by Susan Stoker
“From what I understand, they’re all single…and have vowed to stay that way,” Wolf said with a grin.
“Famous last words,” Benny drawled. “I should know. I said it often enough after you guys started hooking up.”
Everyone chuckled. It was true. Women hadn’t ever seemed to be all that important until they’d found the women meant to be theirs.
“Look at Fletch, Ghost, and Coach,” Mozart said. “They were just as adamant that they’d never settle down, but they obviously changed their attitudes when they met their women.”
All the SEALs nodded, knowing exactly how the Delta Force men felt.
“You guys ever think about retiring?” Cookie asked, seemingly out of the blue.
His teammates didn’t respond right away, just merely looked at Cookie with intense gazes. He expanded on his seemingly blasphemous words. “I’m not saying today, but Benny, you keep popping kids out the way you are and Jessyka is going to need more help than just the temporary nanny you’ve got now. And Abe, you have your hands full with your two girls, and now Tommy, and I’d bet with her huge heart, Alabama isn’t done taking in foster kids. And even though Fiona has mostly put what happened behind her, I still find myself worrying about her every time I leave home. I can’t get what happened years ago out of my head when she had that flashback and we were in some fucking foreign country and I couldn’t get to her. I can’t stand the thought of something happening to us like it did to Fish’s team and leaving our families behind.”
Everyone was silent, horrified at the thought of dying while on a mission, but having the possibility all too fresh in their minds after hearing about Fish’s team and the last mission they were on, when Fish was injured. The man wasn’t dealing very well with losing his team, feeling as if he should’ve done more to protect them. He’d attended each and every funeral of his teammates and had dealt with the varying accusatory and pain-filled glances their relatives had lobbed his way.
“I actually had this conversation with Caroline the other day,” Wolf admitted softly, but didn’t say anything else for a long moment. Everyone waited for him to continue as he gathered his thoughts.
“Tex called and told me about Fish. I came out here to Texas to see him and let him know that there were people who cared about him. It was when I got back to California that Ice brought it up. I guess I was quiet and she asked what was wrong. I told her what I could about Fish’s situation. She asked if I ever thought about retiring. The thought horrified me at the time, but you’re right, Cookie. I think the time is coming where I’d be satisfied being on the training side of things rather than actively going on missions.”
“You think the commander would go for that?” Abe asked quietly.
Wolf shrugged. “I don’t know why not. I mean, look at Rocco’s team. There will always be teams ready to take our places. We’re not getting any younger. And if we can help the up-and-coming SEALs know exactly what to expect when they’re in the field, we can continue to serve our country—and be home with our families every night.”
Every one of the five other men nodded introspectively.
“I’m not saying I’m ready to quit today,” Dude said softly. “But I can certainly see the merits of being home with Shy every night.”
Everyone chuckled. They were more than aware of Dude’s sexual preferences and appetites.
The SEALs’ heads all turned as a cheer went up from a group of Emily’s friends who worked with her at the PX. They were drinking and laughing together and generally having a good time.
“How about this?” Wolf began, looking at his teammates, the men who were as close to him as brothers, in the eyes. “We think about it, mutually decide when the time is right, and I’ll bring the idea to the commander. Let him mull it over. We’re all in this together, or it won’t work. We either all retire, or none of us do. Right?”
“Absolutely,” Cookie said. “I could do it, but I don’t want to work with another team. I trust you guys explicitly. If one of us goes, we all go. Deal?”
“Deal,” all the other men agreed immediately.
Penelope watched as Tex kissed his wife after a song ended, and headed her way. She held her breath. She’d never met the elusive Tex, but she’d wanted to for a very long time. She knew he was the man she had to thank for helping get both Special Forces teams at the wedding over to Turkey to rescue her.
“Hi, Tiger…can we talk for a second?” Tex drawled in his distinctive southern accent.
“We’re done with her,” Rayne chirped. “She’s all yours.”
Penelope rolled her eyes at her friend and nodded at Tex. “I’d like that.”
She wandered off at the former SEAL’s side to a bench at the edge of the lawn.
The white lights strung around the yard twinkled and the pockets of happily laughing people made her smile. The reception was perfect. Low-key, festive, and relaxed. It was just what the men and women who sometimes struggled in big crowds needed.
She sat on the bench and waited for Tex to do the same. As soon as he was seated, Penelope said, “Thank you, Tex. I never really got a chance to say it in person. But from the bottom of my heart, thank you.”
“You don’t have to thank me,” Tex replied immediately.
Penelope rolled her eyes. “I knew you were going to say that. And yes, I do.”
“Then you’re welcome,” he said with a smile. “Now that we have that out of the way…how are you?”
“Good,” she said immediately.
Tex eyed her closely, then asked again, “No, Tiger. How. Are. You?”
She sighed and fingered the Maltese Cross on the chain around her neck without thought. She’d worn it every day since Wolf had slipped it in her pocket at the funeral of one of the pilots who had died trying to get her out of Turkey. “I’m okay.” She held up her hand when Tex opened his mouth to call her on her bullshit. “Better some days than others, but I’m getting there.”
“You still seeing the therapist on base here at Fort Hood?”
She should’ve been surprised that Tex knew about that, but somehow she wasn’t. “Yeah. When I can get up here.”
“Make the effort, Tiger. There’s nothing wrong with talking to someone about what you went through. As much as it sucks, I can’t help you with that. Neither can any of the Deltas. They can commiserate, and empathize, but they don’t know.”
The tears that seemed to always be waiting at the surface filled her eyes and Penelope looked away, trying to control herself. The twinkling lights blurred as she stared sightlessly at them.
She felt a warm hand rest on her knee. “I’m not saying that to be a dick, only to tell you to give yourself some slack. What’s your biggest fear?”
Penelope looked at Tex in confusion. “What?”
“Your biggest fear in regards to what happened. What is it?”
Penelope shook her head. “It’s stupid.”
“It’s not. What is it?”
“There are two,” she whispered, as if saying them out loud would make them come true right that moment. “The dark…and being lost and no one can find me…again.”
Tex’s hand closed around her own, making her realize how hard she was squeezing the cross around her neck. Penelope could feel the pendant lightly digging into her skin as he spoke. “As far as the second fear goes, you don’t ever have to worry about being lost, Tiger. I got your back.”
She looked into the depths of Tex’s eyes and saw nothing but sincerity there. She hadn’t met this man before, but she trusted him. And she knew exactly what he meant. She’d known it the minute she’d pulled the necklace out of her pocket and realized what the note from Wolf’s wife meant.
Our men rescued us, and since they rescued you too, you’re now one of us.
Wear this and you’ll never be lost again.
A tracker. The pendant concealed a miniature tracker inside. It could’ve been creepy, but instead it was comforting. No matter where she went, Tex would know. H
e could send someone to find her. The safety net was a huge relief. The tears she’d been holding back spilled over. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” Tex repeated. He let go of her hand and sat back. “Now, about that first fear. There’s not much I can do about that, but I expect the large guy glaring at me from across the way can.” He motioned to the other side of the lawn with his chin.
Penelope wiped the tears from her face and looked over to where Tex had indicated. Moose stood there with his arms across his chest, his feet planted wide, glaring at Tex as if he wanted to beat the shit out of him for making her cry. The corner of her mouth twitched up.
“That’s just Moose.”
“Yeah, and if you gave him a chance, ‘Just Moose’ would slay all your dragons and keep you from worrying about the dark every night as you slept in his arms.”
Penelope looked at Tex in surprise. “You’re really blunt.”
The other man shrugged. “Why shouldn’t I be? Life is too damn short to go through it walking on eggshells. From the moment I first talked to Melody online, I knew I wanted to be the one by her side and protect her from harm.”
“Isn’t that a bit sexist?” Penelope bit out, harsher than she meant it to sound. “I don’t need to be protected and coddled.”
Tex didn’t look put out in the least. He merely shrugged. “Maybe. Maybe not. But I’ll be the first person to tell you that my Melody can take care of herself. She’s tough, smart, and a bit of a badass. But, that doesn’t mean that I still don’t want to protect her. And it also doesn’t mean that at night, when she’s had a tough day, she’s tired from work and nursing our daughter, that she doesn’t let me coddle and take care of her. And it feels damn good. For both of us.”
“I can take care of myself,” Penelope said softly.
“Of course you can,” Tex returned without hesitation. “You’re a capable adult who has lived on her own for years, who rescues people from burning buildings and crumpled cars, who survived three months in captivity at the hands of ISIS, who’s the Army Princess…but that doesn’t mean you can’t let someone else, someone who desperately wants to shield you from the shit life can throw at you, stand at your side, your back, and even in front of you from time to time.”
Penelope let Tex’s words sink in, then said softly, “I shouldn’t be scared of the dark. It’s childish and stupid.”
“It’s not,” Tex retorted immediately. “You went through hell, Tiger,” Tex said just as quietly. “I’m not surprised you’ve got some tics. But honey, if being scared of the dark is the biggest thing you’re struggling with, you’re stronger than I ever imagined.”
Penelope looked up at the man who literally saved her life without even knowing her. He’d convinced the powers that be to send in the SEALs after her. When they’d all disappeared after their helicopter crashed, he’d been the one to use the trackers to find them and send in the Deltas to scoop them up and get them to safety.
He was right. Absolutely right. So what if she was scared of the dark? She was a badass motherfucker…who needed a nightlight. So what?
“You’re right,” she said finally.
“I know,” was his response.
“I know who you are, and I’m trying to be okay with you touching Pen and making her cry, but I swear to God, if she doesn’t smile in the next five seconds, me and you are gonna have words.”
Moose’s words were low and threatening, and Penelope couldn’t help the shiver that ran through her. She’d known Moose liked her, but seeing him openly get pissed off and defensive on her behalf was a new thing.
Tex didn’t even flinch. He merely stood and gestured to his seat. “She’s all yours, Tucker,” then walked off, whistling.
Moose looked after him with a frown on his face, then looked back down at Penelope. “He’s a bit spooky.”
“You don’t know the half of it. Sit, Moose. Keep me company.”
He did, and as if he hadn’t practically beat his chest Tarzan-style at the thought of Tex upsetting her, Moose chatted about nothing in particular. Giving her the space she still needed, even though she knew he didn’t want to.
Penelope didn’t know if she’d ever be in a position to open herself up to Moose, to be more than friends, but she was grateful that at the moment, he wasn’t giving up on her.
“Come ’ere, love,” Fletch said, pulling Emily against him. He settled her back against his chest and wrapped his arms around her belly. Resting his cheek against hers, he looked out at the guests still at the reception.
They’d cut the cake, had their first dance and suffered through his friends giving cheesy and corny toasts. His parents had left thirty minutes ago. Fletch could tell they were exhausted; the medical issues his mom had still causing her problems. He hated to see them getting older, but was happy as he could be they’d made it to his wedding.
They’d loved Annie on sight, and loved that she’d immediately started calling them Nana and Papa. The little girl had entertained them most of the evening by regaling them with tales from her school, about her favorite PE teacher, the cute first grade teacher in her school who wore ties with cartoon characters on them, about her favorite obstacle courses, how Truck had bought combat boots for her, and endless other stories about his teammates.
His daughter was now sitting off to the side talking with Akilah, not caring that the teenager probably didn’t understand half of what she said because she was talking so quickly. Annie loved everyone. She was a lovely child who was a bit quirky, but people were drawn to her.
As if she could read his mind, Emily said quietly, “Did you see Annie talking to your new friend, Dane, tonight?”
Fletch nodded. “Yeah. She was amazing with him.”
Emily chuckled. “If you call asking him a million questions about his arm and how he lost it and how his prosthetic worked amazing.”
“Yeah, that’s what I meant,” Fletch agreed immediately. “I know it might’ve seemed intrusive, but it wasn’t. He needs to talk about it. And Annie sensed that. I watched as she listened intently to him telling her that his friends and teammates died. And when she reached up and put her cheek against his and hugged him…he almost lost it.”
Emily nodded. “I swear to God, I have no idea how she’s become as amazing as she has. I’m in awe of her.”
“It’s because she has the most amazing mother,” Fletch told her without missing a beat. “A lot of single mothers get caught up in chasing the next dollar, or keeping their head above water. But you? You didn’t. Everything you did was for her. From her schools, to making sure she had the right nutrition, and staying up late and reading to her when she was little. You are why she’s as amazing as she is.”
Emily turned in Fletch’s arms and looked up at him. “I love you, Cormac Fletcher.”
“And I love you, Emily Fletcher,” he returned immediately.
She looked around. “It was a good party, wasn’t it?”
“Definitely. I’ve enjoyed getting to know the SEALs better. And having TJ, Penelope, Fish, and even Tex here was just icing on the cake. Did your friends from the PX have a good time?”
Emily laughed and gestured to where the group was still laughing and talking. “I think they’ve drunk more than your military friends. So yeah, they’re having a good time.”
“Good,” Fletch answered immediately, pulling her closer into him. He could feel his body reacting to her nearness. He openly gazed down at her breasts, trying to look down her shirt.
She laughed and slapped a hand over her chest, cutting off his view.
“Hey,” he mock complained, “those are my tits now.”
Emily rolled her eyes. “As if.”
Fletch leaned down and nuzzled the side of her neck, then took her earlobe into his mouth and bit down gently. He whispered, “When can we kick everyone out?”
He felt Emily’s laugh against him more than he heard it. “Not yet. You need to be patient. Taking me against the wall should’ve tided y
ou over.”
“I’ll never get enough of you, love. Never. You should know, I’m going to be one of those guys who has a prescription for Viagra so even when I’m eighty-five, I can still make love to my wife.”
Emily looked at him with a weird expression on her face then finally said, “I don’t know whether to be disgusted by that, or to think it’s the most romantic thing I’ve ever heard.”
Fletch shrugged. “Don’t care. It is what it is. Did Mary say anything?”
Knowing he was talking about what they’d done in the other woman’s apartment, Emily nodded. “Of course she did. You know her. The first chance she got, she cornered me and demanded to know where we did it and if she needed to wash her sheets, couch, or table.”
Fletch chuckled. “What’d you tell her?”
Emily blushed, but said, “That she didn’t need to wash anything, that we managed not to have sex on any surface of her house that she had to eat, cook, sit, or sleep on. I have no idea how she figured it out, but she immediately said, ‘Wall sex. Awesome.’ Then she gave me an approving look, and walked away.” Emily shook her head. “It was almost spooky how she figured it out so fast.”
“I hate to tell you this,” Fletch told his wife, tightening his arms around her before continuing. “But Mary called me two nights ago and threatened my life if I took you on any of the furniture in her house. She said she loved us both, but she drew the line at bodily fluids contaminating her stuff. I asked if her walls were off-limits, and she laughed and said no. As long as no bare skin touched her stuff, we could do whatever we wanted.”
Emily giggled and shook her head. “We have awesome friends.”
“That we do,” Fletch agreed. Then he kissed her. Long, slow, and deep. Showing her without words how happy he was and how proud he was to make her his wife.
Suddenly, without warning, a harsh voice rang out over the soft music playing and the chatter of the guests.
“Nobody move or you’re all fucking dead! Do as we say and no one will get hurt.”