Dakota was polite but stayed in the captain’s chair. Given the relaxed family dynamic, she could tell the males were surprised.
The men took the family out and Bubba came up to stand beside her when the group disappeared beneath the surface.
“What’s the matter?”
“Nothing. Just a little tired.”
For a long moment, he stared at her before stepping closer and putting his palm on her cheek. “That’s not it.”
He hugged her and it suddenly took everything she had not to have some sort of emotional breakdown on the little boy.
“Don’t do it this time. You can find another way.”
She hugged him harder. “It’s the only way I know, Bubba.” Pulling back, she held his face in her hands. “Don’t be afraid. I need to go before school starts so I’m here for you.”
“If anything happened to you…”
“It won’t. I’ll always come back.”
He inhaled deeply. “I assume this is a secret?” She nodded. “It feels like lying.”
“I’m sorry.”
Lifting a strand of her hair, he pulled the curl and watched it spring back. “I bet they never see you coming.”
“No. They don’t.”
A little while later, everyone returned from the dive and Dakota masked her inner turmoil.
For the first time since meeting him, she’d be glad when Gunner returned home. She didn’t want him to start asking questions because there were no easy answers.
* * *
The day after the SEALs returned to the mainland, Dakota appeared in the living room with a duffle bag over her shoulder. Her brothers stood nervously.
“I’ll be back in a few days. I cleared the schedule so you don’t have to take the boat out if you don’t want to.”
“Where is it this time?” Chaz was still, tense.
“Puerto Rico. I won’t lose much time traveling.” She gave them a careful smile. “I’ll be fine. Don’t worry.”
“That’s a fucking bullshit thing to say.”
“I know but I mean it. I love you guys.” Grabbing her bag, she was out the door before she talked herself out of it.
Six hours later, she jumped from a small plane to a dirt runway surrounded by heavy forestation. Nodding at the pilot, she walked to a shack that acted as their air traffic control.
To the man there, she said, “Los Juegos.” The Games.
His eyes went wide as he looked her over from head to toe. He started to smile and she slammed her fist on his metal desk, startling him badly.
Through gritted teeth, she said again, “Los Juegos.”
“Se combate en los Juegos?” You fight in the Games? His face was condescending, disbelieving.
Dropping her bag on the dusty wood floor, Dakota assumed a fighting stance and gestured for him to join her.
“Responder a la pregunta por sí mismo.” Answer the question for yourself. His expression went blank and he quickly held up his hands, murmuring apologies.
Picking up her bag, she said, “Transport. Now.”
“Sí, señora.”
It took another hour driving on roads that were barely trails to reach the current location of the Games. She paid the driver and walked into recently leveled clearing.
In the center was a pit twenty feet in diameter and six deep.
To one side of the rudimentary camp, several large canvas tents were erected. One featured a universal red cross that announced in every language that it provided the only medical assistance for miles.
Entering one of the others, she nodded at the people there and backed out when she realized it was full. In the third tent, she discovered a cot that wasn’t occupied.
She dropped her bag on it and didn’t engage in conversation. You didn’t chat with people in such situations.
In all her years of participating in the international fights, she’d seen worse facilities and she’d seen better. She hadn’t made the trip for room service or cable television. It wasn’t a vacation.
Dakota was here to lance old wounds.
There were no names in a place like this but there were legends. Stories of the other Games, other winners. She didn’t give a fuck about legends.
As the sun set, torches were lit around the pit. Generators supplied additional lighting throughout the rough camp.
Wearing shorts and a tank top, she secured her hair tightly to the base of her skull and wrapped her hands and feet.
Then she went out to stand at the edge of the pit. The other contestants appeared as well and all of them were silent as they waited to learn the order of matches. Dakota glanced across the circle when her first opponent was announced.
It didn’t matter. It never mattered.
Win or lose, she found peace for a while in places like this. When she left, she’d be calm enough to assume the mantle of a normal life for six months, perhaps a year, before the tension built beyond bearing again.
Victory wasn’t the point.
She usually took it home with her anyway.
* * *
As the sun rose a few days later, a cab dropped Dakota off at the beach house. Exhausted and sore, she walked through the front door without looking at her brothers.
“Let me shower. Let me sleep. I’m okay.”
There was a period of adjustment when she returned from the Games. Her family was never sure what to say, how to react, and they didn’t hide their worry well.
She felt numb.
In the pits, from one side of the world to the other, she allowed every emotion to drain from her. It took the good along with the bad but that was a temporary price she could live with.
Love was always the first to come back, followed by other positive feelings. She was glad the negative ones took far longer to reassert themselves.
She took a long shower and examined the condition of her body in the full length mirror.
A few pounds lighter, there were several scratches where desperate rivals attempted to slow her down. Some ugly bruises. Not many were fast enough to connect but when they did, it left a mark.
Most of them would heal by the time Gunner returned to the Keys. Hopefully.
She’d never had to explain such things to a lover. She wasn’t sure how she would if asked.
Many things were new when it came to the powerful man in her life. Most women had plenty of normal experience with men by the time they were her age.
They hadn’t lived the same life and their minds weren’t wired like hers. Dakota worked with what she had, in the framework she understood.
She wasn’t perfect but she was alive and there were times it hadn’t looked like she’d power through.
With a heavy sigh, she straightened the bathroom and climbed naked between her sheets. Despite a racing mind, she was asleep in moments.
* * *
At dawn the following morning, she quickly readied the boat for a dive trip. She went through her regimen, did the charter company books, and sipped a cup of coffee.
She wore capri leggings and a soft t-shirt to hide her injuries. It wouldn’t be a day she spent in the water. Chaz and Bubba could handle the tours. She’d focus on captaining the boat.
When her brothers showed up, they tried to make her laugh. It was awkward between them after a tournament but they always found their rhythm again.
The first dive group showed up late and it was quickly apparent they were nursing hangovers. They were in no condition to dive and she suggested they call to reschedule.
“The fee you’ve paid will transfer.” She handed them a card and said, “We always have openings.”
Their looks of gratitude told her she’d made the right decision. As they made their way gingerly up the dock to return to their hotel, she turned to her brothers.
“Breakfast?”
“I can always go for breakfast.” Bubba wrapped his arm around her waist and they made their way to their usual diner.
“We have one dive group in a couple
hours so unless those guys sober up and show up later today, we have some unexpected time off.”
Sipping her coffee, movement near the door caught her eye.
“Oh shit,” she murmured softly.
Chapter Thirteen
Gunner and Shawn appeared beside their table wearing huge smiles. Both of them looked incredible and fully healed.
Dakota couldn’t say the same and she wondered how the hell she could keep him from seeing her body.
Gunner bent to kiss her chastely on the lips and slid in beside her. “Hey there, pretty girl.”
“Hi.” Her happiness at seeing the gorgeous man warred with too many secrets kept.
“We planned to join your first dive but saw you heading here.” Shawn pulled a chair up to the edge of the table and grinned at Chaz beside him. “You have a cancellation?”
Her twin blinked. “Yeah. They were still too drunk to dive.”
“Then it was kismet. Two of our jobs were moved to the end of the month so we decided to take the three of you to a stupidly extravagant dinner in thanks for all your help.”
Bubba saved the Hardings from bizarre silence. “I need to shop for the stuff I need for school. Dakota was going to take me but I’d rather go with you guys if you have time.”
“I’d love that,” Shawn said sincerely. “Why don’t the three of us do that tonight and give these two some privacy?”
“Great! You gonna do the other dive trip with us today?”
“You bet. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” Turning his attention to Chaz, he asked, “You alright?”
He nodded but didn’t verbally respond.
Dakota murmured to Gunner, “I’m glad to see you but have bad news in the, uh, intimacy department.” She let the words hang there and he chuckled.
“You can say period. I’m a big boy.” She grinned. “By the way, I don’t come here for sex. I come here for you.” Whipping his eyes to Bubba, he said, “Uh…”
The elderly ten-year-old waved his hand. “I’m not a baby. I know sex happens. Sounds gross in theory but no judgment. I assume my views on it will change with age.”
Laughing shakily, the former SEAL replied, “You scare me to death, kid. I’m probably scarring your psyche for life.”
Using his thumbs, Bubba pointed at his siblings. “You know who I live with, right? I adapt and evolve like they taught me.”
“Good point. Catch us up. What have you been doing?”
Dakota quickly deflected. “No, tell us how the boys are doing! How do you feel?”
He stroked his fingers over her cheek and she closed her eyes to absorb the touch. As he started to talk, he wrapped his arm around her shoulders and held her close.
Conversation was constant while they ate.
They were waiting for the check when a group of kids on the other side of the restaurant called, “Erick!”
Glancing up, Bubba said, “Huh. Kids from science camp. Do you mind if I go say hi?”
“Of course not!” Chaz scooted out stood aside so he could visit with kids his age. “Take your time.”
As he got back in his seat, Dakota watched Shawn’s face. She thought he might actually be in love with her brother.
Chaz would never cross the line between them. It was up to the older man but she wondered if she could help.
“So. You guys are the same age and have known each other forever.” She took a sip of her coffee. “Anyone special in your life, Shawn? I don’t normally pry but I’m curious.”
“You can pry. How many times have I stayed in your home? Eaten meals at your table?” He shook his head. “No one special. Not for a long time.”
“I’ve just realized how quiet you are about your life.”
Chaz stared at her as if she’d lost her mind but she ignored him. He kicked her lightly under the table. She returned it forcefully without breaking eye contact with Shawn.
She examined his looks. From day one, she’d been more enthralled with Gunner but his best friend was equally attractive. About an inch taller than Chaz, he was thickly muscled with black hair and pale blue eyes.
Sitting beside her brother, they made a gorgeous couple.
“You’re staring, Dakota.” Shawn’s eyes twinkled with humor.
“I was just thinking how complimentary your dark looks are beside someone lighter like my brother. I got distracted.” She waved her hand. “Tell us everything.”
“I grew up in Texas. My dad’s an oil guy out there. I was sent to West Point to man up and met Gunner who was from Kentucky. Our accents made us the butt of jokes the first week.” He winked. “Once we teamed up, the jokes stopped.”
“I bet. Individually, you’re impressive. As a pair, I imagine you instilled fear in the hearts of those fucking with you.”
“We’ve been inseparable ever since. Went into the Navy together when we graduated. Navy police training led to the SEALs. Did ten years and went to work for the government doing work we didn’t always agree with that burnt us out pretty quick. After recruiting a team of our own, we hired out and were able to pick the right jobs that made a difference.”
Gunner smiled. “He’s the eloquent one. I’d have said we’ve been running and gunning for a long ass time but now we get paid better for it.”
They bumped fists.
“I’ve never been married. I don’t have kids. I’ve always been picky. I love the life I built but sometimes, I rattle around my house alone and wonder why I worked so hard.” He shrugged. “The older I get, the more I wonder.”
“It’s why we stay so fucking busy,” Gunner said. “Running every morning, house renovations, handling the business, and all the little tasks in between leave us less time to dwell on giving our country the prime years of our lives.”
“Are you implying either of you are past your prime?” Dakota asked seriously. “Because I’m here to tell you how wrong that is. Age is a combination of physical health and state of mind.”
Chaz idly stirred his coffee. “I’d place money on either of you in a confrontation with men ten or twenty years younger. Soldiers now don’t have the life experience or common sense.”
She smiled. “That’s straight from a man who’d know.”
“Then you must be an exception.” Shawn’s arm draped the back of his chair as he watched the younger man intently. “I don’t ask enough questions about your life either.”
“Let me help.” Dakota cleared her throat and folded her hands. “Chaz was in the Marines for four years. He gave it up to help with Bubba. I tried to get him to stay in because he loved the service. He insisted the responsibility belonged to both of us.”
“You were both twenty-one?” She nodded. “That’s a lot to take on. You’ve done amazing with him.”
“Thanks. We mess up a lot.” She rushed on. “Chaz was valedictorian. Fucker beat me by a hair and I didn’t talk to him for a week. We finished high school and college early then joined our respective branches of the military. Three years later, Bubba came into our lives.”
Chaz smiled warmly. “He was a great addition. He reminded us what it was like to just have fun, to laugh for no reason.”
Dakota agreed. “He also makes it easy on us. Chaz tutors him in pre-college courses and martial arts. I help him with flexibility and core strength.”
Gunner hugged her to his side and she hid her wince as one of her bruises received too much pressure. “Not to mention everything you show him about running his own business, dealing with people, and how to be a damn fine human being.”
Looking up into his face, she said softly, “Thanks.”
The object of their conversation appeared beside the table. “I have a question. It’s okay if you say no.”
“That’s unlikely. Hit me with it,” Chaz replied.
“The kids are doing a presentation at an environmental fair and want to get some samples of our sand, shells, and water. They invited me along.”
“Do you have your phone and money?” He nodded. “Yo
u know we’ll be on the water so when you’re done, come back here and have some lunch. You can buy for your friends as well.” Chaz fished two more twenties from his wallet.
“You know the drill,” Dakota pressed. “Everyone here at the marina knows you so if you need help, you ask for it.”
“Don’t worry. We’re taking samples from the shallows. A bunch of them are camping on the other side of the hotel with their families.”
“Be gracious but don’t take any shit,” she told him.
“You know it.” He leaned over Gunner and gave her a smacking kiss on the cheek before running around the table and doing the same to Chaz. The SEALs received high-fives.
He went back across the restaurant and his friends welcomed him among them. They took seats at a booth and one of the other boys removed a notebook. All of them leaned in to pore over it with interest.
“That kid’s so damn smart.” Shawn smiled.
“He is…let’s get back to you, Shawn. I normally railroad everyone in the kitchen but Chaz is actually a much better cook. How are you with a skillet and a steak?”
“You just named the one thing I’m able to cook,” Shawn confessed. “Having an almost unlimited supply of fish helped me learn a few more recipes but mostly, steak and eggs.”
“We’ll have to talk him into making his homemade pasta. It’s to die for, I’m not even kidding.”
She received another kick beneath the table and this time the others noticed. Everyone stilled.
For years, Dakota tiptoed around her brother because he wasn’t as hard as she was. He wasn’t filled with the same rage so she grew to adore him while being overprotective.
She was sick of him being afraid.
Both hands on the table, she leaned across. “You’re also a fucking baby when you’re sick, leave wet towels on the bathroom floor, and hold grudges.” She glared at him. “Is that better?”
The change in tone between them wasn’t difficult to spot. The twins rarely disagreed, much less fought, but both of them drew blood when it happened.
“Shall we talk about you for a minute?” He crossed his arms on the surface. “So many fascinating facts. That you took All State in both swimming and cross country in school.”
Permission to Come Aboard (The Great Outdoors Book 2) Page 8