Forced to Kill Read Online Free PDF

sense, Nathan broke Montez, not the reverse. At the end, he was torturing Nathan purely out of frustration and anger.”
    “I can’t imagine what he went through.”
    “Few people can. Nathan is the ultimate unsung hero who will never, ever , be publicly acknowledged for his sacrifice to his country. He is the finest, most honorable man I’ve ever known. I’d give my life for him, and he’d do the same for me. And you.”
    Holly thought back to the first time he’d spent the night at her house. Nathan had insisted on sleeping on the floor. That was odd enough. Then came his horrible dream. The way he’d jumped off the floor when she’d yelled his name. The expression of rage in his eyes and the paralyzing sense of danger she’d felt. Almost as though he’d been someone else for a few seconds.
    Some thing else.…
     

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

Chapter 5
     
     
     
    Nathan walked back to Holly’s sedan. The longer he stayed out here, the more it would worry her. To avoid startling them, he approached from the front of the vehicle, then came around to the passenger’s side and climbed into the backseat.
    “I trust my absence hasn’t spooked either of you irreparably?”
    Holly turned in the front seat to face him, concern in her eyes. “You okay?”
    “I needed to clear my head. Sorry.”
    “You’ve got nothing to apologize for. What you went through.…”
    “It’s okay.”
    “No, it’s not okay .”
    He forced a smile. “Can’t say I like it much. We’re pressed for time, but let’s grab a bite. Anyone hungry?”
    “There’s an all-night coffee shop about a mile from here,” Holly said.
    Harv climbed out. “I’m gonna lock her up and grab our bags. Be right back.”
    Nathan stayed in the backseat and an uneasy silence ensued. He knew she didn’t want to break it, so he spoke first. “You look great, Holly.”
    “I don’t feel great. I’ve gained ten pounds since the bombing. It’s this damned cane. I can’t exercise like I used to.”
    “You look fine.”
    “I’ve really missed you.”
    “Me too.”
    “Will you stay with me tonight? Harvey too. I mean—”
    “I know what you mean. No problem.”
    “You going to sleep on the floor?”
    “I like sleeping on the floor.”
    “You’re the most unusual man I’ve ever met.”
    “You don’t get out much.”
    “Is Harvey a light sleeper?”
    “I’m afraid so. The man can sleep with his eyes open. It’s the damnedest thing you ever saw.”
    “I’d like to sleep next to you tonight, even if it’s on the floor.”
    “You can’t.”
    “I’m willing to risk it.”
    He took her hand. “But I’m not.”
    “Think I’ll ever be able to?”
    “Probably not. I’ll never lead a normal life, Holly. Montez stole that from me. All I can do is be the best person I can to you.”
    “You’re one of the kindest men I’ve ever known.”
    He nodded toward the helicopter.
    “Is he coming?”
    “Harv knows the score. Don’t worry about him, and don’t let him insist on staying in a hotel tonight.”
    “I won’t.”
    Harv placed the bags on the seat next to him and slid into the front. “We’re good to go. Listen, you two should be alone tonight. I don’t mind roughing it at the Hyatt again.”
    Holly smiled at him in the rearview mirror. “I’ve got a spare bedroom. It’s no trouble at all.”
    “Are you sure?”
    “Yes, absolutely.”
     
    ***
     
    The all-night diner featured an aeronautical theme. Model airplanes of all shapes and eras hung from the ceiling. Wooden propellers and memorabilia adorned the walls. As always, Nathan was amazed at Harv’s ability to eat an inordinate amount of food.
    Holly filled Nathan in on what she’d already told Harvey.
    “Do you have an ID on the body?”
    “Yes, his name is Arthur Kramer. His fingerprints were identified quickly. He was an American attaché assigned to the U.S. embassy in Hungary.”
    “Hungary?” Harv asked. “What kind of attaché?”
    “A commercial