Gabriel (The Wounded Sons Book 1)

by Leah Sharelle

  Her last line in her PS made me laugh outright. Devon had a way about her, not just her cute rambling which I enjoyed and was glad she did it in emails too. I needed normal and she certainly was giving me big doses of that.

  Glancing at the clock on the wall, I determined I had time to reply before I had to meet with the Brigadier. Saving all her emails to my special file marked Pixie, I opened a new email and set about answering her one at a time.

  “I am sorry Gabe, I know your team have been out on extended patrols, but we just received intel on an insurgent compound making IEDs and growing opiates. Coalition SAS assures us that the master leader of the region’s Taliban is in residence.”

  I gritted my teeth while Brigadier Malcolm gave me the worst news. Ten days out on the ground, climbing through fucking dirt holes, getting shot at by kids posing as farmers and now I had to tell my team to kit up, and get back out there.

  Fuck me.

  “Sir, with all due respect. Team FIVE is fucking exhausted. My men are running on next to no sleep. Can’t this be handed over to the frogmen?” I asked, but somehow, I knew it was pointless. My commanding officer had that look on his old weathered face, that alone told me all I needed to know.

  I squared my shoulders and braced for what was coming.

  “No, Captain it can’t. We have been after this leader of the insurgents for more than three years. He is second on our hit list, and I want him captured alive and brought back to me.” The unyielding order came at me. “I need the best teams on this. This is a time sensitive operation; the media and the people back home don’t need to wake in the morning to a report that Australian special forces fucked up.”

  “Yes, Sir,” I grunted.

  “You are a commando in the Australian Army aren’t you Captain. Your team is the best.”

  “Yes, Sir,” I replied more firmly.

  “Then I don’t expect you to have a problem. The Chinook leaves in one hour, your team, IRR and SASR will be on it. Is that clear Captain.” Nothing the Brigadier said was phrased as a question, no room for argument, no other answer than what I gave him.

  “Yes, Sir.”

  One hour later I found myself in the belly of a Chinook. Nineteen pissed off men all suited up for a mission that had danger written all over it. Our local police buddies would be meeting us at the LZ. I knew the area well enough to know that the compound in question was three kilometres from the drop off point and that the locals working with us had relatives living there, meaning their loyalty could very well come into question. And that it was a fucking maze of closed doors and hidden caches.

  Fucking brilliant.

  The red light in the hull came on, the radio in my ear crackled with the voice of the pilot.

  “Two minutes Cap.”

  Fuck, here we go.

  I shielded my eyes from the sand and dirt swirling around me, stinging my exposed bare skin. The Black Hawk’s rotor blades whirled faster as it lifted from the ground, on its way to the nearest medical compound.

  Three men injured. One SASR WO1 deceased— killed by an insurgent posing as one of the good guys. I knew the minute we exited the Chinook and our mixed patrol companion wasn’t there to meet us; something was horribly wrong.

  What fucking stung more was Chuckie, that was what we called him, worked and lived with us at the FOB. He was a trusted member of the patrols, walking side by side with us. Spending downtime in the gym with us, hell, he sat with us and ate while we talked about our families back home.

  He also sat in on many debriefings, privy to our tactics, techniques and procedures.

  Which is why when we got within firing distance of the compound all fucking hell broke loose.

  The cunt sold us out for probably nothing more than a few hundred dollars.

  I led the raid on the main compound room.

  I ordered the RPG to be fired into the room.

  I was the commanding officer in charge of my men’s safety.

  I failed.

  1st Warrant Officer Callum Orton died in the firefight.

  Three other men sustained life-threatening injuries.

  The master leader was captured alive.

  The mission pronounced a success.

  Like fuck it was!

  “Captain Booth.”

  I turned my head and saw the very man I didn’t like all that much right now. Brigadier Malcolm.

  “Sir.” I acknowledged him with a salute.

  “Congratulations soldier. The objective was achieved, we sustained minimal loss.”

  Was he fucking kidding! We lost a comrade tonight. One man on that helicopter was most likely going to lose an arm, another one an eye. That was classed as minimal?

  “Yes, Sir.”

  “Your team is a credit to you Gabe, to Australia.”

  “Thank you, Sir.”

  My team were alive, whole. And just a little bit jaded with this war.

  “You are going home Captain. This deployment for you is over… for now.”

  I waited until my CO took his leave before turning around to the men I knew were standing there.

  Bastian, Grill, Rafe, Kodah, Cole and Deke all looked the way I felt.

  Traitored.

  Stepping over to them, I pulled my face scarf down all of the way.

  “Pack up Wounded Sons. We are going home.”

  I am coming home Pixie. Home to you.

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  DEVON

  Today was the first day since getting this damn flu bug that my head didn’t feel like it wanted to explode. When I first fell sick over a week ago, Stella and Booth both insisted that I see a doctor. Of course, I scoffed at the notion of taking time off work for something that was only a head cold. Then the scariest thing happened, I got a nose bleed.

  Sitting at the table in the kitchen, having breakfast with some of the club members who hadn’t already left for the day, eating my Cornflakes, my nose started to bleed into my bowl. The first thing that entered my mind, the only thought in my head was the cancer had come back. Nose bleeds were a symptom of ALL. I knew every single sign by heart, I had to.

  So, I went with Stella to Geelong to my GP who called up my specialist and I was rushed through the appointment schedule that very day.

  Blood work was done.

  Then I waited for the results, all the while writing to Gabriel, telling him nothing terrible. Not a word about what happened to my bowl of cereal just told him about the goings-on here at the club. I told him how much I love him, miss him and couldn’t wait for him to get home. The things a soldier’s partner did to keep him focused so he would come home alive and not in a pine box draped in a flag.

  When the tests all came back negative for cancer and that I had nothing more than the flu, I dropped to my knees in the tattoo shop and wept with utter relief. The blood nose they couldn’t explain, except that maybe it had been the oppressive heat December offered this year.

  Being away from Gabriel for over sixteen weeks had been a lesson in patience, tolerance, and putting your own feelings to the side. I didn’t have the fear thing conquered, how a woman could sit at home and not worry about her significant other in a foreign country being shot at, targeted, and god knew what else wasn’t something I had the hang of yet.

  But I was getting there. Gabriel was worth it, and he deserved to have a girlfriend that could understand his commitment to his country and his team.

  Able to get out of bed, I rushed straight to our bathroom and took a thirty-minute shower. Thank god Booth ran this compound like the Lieutenant he had been in the army. The hot water system here was four times bigger in capacity than the huge one I had installed in the house in Queenscliff, and there were three of them! No need to sacrifice my love affair with luxury hot showers for me. Yay!

  Now I was sitting in front of my computer, ignoring the sketches I had to catch up on after my time off from work and waiting for my server to upload my email.

  The last email I sent Gabriel had been on
the ninth of the month. He had not answered any of the previous three, but Booth assured me with his connections, if anything had happened, they would have found a way to tell him. Deck and Creed backed up Booth’s claim with firm chin lifts. These men would not sit back and wait for bad news concerning their sons, so I took that on board and buried my worries down deep where I couldn’t hear them.

  The ping indicating I had mail sent a thrill through me, when Gabriel’s name popped up, that thrill turned into downright joy.

  Opening the email, my eyes greedily drank in Gabriel’s words.

  December 9

  Hello my just a little bit crazy girl,

  DO NOT TOUCH YOUR BREASTS. THEY BELONG TO ME I OWN THEM. THEY ARE PERFECT SO THAT ENDS THAT.

  Tell Doc that I want that arsehole’s number and address. Who the fuck does he think he is touching my woman! Fuck me baby, I haven’t had my hands on your delectable arse for months and this cockhead thinks he can touch you? As dad would say ‘Ain’t happening’.

  Things sound like you are kicking arse at work baby. There is no one more proud of you than me baby.

  Now let’s talk about pole dancing. Just do me one favour for the sake of my sanity, please keep your clothes on Pixie. No one can see what only is for my eyes, okay?

  I will be writing to Zander to tell him to get a handle on his wife. She is NOT allowed to change your hair. For fuck’s sake Squirt needs to find another hobby and leave you alone.

  I go to sleep every night with your photo under my pillow; the memories of your hands gliding down my back. In my ears I hear your moans whispering my name.

  I see you everywhere over here. Your beautiful face is the only landscape I see.

  I love you. You are the blood in my veins.

  Be good. Watch your six.

  Think of me every second of every day.

  Never leave me,

  Your one and only Ninja Man xo

  December 9

  Hey there gorgeous,

  Pixie let me say one thing to you. Stop watching YouTube documentaries!!!!!!

  Jesus woman, leave Doc alone. He has his reasons for going off the way he does. They aren’t my reasons, so don’t even think that you will get me to tell you.

  And while I am in lecture mode, please stay close to Steel and the bouncers at the bar. Steel runs a clean place, but it is a pub, after all, so don’t let anyone disrespect you. One person touches that arse of mine, and your Ninja Man is going to unleash his beast… just sayin’.

  Dream of me Pixie, dream of us making love like we did the night before I left. That night, fuck baby, I will never forget it, and yeah, I know there will be thousands more, but that one will always be a memory I will use when shit gets tough.

  Another thing, my dick is so fucking hard right now, reading your email all I can think about is having your mouth wrapped around my hard dick. Thanks for that babe, nothing says I am a serious commanding officer like a hard-on in the mess hall. You are so giving me a blow job as soon as I get home.

  Be good. Watch your six.

  I cannot imagine living one day without you Devon.

  Loving you is my pleasure. You are my gift.

  Gabriel xo

  Tears streamed down my cheeks as I opened the last email from Gabriel. They were all dated the same day, so I guessed that he came back from wherever he went for ten days and answered them all at the same time. I laughed at his caps shouting at me, and Shiloh. I loved the way he finished the two emails I had read so far. Doing it in the same style I ended his, giving me that something special that was only for me.

  Clicking on the last attachment, I glued my eyes to the screen and read.

  December 9

  My Darling Dev,

  Baby are you okay????????? I can’t ring out at the moment, which is pissing me off because I need to hear your voice telling me that nothing is wrong. You know where my mind is going, don’t you? I am not going to type that fucking hated word, but it is rolling around and around in my head.

  Fuck!

  I don’t know how to address the issue with your dad and fuckwit Kyle. Anything you do there is your decision baby, I will back you up no matter what you decide to do.

  This is you and me baby, us together against the world. Our love, our connection nothing is going to break it. Not your dad or your brothers, and not my job.

  I am a soldier, I am a commando and I am the leader of the best fucking team there is. But, I am a man in love with a woman, the most beautiful special and incredible woman I ever thought could exist. But there you are, sleeping in my shirt smelling my pillow waiting for me. You humble me Devon with your strength and love.

  Be safe. Watch your six.

  Love me forever and never stop.

  Your honey bunch XO

  PS. THAT WAS A HEAVY-DUTY CLUTCH!!! HOW THE HELL DID YOU BURN IT OUT!!!! WOMAN YOU ARE IN SO MUCH TROUBLE!!!!!

  Closing down the page, I slowly got up from the chair, walked to the bed and laid down on Gabriel’s side dragging his tee under me as I curled into a ball. My soft sobs the only noise in the room. The compound sounded particularly quiet this morning, I couldn’t hear the clatter of dishes coming from the kitchen. No noise of teenagers going about their morning routines, not even a Harley exhaust could be heard.

  The quiet times were the hardest for me, at least the bustle of the club kept the silence at bay until the night came and I had to face another night alone without Gabriel.

  “I miss you so much baby,” I cried softly, bringing the soft material of Gabriel’s Wounded Sons tee to my nose and inhaled what was left of his scent into my nostrils, desperate to find a reprieve from the loneliness only Gabriel could offer.

  I heard a slight rustling sound from the door. Thinking it was one of the dogs doing a walk around the rooms, I stayed in my ball crying until a green and rather whiffy shirt dangled in front of me, and at the same time, the sexiest growly voice filled my ears.

  “This one might smell more like me, baby.”

  Startled, I flipped over onto my back, the t-shirt being dangled above me held by a grinning Gabriel.

  At least I think it was my Gabriel. His beautiful dirty blond hair was longer than usual, and the short military-style cut now resembled a surfer. But it was the beard covering his face that shocked me. Full and bushy, it didn’t suit him, and the only thing I could think to say to the man I loved, the man I had desperately missed for the last four months was to admonish him for covering his handsome face.

  “I don’t like the beard. You are going to shave it right? Doc has a beard and sometimes I see small particles of food stuck in it and it kinda grosses me out. Although, maybe you can keep it just for a little bit, it might be interesting to see what it feels like when you lick my pussy. I mean all the romance novels say how good it feels, I wouldn’t know because you are the only one that has ever done that to me, but—” I stopped rambling and snatched the shirt from his hands and held it to my face. Taking a deep hit of the essence that was all Gabriel… and sweat… and something I probably didn’t want to know.

  Gabriel laughed loudly, his grin so big I couldn’t help think it must hurt him to smile like that. But, oh, what a sight!

  “Oh god, Gabriel, I have missed you so much,” I cried, scrambling to my knees and rushing to the edge of our bed at a fast shuffle, his arms already open wide for me.

  “Fuck, Pixie. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck,” he groaned, enveloping me into his wide chest his arms clutching me to him.

  My hands roamed all over his back, slipping under his shirt I explored every inch of skin searching for any injuries and reminding myself of his feel.

  So long without touching him.

  “I am fine baby, nothing happened to me,” Gabriel murmured into my neck, soothing me. It didn’t surprise me he knew what I was up to. He was so in-tune with me, it was eerie, but in the best possible way.

  I rubbed my cheeks across his broad chest, imprinting him on me and me on him again, reacquainting myself to him.
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  “That feels so good Devon, to have you in my arms again like this, tell me it isn’t a dream.” Gabriel’s voice was low and seductive, his hands now one either side of my face, pulling me back from his chest until his face was close to mine but our bodies still glued to one another.

  I mimicked his hold, the beard surprisingly soft under my palms. It was still coming off, but I suppose I could deal with it for an hour or so.

  “You’re home,” I breathed, looking deeply into the prettiest grey eyes that had been in my dreams for the past sixteen and a half weeks.

  “I will always come home to you Devon. Always.” His lips brushed mine and everything inside me settled. The anxiousness of waiting melted away with each sweep of his tongue, each pass of his lips over mine.

  Gabriel was a soldier, going away and performing his duty for his country. He risked his life and protected those of his team. To love the man meant loving the other part of him, and I had no problem with doing that at all.

  Deployments were going to be a part of our future, that was the reality of loving an honourable man like Gabriel.

  As long as I held onto that, and the strength of our love… then I believed he would indeed always come home to me.

  “You are going to shave the beard, right?” I asked, unable to help giving him some sass. Gabriel growled then nipped at my bottom lip.

  “Yes, after I lick your pussy,” he answered, his tongue soothing the sting of his bite as his hands made their way down to the waist of my shorts.

  “Oh goody! And don’t forget I owe you a blow job,” I piped up, then groaned when his finger ran along the inside seam of my bottom.