Rebecca Zanetti - Blind Faith

Publishing a book requires both solitude to write and collaboration to make happen. BLIND FAITH wouldnt exist without the generosity and hard work from several amazing people. Id first like to express my gratitude to my family and friends, especially Big Tone, for keeping me from becoming a hermit as I write.

A big thank-you to my editor, Michele Bidelspach, who is singularly one of the most insightful and intelligent women Ive ever had the honor of working with.

To my agent, Caitlin Blasdell, who has provided much needed guidance, humor, and protection in this wild publishing industrymy career and writing are where they are right now because of our mutual hard work. To Liza Dawson, thank you for the support and the fun dinners while at conferences!

Thanks to Megha Parekh for all the hard work and great communication, and thanks to copy editor Carrie Andrews and production editor Jamie Snider for the precise, excellent work. Thank you also to Diane Luger and Larry Rostant for the truly awesome book covers, and to everyone at Grand Central Publishing / Forever who work so tirelessly getting books to happy readers.

Finally, thanks to my street team, Rebeccas Realm Runners, for the incredible support and a fun place to play on Facebook.

Southern Tennessee Hills

Twenty Years Ago

Nathans boots echoed on the hard tiles, the deep sound thrown back by the cinder blocks lining the wall. Hed wiped the snow off the bottom of his boots before heading inside, but the soles were still slippery. His eleven-year-old gut churned, and his mind spun. His older brother, Mattie, was out on a mission, and shit was about to hit the fan.

The situation was totally Nates fault, but he couldnt be taken from the facility. If he was forced out, Matt would blame himself. And who would take care of the two younger brothers when Matt went out on assignment? At around twelve years old, Matt often went out on a job, and somebody had to protect Shane and Jory. Nate had taken on the duty years ago.

He paused outside of the office doorway and took several deep breaths. Centering himself, he smoothed his face into innocent lines and knocked on the door.

Come in, came the low baritone of the commander.

Sweat dripped down Nates back. He shoved open the door and hurried inside to stand at attention. The scents of bleach and gunpowder nauseated him.

The commander studied him with black, fathomless eyes while sitting behind a metal desk. He wore a soldiers uniform, his hair in a buzz cut, his body lean and hard. Behind him sat a woman furiously scribbling in a notebook on a small table. Dr. Madison, the head scientist who studied the cadets at the facility, liked to scribble.

We seem to have a situation, Cadet Nathan, the commander said.

Nates spit dried up. Yes, sir. God, please make the situation be about what hed done wrong and not about Matts mission. Matt was invincible. Nothing could happen to him.

We found your stash of tree, decorations, and cookies, Dr. Madison said, her blue eyes narrowing in calculation.

Relief tickled down Nates spine. Matt was all right. Yes, maam. Damn it. Hed hidden those items carefully in a storage shack on the outskirts of one of the training fields. How had they found everything?

Cadet Nathan, this is a military facility. You are a soldier created in a lab to follow orders and protect our organization. The commander pushed back from the desk and rose to his full height. How in the world did you learn about Christmas?

Nate tilted his head to look way up at the commanders face. Someday Nate would be taller and bigger. Even tougher. But now, not so much. I cant remember, sir. In truth, he and his three brothers had snuck into computer rooms to watch television sitcoms via satellite. The idea of Christmas had struck a chord with all of them.

The brothers fought for freedom by following orders, and they fought for other people to have families and pretty trees with presents. Maybe someday Nate and his brothers could have that, too. If they were strong enough and good enough, maybe theyd get families who would love them. Christmas seemed to be about family and love, both of which intrigued Nate until his chest hurt.

Humph. The commander clasped his hands behind his back. I take it you were planning some sort of celebration with your brothers?

Nates knees wobbled, but he stayed upright. Yes, sir. I thought the younger brothers should have good memories of their childhoods. It was too late for him, and that was all right. But he needed to give his younger brothers something good in their lives. Plus, seeing the younger kids happy cut down on Matts guilt over how hard he trained them.

How did you procure the items? Dr. Madison asked, her pencil poised to write.

Nate shrugged. I cut off the top of a tree and made the decorations from old weapons. The presents hed either stolen throughout the compound or made himself, and those were hidden somewhere else. Hopefully safely. Jory would love the modified remote-control attack helicopter.

I could have you hanged, the commander said thoughtfully.

Dread and fear heated Nates lungs. Who would take care of Shane and Jory? Yes, sir.

The commander scratched his chin and eyed Madison. Well? he asked her.

Nate gulped in air and looked toward the woman. Would she want him hanged?

Dr. Madison pursed her red lips. I think we should give Cadet Nathan a choice.

Great. Another one of her crappy experiments. A choice, maam? Nate asked.

Yes. The first choice is that you relinquish all of the Christmas items, and well forget this ever happened. She tapped her pencil on the paper. The second choice is that you go ahead with Christmas for your brothers, and well forget this ever happened.

Nate swallowed. Whats the catch, maam?

She smiled, revealing sharp white teeth. A few days after your pseudo-Christmas, you go onto the training field with the three oldest Brown brothers.

The three oldest were all around fifteen, and although Nate was a hell of a fighter, hed get hurt. Nobody could take on all three of them.

His mind reeled as he considered his options. A little bit of pain was worth giving Shane and Jory a small bit of happiness. Of thinking they were part of a real family with good times. Plus, Matt often came back from a mission angry and depressed. A happy memory would be good for him, too.

Ill take the second choicewith one condition, Nate said, his chin lifting.

Dr. Madison giggled. Listen to the boy, Commander. Hes giving us conditions.

The commander lifted a dark eyebrow, his lip twisting. Whats the condition, Cadet?

Nathan took a deep breath. Maybe the Brown brothers wouldnt break too many of his bones. This deal is between us, and I dont go onto the field with the Browns until Matt is out on another mission. Jory and Shane would think Nate had gotten in trouble but wouldnt know why. Hopefully by the time Matt returned, Nate would be mostly healed, so he wouldnt figure it out. Matt cant know the truth.

Interesting. Madison smoothed back her black hair. You dont want him to know youre sacrificing your health for your brothers?

No, maam. Definitely not. Matt would blame himself and maybe go off the deep end and finally challenge the commander. None of them were ready for that. Yet.

Dr. Madison nodded. You intrigue me, young man. How far would you go for family? For love?

Nate frowned. I dont understand the question, maam.

She smiled, her eyes lighting up. You have a deal, Cadet Nathan. Have a very merry Christmas.