War Wounded (The War Trilogy #2.5) (16 page)
Read War Wounded (The War Trilogy #2.5) Online
Authors: Andria Large
“Shit, I'm sorry, man. Is there anything I can do for you?” Tripp asks, putting his hand on Vance's knee.
Vance shakes his head as his throat works to stop the undignified moan that wants out. He goes back to unbuttoning his shirt. In a zombie-like trance, he takes off his holstered gun then pulls his shirttails out of his pants before he can pull it off. His undershirt is next. Tripp straightens up as Vance stands and takes off his pants, also landing in the pile with the rest of the clothes. Vance heads into his bathroom in his underwear and shuts the door without another word to Tripp.
He turns on the shower as hot as he can stand it. After stepping in, he braces his hands on the wall with the showerhead on it, drops his chin to his chest, and lets the water beat down his head and back. Trying so hard to forget, his whole body shakes, struggling to rid itself of the gruesome memories. How could anyone do that to a child? Vance's heart breaks for those three little girls. His sister has two little girls - his only nieces - that he just adores and spoils rotten.
Shit, Vance starts to imagine something like this happening to his nieces. He lets out a pained groan, his stomach wanting to expel his lunch. Vance has to get away from this case; if he ever catches the guy who did this, he'll be in jail for murder.
“Tomorrow morning,” he says emphatically, even though there is nobody else in the bathroom to hear him. First thing in the morning, Vance resolves to ask the Chief to take him off the case. He's seen some pretty nasty shit, but this tops the cake, and he obviously can't handle it.
Once he cements his plan to withdraw from the case, his body begins to relax. He washes himself quickly then gets out of the shower, drying off with a towel as he walks naked back into his bedroom. He’s not in the mood to see his friends right now, so he just climbs into bed and pulls the covers up over his head, praying for a peaceful sleep.
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