“That isn’t possible. A general discharge is appropriate when significant negative aspects of the member’s conduct outweigh the positive aspects of their performance. I can offer Major Meyers this choice, but this is the only choice she will be given.”
Tia broke the rigidity of her stance at attention and gripped Collins’s wrist. She’d faced more difficult challenges than this. Although her dreams of making the Air Force a career were shattered and broken at her feet, she would recover.
Somehow.
She cleared her throat and projected her voice, sounding much more self-assured than she felt. “Colonel Martin, thank you for the consideration you have given me. I would like to formally apologize to the Air Force for my actions. I accept a general discharge.”
“T,” Collins said, turning to her, concern scrawled through his features, “we can fight this.”
She shook her head. “I don’t want to fight it.”
All she wanted was for it to end. She’d lick her wounds later.
Chapter Forty-Two
Wembley
Ryker
Over a thousand screaming fans bounced and swayed to the pounding adrenaline of Angel Fire’s music. Electricity sparked through the air, lifting goose bumps on Ryker’s arms. Would he ever get used to this? Did he want to?
The sea of waving arms and bright flashes from cell phones extended into the distance. Angel Fire had packed a standing-room-only crowd into another large hangar at Lakenheath. They played their fifth straight night in a row, but this was nothing compared to what Ryker would face tomorrow night.
Somehow, Forest had arranged for Angel Fire to play at Wembley Stadium in London. Ryker’s stomach was still knotted with the news. At capacity, the stadium held ninety thousand fans. How Forest had managed to book a large venue like Wembley in such a short period of time remained a mystery, but Forest accomplished the impossible on a daily basis. In honor of their USO tour, Angel Fire planned to donate all proceeds from that concert to a veterans group.
Ryker couldn’t believe he’d be taking the stage and playing to a crowd of that size. His dream couldn’t get any more real. Yet, through it all, his heart ached to be someplace else.
Tia faced judgment today. Forest and Skye had flown back to provide moral support, leaving him behind. Ash and the rest had had no problem canceling one show for Ryker to stand by his woman’s side. Vane had denied his request, stating the needs of the tour outweighed any personal concerns. Simply put, Vane was an ass.
With his thoughts in turmoil, Ryker turned his attention back to the rhythm of the music, letting it soak into his soul and stir his heart to life. He missed Tia with an aching hunger.
He jammed with Spike while the rhythmic flow of Ash’s voice reverberated through the speakers and crashed into the crowd. The man had an amazing vocal range, leaving Ryker, who had a great voice of his own, struggling to back him up. The music thundered with Bash’s percussive lead. Ryker supported him on bass, plucking the strings with spunk. Ash’s charisma radiated outward, washing over the crowd where it transformed them into something wild, powerful, and free.
For his part, Ryker latched on to that passion and let it guide his fingers down the neck of the guitar. Ash belted out the lyrics, and his voice hit octaves that took away the breaths of the men and stole the heart of every woman in attendance. Ryker did his part and jumped around the stage, adding to the energy of the band. His head bobbed to the beat and synced with the heaving mass of the crowd.
Smiley had removed the percussive blasts from the pyrotechnics display and replaced them with thick, rolling clouds of smoke. As they’d done on previous nights, the band rocked the stage with adrenaline, fire, and explosive energy. Applause thundered all around as the last note of the encore played.
With his chest heaving with exertion, Ryker yanked the guitar strap off his neck and held out the instrument for a roadie to grab. It was too easy to believe the stars in his eyes belonged to him, and tomorrow would only bring more confusion. He moved to the back of the stage and met Bent at the base of the stairs.
“Fucking awesome,” Bent said.
“Thanks, man,” he said with a duck of his head.
Bent refused to allow Ryker to feel awkward about filling in for him, but Ryker couldn’t help but feel guilty. He really loved being on that stage. Playing with Angel Fire came as natural as breathing, and when the time came for him to step down, he would miss the pulse of stardom.
Bent’s injuries ensured he would be out of commission for several months to come. Extensive rehabilitation loomed in his future. Despite his injury, he joined the band after every performance, penning his signature for the waiting fans after the music ended.
Spike jogged down the stairs and clapped Ryker on the back. “You coming?” Spike already had a pen in hand.
“I’ll be right there.” Ryker pulled out his cell phone and held it up. “Need to check my messages.”
Spike’s brows twitched. They knew about Tia and her trial. None of them understood why it had turned into such a big deal. To them, a person should be able to fuck whomever they wanted, whenever they wanted to, and it was no business of anyone else. They didn’t understand the rigid demands of the military or the rules and regulations that ensured good discipline, and they certainly didn’t understand why Tia was taking the fall instead of him.
He’d tried to explain the responsibilities of an officer and how, in the eyes of the military, the fault lay squarely on her shoulders, but they shook their heads and shrugged. They couldn’t fathom the depth of guilt he shouldered, knowing he was the one truly at fault. If not for that kiss…
Ash and Bash took the stairs together, nearly tripping over themselves as they wrestled. Bash had his arm wrapped around Ash’s shoulders and pulled Ash’s head in, rubbing his knuckles into Ash’s head. Those two wrestled and fought like brothers; their bond was tighter than tight.
“You coming?” Bash asked.
He lifted his phone and shook it. “Checking my texts.”
“Don’t keep the fans waiting,” Bash said.
Ash punched Bash in the gut and freed himself. He danced around Bash, fists up, taking playful jabs. Bash rolled his eyes and stepped around Ash with a laugh.
Ash’s arms went down, deflated, but the lift to his step remained. “Do your thing, but join us up front. Everyone wants to take their picture with you.”
“Will do.”
It still amazed him how true that statement was. He’d gained notoriety since playing with Angel Fire, the military man who’d hit gold. The troops were as eager to talk to him as they were to get a signature with the band. They wanted to know how he’d stumbled into this chance. What was it like, playing with Angel Fire? Did he get to hang out with them after the concerts? There were other questions, but those were the ones most repeated.
With a swipe of his thumb, he turned on his cell phone. Forest had left a text, and as always, it was direct and to the point. That man didn’t waste time with unnecessary words.
Forest: No trial. Discharge. Chin up, bro.
What the hell did that mean? Discharge? Tia was being discharged!
Chapter Forty-Three
Coming Home
Tia
The stadium roared with the pulse of nearly a hundred thousand crammed into Wembley Stadium. Tia rolled her neck, tired from the long flight, and let the energy of the crowd imbue her tired muscles with life. Her entire world had been shattered and then rebuilt after a conversation during the flight from Afghanistan with her friends. Only one thing was missing, and then everything would be whole.
Skye stood to her left, and Forest’s massive frame protected them from the crowd. They had landed less than an hour ago, and Forest had had the limo bring them straight to the stadium. She’d thought he’d bring them backstage, but Forest had pulled them to the mixing board set in the center of the venue facing the stage.
Forest bent down and explained. “This guy mixes all of the sounds coming
from the stage. This is the best seat in the house, and the sound is best from here. You’re also above the crowd, so no need to try to look over anyone’s head.”
She loved that Forest cared about the difficulties of looking over heads. Tall for a woman, she was still a few inches shy of six feet. Skye was much more diminutive, and his consideration probably had more to do with Skye than herself.
His deep baritone rose easily above the crowd. He picked her up from the waist and lifted her up to the platform. Skye joined her a moment later, helped up by a hand from the mixing engineer rather than her brother.
The mixing engineer welcomed them and gestured for them to stand behind him. Forest vaulted up and tugged them to the back of the platform. From their position, they had a perfect view of the stage. Stretched before them, those on the floor surged as one, riding the deep riffs peeling out from Ryker’s guitar and swaying to the beat of Bash’s drums.
Ryker stood, rock steady, with his powerful legs spread on a solid base. His head hung low, and it looked like his entire being was concentrated on the song. The bass guitar rode low on his hips, and he strummed out a bass riff, the potency of sound building toward a climax.
Out of his Air Force uniform, he blended with the others of the band, like he belonged right beside them. Ripped jeans wrapped around his legs, and a T-shirt stretched across the breadth of his chest. The low, throbbing notes of his bass riff tumbled through the air, filling every breath with the promise of what Angel Fire would soon unleash onstage.
Ash came up front and center and grabbed the mic. “Good evening, London!”
His shout rocked the speakers and brought an answering roar from the crowd. The sound intensified, rumbling through the stadium, an avalanche of anticipation that snapped all eyes forward to the stage.
“We have a surprise for you tonight!” Ash turned and gestured at Ryker, urging him forward. “I want you to meet Ryker!”
A roar shook the stadium.
Ash went on to explain Bent’s injuries and how Ryker had graciously stood in. More was said, but Tia could think of nothing but the man who owned her heart. No more dark corners. No more stolen kisses. It would take a couple of weeks to finalize her discharge, but she’d been dismissed and placed on terminal leave. For all intents and purposes, she no longer had a job. Nor did she have rules and regulations that determined whom she could love.
She closed her eyes and sucked in a breath. Tears pricked at her eyes. This time, instead of holding them back, she let them pour.
Skye hugged her. “You okay?”
“I am,” she said, returning the hug. “I didn’t think I would be, but I am. I can’t thank you enough for what you’ve done.”
“You’re doing me a favor,” Skye yelled, pitching her voice to be heard. “I wouldn’t want it any other way.”
They watched the entire concert from the mixing board, swaying with the crowd and shouting at the tops of their lungs. Ryker had no idea she was here, and she planned on surprising him after the show. Anticipating her need to see him as soon as possible, Forest escorted her and Skye backstage while the boys played the encore. With the press of the crowd, that might seem a monumental task, but people parted before the gentle giant.
The buzz from the crowd faded as they headed backstage. Forest wove through the sea of security and groupies without hesitation, his determined stride pushing aside the throngs of people. No one challenged him. As he held the door open, she and Skye ducked beneath his arm and entered the quiet of the band’s dressing room.
“They’ll be here in a bit,” he said and then left them alone, heading back into the hall.
Her heart sped up, as she was eager for a reunion with Ryker.
Skye wandered over to one of the couches and lowered herself down with a sigh. “My body is so confused.”
“What do you mean?”
“Too many time zones in too few days,” Skye said. “I’m exhausted.”
Tia glanced at Skye’s palm resting on her belly. “Are you sure that’s all?” Her gaze cut down, making an obvious assumption.
Skye’s smile slipped. “Please don’t tell anyone.”
“Does Ash know?”
“Not yet. It’s too early to be certain. Honestly, I’m afraid.”
Tia rushed to Skye’s side, excited for her friend. “What are you afraid of?”
“Losing it,” she said. “There are scars…”
Skye’s past held many horrors, but Tia hoped Skye’s fears remained unfounded.
“How far along are you?”
“Eight weeks,” Skye said.
“You have to tell Ash.” She bounced with excitement, overjoyed for her friend.
“I will,” Skye said. “Once I know for certain.”
The door banged open, bringing their conversation to a halt. Tia stood and wiped her palms against the fabric of her pants. Her heart fluttered with anticipation and sent her pulse racing through her veins. Spike and Noodles entered first, girls draped over their arms. Bash entered next with a redhead locked to his lips. Ash bounded in behind them, pushing Bent through the door. Several other men followed, security if she guessed right, but where was Ryker?
Then, she saw his military haircut and prominent jaw. Strong and powerful, he stole her breath. He caught her staring, and his entire being lit up. Those sea-green eyes, which turned women stupid, arrowed straight for her heart with her heart-thudding, sexy-as-fuck, irresistible need to feel him skin to skin. She couldn’t believe there had once been a time when she fought the force of his charisma every day.
Ryker barreled through the men, intent on only one thing. He ran to her and scooped her up into his arms. When he lifted her off her feet, the entire room spun as he twirled them around. Then, her feet were on the ground again, and she met the full force of his gaze. He searched her face and lowered his eyes to the fullness of her lips, but instead of giving her the kiss she’d been yearning for, his brows drew together.
“I’m so sorry.” His gaze burned with regret, maybe even remorse, but a hunger lurked at the edges. “I wanted to be by your side.”
“It’s okay,” she said. “It could’ve been worse.”
“It’s not okay. You lost everything,” he said.
She ran her finger along his brow and dragged it down his temple to land on the gentle curve of his lips. “Not everything,” she admitted. “Sometimes, you have to let something go before you realize there’s something even greater waiting in the wings.”
“But your career? Your dreams? They’re all gone.”
“Not really,” she admitted, eager to tell him the news.
“If I hadn’t—”
“If it hadn’t have been for that kiss, a lot of things never would’ve happened.”
“Why aren’t you more upset?” His words whispered against her skin.
When he placed his forehead against hers, they reconnected through that fragile touch.
“I took a general discharge, and I’m on terminal leave. The Air Force is behind me.”
His breath hissed. “Tia…I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. I already have another job.”
He pulled back, and his gaze darted between her eyes. “A job? How?”
Her smile could no longer be contained, and she pointed at Skye and Forest. “They offered me a job.”
They’d offered much more than that.
“Doing what?” But his eyes widened, and understanding dawned in his expression.
“A surgical black ops team,” she answered. “Basically, what we’ve been doing all along but not with the military.”
Forest approached and clapped Ryker on the back. “We’ve got a spot for you, if you want it.”
“Me?” His eyes widened, and his brows practically climbed up his forehead with surprise.
Forest nodded. “Tia’s agreed to recruit, train, and lead the members. We’d love to have you.”
“But what about Angel Fire?” Ryker asked.
Forest co
cked his head. “The USO tour has run its course. The boys will fly back to the States and take a break from touring. Ash has songs to write for the next album. It’ll give Bent time to heal.”
“As soon as your deployment ends,” she said, “you’ll be all mine.”
His commitment would end soon, only a couple of weeks left. Her lips parted, and his gaze collided with hers, brimming with excitement, hope, and something more. Her nerves rioted with the potency of the moment hanging between them. A fever spread through her and fired up her pulse. It did other things as well. She pursed her lips and canted her head to the side, studying his strength. How would he answer?
“Ryker?” she asked, suddenly unsure about what he wanted.
He laughed and yanked her close. “Your future is mine. Wherever you are, I’ll be by your side.” He leaned in to kiss her, but she drew back.
“I’m not sure if you should be kissing your boss.”
Ryker tilted his head back and roared with laughter. He turned to Forest. “Do our new employers give a rat’s ass about fraternization?”
Forest laughed. “Fuck no.”
Ryker’s pupils dilated, and the smoldering heat of his gaze filled her with shock and arousal. “Good, because I plan on doing so much more than kiss my new boss.”
She hoped the fluttering in her gut never stopped.
Her breath fled as he leaned down and whispered in her ear, “I’ll kiss you but not before I know one thing.”
His exhalation seared her skin and sent goose bumps dancing along her arms.
“What?”
“I want you but not just for the night, not just for a day. I want your forever and all the days in between. It’s time to come home.” He pointed to his heart.
“Ryker,” she breathed, “are you—”
“Asking you to be my wife?” His eyes turned the deepest shade of green. “Forever and always. Be my future, my past, and my right now.” Locking his eyes with hers, he dipped his head and brushed his lips across her mouth. “What’s your answer?”
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