Disarmed by Love

by Gail Chianese

  “So un-promise. Chin’s an ensign, I’m a lieutenant, going up for lieutenant commander, and therefore I outrank him. No offense, man.” Dante nodded to the younger officer.

  “None taken,” Chin replied.

  The last thing he gave a damn about was which fork a person used to eat their salad and if his bread was the one on the left or right of the plate. No, correction. The last thing he cared about was where to place a damn comma.

  “Everybody takes a turn, hotshot.”

  “Yeah? What class are you teaching?”

  “U.S. Naval History,” Skip said.

  “What topic did you teach last time?” Dante nudged the binders further away. In a minute he’d learn if Skippy’s reflexes were any good.

  “U.S. Naval History.” He was itching to scoot the binders back; it was written all over his face.

  “Maybe Chin would like a turn at history class.”

  Skip narrowed his eyes at him. Like that would scare him. His baby sister terrified him more. “You’ve got one week to get them both down and then you give a mock presentation to me and Doc Laurie, the civilian in charge of curriculum. If you don’t pass, you don’t teach.”

  He walked away, but that didn’t stop Dante. “Promise?”

  Skip didn’t answer. Marco Williams, instructor and fellow new guy, snorted.

  “You’ll get used to Thomlison,” Chin said. “He’s an okay guy. I’d trade classes with you if I could. I love teaching grammar.”

  “You’re one of those guys, aren’t you?”

  “What’s that?” Chin asked.

  “The kind that doesn’t like to rock the boat and was the teacher’s pet in school.” Dante toed open the bottom desk drawer, grabbed the two binders and dropped them, out of his sight. “Got a kid brother like you. No worries on not trading. Skippy will come around to my thinking.”

  Jake Roberts walked into their space, massaging the back of his neck. “What’s up with Skippy? Someone line his desk with peanut butter again?” He dropped into his desk chair and looked around. “He ripped into me about the schedule he created.”

  “Nah. His inferiority complex reared its ugly head again,” Marco replied.

  “Got it.” He turned to Dante. “Thinks he’s the big man on campus. Speaking of which, saw your bio. Pretty impressive collection of chest candy you’ve acquired.”

  “Just doing the job,” Dante said.

  He wasn’t in it for the recognition. He wasn’t anybody’s hero. He was damn good at his job and he got a thrill out of knocking on death’s door and flipping it the bird every time he walked away.

  Chin nodded toward the drawer. “You might want to study those binders. Doc Laurie is a ballbuster about sticking to the program.”

  “What’s to worry about?” He held up his hands with his index finger touching the tip of his thumb and other finger straight so the left formed the letter b and the right, d. “Bread—left, drink—right. As for grammar, I watched Schoolhouse Rock! What more do I need to know?”

  Chapter 3

  He’d been scanned, X-rayed, monitored, poked, and prodded. If there was a machine the medical community could hook him up to, it’d been done. He was freaking tired of tests and even more tired of hearing the same old bullshit answers. The day’s fun involved a PET scan or was it an MRI? At this point, he’d lost track of which one was which. All that really mattered was the end results and his said there’d been no improvement in his condition.

  “Rethink your career plan,” the doctor had advised.

  So there he sat at his favorite park, just a few blocks from his parents’ home in Providence. He had a couple of hours to kill before his appointment with the Mistress of Pain, so why not. They wouldn’t miss him at work. At this point, he was just filling a desk and watching others yammer away about shit he’d learned years ago. Boring-ass crap he was now expected to teach others.

  At least here, he knew what was expected. Soon a pick-up game would start on the basketball court. The field would be overrun with soccer players and moms would supervise their tots on the playground. And he could sit on his favorite bench in the far corner and be left alone. It was his place. It wasn’t the biggest or even the most beautiful park in the city, just a small neighborhood plot of land. But it’d been his go-to place when life crowded in on him and in a family with four kids that happened often.

  This was the place he’d decided his future, so it seemed only right, he was back on the very same bench, rethinking his future.

  Dante kicked back, legs stretched out in front of him, ankles crossed and surveyed the area around him. It wasn’t the worst place in the world to grow up or settle in. It wasn’t the best either. In seventeen years he’d seen the world. He’d traveled to places his classmates never heard of, eaten questionable food, and seen atrocities he’d rather forget.

  He’d also had the best time of his life.

  Damn. He wasn’t ready for the ride to be over. To sit behind some desk or stand at a podium and teach which fork to use, and whose glass is whose. He wanted to be out protecting the people and his men. He wasn’t ready for the adventure to be over.

  As he sat there, feeling sorry for himself—and yep, he admitted that’s what he’d been doing—the park had filled with people and action. It was probably a good idea to head back to work before someone got the idea he was some kind of creeper. Besides he had work to do before his yoga session.

  Thank goodness his buddies couldn’t see him now. They’d have a field day. Hell, his brothers would have the time of their life if they found out, which was why he didn’t plan to tell anyone what he was doing, especially his family.

  Outside of his brothers, his mom would just worry more about him. His dad wouldn’t understand. As for his baby sister? Tawny would probably tell him to suck it up and make some lemonade. He smiled as he walked back to the car. He really did need to find the time to go see his family. Two months, that’s how long he’d been home.

  And how long he’d been avoiding those who loved him best.

  Maybe in another week or two, once he got the worst of his issues under control, he’d pop in and surprise his parents.

  Damn it!

  His hands started to shake. Dante stopped, clenched his fists, and willed his body to relax. Until it passed, he wouldn’t be able to drive. Closing his eyes, he quietly counted by twos. When that didn’t work he focused on the soccer practice going on in front of him.

  Be present, it’s what the docs had said would help his anxiety.

  Deep breath. Let it out, nice and slow. He opened his eyes. The grass had been cut recently. The temperature had kicked up a couple of degrees from when he’d first arrived at the park, leaving the back of his shirt damp. For once the weather gurus got it right, today was going to be a record breaker. A little steadier, he released his hands and headed to the parking lot. He hadn’t taken more than a half-dozen steps, when he stopped. Two dogs had broken loose and were headed straight for him.

  All instincts went on alert. There were kids playing on the field behind him, would the dogs attack? If he ran, would they follow him or if he simply squatted down would they come over for a good back rub? He took a chance, squatted down and whistled.

  A few seconds later, Dante had a beagle in his lap and a Staffordshire terrier giving him a bath. He didn’t even pay attention to the woman running in his direction, which was kind of sad when he thought about it later. All the stress building in him simply vanished with the dogs.

  For all of ten seconds.

  That’s how long it took the redhead to catch up, stop, and then throw herself into his arms.

  “Dante!” She kissed him on the mouth and looked over her shoulder. “Hey, look who’s home. No wonder the dogs took off running.”

  It took him a minute to recognize the disheveled woman pushing two strollers and breathing heavy,
which was bad when she was your baby sister.

  He shouldn’t be surprised. Where there was one, there was the other.

  For as long as he could remember they’d been an inseparable pair. Cherry and Tawny, two peas in a pod, yin and yang, one his sister by blood, the other of his heart, and both royal pains in his butt.

  They’d even gone on a reality show together. Neither had found what they had been looking for at the time, but look at them now. Happy. Married.

  “Hey sis, looking good.” He grinned and waved to the ankle biters in the buggies.

  “Bite me, bro,” she said with a smile after she got over her initial shock. In seconds her arms were wrapped around his neck and cutting off his air supply. “Dios, I’ve missed you.”

  He pried Tawny’s arms from his neck and inhaled. “Killing me is a funny way of showing it.”

  “Puhlease. A big, bad as… umm, ape like you, can’t take a little hug? The navy’s turned you into a wimp.”

  Dante ignored the dig and squatted down in front of the kids. “Who do we have here? This can’t be Gavin and Catalina.”

  The boy hid his face into the side of his stroller and stuck his thumb in his mouth. But his niece eyed him like she was weighing his worth and thinking he wasn’t worth the time of day.

  “Yep.” Tawny nudged him out of the way while she released the harness and picked up her daughter. She turned around so the two could be eye level. “Catalina, this is your Tío Dante. Can you say hi?”

  Dante smiled and Cat whacked him on the nose.

  “I see she’s her mother’s daughter.”

  Tawny and Cherry both laughed. “What did you expect? A polite little princess? You should know better,” Tawny said.

  “Please, she’s a Valkyrie in training,” Cherry said.

  The women fist bumped and turned back to him. “And her daddy wouldn’t have it any other way. No man will ever put a hand on her without an invitation.”

  “Something I should know, Tawny?”

  She shrugged. “Ancient history.”

  Cherry stepped forward with her son—and with that deep red hair, he could be no one else—in her arms. “Gavin, do you remember Tío Dante?”

  The little boy clapped his hands together and shouted, “Fire truck.”

  “Good memory,” Dante said, sticking his hands in his front pockets when Gavin leaned forward toward him. The last thing he needed was to drop his nephew or niece.

  “It’s still his favorite toy,” Cherry said, kissing her son before putting him back in the stroller.

  “When did you get home? Mom and Dad didn’t say anything about you coming to visit.”

  “That’s because—”

  “And why are you hanging out in the park instead of at the house?” Tawny strapped Cat back in her stroller and moved it closer to Gavin’s where the two could play. “Did you tell George? He and Alex are taking the kids to Disney tomorrow on vacation and Matty is in London until Sunday. Alastair’s family is finally starting to come around and accept the two of them. Mierda! If you’re here now, that means you won’t be able to come home in a couple of months for their wedding.”

  “Tawny, slow down.” Cherry laughed and sank to the ground to give the dogs some attention. “Give the guy a chance to say more than two words or finish a sentence.”

  His sister rolled her eyes and waved her hand. “Fine. Speak.”

  “No one knows.” But now they all would. Tawny never could keep a secret. “You two, well four, are the first to find out.”

  “Yay, but man if I’d known I’d have taken the day off. I’ve got a client lunch. Hey, want to babysit for me?”

  Every system in his body ran cold at the thought of being in charge of a toddler. “No can do. Got navy stuff to take care of.”

  “Chicken,” Tawny said at the same time Cherry snorted in clear disbelief. “If you’re on leave, why do you have navy stuff to do?” Tawny’s tone called bullshit.

  Time to come clean. “I’m not here on leave. I’m stationed in Newport now.”

  “What?” His sister launched herself into his arms again, jumping up and down, laughing and crying. “Dios mío. Dante, that’s fabulous. Mama is going to be thrilled. She’s been so worried about you this past year. You’ve hardly called and you haven’t come home since right after Catalina was born.”

  “There’s this little thing called a war on terrorism going on. Maybe you’ve heard of it.”

  Tawny brushed his comment aside. “Been going on your whole career, Dante, so that’s no excuse.”

  “I’m here now—”

  “And that’s all that really matters.” Cherry stood and gave him another hug before stepping back. “It’ll be good to have you around again. Maybe then your mom will stop asking me when I’m going to have another bebé and focus on you instead.”

  His sister rolled her eyes and nodded enthusiastically. “Yes, we’ve done our duty and Mateo is going to tie the knot soon, so now it’s your turn, slacker boy.” A sharp nail in his chest emphasized her point.

  Cherry nudged Tawny out of the way. “You didn’t happen to bring anyone special home with you, did you?”

  “Nope.”

  “Wanna meet someone special?” She grinned. “I know this gorgeous blonde from school. She’s working on her degree in biophysics or something.”

  Tawny snorted. “Dante with a blonde brainiac? So not his type.”

  Up until recently, he’d say that was precisely his type. He tugged on his sister’s hair to shut her up. “I don’t even want to know what kind of woman you think I’d want to date. But right now, I’m flying solo by choice. I have some work things to deal with.”

  Tawny’s hand flew out to grab his arm and Cherry arched a delicate brow.

  “Everything’s okay, isn’t it, Dante?” Tawny asked. “You’ve been unusually distant this past year and now going celibate. It’s not like you.” Her voice was tinged with concern, mixed amongst the teasing.

  Damn, he hadn’t meant to make either worry and the looks on their faces said he’d done just that.

  “Relax. Everything’s fine. The longer you stay in the more responsibilities get thrown your way.” Technically, not a lie. Just in his case, not the full truth.

  “Whatever, but don’t think that excuse is going to fly with our mother. She will not be happy until each of us are married off and have provided her with grandchildren.”

  He crossed his arms and rocked back on his heels. “I’m not worried. She’ll be focused on Mateo’s wedding and my being home for a while. Hey, speaking of, things are kind of hectic at work and I’m not sure when I can come see everyone. Can you two keep this quiet for a while?”

  The two looked at each other and smiled. “No way, slacker boy. You’ve gotten out of too many family dinners and I’m not going to be her sole focus this weekend.”

  “Come on, sis, I’ve covered for you lots of times. Both of you.”

  They did that thing again, where they exchanged a million words with one look, kind of like an old married couple.

  “No, you ratted us out lots of times.” Tawny glared at him.

  “Give him a break, Tawny. He’s getting old. Clearly, his mind is slipping.” Cherry’s smile was pure innocence. Too bad he knew her too well to fall for the act.

  The kids started to fuss and Catalina threw her toy at him and demanded that they “Go.” Cherry pushed both strollers back and forth while promising them they’d leave in a minute. The dogs didn’t seem to mind as both laid in the sun panting.

  “Just a couple of weeks? I’ll even throw in a night out on the town for the four of you, minus the kids.” Not that he planned to babysit, but he’d pay.

  “I’m thinking we could give him a week or two, Tawny. Jason and I haven’t been on a date in months.” Cherry looked down at Gavin as she pushed him ba
ck and forth. “What do you say, buddy? Want to spend the evening playing fire truck with Tío Dante?”

  “No,” he shouted. “I’m not babysitting. You don’t want to leave your kid with me. I’ll drop the f-bomb and teach him all sorts of bad habits like showing you his chewed up food and telling fart jokes.” Perspiration broke out on his upper lip and across his forehead. He couldn’t be left in charge of kids. Hell, half the time he couldn’t remember what he was doing or why. He’d probably forget he had the kid and leave them home alone.

  His sister shook her head, kissed him on the cheek, grabbed one of the dogs’ leashes and turned the stroller around. “See you Sunday, big brother, and don’t be late.”

  * * * *

  Why wasn’t this working? She was in her domain—the gym. Sweat hung in the air, soft music played in the background and she had a perfect specimen of the male form in front of her, but she couldn’t focus. This was her happy place, and she was anything but happy.

  Why? Dylan, that’s why. Her perfect child had turned into a monster, slamming doors, and yelling.

  He’d said he hated her.

  Did he mean it? Would he turn out like her demonic nephews? Oh God! Last time the twins came over, she almost called a priest to perform an exorcism. If only she’d known a priest. Her sweet boy could not turn out like them.

  But he’d said it. Said he’d rather live with his dad.

  “Are you growling at me?” Dante asked.

  “What?” Fee let out an exasperated sigh. “No, just lost my focus for a moment. It’ll happen, especially while you’re new to yoga. When it happens it’s important to acknowledge what pulled your concentration away, and make a note to yourself to address it at a later time. This allows your mind to let go.”

  Great. He probably wonders why he signed up for this gig. After all, if I can’t keep my focus, how am I supposed to help him? And really, does a bomb expert need me to tell him how to concentrate. I should probably be taking tips from Dante.

  His lopsided grin said yep, she was an idiot.

  “Got it.”

  “Sorry,” she murmured and shifted.