley cracked open the door just an inch but Huck immediately jumped and began a low, menacing growl deep in his throat. She patted his head and scratched behind his furry ears to calm him and he licked her hand in gratitude.

“Let’s not wake up your human, okay?” she whispered, furtively looking right and left. Jason was as exhausted as she was and at least one of them should get some sleep.

She tiptoed down the stairs to the kitchen and peeked in the refrigerator. Grabbing a plastic jug of milk, she closed the door and quietly rummaged in the nearest cabinet for a saucepan.

“Do you need some help?”

Her heart stopped for a moment and she sucked in a strangled breath. Jason was standing right next to her, illuminated by the moonlight streaming through the windows. She exhaled in relief, resting her forehead on the cool wood of the cabinet and her heart started beating again. Her legs seemed to give way and she clutched the counter for support.

“You scared the shit out of me,” she hissed, her hand pressed against her chest. “My God, I thought you were an ax murderer or something.”

Jason reached behind her and flipped a switch, the room flooding with light that made her squint and wince. “I’m sorry. I heard footsteps and came to investigate.”

She blinked a few times to get accustomed to the light. “Is that how you confront an intruder? No weapon and in your jammies?”

Jason made nightwear look very good indeed. His wide shoulders strained against the soft cotton of his t-shirt that was paired with a pair of black boxer shorts that did nothing to hide the kind of muscular thighs that didn’t come from sitting behind a desk.

Suddenly the kitchen seemed way too warm and sweat was dampening the back of her neck. Lifting her hair to try and get a cool breeze, she realized she wasn’t wearing all that much clothing either. Dressed in one of Jason’s shirts that came down almost to her knees, she had nothing on underneath except a brief strip of panties. She tugged on the hem and tried to pull it lower, feeling way too exposed.

“If you were an intruder Huck would be barking his head off with your leg dangling from his teeth. I figured it was you wandering the house.”

Brinley sagged against the counter. “I was trying not to wake you.”

“I was already awake. I have trouble sleeping a lot of nights.” He picked up the jug of milk. “Were you thinking about some warm milk? How about some hot chocolate? It’s not really cold enough but I can turn down the thermostat if you like.”

“Hot chocolate sounds really good. Thank you.” She slid onto one of the barstools around the kitchen island. “I know why I’m awake. What’s your excuse?”

“It’s kind of a long story.” He poured the milk into a pan and added sugar and cocoa. “I’ve got some of those over the counter sleeping pills if you want to take one. It might help.”

Jason reached into a high cabinet above the refrigerator and pulled down a bottle. “I tried them once but they made me groggy the next day.”

“I’m desperate.” She checked the label with a knowing nod. “Just as I thought. They’re basically Benadryl. I will take one. It can take care of my allergies and sleeplessness all at the same time.”

“I took two. Maybe that was my problem. Do you want a glass of water?”

“I’ll take it with my hot chocolate. Now you said something about a long story. Well, I’ve got nothing but time before this pill kicks in. Is it a secret? Will you have to kill me if I find out?”

*

Jason’s story wasn’t a secret.

It wasn’t all that pleasant either.

Mostly he went about his days trying not to think about it. The therapist he’d been seeing talked about filling his days with good and pleasant experiences. She’d even suggested that he work on his personal relationships.

So he’d adopted Huck.

It wasn’t at all what she’d had in mind but at the time it was the closest he could come to reaching out to other human beings. It was easier now. He’d strengthened his friendships, especially with Jared and Logan, not to mention the bonds with his own family. But still on many nights sleep eluded him.

When it was dark and he was alone…that’s when the memories came rushing back.

He poured the hot chocolate into two mugs, his hands shaking slightly but not enough that she would notice. He handed one to Brinley before taking a stool at the island. Reaching into the jar on the island, he plucked out a dog treat and tossed it to Huck who downed it in one big gulp.

“You don’t have to tell me anything. I was just making conversation.”

Brinley had misunderstood his silence, mistaking it for a negative response to her query. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to tell her. Hell, if she hung around Tremont long enough she’d learn the story. Part of it, anyway. The details that were fit for public consumption. He’d deliberately allowed the gossip in town about him so he didn’t have to personally talk about it.

It didn’t hurt or scare him now. Mostly he kept it locked away in its own little box. Just like he had been in that hell hole of a prison.

“It’s not a secret,” he began, picking his words carefully. “I’m kind of surprised no one else has told you. Gossip and all.”

“I didn’t take part in gossip. When people start that I walk away. Nothing good ever comes from it.”

Jason smiled at her naiveté. “If you control it, manipulate it, it’s not so bad. Since the gossip mill tells this story I don’t have to.”

“Do they get it right?”

Jason sipped at the hot chocolate to give himself time to answer. “No. But that’s okay. No one ever asks me about it.”

“It was bad.”

Brinley didn’t make it sound like a question.

“As I mentioned before I used to work for the DEA. During one of my investigations I was taken hostage by a drug cartel and held for weeks. I finally escaped. That’s why I find it hard to sleep,” he stated calmly. Now she knew what pretty much everyone in Tremont knew.

“That’s why you retired.”

“One of the reasons. By the time I was cleared to go back in the field I found that I didn’t really have the drive anymore. It was like bailing the ocean with a teaspoon. I’d put someone out of business and behind bars and three more would sprout up in his place.”

Jason didn’t even bother to mention the interdepartmental politics and backstabbing that he’d grown tired of. He didn’t have the patience for climbing the ladder that he’d had fresh out of the military.

She set the cup down but didn’t break eye contact with him. “I would imagine being held hostage by a drug cartel is one of the less pleasant things a person could experience. I’ve heard stories about the things they do.”

The unspoken question hung between them. Were the stories true?

“It’s not something I’d like to repeat,” he finally said. It wasn’t as difficult to talk to her about it as he’d thought it would be. She didn’t judge or fake histrionics. She just sat quietly and listened. It’s too bad she hadn’t been around months ago. “They did torture me but not as bad as it could have been. I escaped before it got worse. And it would have. I learned a lot about people from my time being held prisoner.”

Selena, the sister of one of his captors, had told him the cartel had much more diabolical things in store for Jason. He wasn’t giving them the information they wanted and they were determined to get it.

One way or another.

He’d been just as determined not to give it as he’d known that his only value was in the information he had. Once he’d revealed it he was a dead man.

“What did you learn?”

Her softly spoken question was a surprise. The few people that he’d talked to always asked about the torture he’d endured. They wanted the gritty details. At least they thought they did. He rarely satisfied their curiosity.

“I learned that there is good in some people. There was a woman there – Selena – she was the sister of one of the cartel leaders. She was kind to me. She gave me food and water. Eventually she helped me escape by telling me when I wouldn’t be watched. I wouldn’t be breathing if it wasn’t for her.”