by Dawson, Zoe
Charles laughed and shook his head. “I’m already a dead man walking.”
This guy was a lost cause, and there were so many lives at risk, including Emma’s and Willow’s, along with his teammates and brothers out in the ocean. “It’s too bad, Chuck. You should just give up.”
After Hollywood said the last words, everything slowed down. Kid took the shot, Chuck’s head exploding in pink mist and gore as he started to fall to the ground, but Hollywood was already there, grabbing for his hand, clamping down on Chuck’s thumb to keep him from releasing the detonator. They fell to the sand together.
“Hollywood?” Ruckus growled.
He breathed a sigh of relief as he said into the mic. “Detonator secured. Send in the bomb squad.”
“Dammit, Hollywood,” Kid said, “You’re my hero. Can I get your autograph? I’ll put it right next to my Spiderman poster.”
Hollywood barked a laugh. “Fuck you, Kid.”
* * *
Hollywood slipped out of the SEALs cage room and started down the hall. He was heading over to Willow’s, taking her out to dinner, the ring burning a hole in his pocket. When he saw Will, he stopped. “Hey, what are you doing here?”
“Got me a mentor position. I’m just working out the details.”
“I can’t tell you how happy that makes me.” Hollywood smiled and clapped Will on the back. “Hemingway?”
“It’s official. He’s my charge and a talented kid for sure. I applied after we got back from South America. When you took me to the beach to train him, you saved my life, boy. You were right. I need the community. I was lost and drifting. Thank you for having my back, candy-ass.”
“How would you like me for a son-in-law?”
Will laughed softly, “I’d be honored.” Someone called his name, and Will held up his finger, signaling he’d be one more minute. “But you’ve got a hard row to hoe.”
“How’s that?”
He brushed past Hollywood and said absently, “Willow vowed she’d never marry a Navy SEAL like her old man. You have my blessing, though.”
Hollywood stood there for a minute like someone had just punched him simultaneously in the stomach and the nose. He closed his eyes. He had been such a fool, just assuming that because Willow was the daughter of a Navy SEAL, she would automatically embrace that life. He leaned heavily against the wall, his disappointment deep, feeling foolish that he had given her his heart.
His cell rang, and it was the notification that they were being called up. He turned back around and headed to the cage. He pulled his phone out and texted her. “Something came up. Can’t make it.”
She texted him back, “Aw, bummer. Deployed?”
He texted back. “Yeah.” The pain of losing that future he thought he would have with her eviscerated him. He was glad he was alone.
Her message was simple. “Stay safe.”
Willow then sent him a heart.
But he was already tucking his phone in his back pocket. He had been ready to marry her, and she wanted nothing to do with the way he lived his life. He should’ve been glad he’d dodged that embarrassment. He needed a woman who was as committed to the Navy and his job as he was. He thought she would be the perfect mate.
He’d been wrong.
* * *
Willow looked down at her phone in frustration. Fifteen hours and no word. Was this the beginning of the end? Was he ghosting her? She’d texted Hollywood as to when he was shipping out so she could see him off, but she’d gotten no answer. She put the phone to her ear and called his sister. Emma answered on the first ring.
“Hi, do you know when Hollywood is leaving?”
Emma’s tone was confused. “He didn’t tell you? That’s strange.”
“I thought so too. But maybe…you know…he’s gone back to normal.”
“I don’t think so. Trust me. Didn’t you go out to dinner last night?”
“No, he cancelled.”
“What? Oh, well, he’s leaving in an hour. He might be gone for a while.”
“Thanks, Emma.”
Willow set their breakfast down on the table. “Dad, it’s ready!”
Her dad came down the stairs looking polished, rested and happy. She smiled. She was going to give Hollywood a huge kiss for what he’d done to help her dad. Mentoring Hemingway had given him a new lease on life.
He sat down and dug in.
“Well, let’s see it,” he prompted.
“See what?”
“Don’t be a tease, Alice.” He gave her a grumpy look.
“About what?”
He reached for her left hand that was in her lap and brought it up to view. Then he frowned. “Where’s the ring?”
“Ring? What ring?”
“The one Hollywood was going to give you last night.”
“What are you talking about?”
“He was going to ask you to marry him.” Her father bit his lip and looked away, uttering, “Uh oh.”
Willow grabbed his chin and brought his head around. “What uh oh did you do?”
He looked at her with a sheepish expression. “I think I made a mistake.”
“Explain,” she prompted.
“I told him you vowed never to marry a Navy SEAL.”
“Dad! You didn’t. I yelled that at you when I was twelve.”
“Well, you sounded like you meant it.”
She threw down her napkin and bolted for the door. She had meant it. But she’d been a kid then, and now she was a woman who was deeply in love with a Navy SEAL. How could she have ever considered this thing between them temporary? She drove to the airfield, and when the guard asked her who she was, she told him she was Jude Lock’s fiancée. Because that was what she was. He damn well better fork that ring over.
Willow parked and got out of her car.
Everyone was there Blue’s wife Charlie was adjusting his collar, and they were close and intimate. Tank was leaning against his car while his wife, Alyssa, laughed at something he said, his dog Echo hanging out the window, trying to lick his face every time he dipped down to pet him. Ruckus nodded at his wife, Dana, as if she was giving him a list of things to do, the fierce look of love on his face making Willow’s heart beat that much harder for Hollywood. Dana’s round stomach bulged with their growing child. Kid was kissing his wife, Paige, his hand on her belly, rubbing it as they said goodbye. Wicked stood with his fiancé, Kat, her red hair vibrant in the early morning sun. He looked at her like she was his next breath. Then there was Scarecrow, his pretty fiancé, Yana, walking with him toward the plane, talking to him with a teasing grin on her face. He had a besotted one on his.
Finally, Hollywood got out of his car and walked toward the plane. She started forward, the solemn look on his face transforming into the charming rogue as his teammates saw him. Then he spied her running across the tarmac, and he dropped his duffel, his jaw hardening.
God, she could throttle her father. He was so clueless.
“I can’t believe you listened to my dad and took that as how I really felt about you!” She slammed into him and shoved him, but he didn’t move. Her voice was loud, and everyone turned to witness their confrontation.
“Willow, I—”
“Fork it over.”
“Huh?”
“The freaking ring. Give it to me.”
“You want my ring? Wait. How did you—”
“My dad and his big mouth. He told me you were going to propose last night.”
Kid’s jaw dropped open. There were gasps of shock, but she ignored her audience. He was so larger than life. She loved him. He was everything to her—and everything she wanted.
She had to swallow before she could speak again. “I may have felt that way before I realized what you sacrifice every day. How our lives are enhanced by each and every man and woman who fights for this country and how we can never repay you for your duty and sacrifice. That I’m lucky to have you for however many days you can give me and whatever children we will hav
e. Because of what I went through, I have a new insight into my own heart. I was used to being alone because of my mom and dad, somewhat of an orphan, but deep down I’ve always looked for a man who can make me a family, be together forever in our hearts, no matter what happens in our lives. I love you, Jude, more than life, more than self, more than anything. So yes, I will marry you. Now give me the ring.”
“But the time away,” Hollywood said. “The deployments. Are you sure?”
“I’m stronger than deployments, the everyday grind of life without you there to help, keeping everything going because that will be my service to this country. I know who I am, and I can weather whatever happens in the future, except losing you. I can’t handle that, Jude.” She tried to smile, but there was so much emotion jammed up in her chest her vision blurred. “Don’t you know you are my rock, my anchor, my knight in shining armor?”
Certain she was going to lose it, she looked down. She was nearly yanked off her feet. One minute she was trying to keep it together, and the next she was whirled around and hauled into his arms, his un-checked strength nearly crushing her. Relief ripping through her, she got her arms free and then locked them around his neck, a sob breaking loose. And that unbearable lightness burst inside her, and she knew, she knew they had found their way.
Hollywood tightened his hold and roughly turned his face against her neck, his chest heaving, his voice cracking and nearly inaudible. “Willow, my beautiful, Willow.”
Locking her jaw to stop the debilitating ache in her throat, Willow grasped the back of his head, molding herself against him. Her throat was so tight she could barely get the words out. “You are going to say it back some time in the next few seconds, aren’t you?”
Hauling in a deep, ragged breath, he tightened his embrace, his face still buried against her neck. “Yes, I’m going to say it.”
He turned to look at his teammates all standing there, taking in his complete and utter downfall. The playboy had disappeared, and in his place was a man who was deeply in love.
“I love you, Willow.” Hollywood hauled in another deep, uneven breath then flattened his hand on her back, his voice raw with emotion. “Marry me.”
Tears slid free, and Willow twisted her head and pressed her mouth against his, her love for him overflowing. He had finally said all she needed to hear. It was as perfect as it could possibly be.
There were catcalls, encouragement and plenty of hoo-yahs as they celebrated his demise and rebirth.
Blue said, as he leaned toward Kid Chaos and nudged him, “Want some popcorn?”
“Naw, I’m too interested in seeing how this plays out,” Kid said.
Blue smiled and turned back to Charlie with the kind of look that said it all.
Willow knew exactly how it would turn out as Hollywood pulled the ring out of his pocket and opened the box. He took out the beautiful heart-shaped diamond and slipped it on her finger. They were all going to live happily ever after.
Epilogue
Eight months later
Suburbs of San Diego, California
Dragon pulled up to Speed’s house, the sight of it pulling hard on his heart. He closed his eyes for a moment to hold onto his emotions. He’d already known it was going to be tough. He looked at the box with the presents in it. They belonged to Melissa, Annabelle and Dorian. He couldn’t believe it had taken him so long to get over here. He was actually supposed to be at Hemingway’s party.
His cell rang, and it startled him. He picked it up and answered.
“Ry?”
Josephine Moretti.
“Jo?” The sound of her voice went through him like lightning, jolting his heart until it beat like crazy. Her voice was low and sultry with just a bit of rasp that he’d always found completely sexy. “How are you?”
“I’m okay, but your mom is in the hospital. She had a mild heart attack.”
Guilt assaulted him immediately. His only living relative on this continent, and he hadn’t been home to see her in such a long time. “Oh, God. When?”
“About an hour ago.” She sounded really tired, like she’d been up for a long time. “She’s fine actually. They need to do a stint, but then she can come home.”
“You’re still neighbors?”
“Sort of.” It was a definite dodge, and he wondered why. “Anyway, I wanted to let you know. I didn’t think I would get you on the phone.”
“No, it’s okay.” Her face materialized in his mind. The last time they had been together…wow, had it been four years. Her body was incredible, her tats gorgeous on her taut skin, her dark hair like a cloud of ink on his pillow. She made him crazy. She’d been so loving, so tender, so good to him, and he’d left her sleeping. They’d already said their goodbyes. He couldn’t wait to get away. Honestly, he hadn’t expected to talk to her again. “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen her.”
“She’s used to it.” It wasn’t exactly an accusation. “Look, I’ve got to go. You take care, okay? She’s going to call you later.”
Jo disconnected the call, and he sat there feeling hollow and the worst son, the worst teammate on the planet.
The sound of laughter hit him as Melissa came out of the house with the girls. He hunched down like a thief as she loaded the chattering kids up into the SUV. He huffed out a hard breath, taking one last fleeting look at the house. He turned on the engine and drove away, not looking back.
Maybe it was time to go home for a visit. It sounded like his mom might need him. And damned if he didn’t wonder all about that woman with the raspy voice that still had the power to make him crazy.
* * *
Coronado Beach, Coronado, California
Hollywood took a sip of his lemonade as Blue ran as fast as he could, flopped onto his belly and careened toward the ocean on the slip-and-slide they’d set up. It was a celebration for Hemingway. He’d just graduated from boot camp and would be going to BUD/S after his leave. He’d been ecstatic when he’d gotten his orders.
Scarecrow and Wicked were both married. Ruckus and Dana had a son named Logan, and Kid and Paige had a girl, Chloe. Their wives held their two-month-olds in their arms as the women fawned over them and his besotted teammates cooed at them in a competition as to who could make the funniest faces.
Charles Mackey’s sister had claimed his body and buried him next to his brother. Roger was given leniency and was off the hook from Death Row for his cooperation. Eze was dead and no longer a threat to Hollywood and his loved ones, and all the warheads were accounted for. It had been a mission well done.
And he and Willow had been engaged for eight months of bliss.
Engaged.
His playboy days were long over and good riddance. He and Willow would be married in June. But waking up with her every day in that beautiful Victorian was like a dream come true. He and Will sparred, and that kept the old man on his toes.
Hemingway had graduated from college in May and boot camp six weeks later. He had come home to celebrate his orders. He was officially a SEAL candidate. Paige and Kid were so proud, but the proudest person there was Will.
He’d transformed from that drunken, homeless wreck of a man back to his fighting form, fulfilled every day as he molded young men into the best of the best to challenge themselves against the bell and the trident.
Hemingway would make a fine SEAL.
Hollywood looked over at Willow talking to his mom and sighed. The calendar had done better than anyone had expected, and Willow’s new job as an artist had taken off. She was working on many projects that made her happy. She glowed with her joy. He sighed again. They were probably discussing more wedding plans. Not something he excelled at. Oh, he’d followed her drill sergeant, Princess Slugger’s orders, but getting hitched to her was the most important part—the trappings, not so much.
He walked over to Hemingway, the man of the hour, who was sitting with his other teammates and Will.
“Okay, everyone.” Hollywood raised his lemonade. “Let’s toa
st to Hemingway, soon to have a chance to join our ranks.”
“Hoo-yah,” everyone yelled.
Hollywood sat down and smiled. “How does it feel to realize the first steps of your journey into the brotherhood?”
“Honestly, I’m so stoked even Hell Week is looking good.”
Kid said with a laugh, “Little do you know, grasshopper.”
“Well then, we have to make sure you’re man enough to not only get through training but handle the strap-hangers at the local bars.” Hollywood grinned.
“He is a good-looking kid,” Blue said. “Going to be popular with the ladies.”
Hemingway shook his head. “I’ve never had a problem in that department.”
There was a rush of catcalls and laughter. “Ooh, he’s experienced,” Kid said.
“Yeah? That true, Hemingway? You pop your cherry?” Hollywood asked.
“I’m experiened,” he said, matter-of-fact. “Besides, a gentleman doesn’t kiss and tell.”
“Okay, if you’ve popped your cherry, then do you know about all the different kinds of boners?” Hollywood asked, kicking around the sand near his feet.
“Boners? This is what I need to be tested on before BUD/S?”
“Yeah,” Cowboy drawled. “It’s a rite of passage.”
“You will be tested on it,” Tank said.
“Oh, God.” Hemingway looked at Hollywood. “I suppose you are the master dick.”
Everyone laughed at that, Kid falling over in his chair.
Hollywood wasn’t fazed in the least. “I am the master dick, but let’s not embarrass the guys, all right?”
“So, no whipping them out to measure, then,” Hemingway said, deadpan.
“I like this kid,” Ruckus said.
“There are some good boners and some not so good ones,” Hollywood said.
“Do tell.” A grin crossed Hemingway’s face as he focused on Hollywood.
“The Ghost Boner,” Scarecrow said. “Comes in like an apparition and is gone before anyone can see it.”