I raised my chin. “We passed the information on to the lieutenant, but no order was forthcoming. The decision had to be made, and I made it.”
“If you had waited—”
I interrupted him. It certainly wouldn’t buy me any points with the panel, but this was getting ridiculous. “If we had waited, there might not have been another opportunity to get them out safely for days. If at all.”
“You don’t know that,” he spat, the vein visibly throbbing now. The dude was going to have a monster of a headache after this. Between the vein and the mottled appearance of his skin, it seemed the interrogation wasn’t doing his blood pressure any favors. I couldn’t bring myself to feel sorry for him, though.
I shook my head, rolling my lips into my mouth as I stared him down. “I don’t know that, sir. None of us know what might have happened if we had waited. What we do know is that, as a result of our actions, the mission was a success and the hostages are safe.”
“As a result of your actions?” He scoffed, his eyes widening so much I saw the white all around his irises. Scary shit. “You cocky fuc—”
“I think we can agree you achieved the objectives of the mission,” the Commander cut in. “Whether by your own actions or those of the team you formed part of.”
I nodded, not bothering to point out that it had been my decision that had led to the success of the mission.
I hadn’t done it for the recognition anyway. It just would have been nice not to have been having a pineapple shoved up my ass for making the decision that allowed the team to carry out the mission successfully.
“The question here is not to determine the success or failure of the mission,” he continued seamlessly, oblivious to my mental ranting. “It’s about the fact that you didn’t wait for the order from your superior officer. So far, you have defended yourself with poise. We appreciate that, but we still need to know why you didn’t wait.”
“We did wait at first. After first informing our superior officer that the target was moving, then that he had exited the room and no one was guarding the hostages, we waited at least three minutes before we moved into the house.”
“During that time, your lines of communication were open?” he questioned.
I nodded firmly. “They were, sir. We only turned down our comms once we’d already reached the entry point. Again, only after we informed our superior officer that we were going in. There had still not been any order coming from him. He also didn’t tell us to stand down, for what it’s worth.”
“He shouldn’t have to tell you to stand down when you shouldn’t be moving,” Charles barked, shoving his hands into his graying hair. “Do you even know what an order is?”
“Our orders were to go to Iran, to track down where the hostages were being held, and to bring them home. That’s what we did. Our team formulated a plan before we went in. A key aspect of that plan was identifying a point and time of entry that would involve the least risk to the civilians. We reported on having found that time. Then we stuck to the plan in the absence of any order to the contrary.”
“Did you receive confirmation from your superior officer that he received your communication about having found an opening as described in the plan?” the Commander asked, his ice-blue eyes hard as glaciers.
“Yes, sir. We did.” I dipped my head in respect because this man actually had mine. “We didn’t know how long the window would stay open, so we acted according to the plan when no further orders were communicated.”
“What are you really saying, Dobbs?” Charles glared at me. “Because it sounds like you’re trying to throw your lieutenant under the bus.”
“Not at all, sir. I’m just stating the facts, but maybe you should be questioning the lieutenant on why he was willing to let the moment pass.”
“Maybe we will,” the Lieutenant Commander mused.
Charles, however, didn’t seem to agree. “That’s the problem with mavericks like you. You think you can do whatever you want and you never take responsibility for your actions. Let me tell you what, Dobbs. I’m retiring this month and I’m not going to have you risking the lives of soldiers even when I’m gone.”
For the first time since entering the room, his words got to me. Rage burned through me like wildfire. My hands trembled and my jaw clenched, but I kept the fighting words begging to be let out inside.
Contrary to what he believed, I did understand hierarchy. Bowing to authority might not be my strongest point, but even I knew if I mouthed off at an officer of his rank in a meeting like this, I would be out faster than yesterday’s trash.
The Commander’s eyes drifted to the side of Charles’ face, a slight frown flickering across his features before it disappeared. “Regardless of Ensign Dobbs’ wild streak, we have flagged him for advancement many times. Tell me, Dobbs. Why aren’t you moving through the ranks?”
I opened my mouth to reply, but Charles didn’t let me. “He’s going to be where he is for the rest of his career. If it isn’t cut short when we make our decision here. Do you gentlemen have any further questions for him?”
They both shook their heads, and a malicious grin spread across Charles’ face. “We’ll let you know what we decide, Dobbs. You’re excused.”
Extricating myself from the tiny desk proved to be even harder than getting behind it had. Once I managed to free myself, I gave them another salute and left the room.
Eden was still waiting outside, sweating profusely now. The stark white hallway was completely empty at this point, and his footsteps ran out as he rushed at me. “What happened? How was it? You’re not coming out in cuffs, so that’s a good sign.”
“Everything went great. It’s nothing to worry about.” I meant it, too. Maybe it was just because Charles was right and I was a cocky bastard, but it didn’t feel like my career was ending anytime soon.
Regardless, Eden’s face sank when they called him in. I reached out to grab his shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze before he turned away from me. “We did the right thing, bro. Remember that. Just tell it to them like it was.”
Chapter 4
Sofia
The distinctive curve and soaring sweep of the bridge to the island welcomed me home. Point Loma rose in the distance, and I had a birds-eye view of Coronado. Golden beaches, sparkling blue water, and breathtaking views of the city spanned my field of vision, and I let out a happy sigh.
In just a few hours’ time, the sun would set and the bay would be lit with the reflection of the city, providing a stunning view of the skyline after dark. I’d considered leaving LA a little later so I’d only get here by then, but there were a few things I wanted to get done. Besides, on a cloudless day like today, making the trip in the daytime was pretty spectacular as well.
I loved being away at college, but there was always something special about coming home. Before moving to Los Angeles, this was the only place I’d ever lived.
There would always be a sense of homecoming when I drove across this bridge. It was so tall to allow for even the largest naval ships to pass beneath it that it scared the heck out of visitors sometimes. But for me? The height felt like it was allowing me to check on arrival that everything about the island was still perfect.
I couldn’t stop smiling as I turned off the bridge. A rush of excitement ran down my spine. There really is just no place like home.
I was still smiling by the time I pulled into my dad’s driveway. The scene waiting for me was just so him, that I grinned from ear to ear as I parked.
Dad was out in the front yard working on his boat. She was a single-hull catamaran by the name of Olive and had taken up more of his downtime over the years than even I had. I’d never been jealous of her, though.
Whenever Dad wasn’t working, he was usually out here with her. It was just a part of who he was. With her gleaming white polished wood and navy-blue neatly rolled sails, it was easy to see why he loved her so much.
A beer was perched on a flat rock in the yard. It w
ould be warm by now, but Dad would have forgotten all about it within minutes of setting it down.
He wiped sweat from his brow with his forearm, only turning his head away from Olive when he heard my door slamming. When he saw me, he broke out in one of his rare wide smiles.
“Kiddo! You made it.” He opened his sturdy arms, and I walked right into them. Dad wasn’t very big on hugs, but damn, he was good at them. “It’s good to see you, baby girl. How was the drive?”
I flattened myself against his damp chest, not even caring that I was getting his man-sweat all over my shirt. “It was fine, Daddy. No problems to report.”
He gave me an awkward shake before letting me go. “That’s good. You should have let me know you were nearly here. I’d have made some lemonade or something.”
I chuckled, waving my finger in a circle in front of his weather-beaten face. “You? If you tried to make lemonade, you’d conveniently forget the sugar. No one wants sugarless lemonade.”
Dad grunted, slapping a gigantic hand over his stomach. For an older guy, he kept his figure in tip-top shape. Then again, he was a SEAL Instructor. He needed to be able to keep up with some of the fittest guys in the world as his job. Oh, and whip them into shape as some of the fittest guys in the world.
“I only have to drink sugarless everything for the rest of this month. As of next month, my lifelong diet is over.” Strangely, he didn’t sound super excited about it.
I gave him a long onceover, softening when I noticed the way his jaw twitched. “You’re going to be fine, Daddy. You know that, right?”
“Of course, I do.” He scoffed, running a hand through hair that was now more salt than pepper. “Enough about me. How are your grades?”
My eyes wanted to roll, but I didn’t let them. Dad had never cared about my social life. Grades were always the first thing he asked about. “You’ll be happy to know that my 4.0 remains intact.”
“I am happy about that.” He grinned at me. “It’s a relief to know you haven’t become some kind of irresponsible party girl over there.”
“I haven’t.” I didn’t have to become one, so it wasn’t a lie. The truth was, I’d always been a bit of a party girl. Not in the fall-over-drunk, drug-myself-up kind of way, but I was a sociable person.
Some even called me the life of the party. Okay, not some. Just Haley. My lifelong best-friend and local deli owner.
On the other hand, there had been little time for partying back in LA. Going to parties required meeting people and making friends, which I hadn’t done too much of.
On occasion, I still hit the party scene with Melody. It wasn’t as often as I would have liked, though. Unfortunately, even with school being easy for me, I had a deal with my dad.
When he’d agreed to let me go off to UCLA and pay for my tuition and accommodation, I’d promised not to let my grades slip, not to get into any trouble, and that, if I did, I’d move right back home.
If I refused to move back home, I’d have to pay for my own tuition, accommodation, and everything else. Medical degrees didn’t come cheap or fast. I was beyond privileged that he had offered to pay for it in the first place. I wasn’t about to go screwing around on his dime.
Being the daughter of a high-up Navy man, I’d learned some things about responsibility and respect. Dad was strict and protective, but he also just wanted me to be happy.
We shared that goal for one another. I wanted him to be happy, too. Keeping my nose clean and my grades up at college was a small price to pay for everything he had given me.
Dad smiled and reached out to squeeze my arm. “I’m proud of you, sweetheart. I’ve missed you. I understand why you haven’t been home since Christmas, but it’s been too long.”
“Yeah. Definitely.”
His head dropped to the side as he took a step back. “Are you going to be taking any summer courses?”
“No, I wanted to come home so I could be with you for the retirement.”
He sighed, shaking his head. “You didn’t have to do that. I’m fine here by myself.”
“I know, but this is a big deal, Daddy,” I said cautiously. If I made him feel like I was back because I was worried about him, he’d drive me to UCLA and enroll me in that program himself. Big, tough Navy men didn’t like being fussed over. “It’s important for you to have support.”
He blew out a breath between his teeth. “Sounds like an excuse to me, but it’s your life. I need to spend a little more time with Olive this afternoon. The boys and I are taking her out in the morning. Why don’t you get unpacked and we’ll have dinner together later?”
“Sure. I wanted to go say hi to Haley anyway.” I walked backward, waving to him as he watched me go. “See you later.”
Haley’s deli wasn’t too far away from our house. It was a small shop near the beach with a few tables inside, a long counter, and a blackboard with the menu scrawled on it. Soft pop music played on the radio, and it smelled like cinnamon and grilling chicken.
My mouth watered almost as soon as I walked in. Some customers lingered after the lunch rush but not many. I found Haley in the kitchen. Her back was to me and her ass swayed along to the music.
I paused for a second, then let out a whistle. “Yeah, girl. Shake what your mama gave you.”
She froze before spinning around with a scowl darkening her pretty features. When she saw it was me, the scowl faded, and a bright smile took its place.
My best friend was my opposite in every way. She had long blonde hair to my short, pitch-black bob, bright blue eyes to my green and gold version of hazel, a figure like a runway model to my softer, curvy one.
If I was the life of the party when I wasn’t studying, she was the one reminding me that we had to be up early in the morning. Despite that, she’d chosen to open a deli with no formal schooling while I had run headfirst into one of the most strenuous degrees that existed.
While I wasn’t in any rush to start my career too soon, she had been working on her business plan pretty much since she’d learned to write. She’d also put that plan into motion as soon as she had been able to.
Haley and I were living proof that opposites not only attracted, but that when friendships between them worked, they worked for life.
“Sofia! When did you get home?” Her skinny arms wrapped around my neck, and she crushed me to her. “It’s so, so good to see you in real life. Screens just don’t do you justice.”
“Same to you.” I returned her hug with as much fierce enthusiasm. “I just got here less than an hour ago.”
“What? How did you convince Instructor Dad to let you come here so soon?” We let each other go, each taking a step back.
I shrugged. “He was busy with Olive. It didn’t take any convincing.”
“Ah.” She flashed me a knowing smile as she hopped up on a countertop in her industrial kitchen. “Good ol’ Olive, huh? How’s she looking?”
“Good. As always.” I grinned, planting my hands on the counter behind me and climbing up myself.
Haley had rented this space just about a year ago. In the early days of the deli, when I’d been home last summer, we’d spent a lot of time in here just like this. Except it had been empty then. A shell that had now been filled with appliances, kitchenware, delicious smells, and so much love. “How’s business?”
Her smile slipped a little. “It’s been okay. Tough but okay. I even hired a waitress to help, but things could be going better. Mom says I need to do more promotions.”
“Anything I can help you with?” I frowned. “Why didn’t you tell me before?”
Waving her hand, she slid to the floor and moved back to the grill. “It’s nothing serious. I was just hoping to have built up a bit more of a buffer before I had to hire someone. It didn’t work out that way, and it’s stressing me out.”
“When you say ‘build up more of a buffer,’ how big is the buffer you’ve already built up? Is it, like, ‘you’d go bust after a day’ small, or ‘a pandemic could hit and you�
��d be okay for a couple of months but not longer’ small?”
The tips of her ears flushed red. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail at the top of her head, allowing me to see the telltale reddening of her ears and the back of her neck.
She sprinkled some spice into a bowl, humming as she avoided answering my question. “Well, you know, we’d be fine if we had to close for a day. Or a month or so.”
“I knew it.” I threw my hands up in the air, wiggling my butt on the counter. “You’re fine, but if your mom says you need more promotions and you’d like some help, just let me know.”
“Mom’s figuring out social media. For now, she’s on it.”
Single parents had raised both of us, but her mother and my father differed as much as the two of us.
My father’s strictness had inspired my slight rebellious streak, whereas her mother’s carefree attitude had led to her planning attributes.
I grinned, imagining her mother explaining to a computer why her positive vibes should make it do what she wanted it to. “Well, if Renee’s on it, that’s good. She’ll come up with super creative ads for sure.”
Haley laughed but sank her teeth into her lower lip once the tinkling sound faded. “Yeah, I’m a little scared about what she’s going to come up with. I’m glad you’re going to be around for the summer. If you’re not going to be too busy, maybe we should work on some ads with Mom sometime.”
“You got it. I have no plans except for the ones relating to Dad’s retirement.”
She snapped her fingers. “I knew I was forgetting something. When is that happening again?”
“The party’s tomorrow night. Want to come with me?” I did a shimmy with my shoulders. “We can meet some cute Navy guys there.”
“I’ve always loved your Dad, so I’ll be there.” She flashed me her adorable dimples when she smiled. “But I like the idea of meeting some cute Navy guys, too. I wonder if you’ll find one willing to dance with Charles’ daughter this time.”
Let Freedom Ring Page 3