Stryker wished he had listened.

"I mean it," Kernal warned. "I would support you through anything. Every mistake, every fuck up, every hard turn life has to throw at you. Anything except... that. I just... I was there for you the first time. Seeing what he did to you, the way he broke you down, I'm sorry, I couldn't do that again. If you went back to him, you really would be on your own."

"I..." Stryker broke off with a sharp nod. "I know. I was a fucking mess. I still am."

"You're so much better. The drinking has stopped. All the stupid stunts have stopped. I mean, you're...