His jaw tightened and his teeth grated together. “Anything else?”
“Don’t you think that’s enough?” She turned angry eyes toward him.
Good. That, Chase could take. It was the fear he’d seen when he’d walked in the door that scared him spitless.
“He knows we’re married. And he apparently knows who my father is. Soon the General will know we’re married, along with everyone else. Not to mention that this nutcase is trying to ruin your award ceremony and my career in one fell swoop. And intends bodily injury or death to you, me or both of us.”
Chase really didn’t care about the ceremony. But he did care about Sabrina.
“Cancel the ceremony.”
“No.”
“I don’t want the medal. I don’t deserve it.”
“The hell you don’t. But even if I did, it wouldn’t stop him. Not now.”
Her words made him feel…powerless. He didn’t like that at all. There must be a way to stop the maniac.
“You don’t know that.”
“Yes, I do. You didn’t hear him. Whatever is going on in his mind, this man is angry and unhinged. Not a great combination.”
Sabrina ran her fingers over her hair, patting imaginary strands into place. He watched her eyebrows knit and a groove of worry dig into her skin. At least there was one thing he could do.
“I’m taking you out of this equation.”
Sabrina looked at him, hard. “No. You’re not.”
“I won’t put you in danger.”
“You have no authority over me and my job decisions, Major.”
Crap. Chase squinted his eyes and rubbed at the headache forming behind his temples. If he pushed her on this…he’d lose every last speck of ground he’d gained with her over the last few weeks. She was finally starting to see him—to see them—as something real and concrete.
If he insisted, she’d never forgive him for taking away her damned sense of control—over herself, her life, her career choices. He wondered when she’d figure out life couldn’t always be controlled.
The Secret Service was here. Everyone was aware of the situation. He’d stay glued to her side for the next two days.
“Fine. On one condition. You stay with me. And at the first sign of trouble you get the hell out of the way.”
She glared at him.
“Promise me or I’m calling the President’s office myself.”
“Fine.” She sighed, a resigned sound that had never sounded so good in his life. “What about our marriage?”
“What about it?”
“He knows about it, Chase. And he has no problem using that information against us. Somehow, he’s figured out that no one knows—including the air force. It’s not going to stay a secret for very long.”
Her eyes narrowed as she paused for a moment.
“We need to file the paperwork now. At least that way, when all hell breaks loose, we can look like we were taking steps to correct the problem—correct the prank gone wrong that it was,” she said.
“Our marriage is not a prank.” At least not to him. But if she could still call it that after everything they’d shared, been through together lately…
“No, it isn’t, Chase, but it also isn’t the best thing for either of us right now.”
“I’m not signing anything, Sabrina. There’s got to be another way.” A way that didn’t involve losing the woman he loved.
He couldn’t read the thoughts or emotions swirling behind her eyes. God, he wanted to, but once again she was shutting him out.
“Promise me you won’t do anything rash.”
Nothing. A blank wall of nothing. Her mouth didn’t even twitch with a desire to give him that assurance.
“Sabrina Carden, if you care at all for me, for our relationship, don’t do this. Don’t do something we’ll both regret.”
SHE CARED. She cared too much. She cared enough to do the right thing, no matter how much it hurt.
Rina submitted the divorce paperwork—without Chase’s signature or his knowledge. He was being stubborn and, whether he realized it now or not, he’d thank her later, whenever the shit hit the fan and they had proof that the problem would soon be a nonissue.So why did she feel like crap? Like she’d somehow betrayed him…or herself?
It was the best thing for them both. It was certainly the best move for their careers. And if she was starting to question whether the life she’d mapped out with the air force was really what she wanted…she knew Chase wouldn’t ever change his mind. He was career air force, flyboy all the way. And he’d resent her and their relationship if it cost him the one thing that mattered.
Just like her mother had resented the loss of her freedom. And her father had resented being thrust into the role of single father. She wouldn’t live a life of regret and resentment. Not now. Not with Chase.
The ceremony was tomorrow and if she could just make it through the next few days…things would calm down. Things would get better. Maybe—maybe—they could start over from scratch. Try dating and fooling around a little without the pressure of knowing their joke had consequences that neither of them had planned.
“Captain McAllister.”
Rina’s head shot up from staring unseeingly at her desk, startled by the voice of her father coming through the open doorway to her office.
“Sir? What…what are you doing here?”
He strolled inside, ramrod straight and in perfect order. Ever the General.
“You don’t think I’d miss Major Carden’s award ceremony, do you?”
Of course he’d been invited; she’d sent the invitation herself. But for some reason she’d never thought he’d actually attend. And he certainly hadn’t given her a heads-up that he was coming into town. Apparently, his secretary had forgotten to call her.
“Besides, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to see my little girl.”
He didn’t move toward her. He didn’t smile. Just once, despite the fact that they were both in uniform and it was against the rules, she’d like her father to show her some affection. To hug her, kiss her on the cheek, anything. To put her above the air force and protocol.
But he wouldn’t. She knew that. It didn’t seem to stop her from wanting. Just like knowing she couldn’t stay married to Chase didn’t stop her from hoping in the deepest corners of her soul.
“I’m not little anymore.” Somehow he seemed to miss that she’d grown up while he was away, preoccupied, busy with his career goals.
“I know you’re busy handling details. I won’t interfere.”
Of course he wouldn’t. Nothing could interfere with air force business, not even him.
“Maybe we can get together later this evening. Here’s the hotel where I’m staying.”
She had a perfectly good spare bedroom. She’d originally gotten the two-bedroom with her father in mind. She should have known he wouldn’t have imposed…even on her.
“Certainly, sir. I’ll cook dinner. Seven o’clock?”
With a nod he walked back out her door. The first time she’d seen him in almost a year, and not a hug, not a how-are-you, he hadn’t even called her by her name.
This couldn’t get any worse. She’d waited for days for the other shoe to drop but she knew…it was dropping tomorrow night, in the middle of the biggest project of her entire air force career, in front of her commander, several generals, the President of the United States and her father.
The shit was going to hit the fan. Everything was going to go up in smoke.
And the only thing that she really cared about was that when the haze finally cleared she’d no longer have Chase. He’d never forgive her for what she’d just done.
DONALD STARED at his old uniform, laid out on the dingy motel bed. It was pristine; years of habit were hard to break.
He’d wear it tonight, for his Amy. She’d always loved to see him pressed and dressed. As a little girl she’d danced around the room in his uniform jacket, a bright, perfect smile on her fa
ce.Taking out the 9 mm Beretta, a virtual twin to the one he’d hidden just days ago on site, he ran his finger slowly down the length of the cold metal. He laid it beside his jacket, shirt and pants. It was simply part of the uniform for him, as a past security specialist. He’d spent years of his life teaching the new, up-and-coming airmen how to protect themselves in danger, how to hold steady and shoot straight.
Sitting in the rickety chair next to the particleboard table, Donald laid out his kit and began to disassemble the weapon. He rubbed each piece of the firearm as he oiled and cleaned it with loving care. He wouldn’t be able to take this one inside with him tonight, but it deserved the same respect and attention anyway.
Placing it back together, he thought, tomorrow it would be all over. Tomorrow he’d finally be able to put his baby girl to rest. Everyone would understand and appreciate the sacrifice that she had made…they’d honor her.
He’d make sure of it.
THE DAY OF THE ceremony dawned clear and slightly chilly. Rina would know. She’d been unable to sleep and had watched the sun rise slowly over the horizon.
There was so much riding on this day. It was Chase’s moment of glory and she wanted to make it perfect for him. Only the nasty churning in her stomach told her that probably wouldn’t happen.Had she made the right decision?
She wasn’t sure. In a few short hours they’d know, though. Rising up out of bed, she started her routine wishing more than anything that Chase was beside her. Pushing the unwelcome thought away, she got ready for work and headed for the base.
She stopped to speak to the guard on duty to ensure that they’d all been given the updated alert for Donald Blankenship. They had.
She should feel safer. She didn’t.
Rina spent the next several hours double-checking arrangements that had been made for weeks. Everything was in order. And still her skin crawled with nervous energy. She stood in the back of the auditorium and fidgeted with a clipboard in her hand. Her gaze raked across the empty space, looking for something, anything she might do.
“I know a way to bleed that off.”
His voice melted over her as his arms circled her waist. She should have pulled away from him. Florists, caterers, Secret Service and airmen had been streaming in and out all day. They were in uniform and anyone could see them.
But she couldn’t. The feel of his solid body at her back helped calm her nerves like nothing else had.
“Bleed off what?”
“The adrenaline. There’s a reason people turn to each other for sex after a trauma.”
“Is that what you did in Iraq?”
She had no idea where the question had come from. She had no right to ask. But it mattered. More than she wanted it to.
“No. You weren’t there.”
“You didn’t know we were married.”
“It doesn’t matter, Sabrina.” His warm breath touched the skin of her neck. His mouth found the hollow of her ear and dipped inside. “One night with you and I was ruined for anyone else. No one but you would do.”
Her breath caught in her lungs. Did he really mean that or was he just trying to seduce her like always? With Chase she wasn’t sure. She’d always been good at reading people, but with him, her emotions seemed to cloud her judgment.
“Of course, there weren’t a lot of women to choose from.”
“It wouldn’t have mattered if a busload of naked women had jumped out and thrown themselves at my feet.” He shifted behind her, turning her to face him. “From the moment I laid eyes on you again, I knew.”
Chase cupped the back of her neck with both hands, his thumbs running along her cheekbones, soothing her nerves in a way she hadn’t realized was possible. His mouth connected with hers in a soft kiss full of tenderness and banked fire.
“God, you have a way of just…running over my better judgment. I’m not myself around you.”
“I think you’re wrong. I think you’re finally yourself around me.”
It was true. She’d spent years forcing herself into a life plan that made her feel like a katydid with skin one size too small. She couldn’t spread her wings, she couldn’t fly.
With Chase, she wasn’t afraid, not for herself. For him, yes, but she was sure that sensation would never go away, even if he was no longer a part of her life.
He stared down into her eyes. It was a study that she felt to the depths of her soul.
“I want you in my life, Sabrina. I want you as my wife. I’ve never been so sure of anything. Tonight, after all this is over, I want to talk about a life together. Will you think about it?”
She found herself nodding even though she knew it wouldn’t happen.
The thought of staying married to this man…it tied her stomach in knots even the best navy man would be proud of. Part of her wanted nothing more than to spend the rest of her life bickering and making up with him. Part of her hoped that it could be true.
The rest of her realized that things were in motion, things she couldn’t stop, things she wouldn’t stop—for his sake—and they were likely going to destroy everything.
“We can talk about this tomorrow. Today is for you.”
DONALD DROVE through the gates of the base, producing an ID he’d made just yesterday—Max Nesmith Senior. He knew the man had been invited. He knew all of the grieving families had been. It was a PR stunt with no real intention behind it. They’d expect anyone attending to sit quietly in the audience and just appreciate being given an invitation, to relish the idea of sitting in the same room with the President.
He could have cared less about that.The security personnel confirmed his invitation and waved him onto the base with directions for where the auditorium was located. Not that he needed them.
He reached the parking lot, got out of his car and headed towards the lit entrance. People milled about outside, dressed in their peacock best. The mustache he’d bought at a local costume store itched. He ignored it.
Straightening his spine, he continued walking straight for the security personnel and the hulking white metal detectors that loomed over the open doorways. As he approached the guards standing on either side, he pulled out his retired military ID badge. It had taken him hours to alter his and yet more time to find a place that could produce a name tag similar to the air force regulations. But people were streaming around him and with the uniform no one looked very hard. People saw what they expected to see.
After a few sweaty moments while the airman studied his ID, he was waved into the entranceway.
Donald let out a sigh of relief. One hurdle down. Now all he needed to do was retrieve his gun.
CHASE SAT on the dais, staring out at a sea of people. Most of them he didn’t know. Most of them didn’t know him. But they’d come to watch the hero receive his medal.
The President sat on the dais several seats down, the senator to his right, the First Lady to his left. Secret Service surrounded everyone. He felt almost as if he was sitting on the outside of a bubble, which was just fine with him. The President had stopped briefly to extend his congratulations and thanks. Chase had smiled, shaken his hand and immediately looked for Sabrina in the milling crowd.It meant a lot to him that his sister and mother were here, in the first row, sharing this with him. He’d spent the afternoon with them because they were flying back out again first thing in the morning. He’d made sure that Sabrina was protected before he’d left, though. She might not have realized it, but several sets of eyes were watching her.
Now she sat several seats down from his family. She wore her mess dress uniform just as he did, equally spit polished and shined. She looked amazing. He sensed her nerves, quite possibly worse than his own, which was crazy considering in about five minutes he’d be speaking to a room full of people—not to mention national media personalities. It was entirely possible, after the coverage of his part in the incident in Iraq, that his speech could see airtime on CNN. That just boggled the mind.
Not that he cared. Honestly, he’d much pre
fer to be home, right now, working overtime on reminding his wife of the physical connection they shared.
She caught his eye from the first row and gave him a reassuring smile. It was brittle. To anyone else she probably simply looked preoccupied with her duties as coordinator of the ceremony. Chase knew better.
“Most of you are aware of the heroic efforts Major Charles Carden showed during his time serving the United States Air Force in Iraq. If you ask him, he’ll simply tell you that on that night he was doing his job, no more. The men whose lives were saved that night would strongly disagree.”
The President continued to drone on, reciting the paperwork from the medal submission and singing his praises as if he could walk on water. After several minutes he finally ended with, “It is with great honor that we present Major Charles Carden with the Distinguished Flying Cross, one of the highest honors that can be bestowed upon a pilot.”
It was his cue to move forward, to receive the blue-striped ribbon and bronze-rayed cross and public congratulations from the President. He’d just stepped out for the President to pin the medal to his chest when a commotion erupted near the middle of the room.
Chase knew immediately what it was. His eyes scanned the crowd and found a knot of people surging toward a man. In the center of everything, he stood on a chair, yelling at the top of his lungs, “Don’t pin that medal on his chest! He killed men and women. He didn’t save them.” The man brandished a black pistol.
His heart seized in his chest as the man pointed it toward the front of the stage. It wasn’t directed at any one person but Sabrina was close, too close. So were his mother and sister. The President. This was much worse than anything he could have imagined. Never, in his wildest dreams, would he have thought the man could get a gun into the room. When this was over, heads were going to roll if he had to chop them off himself. Assuming he was still alive to do it…
Secret Service swooped in, surrounding the President and leading him away in a cluster of controlled chaos.
A half-dozen men from the security detail were weaving through the rows of chairs, struggling with the crowd. The scrum of media had turned, the blank eyes of their video cameras and black holes of their microphones now pointed at the shouting man instead of the dais Chase stood on.
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