Falcon: The Quiet Professionals Book 3 Read Online Free PDF

have to contact Command.”
    “Hey—”
    “They need to know right away that he’s gone.”
    “Brie,” Eamon said, taking long strides to catch up with her fast pace down the hall. “Brie, wait.” He caught her arm. Tugged her around.
    “Please.” Her word squeaked into a whisper as her blue orbs flicked to his chest.
    A wall of protective instincts rose up in him as awareness muddied the waters. Her athletic build still seemed dwarfed when they stood close. He touched her shoulder. “Brie, it’s okay to grieve.”
    A tear broke free. Spilled down her tawny cheek. She shook it away. “No, it’s not.” She met his gaze, strength she’d mustered from somewhere deep filling her features.
    Eamon angled in, concerned. “He—”
    “I can’t.” Vulnerability skated across her pretty face. “Not now.” She drew in another shaky breath, her hands trembling. “I have to…”
    “Brie.”
    She cupped a hand over her mouth as a sob escaped.
    Eamon’s arms went around her shoulders, tugging her close, but she went rigid. Though she let out a few choked sobs, she kept that tight control in place before finally stepping out of his hold.
    She gave a nod-shake. “Sorry. Thank you. I…” She looked down the hall. “Oh no.” Her brow twisted into a knot. “His wife…”
    “No, leave that for the Army.”
    “But she’s his wife! She should know he’s gone.”
    “Yes. And she will. But if you call her—who will be there to hold her as she comes to grips with his death? Let’s leave that to special services to make sure someone is there to help her through this.”
    She gave a curt nod. “Of course. You’re right.” Brie swallowed. “That’s why you came to me.”
    True. He’d known of Brie’s special relationship with the general and didn’t want her to find out alone. Or by anyone else. “He was like a father to you, so—”
    “Yes.” Determination flitted into her eyes. “Yes, he is”—she shook her head—”
was
. Which is why I need to honor him by pushing on, finding his murderer.”
    Eamon inched closer, itching to hold her. Make everything right. She was tough, strong, determined, and focused. There was a reason Burnett had her as his aide, and it was the same reason that had drawn Eamon into her net, too.
    Shoulders squared, hair in that meticulous bun, Brie nodded. “Thank you, Titanis.” She sighed. “I have work to do. If you’ll excuse me.”
    “Of course.” He tucked away his misplaced thoughts. The ones that had him feeling like a scolded schoolboy. A billion dollars, a yacht, a powerful father, an outstanding military service record. But the one area he desperately wanted to succeed… instead, he walked into a landmine field of rejection.

CHAPTER 4
    Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan

26 March—1300 Hours
    G rief was the vicious enemy of progress.
    Sal sat in the squeaky chair at his desk, elbows on his knees. Head down. Barely visible from his position, the office down the hall sat ominously closed up. It seemed to epitomize death with the way it alone sat darkened when all other lights glowed and tinkled.
    When Burnett was around, the door was open and more than just the lights glowed. Hope. Progress. Sal lowered his gaze, remembering the general. Remembering his caustic wit that could be easily taken as mean. But to those who knew him, he was a balls-to-the-walls kind of guy. Gut it up and get it done. He didn’t put up with crap, and he didn’t dish it out either. With Lance Burnett came solid, honest, hardworking ethics. Sal had lost an anchor in life. He knew if he got off center, the general would yank his butt back in line. Give him what for and tell him to straighten up or ship out.
    Now he was gone. Murdered on a tragic, deadly night. Right in front of his own soldiers. Right out his office door, practically.
    “Who do you think will replace him?” Hawk asked, boots propped on the legs of his chair and head against the wall.
    Sal leaned back with a heavy