He’d told me once that this was a curse and no gift. I could see where it could make a lesser man weak, but I was no weakling and the way she looked up at me now, I didn’t think it hard that she could fall in love with me.
I’ll make damn sure she does before I lose my shit like he did. I’m a fucking SEAL nothing makes me weak. Her ass had better be in love or else. I’m not doing this crazy shit alone.
Where the hell did that come from? I shook my head to clear it and placed one last peck on her lips.
“I gotta go baby, you watch over them until I get back okay. If anything happens, if you need me I’ll be in the cottage.”
I started to pull away but she tugged me back by my arm. “What is it?” There was a look of uncertainty mixed with stubborn pride on her pretty little face.
“Those women that were staring at us from the windows.” She stopped and took a breath before continuing.
“Is one of them…?” Her eyes lost their look of surety and I found that I didn’t like her being unsure of herself.
I like the feisty little firebrand who’d socked the enemy in the mouth and looked like she wanted to do much worse.
“No sweetheart, they’re my sisters, my brothers’ wives. I wouldn’t be here with you like this if it were otherwise, if one of them were mine.”
I lifted her chin and looked down into her eyes, which had lost that look. “I’m no cheat, that’s something you’ll never have to worry about ever. We’ll talk more when I get back.” I kissed her nose and forced myself to walk away and out the door.
Outside I carried her scent with me into the night air. The shit seemed to be all around me now, like wisps of smoke, twirling around and around, ensnaring me.
No doubt this was part of that crazy shit. I guess there’s no point in fighting it, I knew at least that the shit was real and I no longer had that fear of becoming a mindless sap.
If things started to go south I’ll just have Dev or one of these others put a slug in my damn head. Shit, I really need to get a damn grip. Each step I took away from her felt like I was severing a damn limb.
I only looked back once before shaking my head at myself and heading back to the others.
We still had to get in touch with the families of the other girls, which I was pretty sure Lo had already got a head start on knowing him.
By the time I met them in the yard between my place and the cottage, Lyon, Mancini, Law and Creed were arguing with Lo and Con. “What’s going on?”
“They want to blow the tunnel while we see to our guests.”
“Make sense, we’re strapped for time and I’m sure they know what they’re doing.” At least I thought they did.
“See, lover boy here is thinking.” Lyon clapped Lo on the shoulder and started to head off. When Lo opened his mouth to argue Law stepped in.
“Best to leave it alone Lo. If Lyon isn’t preoccupied with something before long, shit might get hinky.
“What do you mean?” Lo looked in the direction Lyon had taken.
“Well, let’s put it this way. He seems cool on the outside, but let’s not forget, his kid was in that flesh book. And that little appetizer in the desert, he was only just getting started. Best to keep his crazy ass busy.”
We all turned and looked at him as he headed to Zak’s. We saw the change when his wife opened the door and stepped out.
We couldn’t hear what was going on but it looked like she was giving him hell about something. We did hear his roar of laughter though, and saw the way he picked her up, making her giggle.
“I feel like a damn voyeur.” I looked away from the spectacle when he started kissing her like he’d forgotten there was a yard full of men looking on.
“Hey Colt buddy, get a room.” I think Ty was the only one who dared. Lyon put his woman’s feet back on the ground, patted her ass and pointed a finger in her face before she turned and flounced back inside.
Well as much as any heavily pregnant woman can flounce. Must be something in the water, all the damn women around here were breeding. Oh shit, I came in her over and over again without protection.
Before I could freak the fuck out Lyon made his way back to us. “Come on, what the fuck we waiting for? Let’s get this shit going.”
He rubbed his hands together and gone was the teasing husband of just a second ago. Guy’s a damn chameleon.
19
Quinn
“How’d it go with the families Logan, did you reach everyone?” I stepped up beside him as we headed the rest of the way to the cottage.
“I had to do a lot of talking to keep them from coming here. Beyond that, they all know something, I’m sure of it.” He looked back to see where the others were.
“I’m sure I don’t have to tell you that it’s not a coincidence that all these girls are the daughters of the men whose names we just saw in those codes in the CO’s little surprise book.”
“Nope, and Kelly’s already made the connection. I guess we wait until the admiral gets here and see what the hell he knows, unless the old man left anymore clues lying around for us.”
“Good luck with that. Once I told each of them who we were, they clammed the fuck up. This is some heavy shit we’re dealing with here brother. But before we get into that. She the one?”
I should’ve known he wouldn’t let it go for too long without getting into my shit. I’m positive that it was only because of the situation that it had taken him this long, him and the others.
I had yet to hear from them and Ty hadn’t really gotten started on my ass yet with his shit, not that I was looking forward to his brand of fuckery.
“Looks like.” Did the others feel this infantile when the rest of us were ragging them about their new relationships?
I felt like a teenage boy who got caught with a pocketful of condoms or some shit.
“Fucking Mad Dog’s daughter. That’s all we need around here. Fucking reinforcements.”
He said it with a laugh in his voice so I didn’t take offense, besides, hadn’t I thought the same thing?
“It’ll be interesting around here that’s for sure.” Ty’s nosy ass was eavesdropping as usual.
“When hasn’t it been interesting around here brother? shit. You remember Con after the great fall?” Zak got them going and I just listened as my brothers gave me their blessing in their own special way.
If there’s one thing about us, we never question each other’s choices. We trust one another to understand that it wouldn’t just be as simple as one of us marrying a woman, that that woman would have to fit into our family.
So far we’ve been lucky. “I think she’s going to be perfect. I’m happy for you brother.” Dev clapped my shoulder in congratulations but I knew him well enough to catch the strain of longing in his voice.
I didn’t forget that only this morning we’d been discussing this shit, or what he’d said. “You’re next brother, I held up my end of the bargain.”
He opened his mouth to argue but Lo, who seemed to think he could dictate every aspect of our lives put paid to that.
“Of course he’s next. It wouldn’t be complete without him taking the plunge. We’re a team, that’s what the fuck we do.”
Of course everyone had to have their say once it was realized that Dev was the only one among us who hadn’t been snagged.
Lyon of all people was the voice of reason. “Leave him alone, if there’s one thing I know about this love shit, it’s that you can’t escape it. You can’t force it either. When the time is right Devon, you’ll know trust me.” Sounds about right to me. But he wasn’t done there.
“Just prepare to never have a moment’s fucking peace for the rest of your life. She’ll grab you by the balls and as much as you try to convince yourself that you’re still the same man you always were, that you’re in charge of shit.”
He shook his head here, serious as a judge. “You’re not brother. She owns your ass because for the rest of your life everything you do will be abo
ut her.”
I can’t be sure, but I think even Lo was listening to him now. There was a note of truth to his words and I’m guessing we were all thinking, if this guy could cave, then what chance did the rest of us have?
“Then when you finally settle into accepting your fate, she brings in ringers aka daughters and you my man are totally and completely fucked. Don’t get me wrong, you’ll still walk talk and look like you, but the jig is up.”
Dev looked at the others for confirmation and to a man they were all nodding their heads. “Well shit Lyon, I’m not sure if that’s an endorsement or a warning.” Dev tried to laugh it off but he looked spooked.
“It’s neither soldier boy, just the plain truth. I can tell you this though, love doesn’t make a man weak like some would have you believe. In fact it’s quite the opposite.” He looked back at Zak’s place where the women were hanging out.
“I don’t imagine there’s anything I won’t do to keep them safe. I’m stronger in here and here, now that I have them.” He pointed to his chest and temple.
“Damn Colt, say it ain’t so.” Ty started his shit.
“What’s that Tyler?”
“You’re bitch made too.” The jackass shook his head in fake wonder as the rest of us cracked up.
It was a nice little change from the last few hours. Insults were shared and the guys took turns getting into my business, giving me their version of what to expect next.
Anyone watching us would have no idea that we were in the middle of hell. I’m accustomed to this easy repartee with my brothers but never shared it with anyone else.
Now we’d added four new members to our crew who’d been so easily accepted. Who knows if we’d have found each other had it not been for this evil we were caught up in the middle of?
But I was sure that when this was all over, we would be in each other’s lives forever. Is this her influence I wonder?
Did my heart softening enough to let her in open me up to this way of thinking? I have to say I never once gave a shit about such things.
I thought it prudent to get my ass back on track before I made a fool of myself. Fucking Ty can scent blood in the water.
The last thing I need is for him to see a chink in my armor. “What’s the plan? What’re we doing with them?” I indicated the door to the cottage where the men were being held.
“Not sure yet. They’re still not talking but now that the women are out of the way I’m thinking we can get them to open up a little more.” Lo’s face had lost the soft playfulness of the last few minutes.
“Let’s do it.”
20
Kelly
I always knew this would happen. That I would meet a man who’s just like my dad and lose my damn mind.
I didn’t know my slut meter would go off the charts though. I also never expected that it would happen this way, with him having to save me after being kidnapped and all.
Maybe it was the kidnapping, and coming so close to having my life disrupted in the most horrible way, but I feel freer somehow. Like all my usual inhibitions had been cauterized.
I’m not one for jumping into bed with someone I’d just met, but here I am three bouts of amazing intercourse later. And truth be told, I wouldn’t mind a fourth, or a fifth. Oh good grief, I’ve become an addict.
Maybe that myth about needing to reaffirm that you’re still alive after facing trauma had some truth to it.
Because right now, even as I was reassuring the girls that everything was going to be okay, my mind was on him and the way it felt when I was in his arms, in his bed. Oh shit!
His body is so damn firm, so masculine, but what’s more I felt safe when I was under him. Like he was shielding me from the rest of the world.
I could still imagine the feel of his body as I ran my hands up and down his back, his chest. I still get a tingle from the memory of him pressed up against me.
I went back into the living room where the other girls were digging into their bowls of popcorn and talking through the movie.
Now that he was no longer here, I was hit once again with the memory of all that we’d been through, how close we came to being sold across the ocean into who knows what hell, and I felt a little unsettled.
There was a slight tension in my body and my nerves were just a little shook as I looked at these young women whose lives could’ve been ruined forever.
I started to shake as the adrenaline that had been carrying me this long finally crashed and burned, but I knew I had to keep it together for them.
Once I was sure of their safety and they were reunited with their families, then I can dwell on myself and all that had transpired in the last day and a half.
I was still coming to terms with the fact that it had happened to me, and my mind hadn’t quite caught up to reality yet.
I know enough about PTSD to know that though this may not be that on a grand scale, it was bordering on the edges.
The trick was to focus on the here and now and not let my mind go back there to those few hours in the back of that dark hot trailer.
I stared at the screen but saw nothing. Instead of the horrors of the past few hours taking over my mind as would be expected at a time like this, my head was full of Quinn.
I didn’t question what I felt for him. Somehow I always knew that when the time came I’d know him on sight. It’s the reason I never gave myself away cheaply before.
When I thought of the man I would one day meet and marry, there was always an old world sort of romance attached to my dreams.
When you grow up in a home with a real life hero and watch through the years the love this strong man bore his wife and child, it was easy to weave dreams around such things.
I always knew deep down that nothing but a navy man would do for me, and though I’d met plenty over the years through dad, none had ever touched my heart.
My soldier had always been back there in the shadows, waiting. I couldn’t quite picture what he looked like, but I knew what it would feel like to be in his presence. At least I told myself I would.
Now that man has a face and what a face it is. He’s every girl’s dream of the perfect ten. His dark hair had been allowed to grow out now that they were retired, but I could imagine it the way it’s worn shorn close to the head when he’s deployed.
His Irish green eyes, I can still see them looking into mine as though he could really see me. See past the face I show the world to the girl hidden inside.
I’m happy that I’d kept myself for him. That I’d believed in the dream enough to hold out. If he’s anything like my dad that’ll mean a lot to him.
Men of honor seem to put a lot of stock in things like that still, even though they may claim not to. I didn’t have to question whether or not he felt the same attraction for me. He’d proved that three times.
Okay time to think about something else. I hadn’t showered again after that last time and I could still feel him leaking out of me and it was making me twitchy.
I looked around the living room for a sense of him. His likes, who he was. I’m sure in the next few weeks I’ll get a better handle on things as we get to know each other, but I always found that you can tell a lot about a person from their surroundings.
The place was all male but there were a few touches of the feminine as well and I felt a stirring of jealousy until I pushed it aside. Maybe one of his sisters in law were responsible.
I saw an old Afghan that I was sure he used at night when there was a chill in the air, and pulled it around my shoulders.
Cara kept looking back at me, giving me strange looks, but I kept my face neutral. I wasn’t ready to answer questions about us. I’m sure the whole situation may seem odd to others.
Hell if anyone else had told me that they met a man and jumped into bed with him on the first date I would’ve thought them a bit loose.
But I guess when you know you know. Mom had told me that once. During one of our more intimate conversations.
She’d said that when she met dad she just knew in her soul that he was the one for her. I’ve watched them over the years, and instead of their love for each other waning with time as many so often do. Theirs seemed only to flourish with each passing year.
Mom says it’s because dad was gone most of the time and she got used to missing him so that when he returned it was all the sweeter.
But I think it was more than that. I saw two people who respected each other as much as they loved. That’s what I want, with Quinn.
My heart raced at the sickening thought that he might not want the same. What if he wasn’t looking to settle down? I know as many navy men who liked playing the field as I do those who get married and raise a family.
Well he’d better be the latter or there’ll be no more of that amazing bed wrestling until I trained his ass right.
I felt sudden panic until I remembered the way he’d spoken to dad earlier. No way would he have told dad he was holding onto me if he wasn’t more than a little interested.
If there’s one thing I’m sure of, no navy man would cross the admiral for any reason unless he had a death wish. And besides, he didn’t seem to want to leave me either.
Once I’d convinced myself that his interest was as great as mine, I was able to relax and watch the movie. I mothered the girls a bit, fussing over them each time one of them got nervous.
I’d been so caught up in my own head I’d almost forgotten that their night hadn’t ended quite the same as mine.
While I had thoughts of Quinn to overshadow the horror of what had happened to me, they didn’t. It wasn’t long before I got them talking, to bring whatever darkness was festering in their heads out into the light.
We started rehashing the night’s drama and I got to learn a little more about the girls. We were a family of sorts I realized.
Each of us bonded together by the men who’d fathered us and whatever it is that they’d done together that had gained them a common enemy.
SEAL Team Seven Books 6&7 Quinn and Devon Page 13