Stark September (Stark Trilogy Book 1)

by C. D. Bradley

  Abbey entered. She had a mischievous look in her eyes as she quickly shut the door behind her. Something was up. Abbey walked quickly and quietly over to her desk like a spy on a secret mission.

  “What are you up to?” Kira asked, squinting at her friend’s odd behavior.

  “This came for you, Captain,” Abbey said in a low voice. She stood looking over Kira’s shoulder, eager to read the contents of the letter.

  “Seriously? You’re just going to stand over my shoulder and watch me read this?” Kira asked, looking up at her with a raised eyebrow and her best look of distain.

  “Oh, hell yes!. I mean yes, ma’am!” Abbey said wide-eyed with anticipation.

  “Oh, good lord!” Kira said, shaking her head. She opened the envelope and her heart stopped. She knew instantly by the writing it was from him.

  Kira,

  I’ve been trying to reach you. The last time we saw each other, you said what you had to say. You are right. There are a thousand reasons we can’t be together. But this is a fight I can’t walk away from. My whole life changed when I met you. There are things I need to say in person. Please meet me tonight at 6:00 pm at the Sunrise Terrace at the Garden of The Gods Club. OK stop smirking. It’s the one place I can be sure we won’t see anyone we know. Just hear me out. If you still feel the same way, I promise to let go.

  Owen

  Kira felt her hands trembling beneath the parchment. “I’m not going,” she said abruptly and put the letter down. She pushed it away as if it were contaminated with the bubonic plague.

  “You can’t mean that,” Abbey began softly. She had promised Stark she would do her best to get Kira to go. They both had known that would be an uphill battle. “He’s just asking you to give him another chance to hear him out.”

  “For what, to torture ourselves some more? Who were we kidding?” Kira cupped her head in her hands to keep from crying. “He has more than enough women in his life. I’m done putting myself through all this pain. And for what? He had the opportunity to finish his enlistment and we could have been together. He chose to reenlist! He made his choice and it wasn’t me.” Kira struggled to regain her composure as rogue tears escaped around her fingers.

  “Honey, some things are worth fighting for. It sounds like he believes that. I think you do, too. Give him a chance. Just hear him out.” Abbey spoke with the authority of an army wife of twenty-three years.

  Kira took a deep breath and steadied herself. She closed her eyes and wondered if she wouldn’t be better off just to walk away and forget she ever got the letter. “I’ll think about it. But I’m not making any promises.” As she said the words Kira wondered why she was even considering the idea.

  The rest of the workday seemed to fly by as Kira spent most of it distracted and plagued by the decision she had to make. Her better judgment told her to go for a long run, then a shower and a pint of Ben and Jerry’s and to forget all about meeting Stark. But the deep void in her soul that only he could fill called and begged for her to go and see what he had to say. She knew it would be emotional suicide. What answer could he possibly have? He had already reenlisted it was too late to change his mind. She felt selfish and bitter for wanting him to herself. She understood that his team was his family. She knew she couldn’t ask him to give that up.

  Before she knew it, the day was over and she was gathering her things. She smiled weakly at Abbey as she left the office. Abbey’s face had looked hopeful and a little sad. Kira started the car with trembling hands. Go or don’t go? Why am I even considering this? Kira put the car in gear and punched the gas. She jolted forward, making a pact with herself to look for a new car as soon as she could afford it. Stark had insisted that she keep the Jeep. She pulled up to her box apartment and sat for a moment before getting out. She thought back over their time together. The intense look in his eyes, his smile, the heat of his kiss. She shook her head. Maybe a run instead.

  * * *

  Stark had finished his day of training. He was more nervous and excited about that evening than he had ever been before. In less than an hour he would be sitting across from Kira asking her to be his wife. He dressed and put on a light jacket to conceal the small black box. He held it out before it, looking it over. Before he could go over his plan again, a loud voice jolted him from his thoughts.

  “Stark! Chip!” the Captain bellowed. His tone was dark and stern. The deep creases in his forehead were unmistakable. “Notify the others we’ve been tasked. Report to the Isofac in 45 minutes. Grab your A and B bags and your kit. The armory is open. Bring your personal and squad assist weapons.” The captain turned and went to notify the others on the call roster.

  Stark looked down at the little black box he was still clutching in his hand. His heart sank. Knowing his duty, he slowly put the box back in the pocket of his jacket and with it all thoughts and dreams of an evening that would never be. When called on a rapid deployment, there was no room for personal drama. Every man on the team counted on every other man for their very lives. Security mandated that they made no calls, just grabbed their prepacked gear and went. All focus now lay with the mission ahead. As he left the room with heavy bags on his shoulder, his mind fleeted to Kira and wondered if she would ever understand. He had hoped and prayed all day that she would show up. Now he might never know.

  * * *

  Kira raced to the Sunrise Terrace. She had taken time to shower and fix her hair, tucking most of her chestnut mane into a sweeping updo to contain it. Small trundles of hair spilled out and formed loose escaping curls. Final touches of makeup before she raced out the door ensured she would be late. He can wait a little. Her hands trembled as she drove. Why am I doing this? I know I am just killing myself. What could he possibly have to say to fix this? The twenty-mile drive felt like an hour though it took less than thirty minutes. Why is it that every granny on the road is going the same way that I am? She pulled into the lot but didn’t see his truck. Maybe he’s late for a change. She giggled at the thought of Mr. Punctual running late and having to scurry. She was immediately impressed and a little overwhelmed by the extravagance of the club. Oh, I probably should have dressed up a little more. Kira stood biting her lip and fidgeting with her purse while she waited for the hostess.

  “Do you have a reservation?” The sliver-blue haired woman asked, her lip almost snarling as she looked Kira up and down disapprovingly. Kira could feel herself shrinking.

  “My name’s Kira Riley. I’m…I’m here to meet Owen Stark.” Kira stammered nervously.

  The woman’s perfectly painted eyebrows shot up. Her collagen-infused smile stretched to its maximum as she cooed and gushed, “Oh, my dear, I’m so sorry. Right this way. You will be dining on the terrace with Mr. Stark.” She grabbed two menus and lead Kira to the lighted terrace.

  Kira’s breath caught as she walked into the stunning space. Small lights twinkled from every bush and tree. One lone table set exquisitely for two occupied the large terrace. A crystal vase in the center of the table held all white roses with two red ones nestled in the center. What the hell is he up to? Kira could feel tears in her eyes. The hostess encouraged her toward one of the wooden chairs and told her that Mr. Stark would be there shortly.

  “Would you like a glass of wine?” She began to go down a list of expensive names and years that Kira had no clue about.

  “I’ll just have a chardonnay,” Kira said numbly. The terrace opened up to an expansive green lawn that was bordered by lush shrubs and bushes. Beyond was the valley floor with massive rust colored rock formations. Pikes Peak lay in the distance towering and completing the spectacular view. Kira couldn’t help but imagine what a wedding there would look like. Rows of white chairs looking out to the expanse of Pikes Peak would be adorned with blue flowers. A freckle-faced preschooler excited to be all dressed up would sprinkle delicate petals in shades of blue down the aisle.

  Kira was shaken from her daydream by the waiter bringing her wine. He was tall, maybe six feet. Not quite as tal
l as Owen. Where is he? It’s not at all like him to be this late. “Thank you,” she said as he poured her glass. Kira glanced down at her watch. Six forty five.

  “Are you ready to order ma’am?” he asked hopefully.

  “No, thank you,” Kira replied. “I’m waiting for someone. He should be here shortly.” Kira took her phone out of her purse as the waiter left. No messages. She checked her text and call log. Nothing. He will be along shortly. There’s no way he would go to all this trouble and then stand me up…. Is there?

  * * *

  Stark stepped onto the terrace. The sound of his shoes on the gravel caused Kira to look up. She looked confused and a little angry. Her pouty lips were turned into a little frown and her forehead creased with puzzlement.

  “Where have you been?” she asked. He could hear the disappointment in her voice. “You said six o’clock. I was just about to give up on you and go home.”

  A slight breeze had picked up and blew gently through her hair, carrying with it the fragrance of her perfume. He stopped for a moment to take in the exquisite sight before him. There next to the backdrop of the mountains was the angel who represented the rest of his life. He moved closer to her and took her hand in his. “Kira,” he began, kneeling before her and looking up into her eyes, “I’m so sorry about the way things happened. You are right, though, we can’t go on like this. It’s not fair to either one of us. I can’t give up the army. It’s as much a part of my life as I want you to be. But I love you. With all my heart and soul, with all I am as a man, I love you. Imagining facing the rest of my life without you is more than I can bear.”

  “Owen, that doesn’t change anything. You know that I love you, too, but the bottom line is you reenlisted in the Army. You have already made your choice.” Her voice wavered as she finished. Tears brimmed in her eyes. It was like a dagger to Stark. He groaned inwardly at her pain, recalling her saying the same thing when he saw her last.

  Before she could say another word, he continued, “I’m taking a commission to be an officer.” He paused while the sadness on her face was replaced by shock and then confusion.

  “You…did…what?” her voice was quiet.

  “I accepted a recommendation for a commission. I have submitted everything and the commander tells me my chances are very good. I’ll be 18 alpha, an officer, and we can be together.”

  “You’ll still be in special forces. You’ll still leave me and be in danger all over the world.” Her voice was hesitant. He had expected that. He knew her fears based on what happened to her father and mother.

  “Kira, I want to tell you that everything is going to be perfect and we’ll never have any problems. But that would be lying. I could tell you everything you want to hear but I love you enough to tell you the truth and I have to trust that what we have is strong enough to take it. I believe you love me for me. This is who I am. The team is my life. It’s something you live or die for. It’s not a choice that you make. It’s committing everything that you are. I thought that was enough for me until I met you. When I first looked into your eyes, my whole world changed. I realize now that I have found my home in your heart. I love you tremendously, completely, with everything that I am….” He paused and looked up into her eyes, which were now flowing with tears. He pulled out the small box. When he opened it, he heard her gasp. Her trembling fingers came up over her open mouth.

  “Kira,” he continued before he lost his nerve. “Will you…”

  The jolt of the plane on the runway shook Stark from his daydream. He realized he was clutching the box tightly. He looked down at his combat uniform, reality crashing in like a tidal wave. It would have been perfect. I wonder if she showed up. Silently he tucked the box back into an inner compartment of his jacket. He would keep it with him. He reached up and touched his tags, one of his and one of hers.

  * * *

  It was getting dark. Curious waiters with worried expressions had made several trips offering wine and waiting to take her order. Three hours had passed. With each passing minute her hope faded. She looked out over the mountains and wondered if something had happened or if he had simply come to his senses and realized they had been kidding themselves all along. Her earlier excitement had given way to betrayal and anger. Now, those emotions faded to a complacent sadness. She stood and grabbed her purse. Opening it, her fingers brushed over her tags, one of hers and one of his. It had been a mistake. A wonderful, beautiful mistake, but it was over now. She took out a twenty and left it for the wine. The click of her heels echoed across the empty terrace as she made her way to the exit. As she reached the door, she turned and looked back at the lone table in the darkened space and wondered what might have been.

  EPILOGUE

  She almost missed a red light. Her tires screeched on the pavement as she stopped partially in the intersection. Large drops of rain started to fall from the sky. She drove more cautiously the rest of the way. She pulled up in front of her apartment and sat there for what seemed like an eternity. Finally, she got out and walked to the door. Smudged make-up lined her face. Tears mixed with raindrops as she raced to the porch. She opened the door and went into the dark apartment alone. Alone. As she disappeared inside, a beam of light could be seen shining out into the night. She hadn’t closed the door all the way. Well, then, that’s practically an invitation. He could hear sounds of a shower as he approached the door. After quietly slipping in, he pulled the door closed with a gloved hand and locked it.