by K. J. Dahlen
“I know,” Judge said quietly. “It’s something I’ve struggled with every day for the last five years. Ever since we were forced out of the service, I’ve been looking for something to focus my rage on. Then Salim’s pipeline came back and I thought I could focus on that. I wanted to break it up for good. When we hit one wall after another the rage grew out of control.” He turned to look at the woman in Bull’s arms. “Then she came along. She had all the answers we needed to stop the pipeline. She knew the players and every time we turned around, she had the answers we were looking for. We spent every fucking day for the last four years looking and she knew everything all along.” Shaking his head, he went on, “Then we find out she’s Conrad Bane’s fucking daughter. That was just too much. You can’t tell me you trusted her at first either.”
“Maybe not.” Hawk shrugged. “But the more I got to know her, the more I trusted her.”
“I got a question for you Judge,” Tank spoke up. “Now that Bane and the Ratz are under wraps what are we going to do about Ritcher?”
“Yeah, he’s the worst,” Hawk admitted. “He betrayed not on our unit but his own country when he allowed millions of dollars’ worth of drugs to flow into this country. He lined his own pockets on the back of junkies.”
“Oh, don’t you worry about Ricther,” Judge vowed with a hard look in his eyes. “We’re gonna make him regret everything he’s ever done. That I promise you.”
* * * *
Bull tucked a strand of dark hair behind her ear as he waited for her to wake up. “Come on darling, open your eyes, and look at me. I need you to look at me.” His heart was breaking as he watched her.
She wasn’t moving at all. She was barely breathing and that scared him. Her face was bruised and bloody again. Her skin was pale and her breathing was faint.
He hoped she was just in shock but he worried her condition was much worse. He’d seen that bastard slam upside her head with his weapon. When he saw that, he almost popped a cap in the man then but he waited for the signal from Judge.
On top of that, she’s shot and killed her own father. She never hesitated for a moment, she pulled a weapon and shot him. Bull had faced death time and time again and never feared it, but when Bane pointed his gun at Charlie’s head fear froze the blood in his veins. He hesitated for the second time in his life.
Suddenly, she groaned and came around. She struggled against the hold he had on her. “No, let me go. Let me go.” Still struggling, she pushed away from him then her eyes flew open and she stopped. “Bull?”
“Yeah baby, I’m here. Are you okay?”
Charlie snuggled back. “Yeah, I guess so. My head hurts but I think I’ll live.” She closed her eyes briefly. Tears squeezed from beneath her lids. “I killed him, I actually killed him didn’t I?” she whispered.
“Yeah baby, you did. But he didn’t give you much of a choice.”
She shook her head. “No I had a choice.”
“No sweetheart, you really didn’t,” Bull reasoned. “If he had killed you, he would have killed the rest of us too.” He shook his head. “I wouldn’t have been able to watch you die any more than you could watch me die. I know we haven’t known each other very long but I have felt more for you in these last few days than I have ever felt for any woman in my life. All I know is I can’t lose you and I would have taken a bullet for you.”
Charlie opened her eyes and the tears ran freely down her cheeks. “I couldn’t let him shoot you either. You have been the one good thing in my life besides my mother. The only good thing after Maggie died.”
Bull leaned forward and pressed his lips on her forehead.
Charlie pressed her lips on his chin then Bull dropped his lips to hers and the kiss grew hot. A cough behind them broke the kiss and Bull turned his head to find Hawk grinning behind him. “What?”
“Just wanted to know if you guys were ready to talk to FBI and ATF yet? They have some questions.”
Charlie groaned and planted her face in Bull’s chest. Bull nudged her away and said, “Let’s get this over with. Then we can go home and talk a nice long shower and relax.”
“Then you and I have a date,” Charlie reminded him.
Bull grinned. “That we do baby, that we do.”
Three hours later, the last body was loaded in the van and they all watched as it pulled out of the dooryard of the barn. EMT’s had given aid for Judge’s shoulder and Charlie’s head wound had been looked at. Then it was just the seven of them left.
FBI and ATF agents had recovered the hidden evidence from inside the walls of the barn and one agent informed them they had also recovered the bodies of the three missing agents in Texarkana. They were now going to concentrate on gathering up the cartel members and finally putting a stop to the pipeline.
Bull turned to his former team mates. “You guys can stay at the warehouse for as long as you want.”
“Where are you and Charlie going?” Hawk asked sharing a glance with Mustang and Tank.
“I’m going home and I’m taking Charlie with me. I’ll stop over and talk to you guys before you leave in the morning,” Bull told them.
“The FBI have agreed to keep this quiet until they bust the cartel members living here,” Judge informed the rest of his group. “We have work to do before that happens. We have a Senator to break.”
“What are we going to do to him?” Tank asked.
“We’re going to talk to him of course.” Judge grinned.
“And what are we going to talk to him about?” Hawk raised a brow.
“Oh, how about the fact that he betrayed his country? How he lined his own pockets with drug money and how he made friends with a certain drug lord many years ago? We got all the proof we need from Bane’s flash drive. Then we’re gonna watch him on TV get arrested for his crimes and spend the rest of his miserable life in jail.”
“Yeah, a bullet would be too good for him.” Mustang swore. “It would be over too quick. This way he suffers for a long time.”
“Which is better than he deserves.” Tank growled.
“You tell him from me I’ll be waiting for him the day they release him from prison,” Bull stated. “I’ll even give him a ride home.”
Hawk smiled. “I’ll make sure I tell him.”
Mustang pulled out a set of keys. “Come on, I’ll drop you guys off.”
Everyone got into the vehicles and as Mustang drove to Bull’s house, they spoke quietly in the front seat. Charlie was in the back curled up in Bull’s shirt. He’d put it on her when she got chilled and now she was glad he had. Shock was setting in and she was getting cold.
When they pulled up in front of Bull’s house and Bull opened the car door, he gathered her into his arms and carried her to the front door. Mustang pulled away and drove off as Bull let them both in the house.
Locking the door behind them both, Bull and Charlie noticed the quiet around them.
Finally, Bull broke the silence by asking, “Are you hungry?”
Charlie shook her head and toed her shoes off. “No I just want a shower and then bed.”
Bull chuckled. “Me too.” He grabbed her hand and pulled her down the hall. When they got to the master bedroom, Bull began pulling off his clothes. When he stood naked, he turned to Charlie and began undressing her. He carefully lifted her t shirt off her head and reaching around her he unhook her bra. Dropping it to the floor, he couldn’t help but notice her perky nipples.
Leaning down he captured one in his mouth. Sucking it gently, Charlie groaned. After a moment, she pulled away and Bull looked hurt. “Please let’s get clean first. I’m covered in sweat, grime and blood. I want to enjoy this.”
Bull smiled and pulled her pants down, taking her underwear off at the same time. Taking her hand, he led her to the bathroom inside his bedroom. Reaching in the shower, he turned on the water and soon the bathroom was filled with steam.
When they stepped under the spray of hot water, Charlie hissed. The water stung all the cuts and
scrapes she’d gotten over the last few days. Bull turned the water to a cooler temperature. “Sorry, babe.” He grabbed the body wash and began washing her hair. His hands were gentle as he worked up a later and the water turned first pink then finally clear. Charlie groaned when he brushed over the sore spot left from Jose’s gun but she knew it had to be done. She put her hands on against the wall and gritted her teeth.
“I’m sorry,” Bull whispered in her ear and he scrubbed her hair. “I’m trying like hell not to hurt you.”
“Just get it done, so we can move on to bigger and better things,” she told him as she wiggled her butt into his pelvic region.
Bull groaned as he felt her intent. He could feel his cock getting hard at her teasing. “Are you sure you want that? You aren’t too sore?”
Charlie turned around to face him and whispered, “I want what we had when we were together earlier.”
Bull grinned at her then kissed her hard and long. They were both out of breath by the time the kiss was broken. “Oh, my…” Charlie moaned.
“Are you clean yet?” Bull nibbled on her neck. “I don’t think I can wait anymore.”
“Then don’t,” she groaned. “I can’t wait either.”
Bull growled as he positioned her up against the tiled wall, and lifted her hips, to take him. With a mighty surge, he pushed inside her. Charlie screamed and wrapped her legs around his waist. With each thrust of his hips, she gripped his waist tighter as the pleasure built inside her and threatened to explode.
Bull could feel her body tightening as she neared her climax. He was getting close too and he knew it wouldn’t take much to send them both over the edge to insanity. Leaning down, he nibbled on her nipple and she went crazy in his arms.
“Bull!” she screamed as she hit the pinnacle of ecstasy. Her body clamped down on his and they both rode the wave. Bull cried out her name as he felt his hot cum filling her. When he was done, he slumped against the wall.
After a few minutes, Charlie groaned. “I don’t think I can move.”
Bull helped her out of the shower. Handing her a towel, they dried themselves off and stumbled into the bedroom. Charlie flopped down on the bed groaning as she felt her body relax and sink into the mattress.
Bull pushed her off to one side and pulled the blankets down. As soon as she was settled, he crawled in beside her and covered them both up. Then he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. “I love you, Charlie girl,” he whispered in her ear.
“I love you too, Bull.” She closed her eyes and waited until she heard his gentle snore. Then her eyes popped open and she stared into the darkness around them. With a heavy heart, she knew she had some serious thinking to do before morning got here.
Chapter Thirteen
Bull woke early as per his usual routine and stared down at the woman beside him. She had come to mean something to him and now he couldn’t imagine life without her. He couldn’t help but wonder if circumstances had been different would they still feel the same?
What would he do now? How would he make a living? Could he find another manager and keep his standing in the cage? Or should he find something else to do? He flopped back on the mattress and flung his arm over his head.
What he really wanted to do was join his friends and fight the good fight with them. That has always been his goal once he fought through the rage the ambush had left in him. Now the rage was gone but he still couldn’t join his friends and have Charlie in his life too.
Charlie might not make him choose between them but Judge would. Why Judge couldn’t accept her was beyond Bull’s reasoning but he knew in his heart his old CO would never accept her. He would go to the safe house this morning, tell his friends goodbye and wish them well.
Turning his head he found her staring back at him. Bull smiled.
Charlie smiled back.
Then she climbed on top of him and kissed him. Her mouth brushed his and when she pressed her lips against his Bull deepened the kiss. Fire flashed in his veins and rushed through his body heating up his body. His cock hardened to almost painful and Charlie opened her legs and straddled his hips.
Pressing her warm wet core against him Bull slipped into her body. He groaned as she accepted him and they began the age old rhythm of in and out. Neither of them spoke a word but then they didn’t have to, their bodies were talking plenty loud enough.
Sooner than either of them realized it, they were going over the edge of reason and splashing down over the top. Charlie collapsed on Bull’s chest for a moment then moved off to the side. Bull took a moment to catch his breath then pulled her into a hug.
A few minutes later Bull nudged her. “I have to go talk to the guys before they leave for home.”
Charlie turned her head and smiled. “Ok. I think I’m going to go back to sleep for a while.”
“I’ll be back in a little while.” Bull got up and dressed. Before he left, he gave her a kiss.
Bull reached the safe house and went inside. His footsteps echoed as he made his way up the steps. When he got to the second floor, he found Tank and Hawk sitting at the table with a coffee pot between them.
Grabbing another cup, he sat down with them. Pouring his coffee, he looked at the other two men. “So what are you guys going to do now?”
Hawk leaned back in his chair and stared at him for a moment. “We’re going to go on fighting the good fight. There will always be another drug line to shut down, another bad guy to stop. We’re just getting started my friend.”
Bull nodded. “I can see that.”
“Question is what are you going to do next?” Tank asked.
Bull sighed heavily. “Honestly? I’m not sure. I always thought I’d come back to Brava Unit but now, I don’t think I can.”
“Why not?” Hawk frowned.
“Because I won’t chose between you guys and Charlie. It wouldn’t be fair to her. I can’t put her in that position.”
After a moment, Hawk nodded. “I can understand that. I’ve never seen Judge act that way before. I’ve seen the man pissed but never like that.”
“Coming back to you guys was all I could think about for the last four years,” Bull admitted. “In fact, my fight the other night was going to be my last one. I was more than ready to come back.”
“We could sure use you man,” Hawk admitted.
“I know it all happened too fast and maybe I’m making a big mistake but I need her. I need her to be able to breathe. When I’m with her my rage is gone and I can see clearly again.”
Hawk smiled. “Then you stick with her and have a good life.”
Bull nodded. They had all talked about what they wanted out of life during the hours when everybody else had gone to sleep in the sands of the desert. It had been a lonely time for them all and between every battles they fought, they had talked.
Most of the time their dreams had overlapped filled with the one love of their lives and home and f maybe a family someday. They had shared their dreams with each other and the sand dunes. Hawk knew Bull had found his dream and he was happy for the other man. He just hoped he would find the same dream someday.
Bull got to his feet. “I want to say goodbye to the others before you all leave. I hope it isn’t four years before we see each other again.” He reached out and shook tank’s hand then Hawk’s.
Going up one more flight, he found Wild Child packing up the computers. He walked over to the other man and shook his hand. “Thanks for your help man.”
“Hey glad to help.” Wild Child nodded. “This was a long time coming and I’m glad it’s done.”
“You and me both brother, you and me both.” Bull had to agree.
Bull turned and found Mustang waiting for him in front of the picture window. He had been looking over the streets of the town below. Bull stepped over and when he got close Mustang turned and waited for him. Bull held out his hand and Mustang shook his head. “Sorry a handshake just won’t do man.” Opening his arms, Bull walked into a hug.
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Bull felt a little piece of his soul fall into place. Making his peace with these men was healing of another kind. “Thanks for coming brother.”
“There was never any question as to whether we would come or not,” Mustang stated. Shrugging he said, “You’re a brother, and when you need us we’ll always be there.”
“I hope you know that’s true for me as well.” Bull tipped his head and stared at him. “I never meant to stay away this long.”
Mustang shook his head. “We all had our demons to conquer. Can you breathe yet?”
Bull nodded. “Yeah, I can finally breathe. Having Charlie around helps but having this back,” he paused and motioned around taking it all in. “That was the first step. If you guys even need me, I hope you know all you have to do is call.”
“We were kind of hoping you’d come back with us,” Mustang stated then looked over his shoulder. When his eyes came back to Bull he said, “But understand your reason. Wish you the best.”
Bull held out his hand. When Mustang clasped it he repeated, “Don’t forget me man, I’ll be there.”
Bull turned to the last man. Kale Arndt a.k.a. Judge. The one man he’d looked up to, to keep them all safe and alive while they fought the good fight. The one man he trusted with his life. Walking over to where he sat on the edge of his bed, Bull stopped a few steps away.
Judge looked up at him and Bull met his gaze straight on. Bull held out his hand and Judge took it. “It was great to see you guys again. Thanks for coming.”
Judge got to his feet still towering over the other man. “I think we all needed this. This gave us some closure. Tell your lady that I’m sorry. I treated her like shit and I had no right to do that. None of this was her fault.”
Bull nodded. “I’ll let her know.” He looked around the room. “So what are your plans now?”