“What can I do? There has to be something.”

Mark reached through the narrow gap and touched Charlotte’s fingers, the closest they could come to holding hands with his still handcuffed. “This.” He sighed. “This helps. Knowing I’m not alone.”

“You’re not alone,” Charlotte whispered.

“That’s the best part of a SEAL team. Someone has your back.”

“I’ll help you any way I can.”

“You’ve made that clear. At this point, I think it’s best if we let things play out.”

“How much can you take?”

“The SEAL training drummed all the quit out of me years ago.”

“I’m serious.”

“So am I. I know you’re scared. I’m sorry. We just have to stay tough. This is a performance. An attempt to prove he can best a navy SEAL, that’s all.”

“Well, it’s not even B-movie material.”

He sputtered a small laugh. “Let him have his fifteen minutes of fame. I can take whatever he dishes out.”

“How?”

“Mind over matter. When I get an opening, I’ll jump on it no matter how bad I look right now.”

“We’ll jump on it,” she said.

* * *

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