Chapter 2

"You've finally decided to turn your phone back on, Callan. I assume you're back with your family; is everyone doing okay?"

Gunthar's booming voice came through the line. Each word sounded like a battle cry, warming my heart.

"There's a little trouble at home, General, but I can handle it."

I swallowed hard, fighting back the crack in my voice. The last thing I wanted was to bring my negative emotions back to the unit.

But Gunthar was a veteran of a thousand battles. He caught the strain in my voice, and his tone turned deadly serious. "Stay put. I'm coming to HC myself. It's high time the Sentinel's Edge plaque you earned sees the light of day."

His words sent a stream of warmth rushing through my veins. I'd spent ten years guarding the nation's borders and earned that plaque with my blood and soul.

With a sharp crack, Jude slapped the phone out of my hand and stomped hard on it. "You won't stop playing make-believe and calling the General, will you? You must think you're in some goddamn movie."

Jude and the bodyguards behind him burst into raucous laughter, and their eyes were full of contempt.

The flicker of hope I'd just felt was immediately crushed under his foot. They had no idea what kind of call they'd just cut off.

I protected Piper behind me and locked my cold stare on Jude and his advancing bodyguards.

"Do you have any idea what the punishment is for hanging up that call?" I calmly asked.

Jude spat. "All I know is that in Hyporion, my sister, Velda Mercer, is the law! I'll give you one last chance—crawl between my legs and let Piper spend the night with me, and I'll let this slide."

His words pushed my rage past its breaking point, but before I could react, Piper lunged at Jude to take on everything herself and save me from humiliation.

"No!" I tried to stop her, but it was too late.

"Wow! The brat's got some spirit, almost like a loyal puppy protecting her master!"

Jude and his bodyguards howled with raucous laughter and began hurling insults.

My anger finally exploded.

"I'll kill you!"

Nothing could drive me mad more than seeing Piper humiliated.

I roared and charged forward, smashing my fist into a bodyguard's jaw until it was dislocated. But Jude's men were trained professionals, so no matter how well I could fight, I was outnumbered.

"Beat him to death; I'll take the heat if he's crippled! And don't forget the woman!" he hysterically screamed.

To protect Piper, I forced her beneath me and took on the rain of fists, kicks, and swinging batons with my back. Every strike felt like it was landing on my heart.

She trembled in my arms with tears streaming down her face.

"Don't worry about me, Callan… Just run…" she sobbed.

I held her tight as the blows rained on me like a hailstorm. Blood trickled from the corner of my mouth and dripped onto her face.

Suddenly, a cold, sharp voice cut through the chaos. "Stop!"

Velda appeared, flanked by a massive entourage, and looked at me with eyes full of pure disgust.

"Callan! Haven't you caused enough of a scene already?"