Capturing Sosimo

by Sara Blackard

  “How can you even think about food right now?” Cooper’s shocked tone had her lifting her arm to look at him. He rubbed his gut, a pained look on his face. “I don’t even want to think about food after that barbecue, and you ate almost as much as me.”

  Sosimo tossed his bag onto the desk, then peeked out the window before pulling the curtains closed. “She’s either starving herself or gorging. There doesn’t seem to be an in-between.”

  “It’s all these nerves.” June rose and pushed herself against the headboard. “I think I might comfort myself through my stomach.” She pointed at Cooper. “You want to do me a favor?”

  “No, I won’t go get ice so you two can make out more.” He crossed his arms.

  Her ears heated. Great. No darkness to hide her blush now. “No, I’m wondering if you could try on my suit? I want to make sure the programming works with a different operator. That nothing glitches in the biometrics.”

  Cooper froze, his eyes not blinking from his look of awe. “You want me to try on the Supersuit?”

  June threw her head back and laughed. “It’s just an armored suit, nothing super about it.”

  “That’s not true. It’s the most amazing invention I’ve ever seen.” Sosimo plopped onto the edge of the bed, placing her legs over his lap.

  “It won’t fit me.” Cooper motioned up and down his body. “My superior physique won’t fit in anything puny Sosimo’s did.”

  June looked at Sosimo, her nose scrunching as she thought. “There’s nothing puny about Sosimo.”

  “Gracias, amor.” He leaned forward and kissed her quickly.

  She smiled before turning to Cooper. “Besides, I designed the suit to adjust to whoever wore it.”

  “There’s no way you can wear something I can.” Cooper snatched the suit she tossed to him and examined it.

  She smirked. “I bet you the treat of your choice it will. You try it on, let me run some tests. Then, I’ll try it on.”

  He rolled his shoulders and met her gaze. “I’ll take that bet.” He sauntered into the bathroom.

  “Coop, make sure you pull your pants on over the suit. Reagan has delicate sensibilities,” Sosimo hollered and leaned sideways, his voice pitching low as he slid his hand up her arm. “I have to say, I’m looking forward to seeing you in that suit.”

  He cupped his hand around the back of her neck and pulled her to him. Her fingers ached as she wrapped her hand around his arm to steady herself. His bicep flexed. Definitely nothing puny about him. He hovered above her lips, closing his eyes and inhaling deeply. Then, with great tenderness, he kissed her.

  “Mmm, lemons.” He dove in for another taste.

  The door to the bathroom opened, and she jumped away from him. He raised his eyebrow as he tapped her leg. Oh, he knew perfectly well what he put her through.

  She cleared her throat and surveyed Cooper, who strutted out and struck a pose. He then grew serious as he moved and stretched in the suit. It fit him as perfectly as it had Sosimo. She swung her legs off the bed and crossed to examine it closer.

  “How does it feel?” She moved his arms up and peered at the seams. “Any pinching?”

  “It feels great.” He rotated his shoulders. “I’m not sure I’ve ever worn something so comfortable before. This can’t be strong enough to protect you from bullets.”

  She clicked the suit on and went to her computer. She booted up the program and smiled when Cooper’s heartbeat played through the speakers. She closed her eyes and bit her lip to keep from beaming.

  “It works, chamo.” Sosimo’s quick defense added to her sense of happiness. “Remember, I was shot in the back, would’ve killed me. I barely felt it. She’s designed it to somehow distribute the force of the impact.”

  “Cool.” Cooper smoothed his hand down the front of him. “This will change everything.”

  A silence settled over them as everyone paused. Her eyes stung as she inhaled, the weight of what this invention could do settling over her. She should’ve worked faster. Should’ve put more time in. Hadn’t she been working on it for years? What if she could’ve saved their friend? A tear rushed down her cheek, and Sosimo caught it.

  “Cariña?”

  “I’m so sorry.” She sniffed, trying desperately to stop the tears that threatened. “I should’ve made this a priority. Should’ve put in longer hours. How many lives could it have saved if I would’ve just tried harder to figure it out?”

  “No, Reagan, don’t think like that.” Sosimo scooted to her and pulled her close. “You’ve done so much for soldiers both on and off the field. Never think you haven’t. Look at all you’ve done through A Hero’s Tomorrow.”

  “But how many of them wouldn’t need prosthetics if I’d just gotten this done earlier? Jake was shot. If he would’ve had a suit on, he wouldn’t have lost his leg.”

  He forced her to look at him. “You are only one person, and you’ve helped incredibly. Now, with this, you’ll help even more. Don’t put that on you, amor. That’s a weight you can’t carry.”

  “Yeah, Reagan.” Cooper rolled his shoulders. “We’re vanquishing ghosts today, not taking more on.”

  The truth of their comments settled over her, suffocating the self-doubt and giving comfort. Their words held a truth she needed to accept. Her next breath came a little easier as she let go. She may not be able to work faster, but she’d keep inventing, doing her part for those who protected their freedom.

  Sosimo rubbed his thumb over her cheek. “Better?” He smiled when she nodded. “Good. Because I’m ready to see what you look like in that thing.”

  She laughed as Cooper tucked into the bathroom to change out of it. How could she have ended up so blessed? Not only did these guys protect her from danger, but they protected her from herself. She had lived in self-doubt for so long, always questioning if she’d done the right thing, that it felt good to be dragged from that smothering pit.

  She peered at Sosimo where he dug through his gear. Yes, she’d been blessed beyond belief. Now, she needed to find the courage to reveal her identity. She just didn’t want to broach that while they were still thick in this situation. She couldn’t handle the stress of running for her life and the fallout of Sosimo’s rejection if he decided he couldn’t take her lies.

  Thirteen

  Sosimo’s body sagged in relief as he peered across the river two mornings later. They’d made it to Virginia. They’d rented a little two-bedroom waterfront cottage north of Fort Belvoir and eaten a magnificent seafood dinner, much to Reagan’s delight. Before they turned in for the night, he’d sat on the dock with Reagan watching the birds and water rush by.

  They’d talked for hours, though they both were exhausted. He’d never found someone outside his men and family he could be at ease with as much as he was with her. When all of this was done, maybe they could come back here, spend some time exploring the coast and sitting on the dock long after the stars came out. Maybe it’d take a while before they could get her before the SEP. Wouldn’t that be a blessing in disguise?

  When they’d finally gone to bed, he’d slept horribly, despite the comfy couch. Maybe the night before they’d gotten to Virginia had spoiled him. He smiled remembering that night in the hotel room. She had refused to allow him to sleep on the floor, claiming she’d plop down next to him if he wanted to be so silly. So Reagan had nestled under the covers and him on top of them. When he’d woken up, she had her hand wrapped around his arm, and the rising sun had made her look ethereal as it haloed her head. Last night, he’d felt lost without her close and had tossed and turned all night.

  Soft footsteps sounded over the lapping water. He turned to see Reagan wrapped in a blanket, clutching a mug of coffee in her hands. Her hair still flew wildly about her head, and the rising sun made the ginger strands shine copper.

  “Wow, how beautiful.” She peered across the water pinked with the sunrise.

  He stared at her and swallowed the lump in his throat. “Precioso.”

&nbs
p; She peeked at him, and her smile grew. “You aren’t even looking.”

  “Why would I waste my time with that, when I have you to look at?” He stepped closer, and his voice came out low and husky. “Did you sleep well?”

  She shivered, her eyes closing as he ran his hand through her hair. “No.”

  “Why not?” He eased his fingers across her shoulders.

  She shrugged and took a drink of her steaming coffee. A blush crept up her neck. Or was that just the pink from the sun?

  “Cariño, you weren’t worrying over stuff you can’t change again, were you?”

  “No.” She shook her head and handed him her mug. “It’s silly … but I missed you.”

  Her words warmed his insides more than the hot coffee. He set the mug on the dock’s railing. Stepping closer, he kissed her slowly, pulling her tighter when she sighed in contentment.

  “I missed you, too.”

  Her phone trumpeted the Reveille in her sweatshirt pocket, vibrating between them. He hadn’t heard that since he’d left the Army and almost snapped to attention. She cringed and stepped away from him.

  Putting the phone to her ear, she turned toward the house. “Dad, you realize it’s still too early to be calling?”

  Sosimo grabbed the mug and took another drink.

  “No, Dad. It’s not necessary. We’re safe where we are.” Her shoulders slumped, and defeat laced her voice.

  Sosimo stepped up next to her. She clenched her free hand into the blanket, making her look small and vulnerable. He leaned on the railing, hoping his relaxed posture calmed her.

  “Junebug, it’s not a request.” The harsh command was loud enough that Sosimo could hear and had him squeezing the mug so he wouldn’t take the phone from her hands and do something stupid, like chew out his hopefully future father-in-law or chuck the phone into the Potomac.

  “I’m not one of your grunts you can order around, General.” Her retort both impressed and worried him.

  What did she mean, general? Sosimo turned around, placing his back to the railing, and peered back at her. Her chin trembled before she tipped her head back and stared at the sky as the voice spoke rapidly at her.

  “Fine. We’ll be there later this morning,” she agreed without emotion.

  Her father barked something else.

  “Don’t push it, Dad. I said we’d be there later this morning.” At least some of her spunk had returned as she sharply tapped the end call icon and shoved the phone in her pocket.

  Her eyes quickly darted to Sosimo before she leaned over the railing with a sigh. “My father wants us to go to Fort Meade where he’s stationed. He thinks we’ll be safer there. He’s not willing to wait any longer and plans on throwing his resources at this to help.”

  He rubbed his hand across her shoulders, but she didn’t lean into him. She straightened and angled her body away from him. Something about going to her parents had her guard up.

  “I’m going to go get ready.” She looked back over the river, her eyes filled with so much sorrow that Sosimo wanted to pull her in tight and whisk her away from all of this.

  “Okay.” He cleared his throat that had gone dry.

  She nodded and turned toward the cottage. Her steps plodded heavily on the wooden dock. Something about this entire situation gave Sosimo an empty feeling in his gut, like dread pooled there, hungrily devouring all the hope from the last few days. Why would she pull away from him like she had? Was Rafe right about her hiding something? What an idiot. Hadn’t he known she hid something from the beginning? He just hoped the truth didn’t blow their relationship to smithereens. He pulled out his phone.

  “You realize it’s four in the morning, right?” Rafe’s annoyed voice rasped through the phone. “How’s a man supposed to get his beauty sleep if his so-called friends keep waking him up?”

  “Listen, Reagan’s father called. Ordered us to go to Fort Meade where he’s stationed.” Sosimo rubbed the back of his neck. “I feel like I’m flying blind here.”

  “Did you ask her who her pops is?” Rustling sounded through the phone.

  Sosimo tossed the coffee into the river, his gut twisting. He hadn’t asked her. Kept hoping she’d tell him, but with each passing moment that she didn’t, the doubt crept in.

  “I’ll take your silence as a no.” Rafe huffed. “What’s going on, man?”

  “I think I did something stupid.”

  After a pause, Rafe growled. “Okay, what?”

  “Ay caraye, I fell in love with her.”

  “Hot dog, now we’re talking.” Rafe’s voice held an excitement that made Sosimo cringe. “She’s smoking.”

  “Rafe.” Sosimo put as much menace as he could in his voice.

  “Calm down. Though, I could’ve called it from that first night at the fundraiser.” Rafe’s voice turned dramatic. “Something about the way you glared at her screamed wedding bells as you escorted her around the ballroom.”

  “Yeah, well, those bells may come crashing down.” Sosimo spun the mug on his finger. “Just see what you can find, okay?”

  “On it.”

  The phone went dead. Sosimo stared at it in his hand. Why was he so hesitant to ask her? Was he worried she’d lie? Or was he more scared she’d tell the truth? He stomped to the cottage. Whether she told him or not, he’d have answers to at least part of the mystery in a matter of hours. He prayed the truth didn’t rip his heart out in the discovering.

  June clenched her hands around the steering wheel as the soldier at the guardhouse took one look at her and waved them in. Sosimo gazed at her. The question he’d never asked and she’d been too chicken to answer zinged across the space between them. She’d hopped in the driver’s seat after they’d eaten breakfast, needing the East Coast traffic to distract her. But the closer they got to the fort, the thicker the tension became.

  Now her silence had built a wall of steel between them, blocking the friendship and love that had flowed so freely. Stupid cowardice. She should’ve just told him.

  Her stomach twisted, and she was glad she’d just pushed her eggs around her plate without eating them. She pulled onto her parents’ road where the nicer houses sat in the fort. Cooper cleared his throat, his eyes meeting hers in the rearview mirror. She pulled into her parents’ drive and swallowed the bile that rose up her throat.

  “June Paxton,” Cooper whispered in the back, causing Sosimo to twist in his seat to look back at him.

  She put the car in park and turned off the ignition, a sense of finality settling with the dying engine. She bit her lip and glanced at Sosimo. His eyes had trained on the front door that opened to General Daniel Paxton, her father, marching out. Sosimo’s eyes narrowed and his jaw clenched as he stared at her father getting closer. Sosimo’s eyes didn’t avert to her once.

  Her heart sank as she reached for the door. “I’m sorry. I should’ve—”

  “Yeah. You should’ve.” Sosimo yanked open his door and exited, approaching Dad with a salute.

  She closed her eyes, knocking her head against the headrest before pushing the door open.

  Cooper came up next to her. “Don’t worry. He’ll get over it.”

  “I doubt it.” She didn’t look at him, just grabbed her bag from the backseat.

  “Junebug.” Dad eased her bag off her shoulder as he wrapped an arm around her.

  “Dad.” She leaned into his embrace. No matter how much she didn’t like her father’s intrusion, his presence comforted her.

  “Let’s go inside. Your mom just finished baking your favorite banana bread.” He ushered everyone in, pointing to the corner of the entryway. “Drop your gear right there and follow me.”

  June rolled her eyes as she followed him down the hall to the kitchen. General Paxton led in full command mode. She crossed to her mom and gave her a kiss on the cheek. Where her father was all hard with his lean, muscular body and his short military-issue haircut, her mother had soft curves and a short blonde bob that had lightened to white. The sme
ll of baked bananas and cinnamon filled the kitchen, soothing June’s frazzled nerves down a notch or two.

  “June, I’m so glad you’re here.” Hearing her real name from her mother’s lips startled her.

  When had she ceased being plain ol’ June? Should it worry her that her old name itched and felt binding around her? She’d never wanted to leave June completely behind, but somewhere along the way she had.

  Dad pointed to the stools lining the counter. “Have a seat, men. My Claire’s made her famous banana bread. You won’t taste any better than this.”

  “Oh, stop, Danny. You’re embarrassing me.” Mom blushed, swatting at her father’s arm.

  June’s gaze bounced between her parents. When had they gotten so flirty? Her eyes widened a fraction before she ducked her head and reached for a plate. She couldn’t remember a time when they’d shown such love toward each other. Definitely not since her brother’s death. She blinked as she grabbed a piece of bread.

  “I just want to say that I appreciate how you’ve kept my Junebug safe.” Her father pointed his coffee mug at Sosimo and Cooper before taking a drink.

  “Dad, really?” She hated feeling like a teenager again, just waiting for the next embarrassing thing her father would say.

  “We take our job seriously, sir.” Sosimo’s expression was all business, a soldier at attention.

  “I knew you boys were the best.” Dad nodded with a tsk. “Wish you all hadn’t gotten out. Your team was one of the best we’ve ever had.”

  “Thank you, sir.” Sosimo fidgeted on his stool and swallowed.

  “I’ve contacted Adam. He’ll be here shortly to pick up your contraption.” Her father’s audacity had her gaping at him.

  “But, Dad—”

  “June, it’s past time for you to pass that project on and move on to the next one. It won’t do anyone any good if it never makes it to our troops.” Dad took a swig of his coffee. “Your last little gadget has been a big help in the field. I can only imagine that this will be the same.”

  “Sir, do you know what she’s been working on?” Sosimo sat up straighter and turned to her. “You told him what you are working on, right?”