Jenessa, having long ago repressed her feelings for Miles, found herself dealing with old emotions once again as she took to the streets with the others to scout for patriots.
She had never acted on it; Miles had no idea she was interested in him and there was no reason to tell him now, she furiously told herself. She was merely here to bring down those damned patriots who had murdered her parents for defending their farm, not have a romance with her former sergeant.
Roark could tell something was on his partner's mind. He had always been able to read her since she had joined their unit years ago.
"Spill it, Jen," he said after she scrunched up her nose for the one-millionth time.
She whipped her head toward him in disbelief. She had forgotten Roark was there, she'd been so lost in thought.
"It's nothing," Jenessa said, stiffening her shoulders.
"Nothing my ass," Roark said, stopping midstride and grabbing her wrist. "You forget I know you better than anyone."
Jenessa sighed and shook her wrist loose. Roark was right; he'd been like a brother to her, silently protecting her when things got a little rowdy on assignment. She shifted from one foot to the other, kicking a rock or two, unwilling to look at him.
"What's eating at you?" Roark asked, crossing his arms.
"Remember how I refused to go out with you all to the bars?" she finally said.
"Yeah. So what? I just figured you got enough bullshit during the day you didn't want it at night too," he said.
"That wasn't the real reason," Jenessa said. Roark waited for her answer. Jenessa growled and balled her hands at her sides.
"I had a crush on Miles," she spit out. "I was fool for thinking that it would ever amount to anything."
Roark's face softened in understanding.
"And now that you're here, it brought it all back," he said. "Does he know?"
"No! And don't you dare tell him," she said, menacingly stepping toward him.
Roark raised his hands in mock surrender.
"Hey, when have I ever broke a promise?" he asked.
Jenessa dropped her head. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't take it out on you."
"Don't worry about it," Roark said, lightly punching her in the shoulder. "Let's get back to work."
Tom was pissed. The thought of having to answer that blond bitch was really getting under his skin. He loathed Miles for putting him in this position and determined he would find a way to bring the girl down, just like he had her father. His best plot at the moment was to "accidently" put a bullet in her brain during training.
Wyatt, who had been paired with Tom for patrols, watched Tom out of the corner of his eye.
Not long after Tom's arrival, Miles had pulled Wyatt aside, briefed him on the back history, and told him to stick to Tom like glue. While Miles believed Tom was useful, he warned Wyatt the man was a crafty bastard who given the chance would likely kill them all for his own gain.
Wyatt could tell Tom was not happy about being assigned to the mundane task of patrolling. It was obvious the man would rather gouge his own eyes out. His hatred for Charlie was evident, too, which set Wyatt on edge.
How could a man have so much ire for someone so young? And why? Wyatt wondered. Tom had killed Miles' brother and then had a hand in harming other members of Miles' family. Now he was out to get Miles' daughter.
After Miles had briefed him, Wyatt had talked to Roark and Jenessa that evening at their house to bring them up to speed. All of them willingly agreed Tom Neville was dangerous and secretly made a pact they would assassinate him if he became too much of a problem.